Learn how to make wine cork reindeer, a cute Christmas craft for both kids or adults! Turn them into ornaments, place cards, decor, or gift toppers. So easy!
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never made anything before, you can make a cork reindeer. You’ll need to know how to use a craft knife as well as a hot glue gun. The rest is simple.
In normal, everyday life, I’m not necessarily a fan of having cutesy crafts around my home. Don’t get me wrong, I make them for gifts (for those who love them) and I enjoy the process.
But I would say my decor style is definitely a combination of “cabin inspired” and “modern.” And to a certain extent, I’m a minimalist. I don’t like a lot of extras everywhere.
Having said that – the holidays are a time when all of that goes out the window. Christmas calls for bright colors and glitter!
Polka dot wood stockings? Of course. Pom poms on pinecones? Yes please! Apothecary jars filled with candy? Where have you been all my life!
I also feel the holidays are a great time to bring back classic Christmas crafts and decor from the past: one of those being wine cork reindeer!
Did you ever make these when you were little? We made these as ornaments in my kindergarten class.
While the originals are long gone, I’m here to show you how to make these with your own kids. But hey, if you don’t have children and want to make these for yourself . . . they are timeless!
These are made in five simple steps. You’re going to cut the corks, glue them together, add the nose, add the antlers, then add the eyes and tie. It’s simple.
How do I cut wine corks?
A craft knife is best, but if you don’t have one, it’s okay. Simple boil the corks in water for 5 – 10 minutes, then they cut easier with a regular knife (but make it sharp!).
Gather These Supplies
- Wine corks – 4 per reindeer
- Pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Mini pom poms
- Baker’s twine
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Craft knife
You can turn these into ornaments by tying more baker’s twine around the neck or hot gluing to the body.
You’re going to love to display these for the holidays! What a great recycled Christmas idea for all the drinking that transpires 😮
Here’s the printable how to:
Wine Cork Reindeer
Materials
- 4 Wine corks 4 per reindeer
- 1 Pipe cleaner(s) 1 per reindeer
- 2 Googly eye(s) 2 per reindeer
- 1 mini Pom pom(s) red, 1 per reindeer
- Baker’s twine
Instructions
- Using a craft knife or other sharp tool, cut two of the wine corks in half.
- With one of the whole wine corks at the ready, place hot glue at the end of one of the halves. Press the half to the body to act as a leg. Repeat with the other three wine cork halves to create four legs on the body.
- Take the last remaining whole wine cork and hot glue it to the top of the body to act as the head.
- Hot glue a red pom pom as the nose to the end of the top wine cork.
- Cut pipe cleaners and bend to form antlers. Glue to the top of the head.
- Cut small pieces of pipe cleaner to act as crossbars on the antlers. Glue in place.
- Hot glue two googly eyes to the face.
- Add a small tail piece with hot glue. Then cut a long piece of baker's twine and tie around the neck to finish.
Video
If you enjoyed making these cute little reindeer, I’d love for you to check out these other wine cork crafts I think you’re going to love:
Coasters • Cork Board (Mini) • Pumpkins • Snowman • Wreath • Tips for Working with Cork