Reindeer Antler Headband
Reindeer antler headbands made from brown paper bags and pipe cleaners are one of those Christmas crafts that children wear immediately and keep wearing for days. The antlers are stuffed and dramatic, the headband fits any size head, and the whole effect is charming in the way that only something a child made themselves can be.
What You'll Need
- A brown paper lunch bag — for the antler stuffing material
- Brown construction paper or craft foam — for the antler shapes
- A plastic or cardboard headband — as the base
- Brown pipe cleaners — for structural support inside the antlers
- Hot glue gun — adult use for assembly
- Optional: a red pom-pom — to attach to the nose with a headband or clip
How to Do It
Step 1: Draw the antler shapes. On brown construction paper or foam, draw two mirrored antler shapes — a main branch with 2–3 additional tines branching from it. Children can draw their own interpretation freely.
Step 2: Cut and pair. Cut two matching antler shapes per antler — these will be glued front-to-back to create a dimensional antler.
Step 3: Add the pipe cleaner structure. Lay a bent brown pipe cleaner between the two antler layers and glue them together around it, leaving the bottom open. The pipe cleaner gives the antler structure and lets it be bent upright.
Step 4: Stuff lightly. Tear small pieces of brown paper bag and stuff loosely into the antler between the layers before fully sealing. This gives the antler a slightly 3D, padded quality.
Step 5: Attach to headband. Glue or wrap the pipe cleaner base firmly around the headband, positioning antlers upright and angled slightly outward.
Step 6: Wear. Put on the headband and practice prancing like a reindeer.
Skills Your Child Will Develop
Bilateral symmetry — Drawing mirrored antler shapes requires awareness of symmetrical balance.
Three-dimensional construction — Building an antler that stands up from a flat headband develops spatial engineering.
Character embodiment — Wearing self-made antlers launches reindeer dramatic play.
Tips & Variations
- Add a red pom-pom nose on a separate nose clip for a Rudolph costume.
- Decorate the antlers with small ornament stickers, jingle bells, or tiny bows.
- Make matching antler headbands for stuffed animals.
My Two Cents
The pipe cleaner inside the antler is the structural element that makes this work long-term — antlers without internal support droop within hours. Use two pipe cleaners twisted together for extra rigidity.
