Magic Reindeer Food with Printable Reindeer Food Tags
This post may contain affiliate links – please read my disclosure statement.
Making magic reindeer food is one of those simple Christmas activities that makes the holiday feel extra special for kids. I love putting together little bags of oats and festive colored sugar with a poem to share before Christmas Eve.
I’ve made these little reindeer food favors with printed poems, ribbon, and snack bags. They make such a cute classroom or Christmas party activity, and the kids get to take a little of that Christmas magic home.
I made a new two-page reindeer food printable with four large poem tags and six smaller gift labels. You can use either style to finish the bags, and there’s also a separate paper bag reindeer craft to make for extra Christmas fun.
Why You’ll Love This Reindeer Food
- Easy to make. A few simple ingredients and little snack bags are all you need.
- Fun for groups. Make them as Christmas classroom gifts, holiday favors, or a Christmas Eve activity.
- Printable reindeer food tags. Choose from large poem tags or smaller gift labels.
- Glitter-free. This version uses oats and sugar crystals instead of craft glitter.
Reindeer Food Ingredients
I use oats, granulated sugar, and red and green sugar crystals. You’ll find the amounts in the How-To card below.
For packaging: Small resealable snack bags, printed reindeer food tags, a hole punch, ribbon, and optional cardstock if you’d like to make the tags sturdier.
A note about wildlife: This version is glitter-free. If you’d rather not leave sugar outside for wildlife, keep the bag as a Christmas Eve keepsake instead.
How to Make Reindeer Food
Step 1: Combine the oats, granulated sugar, and red and green sugar crystals. Mix them together in a large bowl.
Step 2: Add a small scoop of the mixture to each snack bag.
Step 3: Print and cut out the reindeer food poem tags or the smaller gift labels. If you prefer, glue each tag to cardstock for extra sturdiness.
Step 4: Punch a hole in the tag, thread ribbon through it, and tie it to the bag to make a festive Christmas favor.
More Reindeer Fun: Paper Bag Reindeer Craft
For another fun classroom Christmas activity, try my separate paper bag reindeer craft uses googly eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and twigs for antlers. Pair these two crafts for a festive classroom Christmas party.
Printable Reindeer Food Poem and Tags
Download my two-page printable reindeer food tags. Page one has four larger tags with the Christmas poem, and page two has six smaller labels that say “Magic Reindeer Food” with a “From:” line. Print on white paper or cardstock and cut around each tag.
Download the Reindeer Food Poem and Tags Printable (PDF)
I used the classic reindeer food poem on the tags:
Sprinkle on the lawn at night
The moon will make it sparkle bright
Santa’s reindeer fly and roam
This will guide them to your home.
Melissa’s Tips for Reindeer Food
- Make the bags assembly-line style. Set out the oats, sugar crystals, bags, and scoop so each child can help with a step.
- Use the larger tags for the poem. They’re easy to attach to a little treat bag with ribbon.
- Choose the smaller labels for gifts. The “From:” line is especially handy for classroom favors.
- Prepare ahead. Keep the completed bags sealed in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to hand them out.
Reindeer Food FAQs
Is reindeer food safe for animals?
This version uses oats, granulated sugar, and colored sugar crystals, without craft glitter. That doesn’t mean it’s wildlife-safe: the sugar and coloring haven’t been verified as safe for birds or other animals. Use only a light sprinkle if you follow the Christmas Eve tradition, or save the bag as a keepsake. Avoid putting the mixture where pets or wildlife may eat it.
When do you use magic reindeer food?
Christmas Eve is the traditional time to share the poem and imagine helping Santa’s reindeer find their way. The bags also make fun holiday classroom favors.
How far ahead can you make reindeer food?
You can assemble the dry ingredients and package the favors ahead of your Christmas celebration. Store the bags sealed and dry; I haven’t tested an exact shelf life.
More Christmas Eve Traditions for Kids
For more festive activities, try my paper bag reindeer craft and browse other salt dough ornament ideas to make Christmas keepsakes together.
I’d Love to Hear From You
If you make this craft, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a star rating and comment below to let me know how it turned out. I love hearing from you, and your ratings help other readers find and enjoy the craft, too!
If you make this craft, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a star rating and comment below to let me know how it turned out. I love hearing from you, and your ratings help other readers find and enjoy the craft, too!
Easy Magic Reindeer Food
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl and spoon
- Small resealable snack bags
- Printed reindeer food poem tags or gift labels
- Hole punch
- Ribbon
- Optional cardstock and glue
- Printable PDF
Materials
- 2 cups of oats
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- red and green sugar crystals as desired
Extra Materials for reindeer food:
Instructions
Step 1
- Mix the ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, granulated sugar, and red and green sugar crystals. Stir to distribute the colorful crystals throughout the mixture.
Step 2
- Fill the bags.
- Scoop about ½ cup of the mixture into each small resealable snack bag and seal it.
Step 3
- Prepare the printable tags.
- Print and cut out the reindeer food poem tags or smaller gift labels. If desired, glue the tags to cardstock for extra sturdiness.
Step 4
- Attach the tags.
- Punch a hole near the top of each tag, thread ribbon through the hole, and tie it onto the snack bag.
Step 5
- Share the reindeer food.
- Give the finished bags as Christmas classroom favors or use them as part of your family’s Christmas Eve tradition.
