This free printable reindeer food recipe is a fantastic way to easily make and share this fun holiday activity.
Start a new tradition (or add a creative touch) for Christmas eve by sprinkling this DIY mix to attract Santa’s reindeer. My boys and I have enjoyed this frugal idea for years. I’m so excited to share it with you!
Learn how to put together your own batch of reindeer food and get the free printable tags (instant download!) for using and sharing with others. Such simple ways to boost holiday fun for all!
Affordable Way to Add Amazing Fun to Your Holidays
If you’d like an easy and frugal way to boost your Christmas fun with kids, you’ll love this DIY reindeer food recipe!
My mom (a retired Kindergarten teacher) got my family started with several holiday traditions, including a few Christmas eve activities. She found and shared a bunch of ideas with the families of her students. When I had kids, she couldn’t wait to help me get started with festive fun.
She gifted us an Elf on the Shelf (lovingly called Zylar). Her idea to “plant” peppermint candies that would grow candy canes on Christmas Eve was a big hit with my boys. And this reindeer food recipe has been voted #1 by all of my boys!
Have you heard of Magical Reindeer Food? It’s the idea of mixing together a few ingredients that reindeers like and can “see” so they’ll have a way to find your home on Christmas eve.
As I was brainstorming ideas for things to share with you for holiday celebrations, I realized that I never shared our recipe. So, I decided to put together this tutorial plus free printable tags that you can use with your family, students, and friends!
Suggested Supplies for Making Your Reindeer Food
You only need a few ingredients to create your own batch of magic reindeer food. The ingredients featured in the pictures in this tutorial are:
- Oats: The oats give the reindeer a boost of energy
- Christmas Sprinkles: The sprinkles offer a little treat for reindeer.
- Sanding Sugar (Red or Green): The sanding sugar will sparkle in the moonlight so the reindeer can spot it.
If I’m missing one of these ingredients, I don’t sweat it. And regular glitter (red, green, gold, silver, or mix of colors) works well with this mix. Other neat ideas for ingredients include Cheerios (or other oat cereal) and dried cranberries.
Oh, and my boys have stirred in cinnamon and crushed candy canes to add a delightful smell!
Amazon Brand – Amazon Saver Old Fashioned Oats, 2.6 lb (Previously Happy Belly, Packaging May Vary)SE Si&Moos Red Green and White Christmas Sprinkles for Cake Decorating Red Green White Nonpareils Sprinkles Cookie Sprinkles Red Green White Edible Mini Pearl Sprinkles Christmas Candy Decorations for Cupcakes 3.5 OZChristmas sprinkles | Sprinkles | Christmas jimmies | Cookie sprinklesSweets Indeed Christmas Sprinkles, Holiday Edible Sprinkle Mix, Tree Confetti, Jimmies, Sanding Sugar, Perfect for Cake Decorations, Baking, Ice Cream, Cookies, Cupcake Topper, 6.45 ounces (Christmas 6 Cell)Mystic Sprinkles Christmas Holiday Sanding Sugar Mixes (A Classic Christmas In Silver)Sanding Sugar Christmas Collection, Set of 3-Pack 7-Oz. Bottles (Green 7 oz, Red 7 oz, White 7 oz.)Cellophane Treat Bags, 4×6 Inches Cellophane Bags With Twist Ties,100 Pcs
How to Make This Reindeer Food Recipe
This recipe is SO easy to make. I encourage you to get your kids involved if you’re making for your family on Christmas eve. If you’re putting together ahead of time to hand out to students or families, make a bunch so you’ll have enough!
01
Mix all ingredients
Add all three ingredients to a bowl and stir well.
02
Add mix to bag
Scoop the mixture into a cellophane bag. A small sandwich bag works well, too!
03
Tie bag (or seal) and add tag
On Christmas eve, sprinkle the mix in the yard, on a path, on the sidewalk, etc. for Santa’s reindeer.
Tip: The sanding sugar (or smaller ingredients) will end up at the bottom of the bag. Give it a little shake to distribute it throughout the bag.
More Easy Ways to Have Reindeer Fun with Kids
Take your fun with reindeer to the next level. Read some books and enjoy stickers. Chat about reindeer names and learn about real reindeer!
The Itsy Bitsy ReindeerI’m a Reindeer: An Animal Book for Kids (Little Golden Book)The Wild Christmas ReindeerThe Grumpy Reindeer: A Winter Story About Friendship and Kindness (First Seasonal Stories)Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) (Little Golden Book)Reindeer (A Day in the Life: Polar Animals)The Littlest ReindeerHow to Catch a ReindeerAQUARIUS Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Board Game – Fun Family Christmas Gift for Kids & Adults – Officially Licensed Rudolph Merchandise & CollectiblesDSjuedui Christmas Reindeer Sticker Roll – 1000Pcs Vintage Cartoon Reindeer Stickers Gifts Pack for Kids Teens, Cute Label Decals for Laptop Gift Guitar Skateboard Home Party Decor School Rewards
Ho ho ho! I’m thrilled that you want to make this holiday season extra special.
You may have seen different reindeer food poems out there. We’ve made a unique version that we love – and hope you do, too!
Sprinkle the oats, let magic appear,
Glittering trails guide reindeer near.
Stars light the way through frosty skies,
As Santa’s sleigh in silence flies.
You’ll find this poem on free printable reindeer food tags in this set!
The poem is on three tags. Three other tags (with same Christmas-inspired frame) have list of ingredients. You could either just print the poem OR glue the tags back-to-back.
Click or tap on the image below for instant download!
Have you made reindeer food before? What are your ideas for modifying? Please share in the comments area below. Also, please let me know if you have any questions about this fun tradition!
