My daughter approached me indignantly one year asking, “Why do we leave out milk and cookies for Santa when the reindeer do all the work of pulling his sleigh?” Santa always received milk and cookies (in his favorite variety, sugar) but his reindeer had been left out in the cold. Literally. That year our tradition of making Reindeer Food Mix, a blend I’d just made with the first-graders I taught, at home.
Easy Recipe for Reindeer Food
Until the year we began making Reindeer Food, we had dutifully left out a carrot. My daughter decided this was not enough. Weren’t there 8 reindeer and only 1 carrot? Our solution? Reindeer Food. When we mixed this up and sprinkled it around the yard, it not only let the reindeer know where to land, it allowed them to happily munch on this snack while Santa was delivering presents and gobbling down his milk and cookies.
What do you need to make reindeer food?
The “recipe” to make Reindeer Food is so simple, requiring only two ingredients, and the kids can make it without assistance. Here’s what you need:
- 1/2 cup of oats per child, we use quick-cooking because they are low cost, but any type will do. Hint: It’s easier to let each child make their own so they won’t fight over who gets to sprinkle it in the backyard, who got the most reindeer food, etc.
- Christmas sprinkles in your choice of color. We like to use red and green sugar crystals because the Reindeer can see the glistening sugar, but it’s entirely up to you. We used 2 teaspoons per bag.
- 1 plastic sandwich bag or holiday treat bag per child
- 1 “Reindeer Food” label to attach to the front of the bag, optional
How To Make The Reindeer Food:
- Give each child a small bowl. Have them measure out the oats and pour them into the bowl.
- Measure the sprinkles and add them to the oatmeal. Stir the mixture until blended.
- Place mixture into a sandwich bag (or treat bag.) Attach the reindeer food label if you like. (I usually stapled it onto the bag for the kids.)
- Sprinkle around the yard before bed on Christmas Eve.
- Hint: Be sure to tell the kids to spread the food around the yard in small amounts so that the reindeer can spread out and eat it.
Printable Reindeer Food Tag:
Need a label for your Reindeer Food? Just right click on the one below and print it out.
This has become a beloved tradition in our home. Now the 4-year-old continues to make reindeer food each Christmas Eve, although she usually uses an entire bottle of sprinkles to make sure the reindeer can find the food in the dark. I’ve found it is a good way to keep her busy while I am trying to prepare our annual Christmas Eve meal.
Do you make Reindeer Food with your kids? What recipe do you use if you have a different formula? What are some of your favorite Christmas Eve traditions?
We always bake cookies and have milk.
We like to watch It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve.
I like new pajamas and hot cocoa on Christmas eve. I also like going to midnight mass.
My son came home with these from his school Christmas party and he just went outside to sprinkle them in the snow. So cute.
Very cute idea. The reindeer will surely appreciate it after working hard all night. When my sons were young we would always go look at light displays on Christmas Eve. On our way home I would point up into the sky at a shooting star or whatever caught my eye and say ” I think that is Santa busy at work.” My boys would watch out the windows the rest of the way home in eager anticipation.
What a thoughtful little girl! I’m sure the reindeer do get really hungry pulling the sleigh all night!
That’s an adorable idea Pam! I love the reindeer!
This is such a cute way to get kids involved and excited about the holidays. I love how easy to make this is.
Now, I can do this one, haha! Thanks for sharing!
Aww, the reindeer need love, too! Great idea for an adorable craft!
that was really kind of the kids, and they are very thoughtful to include the reindeer,my kids love crafts
We do something similar but with a different mix. We have a farm nearby that has a deer they allow us to come feed him every week.
What a cute idea! My kids would sooo love this. I didn’t have much time for crafts this holiday season. Today we are going to bake melted snowman cookies (a recipe i found on Pinterest) and make christmas cards. 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and your family.
What a great idea and I absolutely love that your kids thought of the reindeer!!
Such a cute idea! My little man made this when he was in preschool, but I never have. I think I might make some with my boys today because they would get a big kick out of it.
That was nice of you to include the reindeer. We have a bag here that the kids made in school. 🙂