A variation to the Pin the Tail on the Donkey game, Pin the Tail on the Reindeer is a game that children can play featuring the Rudolph character. Create a picture of Rudolph but remove the tail from the rear end of the animal. Blindfold the children and spin them around until they are dizzy. Then have the other children in the group yell out directions to the blindfolded child until they are able to place the tail on the picture. Another variation is to have the children pin the red nose on Rudolph instead of the tail.
Rudolph is famous for having a bright red nose. The red-nosed animal activity allows kids to create different animal types that have the same red nose of Rudolph fame. Provide the children with pictures of various animals such as horses, bears or turtles. Also give the children a number of red nose circles to act as the nose for each of these animals. The children will glue the red noses on the animals and then color the pictures in. Teachers and parents can hang the pictures up in the classroom or in the house for display.
Teachers can use the Rudolph character to help teach the alphabet to children in grade school. For example, a teacher can stand in front of the class and present large cue cards with the Rudolph story written on each. As the teacher reads the story from the cards, the children will yell out all the words that begin with the letter R. This activity will help the class recognize the letter in reading for future assignments. Then at the end of the reading, have the children call out any other words that start with the letter R.
Reindeer cupcakes is a food activity that can be used during Christmas and holiday parties during the season. Prepare a batch of cupcakes and cover them with chocolate frosting. Provide one cupcake to each child in the class or group. Allow the children to use food items such as pretzels to make the reindeer antlers, Hershey kisses for the eyes and a cherry for the red nose. Give each child a moment to present her cupcake reindeer before allowing everyone to eat her treat.