Give each student a piece of brown construction paper cut into a large triangle for the Reindeer's head. In addition, provide a large sheet of brown construction paper, two wiggly eyes and a black pom pom for each student. To make antlers, ask students to lay their hands on the brown paper and trace around them, then cut out the hand prints using safety scissors. Show students how to glue the wiggly eyes on the reindeer, and encourage them to put the black pom pom nose on the bottom point of the triangle. Alternatively, use red pom poms to make Rudolph masks. Glue the hand prints on the sides of the reindeer's head to make antlers. Make a handle by gluing a tongue depressor on the bottom of the reindeer.
Reindeer, also known as caribou, live in Europe, Asia, Greenland and northern portions of North America. Give students a map printed in black and white. Provide black, green, blue and red markers. Ask students to label each location on the map. Next, have them color the ocean blue and land green. Encourage them to locate the places where caribou live, and mark them with the red marker.
Make reindeer cookies for your class holiday party. Cut out a circle of cookie dough and give one to each student. Provide chocolates or raisins for eyes and a red candy for the nose. Smaller candies may be used at the bottom of the circle to make a collar. Show students how to place two pretzels on the top of the circle to make antlers. Bake the cookies according to the directions on the package.
Play games inspired by reindeer in your classroom. Show students video of reindeer walking, and encourage students to walk on all fours like a reindeer, and race to see which student is the fastest reindeer in the class. Give each student a red pom pom and see who can balance the pom pom on his nose the longest. In the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Rudolph leads the other reindeer on the sleigh. Encourage students to line up in two rows. Designate one student to be Rudolph and lead the class around the classroom or playground.
Teach your students about the reindeer diet. Explain that reindeer eat vegetation, such as moss. If possible, bring in some moss for students to touch and explore. Show students video of reindeer migrating to find food. Reindeer eat 12 pounds of food each day, according to National Geographic Kids. Bring in 12 pounds of weights and ask students to try to carefully lift them.