Some of my favorite things about December revolve around family traditions. During this cozy time of year, I'm ready to play Christmas music as I work on DIY projects to make this a magical season for my son and family. Today, I'm sharing with you a fun and inexpensive DIY that was a hit with my son when he was a toddler until kindergarten.
Activity: Yummy Treats for Santa's Reindeer
Pro Tip: Before doing this activity, I recommend reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas," which has the names of all eight reindeer. Don't forget to add the ninth reindeer (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) into the mix. Fun fact: the original poem is titled "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore. After reading the poem, add a little sazón by playing your favorite música de navidad. You'll now have the perfect ambiance of fun and magic for this DIY activity.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of plain oats
- 1 tsp of glitter (red)
- 1 tsp of glitter (green)
- A snack-sized ziplock bag
- Large carrot (great for teaching kids that Santa's reindeer share with one another)
- Five chocolate covered almonds
Once you've gathered the ingredients for this craft, gather your family and little ones around the kitchen table. Let them know they're going to help make yummy food for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Preparation of yummy treats for Santa's Reindeer (Christmas Eve)
- Step 1: Place the oats into a small bowl.
- Step 2: Next, tell your little ones they're going to add the "secret sauce" for Santa's reindeer: Glitter! Have them sprinkle green and red glitter into the bowl with the oats.
- Step 3: With a mixing spoon, have them mix the oats and glitter in a small bowl.
- Step 4: Place spoonfuls of the mix inside a snack-sized ziplock bag. Don't forget to seal it.
- Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 until you've made enough treats for all of Santa's reindeer's.
- Step 6: On Christmas Eve, go outside with your kiddos and place the trail of the treats on your lawn. Tell your little ones that the yummy treats will guide Santa's reindeer to your home.
- Step 7: Leave a magical carrot for Santa's reindeer to eat and share. The magical carrot will give the reindeer the energy they'll need to travel the world to visit the homes of all children to deliver Christmas presents.
Preparation of carrot and chocolate covered almonds (Christmas Morning)
On Christmas Eve, as a parent there's always work to do! After you tuck in your little ones, quietly go outside.
- Step 1: Pick up the trail of reindeer treats.
- Step 2: Take a bite of the carrot.
- Step 3: Place the chocolate covered almonds on the ground near where you put the carrot.
- Step 4: If you want to go the extra mile, I would also add reindeer footprint marks near the carrot and chocolate.
Your little ones will have joy in their hearts when they see their yummy reindeer treats were eaten. They'll also be surprised those silly reindeer left behind reindeer poop! As a mom, this was such a simple and inexpensive DIY activity to do with my son. It created such magical and memorable moments. I hope it brings your family as much joy as it brought mine.
Abrazos,
Bea
P.S.: Keep your eyes open for future blog posts that will focus on my party tips for mamá's who are raising sons.