Three years ago, I was that mom scrambling around Target on December 23rd, desperately searching for something—anything—my daughter could give to her preschool classmates. That’s when my sister-in-law mentioned this thing called “reindeer food” that her kids made every year. I’ll be honest, I thought it sounded a little hokey. But now? It’s become the Christmas tradition my kids ask about in October.
If you’re looking for a simple, magical way to add extra sparkle to your family’s Christmas Eve routine, this easy reindeer food recipe for kids might just become your new favorite tradition, too. There’s something absolutely precious about watching your little ones take their “job” of feeding Santa’s reindeer so seriously, and I promise you’ll find yourself getting just as excited as they do when Christmas Eve rolls around.
What Is Reindeer Food (And Why Kids Go Crazy for It)
Reindeer food is basically a magical mixture that kids sprinkle on the lawn or driveway on Christmas Eve to help guide Santa’s reindeer to your house. Think of it as a sparkly trail that catches the moonlight and gives Rudolph and his friends a little snack after their long journey around the world.
The beauty of this tradition is how into it kids get. My 6-year-old takes this job very seriously—she’s convinced that without her carefully placed reindeer food, Santa might accidentally skip our house. And honestly? I love that she feels like she’s playing an important part in making Christmas morning happen.
Most reindeer food recipes use just oats and sprinkles, but I’ve discovered a few tweaks over the years that make it extra special (and more environmentally friendly, which we’ll talk about in a minute). The basic idea is that you create a sparkly, edible mixture that looks magical under moonlight and gives children a tangible way to participate in the Santa experience.
What I absolutely love about this tradition is how it bridges that gap between “I want to do something for Santa” and “I’m getting too old for this stuff.” Even my 8-year-old, who’s starting to ask some pointed questions about Santa’s logistics, still insists on making reindeer food every year. There’s something about the hands-on nature of it that keeps them engaged regardless of their belief level.
The Simple Ingredients You Need for Perfect Reindeer Food
Here’s what I love about this reindeer food recipe—you probably have most of these ingredients sitting in your pantry right now. No special trips to craft stores or hunting down exotic ingredients required.
Basic Magical Reindeer Food:
- 1 cup rolled oats (uncooked)
- 2-3 tablespoons colorful sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon red colored sugar
- 1 tablespoon green colored sugar
- Optional: 1 crushed candy cane for extra sparkle
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons iridescent craft glitter (though we’ll talk about alternatives)
For Wildlife-Friendly Version:
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup mixed seeds or wild birdseed
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup chopped dried apricots
I usually make both versions—the colorful one for the kids to get excited about mixing and packaging, and the wildlife-friendly one for actually sprinkling outside. This way, the kids get all the magic and fun of making something sparkly and beautiful, while I can feel good about not harming any animals that might eat it overnight.
The great thing about this recipe is how flexible it is. Don’t have colored sugar? Use regular sugar with a few drops of food coloring mixed in. No fancy sprinkles? Crushed up colorful cereal works just fine. One year, we were completely out of traditional ingredients, so we used regular oats mixed with crushed up Fruity Pebbles, and the kids thought it was the most amazing reindeer food we’d ever made.
Step-by-Step Instructions (So Easy Your Toddler Can Help!)
Making reindeer food is one of those rare activities where even my 3-year-old can actually be helpful instead of just making a bigger mess. Here’s our tried-and-true method that’s evolved over years of trial and error:
Step 1: Set Up Your Station
First, lay out a tablecloth or newspaper under your mixing area. Trust me on this—the glitter and sprinkles will go everywhere, and having something to catch the mess makes cleanup infinitely easier.
Pour your oats into a large mixing bowl. I learned the hard way to use a really big bowl—like, bigger than you think you need.
Step 2: Add the Magic
This is where the real fun begins. Let each kid add their own sprinkles and colored sugar. I give each child their own small spoon for this part, because otherwise they’ll fight over who gets to dump what. This is also where it gets messy and fun, and where my kids like to make wishes while they sprinkle.
My youngest always wishes for “extra presents,” while my older daughter has started making more elaborate wishes about family and friends.
Step 3: Mix and Combine
Stir it all together until the oats are evenly coated with color. If you’re adding crushed candy cane pieces, this is when they go in. I’ve found that using a large spoon works better than hands at this stage, though the kids will inevitably want to stick their fingers in to “test” it.
Step 4: Test the Sparkle
This is the kids’ favorite part. Take a small handful and sprinkle it on your counter under the kitchen light. If it doesn’t “sparkle” enough for your kids’ standards (and trust me, they have high standards), add more colored sugar or iridescent sprinkles until it meets their approval.
The whole process takes maybe 10 minutes if you’re efficient, but my kids will stretch it out to 30 minutes because they’re having so much fun with it. I’ve learned to just roll with it and enjoy the process instead of rushing through it.
The Wildlife-Friendly Alternative (That Actually Disappears by Morning)
Here’s something I wish I’d known earlier—traditional glitter-based reindeer food isn’t great for the animals and birds that actually eat it overnight. After my neighbor (who happens to be a veterinarian) gently mentioned this, I felt terrible and immediately started researching alternatives.
The wildlife-safe version is actually pretty amazing in its own right. Mix 2 cups of oats with 1 cup of birdseed, some dried cranberries, and chopped dried apricots. It doesn’t sparkle as much under the porch light, but here’s the cool part—it actually gets eaten by real animals overnight!
My kids think it’s absolutely magical that they might be feeding actual deer, rabbits, or birds, not just Santa’s reindeer. We started calling it “double magic” reindeer food because it feeds both Santa’s reindeer and the local wildlife.
One mom in my neighborhood started adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon to make it smell festive, and now all our kids insist on the “cinnamon magic” version. It’s become this lovely community tradition where all the kids on our street use the same recipe, and Christmas morning, you can see little trails of it scattered across everyone’s yards.
The best part? This version actually disappears by morning, unlike the glitter version that you’ll be finding on your lawn until spring. My kids are convinced this proves that their reindeer food worked, and honestly, seeing their faces Christmas morning when they discover it’s all gone is worth every bit of effort.
Making It Extra Special: Gift Bags and Printable Poems
This is where the reindeer food tradition gets really fun—turning it into little gifts for friends, classmates, or neighbors. We’ve made this our go-to contribution for holiday parties, and other parents always ask for the “recipe.” It’s become our signature holiday gift, and I love that it’s something the kids can make entirely by themselves.
What You’ll Need:
- Small cellophane bags or snack baggies
- Festive ribbon or twist ties
- Printable poem tags (you can find tons of free ones online)
- Stapler or hole punch
The Classic Reindeer Food Poem:
Sprinkle this reindeer food outside tonight,
The moonlight will make it sparkle bright.
As the reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to your home!
I print the poem on cardstock and let the kids color or decorate the tags while I’m mixing the ingredients. It keeps them busy and engaged in the whole process, plus some of their artistic additions are absolutely adorable. Last year, my daughter drew tiny reindeer faces on every single tag, which took forever but was completely precious.
For gift-giving, I put about ¼ cup of reindeer food in each bag. Last year, we made 20 bags for my daughter’s class, and the total cost was less than $8. Compare that to store-bought classroom gifts, and you’re saving a ton of money while creating something much more meaningful.
The packaging process has become almost as fun as making the actual reindeer food. The kids love scooping it into bags, tying ribbons, and attaching the tags. I usually set up an assembly line on the dining room table, and we make a whole afternoon of it while watching Christmas movies.
Creating the Magic on Christmas Eve
Here’s where the real magic happens, and I have to admit, this part gets me a little emotional every year. After we’ve put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer (yes, we do both—we’re not taking any chances), we bundle up and head outside with our reindeer food.
My kids take this job very seriously. They’ll spend 10 minutes debating the best spots to sprinkle it—near the driveway so the reindeer can land easily, by the front door so Santa knows which house is ours, and always a little pile by their bedroom windows “just in case Rudolph wants to peek in.”
Pro tip: If you’re doing this with multiple kids, give each one their own small bag of reindeer food to sprinkle. This prevents arguments about who gets to do what and ensures everyone feels like they’re contributing to the magic.
We always sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” while we’re sprinkling—it’s become this sweet little ritual that I know I’ll remember forever. Then we hurry back inside to peek out the windows one more time before bed, checking to make sure the reindeer food is sparkling properly in the moonlight.
Looking for more fun activities to keep the kids engaged during the holidays? Check out these scavenger hunt ideas for kids that work perfectly for Christmas morning, or these conversation starters for kids to keep everyone entertained during long holiday gatherings.
The beauty of this tradition is how it makes Christmas Eve feel special and participatory for kids. Instead of just waiting around for something to happen to them, they get to actively participate in the magic. They’re helping Santa, they’re taking care of the reindeer, and they’re creating something beautiful that the whole family can enjoy.
Storage and Gift-Giving Tips for Busy Moms
Let’s talk practical stuff for a minute because, let’s be real, most of us are juggling about seventeen different holiday traditions and activities. If you’re making this reindeer food recipe for a whole classroom or multiple families, here’s what I’ve learned after years of trial and error:
Batch Making:
The recipe scales up perfectly. I usually make a quadruple batch in my biggest mixing bowl (the one I use for making huge salads), then portion it out assembly-line style while watching holiday movies with the kids. It’s actually quite relaxing once you get into a rhythm.
Storage:
Reindeer food keeps for weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. I typically make ours right after Thanksgiving and store it in a big mason jar until we’re ready to package it up for gifts or use it ourselves. The flavors actually meld together nicely as it sits, and the colored sugar settles into the oats more evenly.
Budget-Friendly Tips:
- Buy oats and sprinkles in bulk at warehouse stores
- Use leftover Halloween candy (crushed up) instead of buying new ingredients.
- Save small jars and containers throughout the year for packaging.
- Shop after-Christmas sales for next year’s supplies.
Gift Presentation:
Some of the cutest gift bags I’ve seen were made by turning regular cellophane bags into “reindeer” with brown pipe cleaners twisted into antlers and googly eyes glued on. The kids at my daughter’s school went wild for these, and they’re surprisingly easy to make during a family craft night.
If you’re looking for other homemade gifts kids can help make, these easy cupcake recipes for kids are perfect for holiday baking with little helpers, or try these fun snacks for kids that make great teacher gifts.
What to Do Christmas Morning (The Best Part!)
Here’s something nobody tells you about the reindeer food tradition—Christmas morning is when it gets really good. This is where all your prep work pays off in the most magical way possible.
We always “discover” that the reindeer food is gone first thing Christmas morning. Of course, we secretly clean it up before the kids wake up (usually while one parent distracts them and the other sneaks outside), but the kids are absolutely convinced that Rudolph and friends ate every last sparkly bit.
My 8-year-old once found regular deer tracks in our yard on December 26th and was absolutely certain they were from Santa’s reindeer. I didn’t have the heart to tell her otherwise, and honestly? Maybe she’s right. Who are we to say those weren’t magical reindeer tracks?
Some families I know go all out with this part of the tradition. They leave out carrot stubs with “bite marks,” or even create tiny hoof prints in the snow to “prove” the reindeer were there. I’m not quite that crafty, but I admire the commitment to maintaining the magic.
The joy on their faces when they realize their reindeer food “worked” is absolutely priceless. It gives them this sense of accomplishment and participation in the magic that’s different from just receiving presents. They feel like they helped make Christmas happen, which is such a beautiful thing.
Creating Lasting Memories with Simple Traditions
What I love most about this reindeer food tradition is how it’s become one of those things that’s uniquely ours. Every family does it a little differently—some families make it more elaborate, others keep it super simple—but at its heart, it’s about creating moments of wonder and joy with your kids.
The recipe itself is almost secondary to the experience of making it together. It’s about the conversations that happen while you’re mixing ingredients, the excitement in their voices when they talk about helping Santa’s reindeer, and the way they take ownership of this small but important job.
I’ve started taking photos of our reindeer food-making sessions every year, and looking back at them, you can see how the kids have grown and changed, but their excitement about this tradition has remained constant. It’s become one of those touchstone memories that I know we’ll all treasure long after they’ve stopped believing in Santa.
For more creative ways to keep kids entertained during the holiday season, check out these road trip games for kids that work just as well for family gatherings, or explore some easy trivia questions for kids to keep everyone engaged during long December afternoons.
Troubleshooting: Common Reindeer Food Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten lots of questions from other parents about making reindeer food, so here are the most common concerns and my tried-and-true solutions:
Q: Is it safe for real animals to eat?
A: The wildlife-friendly version with oats, seeds, and dried fruit is perfectly safe for birds, deer, and other animals that might wander through your yard. Traditional versions with lots of artificial colors and glitter should probably be swept up before morning, or better yet, use the eco-friendly version for actually putting outside.
Q: What if we don’t have a yard?
A: Apartment balconies work great! You can also sprinkle it on the rooftop (if accessible), in a small dish by the door, or even in a planter box. The magic is more about the ritual and the child’s participation than the specific location.
Q: My kids want to eat it—is that okay?
A: The basic oats and sprinkles version is totally edible, though not particularly tasty. If you want to make a version that’s actually good to eat, some families make a sweet “puppy chow” style version with chocolate and peanut butter specifically for snacking.
Q: How early can we make this?
A: I’ve made it up to two weeks ahead and stored it in airtight containers. It actually gets more colorful as it sits because the colored sugar settles into the oats. Just give it a good stir before packaging or using.
Q: What if it rains on Christmas Eve?
A: We still go out and sprinkle it! The kids think the rain just helps it “stick” better for the reindeer to find. Plus, it gives us an opportunity to talk about how dedicated Santa’s reindeer are to their job, even in bad weather.
Q: How do I explain why the reindeer food is gone, but there are no hoof prints?
A: We tell our kids that Santa’s reindeer are very tidy and don’t want to mess up people’s yards. Or that their hooves are so magical they don’t leave regular prints. Kids are surprisingly accepting of these explanations!
Creating magical moments doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This simple reindeer food recipe has given us some of our most treasured Christmas memories, and I love that it’s something my kids can mostly make themselves while still feeling like they’re participating in something truly special.
Whether you’re starting a new tradition with your own family or looking for the perfect classroom gift that won’t break the bank, this easy recipe hits all the marks—simple, affordable, and absolutely magical in the eyes of little ones who still believe in Christmas miracles.
Trust me, once you see your child’s face light up as they carefully sprinkle that sparkly trail for Santa’s reindeer, you’ll understand why this has become the Christmas tradition none of us can imagine skipping. Some of the best parenting moments happen in these simple, magical minutes—and if you’re curious about what makes these moments so special, you might enjoy reading about different parenting styles and how they shape these precious memories we create with our children.