Upcycle Old Puzzle Pieces Into Adorable Reindeer Ornaments

Not sure what to do with that old puzzle that's missing a few pieces? Repurpose it into cute reindeer ornaments for your Christmas tree.

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Not sure what to do with that old puzzle that's missing a few pieces? Repurpose it into cute reindeer ornaments for your Christmas tree. Paint the pieces in two shades of brown paint (one for the face, one for the antlers). Glue them together, then finish with wiggle eyes, a pompom nose and a red ribbon.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Materials Needed

  • puzzle pieces
  • light brown acrylic paint
  • dark brown acrylic paint
  • paintbrush
  • wiggle eyes
  • red pom poms
  • red ribbon
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • scissors

Step 1: Select and Paint Puzzle Pieces

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament: Paint Puzzle Pieces

Arrange five puzzle pieces into a reindeer head shape. You’ll need two pieces for the face (preferably two pieces that fit together), one piece for the top of the head and two pieces for the antlers. Paint the “face” and “head” pieces light brown, and the “antler” pieces dark brown. Apply two coats if needed and let dry.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Arrange five puzzle pieces into a reindeer head shape. You’ll need two pieces for the face (preferably two pieces that fit together), one piece for the top of the head and two pieces for the antlers.

Paint the “face” and “head” pieces light brown, and the “antler” pieces dark brown. Apply two coats if needed and let dry.

Step 2: Add Face Details

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament: Add Face Details

Glue two wiggle eyes and a pom pom nose to the face pieces. Tip: We used a hot glue gun for faster drying times, but young crafters can use school glue.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Glue two wiggle eyes and a pom pom nose to the face pieces. Tip: We used a hot glue gun for faster drying times, but young crafters can use school glue.

Step 3: Attach Ribbon

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament: Attach Ribbon

Cut a length of ribbon, about 12 inches. Glue the ends of the ribbon to the head piece to make a loop. Glue the face pieces to the head piece to hide the ends of the ribbon.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Cut a length of ribbon, about 12 inches. Glue the ends of the ribbon to the head piece to make a loop. Glue the face pieces to the head piece to hide the ends of the ribbon.

Step 4: Add Antlers

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament: Add Antlers

Glue the two antler pieces to either side of the head piece. Once it's dry, it's ready to hang from the tree!

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Glue the two antler pieces to either side of the head piece. Once it's dry, it's ready to hang from the tree!

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Upcycled Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament

Not sure what to do with that old puzzle that's missing a few pieces? Repurpose it into cute reindeer ornaments for your Christmas tree. Paint the pieces in two shades of brown paint (one for the face, one for the antlers). Glue them together, then finish with wiggle eyes, a pompom nose and a red ribbon.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

More Upcycled Ornament Ideas:

5 Trash Ornaments
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