Upcycled CD Disc Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Ornament

A new addition to our Countdown to Christmas craft project series! This upcycled CD Disc Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Ornament is easy to make! You only need a few supplies to make it. We were able to complete several of them in just one weekend. You can find our complete list of Countdown to Christmas Craft Projects HERE.

We did this craft project with a group of kids age 8 through 13 years of age. Adults could make fancier ones if desired but keep it simple when working with kids. If you’re working with older children you can use a hot glue gun instead of craft glue or have an adult do the gluing. The one shown in our photograph was made by a 12 year old.

Upcycled CD Disc Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Ornament

Compact Disc (Computer, DVD, Music CD)
Brown, Tan, White Acrylic Craft Paint
Black Acrylic Paint Pen – Medium Tip
Red Pom-Pom
2 Metallic Red Pipe Cleaners
All Purpose Craft Glue
Scrap Satin Ribbon for the Hanging Loop
Scissors
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels

Paint the silver side of the CD with 2-3 coats of brown acrylic craft paint allowing for 20-40 minutes of drying time between coats. Drying time depends on weather and temperatures. Warmer days they will dry much faster. Set aside while the paint is drying.

Use scissors to cut the metallic red pipe cleaner to your desired length. Some kids made really long antlers while others made them shorter. Start with just the straight piece. Then cut a piece about 3″ long and twist it around the one end of the straight piece to make the antler portion. It should be near the top. Use scissors to trim to desired length. Cut a 6″ long piece of 1/8″ wide satin ribbon. Make a hanging loop by knotting the two ends together.

Tan paint was used for the nose area and done in a circular-triangular shape. The disc hole should be in the center of the tan area with tan colored paint peeking out on all sides. Apply generously so that you won’t need 2 coats of paint. Use white paint to make 2 medium sized ovals to serve as eyes. Again, be generous with the paint. Let dry until it’s no longer tacky.

Use a black paint pen with a medium-tip to make the inner eyes, outline the eyes, the eyebrows, outline th enose and to add the mouth. Once the black is dry (eye area) add the white inner eye. Let dry.

Finishing up – Use glue to add the red pom-pom for the nose, glue the red antlers on the back of the disc along with the satin ribbon hanging loop.  Let everything dry until set.

Variations: You can use large wiggle eyes if you don’t want to paint on the eyes. You can use brown or gold metallic pipe cleaners for the antlers. You can vary the facial features to make him look happy, surprised, excited, etc. A lot of great “eye templates” can be found on Google. You can use a tan colored pom-pom to make the other reindeers for the nose.

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