We have the recipe for reindeer food—a fun Christmas tradition with your kids on the night before Christmas! We make this magic reindeer food recipe (also called magic reindeer dust) every year. It’s so simple, but one of those holiday activities that my kid looks forward to doing!
What does Santa’s reindeer like to eat?
Well, reindeer food, of course!
I’m sad to say that when we first started making this recipe for reindeer food, we used glitter in it.
::insert sad emoji::
One year, it hit me that we needed a more animal safe reindeer food recipe and a reindeer food recipe safe for birds.
(Because glitter cannot be good for animals and the environment, right?!)
Is glitter harmful to animals?
Yes, glitter is made from microplastics and are not good for animals or consumption for anyone.
(And, is just all around bad for the environment.)
That’s why you shouldn’t put glitter in reindeer food.
Is edible glitter safe for birds?
There’s a lot of discussion on the safety of “edible” glitter, so do some further research on it.
Just because it is safe for humans to eat does not mean it is safe for birds.
I wouldn’t use it in the reindeer food.
Is the reindeer food recipe safe for birds?
I’m reading conflicting information on whether or not uncooked oats are good for birds and animals, so you’ll have to do your own research on that.
If you want to play it safe, you can leave the bowl of reindeer food inside with Santa’s cookies with a note to Santa asking him to please feed the magic dust to the reindeer!
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So, how do you make magic reindeer dust?
It’s really easy: oats or nuts and colored sprinkle sugar (we use white and red).
That’s it! (Although there are some other optional ingredients we’ll include in the recipe below.)
Place the reindeer dust into a sealable baggie or reusable glass jars and tie on the reindeer food poem!
Or, you can place it in decorated, recycle brown paper bag like my daughter did and make your own reindeer food bags!
This would be a fun group or homeschool co-op project: let each kid decorate their own brown bag and then write the magic reindeer dust poem on the back!
Reindeer Food Poem
I’m not sure where this reindeer food poem first came from, but if you know leave it in the comments and I’ll update the post!
Make a wish and close your eyes tight,
Then sprinkle on your lawn at night.
As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam,
The food will guide them to your home.
What can I put in reindeer food?
You can sprinkle this reindeer food on your front porch, in your yard, on your balcony, or leave it for Santa to give to his reindeer!
Let’s get to the recipe for magic reindeer food!
How To Make Reindeer Food
Recipe for Reindeer Food
This recipe for reindeer food is more environmentally friendly and animal friendly than the one using glitter!
Materials
- 2 cups uncooked oats
- Edible decorating sugar (white and red)
- Birdseed (optional)
- Resealable bags, glass jars, or brown paper bags
Instructions
- Pour uncooked oats into a bowl.
- Add white and red edible sugar to the oats and mix. Add more sugar until you get the desired effect.
- Add birdseed and mix. (optional)
- Place birdseed into bag or jar. (If using a brown paper bag, decorate the bag first and write the poem on the back!)
- Attach Reindeer Food Poem.
- On Christmas Eve, sprinkle Reindeer Food outside or place by Santa's cookies for Santa to feed to his reindeer!
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Reindeer Books for Kids
It’s cute how you thought you would get away without us making a children’s book recommendation!
We recommend these books to go with this Christmas craft:
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