DIY Tree Branch Reindeer
Create adorable outdoor winter decor with this fun and easy DIY tree branch reindeer.
Apparently we love a good tree branch DIY project. Last year, we made reversible pumpkin snowmen from wood slices and several Yule logs from branches. After trimming a couple more trees, we had another stack of hearty branches. Gpa and I got to work making a family of reindeer to decorate our yards this winter.
Aiming for a bit of realism, we based the tree branch reindeer proportions on a photo of a reindeer, then simplified. The head and neck are approximately equal length; the body and legs are roughly 2 times the length of the head.
We used white birch branches with 1″ – 2″ diameter. But, pretty much any type of tree will work and larger diameters are fine.
More Holiday Crafts
If you love this project, check out some other fall and winter crafts:
- Paper Mache Pumpkin Decor
- Kid’s Thanksgiving Cornucopia
- Reversible Pumpkin/Snowman
- DIY Yule Log Stack
- Repurposed Kid-Made Wrapping Paper
- Easy Mickey and Minnie Mouse Ornaments
DIY Tree Branch Reindeer – Materials
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Supplies:
- 1″ and 2″ diameter branches
- painter’s tape
- permanent pen
- screws
Tools:
- tape measure
- miter saw
- clamps
- electric drill with drill bit, spade bit, and screwdriver bit
- screwdriver
How to Make a DIY Tree Branch Reindeer
1. Gather Branches
Gather a variety of 1″ and 2″ diameter branches in 8″ and 16″ lengths. Also collect 1 or 2 12″-16″ forked twig(s) for antlers.
Our reindeer with a finished height of 27″:
- Head and neck: 1″ diameter, 8″ long
- Body and back legs: 2″ diameter, 16″ long
- Front legs: 1″ diameter, 16″ long
Reindeer can be made in various sizes, using these proportions: body and legs 2x length of the head and neck.
2. Measure and Label Branches
Choose pieces for the head, neck, body, and legs with interesting marks and shapes. Place in the rough shape of the reindeer to get an idea of how the pieces will look together.
Mark cut lines on each piece with painter’s tape (permanent marker could also be used, but painter’s tape doesn’t leave permanent marks). Label each piece, e.g. left front leg.
3. Cut Pieces
Using the marked cut lines, cut both sides of the head, neck, and body on a miter saw. If the branch is too small to safely cut on a miter saw, clamp the branch to the workbench and cut with a handsaw.
Label each piece with painter’s tape.
For each leg, make a straight cut at the foot end. At the end that attaches to the body, make a 30° cut so the leg sits tighter against the body. Label each leg with painter’s tape.
4. Assemble Reindeer
Clamp head and neck to workbench so the top of the head extends past the neck. Select a screw that extends through the head and into the neck at least 1/2″. We used #10 3″ screws.
Using a drill bit or spade bit slightly larger than screw head, drill into the top of the head 1/2″ to countersink the screw. Attach the head to the neck with a screw.
Repeat to attach the body to the head/neck section, but use 2 screws rather than 1 for extra stability. We used #10 5″ screws.
Hold the 2 back legs against the body to determine leg placement (this is easier with an extra set of hands).
Mark around the attachment points with a permanent marker.
Clamp leg to the workbench. Using a drill bit or spade bit slightly larger than the screw head, drill 1/4″ into the top, about 1 1/2″ from the top edge, then change the drill angle to 45° toward the body and drill 1/2″ to countersink the screw.
Drill pilot hole through the leg. Start screw into the pilot hole, stopping before the screw pokes through the leg.
Clamp body to the workbench and hold the leg against the body, aligning with the mark. Drive screw into the body to secure. We used #10 3″ screws.
Repeat for the other back leg.
Hold the 2 front legs against the body to again determine leg placement. Mark around attachment points with permanent marker. Repeat steps to attach front legs to the body.
Stand up the reindeer. Trim a leg (or 2) if necessary so that reindeer stands straight and steady.
5. Attach Antlers to DIY Tree Branch Reindeer
Attach 1 or 2 12″-16″ forked twigs to the head for antlers. If attaching a single antler, use the pilot hole used to attach the head to the neck. Or drill 2 pilot holes about 1/2″ deep toward the top of the head. Trim the twig end with a sharp knife to fit snugly in the pilot hole.
Let us know how your DIY tree branch reindeer turned out!
DIY Tree Branch Reindeer
Create adorable outdoor winter decor with this fun and easy DIY tree branch reindeer.
Materials
- 1" and 2" diameter branches
- painter's tape
- permanent pen
- screws
Tools
- tape measure
- miter box
- clamps
- electric drill with drill bit, spade bit, and screwdriver bit
- screwdriver
Instructions
- Gather a variety of 1" and 2" diameter branches in 8" and 16" lengths. Also collect 1 or 2 12"-16" forked twig(s) for antlers.
- Our reindeer with a finished height of 27":
Head and neck: 1" diameter, 8" long
Body and back legs: 2" diameter, 16" long
Front legs: 1" diameter, 16" long
Reindeer can be made in various sizes, using these proportions. - Choose pieces for the head, neck, body, and legs with interesting marks and shapes. Place in the rough shape of the reindeer to get an idea of how the pieces will look together.
- Mark cut lines on each piece with painter's tape (permanent marker could also be used, but painter's tape doesn't leave permanent marks). Label each piece, e.g. left front leg.
- Using the marked cut lines, cut both sides of the head, neck, and body on a miter saw. If the branch is too small to safely cut on a miter saw, clamp the branch to the workbench and cut with a handsaw. Label each piece with painter's tape.
- For each leg, make a straight cut at the foot end. At the end that attaches to the body, make a 30° cut so the leg sits tighter against the body. Label each leg with painter's tape.
- Clamp head and neck to workbench so the top of the head extends past the neck. Select a screw that extends through the head and into the neck at least 1/2". We used #10 3" screws.
- Using a drill bit or spade bit slightly larger than screw head, drill into the top of the head 1/2" to countersink the screw. Attach the head to the neck with a screw.
- Repeat to attach the body to the head/neck section, but use 2 screws rather than 1 for extra stability. We used #10 5" screws.
- Hold the 2 back legs against the body to determine leg placement (this is easier with an extra set of hands). Mark around the attachment points with a permanent marker.
- Clamp leg to the workbench. Using a drill bit or spade bit slightly larger than the screw head, drill 1/4" into the top, about 1 1/2" from the top edge, then change the drill angle to 45° toward the body and drill 1/2" to countersink the screw.
- Drill pilot hole through the leg. Start screw into the pilot hole, stopping before the screw pokes through the leg.
- Clamp body to the workbench and hold the leg against the body, aligning with the mark. Drive screw into the body to secure. We used #10 3" screws.
- Repeat for the other back leg.
- Hold the 2 front legs against the body to again determine leg placement. Mark around attachment points with permanent marker. Repeat steps to attach front legs to the body.
- Stand up the reindeer. Trim a leg (or 2) if necessary so that reindeer stands straight and steady.
- Attach 1 or 2 12"-16" forked twigs to the head for antlers. If attaching a single antler, use the pilot hole used to attach the head to the neck. Or drill 2 pilot holes about 1/2" deep toward the top of the head. Trim the twig end with a sharp knife to fit snugly in the pilot hole.
