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Bottle Cap Santa

  • History & Social Studies
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 1-3

Upcycled bottle caps to create Santa’s white beard and fluffy hat!

Materials



Gold & Silver Jingle Bells
Red Poms
Wiggly Eyes
Jumbo Craft Sticks
Red Foam Sheet

White Bottle Caps (19)

Glue

Scissors

Black Marker

Instructions



Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  1.

Gather your supplies. 

Step  2.

Glue together 6 jumbo craft sticks by crossing 2 across the back. Make sure they are staggered, as shown.

Step  2.

Glue together 6 jumbo craft sticks by crossing 2 across the back. Make sure they are staggered, as shown.

Step  3.

Cut out a Santa hat shape from red foam. 

Step  3.

Cut out a Santa hat shape from red foam. 

Step  4.

Glue the Santa hat to the top of the craft sticks. 

Step  4.

Glue the Santa hat to the top of the craft sticks. 

Step  5.

Attach a white bottle cap on the tip of Santa’s hat and glue 4 across the bottom.

Step  5.

Attach a white bottle cap on the tip of Santa’s hat and glue 4 across the bottom.

Step  6.

Add a jingle bell inside the bottle cap on the end of the hat.

Step  6.

Add a jingle bell inside the bottle cap on the end of the hat.

Step  7.

Stick on 2 wiggly eyes! 

Step  7.

Stick on 2 wiggly eyes! 

Step  8.

Glue 10 white bottle caps, following the shape of Santa’s face. 

Step  8.

Glue 10 white bottle caps, following the shape of Santa’s face. 

Step  9.

Glue on a medium red pom for Santa’s nose and draw on a smile. 

Step  9.

Glue on a medium red pom for Santa’s nose and draw on a smile. 

Step  10.

Fill out Santa’s beard by adding a second layer of white bottle caps. Use 4 to fill in the empty spaces. 

Step  10.

Fill out Santa’s beard by adding a second layer of white bottle caps. Use 4 to fill in the empty spaces. 

No need to bottle up your excitement for the holiday season — explore the history of Santa Claus with this recycled craft!

  • Jolly Saint Nick: The man with a white beard and round belly goes by a lot of names: Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and even St. Nick! Although he lives up at the North Pole now, his origin story started around the Mediterranean — learn the history of Saint Nicholas and how his gift-giving spread across the world!   
  • Recycled & Handmade: Who doesn’t love a handmade gift? Not only is this craft environmentally friendly, but it also makes the perfect present! Explain to your students that not all presents need to be bought — some of the best ones are made from the heart. How will your students use their skills to give gifts this season?                

As an end-of-day activity, give your class a treat and watch the VeggieTales Saint Nicholas story. Then, have your student reflect on the story of joyful giving — how will they give back to others during the holiday season?