In our house, now is the time for adorably themed holiday crafts! That’s why we’ve been on the lookout for project ideas that celebrate our kids favourite Christmas characters. Recently we came across the idea of making cute elf themed crafts, which is how we found ourselves looking up all kinds of awesome, kid-friendly tutorials.
Just in case you’re as big a fan of the idea of making elf themed crafts with your kids this Christmas as we were, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials we’ve come across so far in my search.
1. Cute pinecone elves
If you’ve never crafted with actual pieces of nature before then we’re sorry to tell you that you’re missing out on something really fun! We’d suggest remedying that situation by giving these adorable pinecone and felt elves outlined step by step on One Little Project a try! They show you how to attach a wooden bead to make a head and dress each elf up with a scarf and pointed hat.
2. Newspaper dancing elf
Are you the kind of crafting enthusiast who loves to use just about any crafting project as an opportunity to recycle or upcycle? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to give something like this dancing elf craft featured in detail on Kids Craft Room a try! They show you how to make a funny little dancing character using pieces of newspaper.
3. Toilet roll elf
Did we really catch your attention with this whole idea of making an elf using upcycled materials but you’re not usually one to keep old newspapers around? Then perhaps you’d get along a little better with something like this empty toilet paper roll craft featured step by step on Homeschool Preschool! They show you how to dress your new elves up with felt and glitter foam paper.
4. Paper elf hat with ears and a template
In addition to being huge craft lovers, are your kids also big fans of playing dress up? Then we’d be willing to bet that your kids will get along absolutely famously with this awesome paper elf hat complete with its own elf ears! This tutorial from Kids Craft Room guides you through the steps of making it and even gives you a template if you need a little bit of extra help.
5. Cute standing felt elf ornament
Have we actually really got you thinking about how much you love the idea of making elves from felt but you’re feeling either a little more crafty for yourself or your kids are slightly older and you think you could use a challenge? Then we would absolutely suggest taking a look at this full guide from Busy Little Christmas Elf that teaches you how to hand sew and embroider a standing elf almost entirely out of felt.
6. Detailed pipe cleaner elf
Perhaps we’ve really caught your attention with this idea of hand sewing a cute elf doll but you really would like your kids to get involved in making their own, but you need a much simpler version for their skill level? In that case, we’re pretty sure this tutorial from Happier Than a Pig in Mud is just the kind of thing you’re looking for! They show you how to make it happen using felt, pipe cleaners, and a little bit of beginner’s hand stitching.
7. Easier, kid-friendly pipe cleaner elves
Just in case you’re still feeling totally enamoured with the idea of making little elf characters but the two previous ideas we showed you still look a little too hard for your kids, here’s a much more simplified version made entirely from pipe cleaners and a wooden bead! Get the full instructions for making these happen on Line Upon Line Learning.
8. Happy cork elf
Just in case you’re still really enjoying the idea of making a little Christmas elf that can stand up all on its own but you’d prefer to use slightly more unconventional materials than just felt and thread, here’s an awesome alternative for your consideration! Take a better look at Project Kid to see how they made this little elf out of beads, toothpicks, and a cork! You’ll even still get a little felt.
9. Easy paper bag elf
In our house, some of the best crafts we ever make are the ones that are also something useful when they’re finished, especially if they’re some kind of toy. That’s probably why these super fun paper bag elf puppets outlined on I Heart Crafty Things were such a hit in our house! They’re easy to do and a blast to play with.
10. Felt elf boot Christmas ornaments
If you’re going to put in all the effort and time it takes to make adorable elf themed crafts, would you rather make something kind of decorative that you can actually hang on your tree? In that case, we think you’ll really appreciate how The DIY Dreamer turned some really fun, brightly coloured fabrics into funny, simple elf boot Christmas tree ornaments!
11. “An Elf Named Elfus” crochet pattern
Even though you’re an overall well rounded craft lover, have you always been primarily a yarn crafts lover? Well, if you love to crochet most of all, then we have a feeling this funny pointed elf crochet pattern might be right up your alley! Big thanks goes to Loopsan for laying out all the steps and details it takes to make it happen.
12. Elf finger puppets with free template
Have we actually still got you thinking about this whole idea of making some kind of useful toy, especially a puppet, but you don’t happen to have any paper bags lying around and your kids would really like to craft right now? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Kids Craft Room made these adorable DIY elf paper finger puppets!
13. Cute paper elf craft for kids
Just in case your kids, like most, are huge fans of simple cut and paste style paper crafts over just about anything else, here’s an awesome tutorial from Non-Toy Gifts that has just about precisely what you’re looking for! They show you step by step how to make adorable rounded elves with big curving hats and holly leaf details.
14. Popsicle stick elf tree ornament
Just in case you’re still feeling very interested in the idea of making cute elf crafts with your kids but sticking to the classic kids’ crafting supplies, here’s an adorable idea that will put your drawer full of popsicle sticks to good use! Take a better look at this tutorial from The Resourceful Mama to see how they made these ornaments that also have pipe cleaner hats.
15. Paper plate elf
Have you been scrolling through our list thinking about the idea of crafting with upcycled materials and the idea of making classic kids’ paper crafts but you’re feeling torn between the two? Then perhaps you’ll find something closer to what you’re looking for in this cute paper plate elf tutorial outlined step by step on Crafts By Amanda!
Have you made other kinds of adorable elf themed DIY projects with your kids before that they really enjoyed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
