It’s time to have some fun making memories with your kids this holiday season! Kids love doing crafty things, so set out a few supplies and enjoy making memories with them this Christmas!
The kids are going to go crazy for this adorable elf on the shelf photo craft of themselves.
It’s easy to do too- just download our free template, print it out, and get crafting! All you need are a few simple supplies!
If your kids love their Elf on the Shelf, you have to add this project to your holiday crafting list! Download the free template and make it this Christmas season.
Also, be sure to check out all of our photo crafts for kids for even more fun ideas.
Elf On The Shelf Craft Idea
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Supplies
- White or colored cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Brads
- Crayons or markers (if using the color in version)
- Photo of your child
- Small hole punch
- Glue dot (optional, but useful)
- Elf on the shelf template (enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you)
Directions
Download the elf template, print, and cut out the pieces you need.
Begin to build the elf body by gluing the legs to the bottom of the body piece.
Next, punch holes at the top of each of the arms and the top corners of the body.
Take the brad and push it through the arm and then the body. Don’t open the brad on the backside. Instead, push both prongs towards the inside of the body. This will hide them so you don’t see them from the front. Repeat with the other arm.
Create the hat by gluing the fluff to the bottom of the hat. Cut off any excess paper from the sides of the hat.
Glue the hat to the top of your child’s photo, then glue the bottom of your child’s photo to the elf’s collar.
Take a glue dot and place it in between the brads, then secure the collar to the glue dot. You can also use glue, but it’s messier and harder to get it to hold between the 2 brads.
That’s it! Don’t you love this adorable Christmas craft?!
More Christmas Ideas For Kids
Don’t let the festivities stop here! Create an entire Christmas unit study for kids around this elf craft! Below are some of our top ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
Reading to your kids is not only a simple activity, but it has so many benefits! Things like improved vocabulary, better reading comprehension, focus. That’s why we always recommend starting a new theme with books.
Below are some of the top Christmas books to read to your kids!
Dasher: This wonderfully illustrated Christmas book for kids gives you the back story on one of Santa’s favorite reindeer, Dasher! Girls will especially love to read this since Dasher is a girl.
Construction Site On Christmas Night: Fans of the fun characters of the construction site books have to add this Christmas-themed story to their collection. See how the trucks get ready for Christmas!
How To Catch An Elf: Kids everywhere love the silliness of this Christmas story. The rhymes and the illustrations will draw the kids in as well. This is a Christmas book kids will want to read every year!
Crafting is a great activity for kids because it helps with fine motor skills, has opportunities for creativity, and can be lots of fun! Add in more throughout December with some of our favorite ideas:
- Merry Christmas Headband Printable
- Snowman Headband Craft
- Reindeer Popsicle Stick Craft
- Elf Toilet Paper Roll Craft
These Santa do a dot printables are the perfect no-prep activity to help with fine motor skills. Kids will have fun working on letter recognition and counting as they use their dot markers. It’s great for preschool, pre k, and kindergarten children!
We’ve got learning covered with these awesome Grinch worksheets that are perfect to use in the classroom, at home, or as a fun activity for kids on their own. Trace the letter G, do an alphabet maze, and label the Grinch!
Kids will love these Christmas pattern block mats. These are a fun way to work on fine motor skills and shape recognition while having some holiday cheer. Download and print them at home for easy access!
This festive red-nosed reindeer play dough set is just what your kids need to get in on all of their holiday fun. Give them a little bit of Christmas magic this year with this whimsical Rudolph playdough kit. It’s great for easy sensory play!
Share With Us
Did you make this craft with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!
For a chance to have your child’s craft featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!
More Christmas Ideas For Kids
Elf On The Shelf Photo Craft
This elf on the shelf photo craft is a great way to get your kids in on some of the Christmas spirit!
Materials
- White or colored cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Brads
- Crayons or markers (if using the color in version)
- Photo of your child
- Small hole punch
- Glue dot (optional, but useful)
- Elf on the shelf template
Instructions
- Download the elf template, print, and cut out the pieces you need.
- Begin to build the elf body by gluing the legs to the bottom of the body piece.
- Next, punch holes at the top of each of the arms and the top corners of the body.
- Take the brad and push it through the arm and then the body. Don't open the brad on the backside. Instead, push both prongs towards the inside of the body. This will hide them so you don't see them from the front. Repeat with the other arm.
- Create the hat by gluing the fluff to the bottom of the hat. Cut off any excess paper from the sides of the hat.
- Glue the hat to the top of your child's photo, then glue the bottom of your child's photo to the elf's collar.
- Take a glue dot and place it in between the brads, then secure the collar to the glue dot. You can also use glue, but it's messier and harder to get it to hold between the 2 brads.
Free Elf On The Shelf Template
Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.
Lluvia
Wednesday 13th of December 2023
Is this download free?
Sam
Wednesday 13th of December 2023
Yes. All you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Once you've been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it'll automatically redirect you to the download page.
Lisa
Wednesday 6th of December 2023
Can I please have the template for the Elf on the Shelf Photo craft idea please.
Sam
Wednesday 6th of December 2023
Hi! I just checked your email and it’s listed as “unconfirmed” which means you didn’t click the link in the first email. If you didn’t see it, my best guess is it landed in your junk folder. If you can check that folder for my email (sam@simpleeverydaymom.com) and click the link, you’ll be set ◡̈
Jennifer
Tuesday 5th of December 2023
this is cute and we want to do this at work
Sam
Tuesday 5th of December 2023
Thanks! Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Paula
Tuesday 5th of December 2023
I am trying to find the actual template to print on the printer for my students. Can you share that?
Sam
Tuesday 5th of December 2023
Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Danielle McDonnell
Monday 4th of December 2023
Template please!
Sam
Tuesday 5th of December 2023
Of course! All you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Once you've been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it'll automatically redirect you to the download page.