Elf On The Shelf Photo Craft For Kids [Free Template]
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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
Supplies
- Photo of your child
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Brads
- Marker or crayons (if using the color in version)
- Small hole punch
- Glue dot (optional, but useful)
- Elf on the shelf template (click the “click here to get your freebies” image at the end of the post)
Directions
Start by downloading the template and printing it out. Once the template is printed, gather the materials for this fun activity. Get those scissors ready, and let’s help the kids bring this elf to life!
First, guide your child to build the elf body by gluing the legs to the bottom of the body piece.
Next, help your child 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.
Finally, encourage your child to 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 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! This elf craft can inspire an entire Christmas unit study for kids. Below are some of our top ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
Christmas Children’s Book Recommendations
Reading to your kids is not only a simple activity, but it has so many benefits! These include improved vocabulary, better reading comprehension, and focus. That’s why we always recommend starting a new theme with books.
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!
Easy Christmas Crafts
Crafting is a great activity for kids because it helps with fine motor skills, has opportunities for creativity, and can be fun! Add in more throughout December with some of our favorite ideas:
Related: Christmas Matching Worksheets
Merry Christmas Headband Printable – Start a new Christmas tradition with this cute printable! It’s a great way to bring the magic of Christmas into your home with a simple and fun craft activity. Plus, it’s perfect for holiday parties or as a fun accessory for Christmas day!
Snowman Headband Craft – Young children love dressing up, and this snowman headband craft is the perfect winter accessory! It’s easy to make and will keep your little ones entertained for hours. And who doesn’t love printable props for your Christmas party photos?!
Reindeer Popsicle Stick Craft – Add a little charm to your holiday decorations with this cute and easy reindeer craft! It’s a great way to get creative with your kids and make some festive decor for your home.
Elf Toilet Paper Roll Craft – It’s that time of year! The elves are busy getting ready for Christmas, and now your kids can join in on the fun with this adorable toilet paper roll craft. This is a great elf craft for kids of all ages, and even Santa Claus himself will approve of it!
Christmas Printable Activities For Preschoolers
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. These free printables are great for preschool, pre k, and kindergarten children!
Try this Elf Christmas Card Craft
We’ve got learning covered with these awesome Grinch worksheets, perfect for 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!
These Christmas cutting strips are a fantastic way to work on fine motor skills and scissor practice. They also make great educational activities for preschoolers during the holiday season. Print them out and have your little ones cut along the lines for a fun and festive challenge!
Christmas Tree Tissue Paper Craft
Share With Us
Did you make this activity with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!
For a chance to have your child’s project 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!
Elf On The Shelf Photo Craft
Video
Materials
- Photo of your child
- Colored cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Brads
- Marker or crayons if using the color in version
- 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.
- Finish off by taking a glue dot and placing 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.
Did you make this?
Don’t forget to leave a comment below and make sure to follow on Pinterest, Facebook and TikTok for more!
Free Elf On The Shelf Photo Craft Template
Meet Sam
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.
I love this just in time!
Aw, that’s awesome! Glad it came at the right moment!
Love this
Thank you! So happy you love it!
I would love this template to decorate our classroom door.
Great! To access the template, please follow these steps:
1. Locate Locked Image: Look for the “Click To Unlock!” button on the locked image. The image will be located under the subheading that starts with “Get Your….By Signing Up or Logging In”
2. Sign Up or Log In: Click the button to create a free SEM+ account or log in if you already have one.
3. Access Content: Once logged in, the image will be unlocked. Click it to go to the download page.
I didn’t get an email. How do I get the download? I even watched the video.
Hi! You won’t get an email. You can click the “Click here to go to the download page” image at the end of the list and then it redirects you to the download page. No need to wait for an email ◡̈
i cannot find the template
To get the template, you’ll need to have a free Grow account. If you are a free SEM+ Grow subscriber, please login (by clicking the “login or sign up free to unlock” button on the image at the end of the post) and it’ll unlock the download image at the end of the post. If not, you can sign up for free and it’ll also unlock. For more information on how this works, you can check out the details here.
Is this download free?
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.
Can I please have the template for the Elf on the Shelf Photo craft idea please.
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 ([email protected]) and click the link, you’ll be set ◡̈
this is cute and we want to do this at work
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 ◡̈
I am trying to find the actual template to print on the printer for my students. Can you share that?
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 ◡̈
Template please!
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.
Good morning ! Can you please send me the link
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 ◡̈
Can I get the link
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 ◡̈
Please provide the link for the elf printable
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 ([email protected]) and click the link, you’ll be set ◡̈
Can I get the link to the free template please
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 ◡̈
Thanks
You’re welcome!