We’re convinced one of the best Christmas movies of all time is Elf! Will Ferrel is the perfect Christmas elf!

Ever since it was released, we’ve made it a tradition to watch it every year as a family.

Now that our kids are older they’re loving the movie just as much too, so we decided to make this free printable elf craft for kids!

They’re a great Christmas craft for kids to do at home plus they come with a free template so it’s super easy to recreate.

Read on below or watch our step by step video tutorial to see how simple these are to make!

Also, be sure to check out all of our elf crafts for kids for even more ideas.

Free Printable Buddy The Elf Craft

Directions

Download the Elf craft printable and print it out on heavy, white card stock.

Cut out all the pieces of the elf and your child’s face. Glue the elf hat on top of your child’s head.

Put a little glue on the top of the white collar and glue your child’s photo on top of the collar.

Using the small hole punch, punch out all the white circles on the elf printable.

Place the arms behind the body, then insert the brads and attach both arms.

Place the legs behind the body, then insert the brads and attach both legs.

Put some glue on the top of the elf’s body (where the neck would attach) and slide the white collar underneath the arm brads.

Position the back of the elf coat (the black piece) behind the green coat and glue only the top 1/2″ of it to the elf body.

Using scissors, cut the excess black off the sides of the elf coat.

Like this craft? You’ll also love making this elf paper bag puppet craft or this paper plate elf craft!

That’s it!

Now let your kids have fun playing with themselves as an elf. It’s just like the Elf Yourself app but in real life!

If you want this elf craft to last longer, you can always laminate the printable elf sheet before you cut out all the pieces.

Just make sure you have a sharp hole punch that will punch through the paper and the lamination.

My kids got such a kick out of seeing themselves as Buddy the Elf and I’m sure yours will too!

Don’t forget to download the free elf template by entering your email in the form at the bottom of this post.

Christmas Unit For Kids

Create a week-long Christmas unit study to keep all the festivities and learning going! Below are some of our favorite ideas to get you started.

Kids’ Christmas Books

Reading aloud to kids is one of the best things you can do for their development. It can help them develop essential language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension.

In addition, reading aloud to kids also helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As they listen to the story, kids are actively engaged in trying to make sense of what they’re hearing.

They’re also exposed to new ideas and concepts that they can explore further on their own. Reading aloud to kids is a great way to foster their love of learning and set them up for success in school and beyond.

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 way for kids to learn new skills and have fun at the same time. It helps them to develop their creative thinking, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. And, best of all, it’s a great way to bond with family and friends.

Add in some more fun Christmas crafts with these top ideas:

Elf on the Shelf Paper Bag Puppet – Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, elves! This Elf on the Shelf craft is not only a fun activity for kids, but it also helps bring the Christmas spirit to life. All you need is a paper bag, some paper, and some glue!

Reindeer Headband Craft – This festive reindeer craft is not only cute, but it’s also fun to make! Simply print out the free template, cut out the pieces, and assemble as directed. Once your child is finished, you’ll have a festive headband that’s perfect for the Christmas season. Best of all, this craft can be made in just a few minutes, so it’s perfect for last-minute crafting.

Gingerbread House Paper Bag Craft – Looking for a bright and cheery gingerbread house decoration? This gingerbread house craft is just the thing! It’s super cute, and the kids can customize it however they like. Plus, it’s easy to make – even the youngest of kids can join in the fun.

Grinch Tissue Paper Craft – The Grinch is a classic Christmas character, and this craft is a fun and easy way to bring him to life. Plus, it’s great for fine motor practice. All you need is some tissue paper and a few other supplies and you’re ready to go!

Christmas Activities

One of the most fun activities for kids is using dot markers. They are not only fun for kids to use but they offer a great workout for their little hands! These Christmas do a dot printables will keep your young ones busy all season long!

A Christmas play dough kit is the perfect way to keep your little ones busy during these cold winter months! This Christmas play dough kit is loaded with fun and festive toys and sparkly playdough to help your kids with hands-on sensory play!

Santa is coming and we have these free printable Santa worksheets to help your little ones learn the letter S. We’ve also included some fun printables that’ll help them with handwriting, scissor skills, and more! This one’s perfect for preschoolers or kindergartners. No prep is needed- just download it now!

More Buddy The Elf Fun

Can’t get enough of Buddy the Elf? Then snag some more cool stuff to use this Christmas season!

This Buddy the Elf wreath will have everyone who comes to your door laughing!!

Show off your Christmas spirit with any of these Elf t-shirts with his classic sayings!

Spruce up your tiered tray decor with this adorable Elf-themed wooden decor.

Share With Us

Did you make this elf craft with your children or students? If so, we’d love to see how they turned out!!! Post a picture of your completed project on our Facebook wall or in our private Facebook group.

More Christmas Ideas For Kids

Elf Template Printable