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 these fun Buddy the Elf printable puppets.
They’re a great elf craft for Christmas and they come with a free elf template printable so it’s super easy to recreate at home or school.
Read on below or watch our step by step video tutorial to see how simple these are to make!
Free Printable Buddy The Elf Craft
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Related: Elf Paper Bag Craft For Kids
Elf Christmas Craft Supplies
- Heavy, white cardstock
- Scissors
- Brads
- Glue (this one is best for heavy cardstock)
- Small hole punch (like this 1/8″ one)
- Photo of your child’s face (about 2″)
- Laminator (optional)
- Laminating sheets (optional)
Directions
Download the Elf craft printable and print 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.
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 Activities For Kids
- Paper Plate Grinch Craft
- Gingerbread Man Paper Bag Puppet
- Handprint Reindeer Craft For Kids
- Edible Candy Cane Slime
Get Our Favorite Christmas Crafts!
Elf Photo Craft For Kids
Make this simple and fun photo elf craft for kids this Christmas!
Materials
- Heavy, white cardstock
- Brads
- Glue
- Photo of your child's face (about 2")
- Laminating sheets (optional)
Tools
- Scissors
- Small hole punch
- Laminator (optional)
Instructions
- Download the Elf craft printable and print 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.
Recommended Products
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So excited to use this-the kids are going to love it!
Oh, I hope so. Have fun!
I love this idea!!
Oh, so glad to hear that!!!
Hey Sam,
This is super cool!
I’m not seeing a link that I’m able to download. ๐
Hey Holly! There’s a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
just looking to download the free buddy the elf template
Hi Elaine! Thereโs a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
Just wondering where the link is for the template. Love this!
Thereโs a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
I am excited to do this with my kids
Yay! Hope they love them!
Please send me the elf template! Such a great idea.
Thank you
Of course! Thereโs a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
My grandchildren will love this !!
Woohoo! Hope you guys have fun!
Very cute
Thanks!
Hi just wanting to download the elf
Of course! Thereโs a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
I would love to have a template for the elf ornament. Thank you
Definitely! Thereโs a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
Looking forward to making these with my preschool class!
I bet those will be so cute!!!
So want to do this!
Yeah! Let me know how you like it!
I left my email but never received the template. I checked my junk folder… ?
Sorry, got it!!! ๐
Oh good!
Excellent idea
Thank you!
Fantastic idea to decorate our christmas tree
Oh, I never thought to use them on the tree! Genius!!
Super Cute!
Thanks so much, Katie!
Need it sent to my other email, so commenting again!
Of course! Thereโs a form at the end of the post. If you enter your email in the form, the link will be emailed to you ๐
I have not received the email yet!
So excited to make the buddy the elf with my kids faces
Hope you guys have fun!
Great craft!
Thank you!!!
Can’t wait to get the elf template
When does the email link come?
It should be within 5 minutes or less. Please let me know if you dont get it ๐
Love the ideas for my little K/1
Thanks! I hope you guys all like it!
Very cute craft…can’t wait to do it with my grandkids!
Yah! Have fun!
Love this, canโt wait to try.
Thanks Denise ๐
Just needing the elf template please. Thanks!
Definitely! Just enter your email in the form at the end of the post and the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
nice๏ผ
Thanks ๐
need free template
Of course! Just enter your email in the form at the end of the post and the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I’d love to receive the printable version of ‘Elf Yourself’ I love these
Of course! Just enter your email in the form at the end of the post and the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I want to do this with my kids
You should! If you’re looking for the template, just enter your email in the form at the end of the post and the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Cant wait to do this with my minded kids they’re going to love it
Oh, good! I hope they do!!
Thanks
Of course ๐
I love this craft!
Thanks so much, Lucia!
My year 5 class will love making these!
I bet they’ll look so cute!
We are so looking forward to making these
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that!
Can’t wait to use this!
Woohoo! Hope it goes well!
Great idea, I want a pattern
Totally! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the post, the link to download the file will be emailed to you ๐
Thank you for sending me the elf cutout template. Itโs so cute!
Yep. You’re welcome!
You have wonderful ideas; however this is my school email address and I need to be unsubscribed. Thank you.
Thanks! I checked and I do not have any email address that matches yours so you should be good to go!
I want to make this with my kids!
Do it; I bet they’ll like it! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the post, the link to download the file will be emailed to you ๐
Great craft…….I want to do it with my grandchildren! Please can I have the template?
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the post, the link will be emailed to you ๐
Please send the printable link to the Buddy The Elf Craft, thank you
If you enter your email in the form at the end of the post, the link will be emailed to you ๐
Looks amazing to do with my kindergarten kids
Yay! Hope they have fun!
Watching grandkids over the holidays. This should be fun for them. Thank you.
Sounds like fun! You’re welcome!
Thank you! This is just what I needed to decorate my door.
You’re welcome. Glad you like them ๐
Cute. Thank you.
You’re so welcome!
I am very interested in making the elf craft. Can I please have the printable?
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the post, the link will be emailed to you ๐
My year 2 class will love making these! Thanks!
Yay! You’re welcome ๐
Can’t wait to make this craft with my preschool class ๐
coool!
Thanks!
I did not receive the template? how long does is usually take?
It should be within 5-10 minutes.
This looks amazing. Could you send the link to download please?
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Please could I have a copy of the elf template
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
May I please have the printable of the elf’s. They look like a lot of fun. Thank you
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Love it!
Thank you so much!!
Please send link to email. Would like to make these at the office. Super cute
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Canโt wait to turn my students into little elves! Theyโll love it.
Haha, good!
Can’t wait to make this craft with my preschool class ๐
Yay! I bet they’ll look so cute!
I would like the template form for this cute little elf.
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Please send me the link to the adorable Elf!
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I would like to print the template please
Definitely! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
just what i was looking for!
So glad!!!
Excited to use these!
Yay, I’m glad!
template please
Of course! Just enter your email in the form at the end of the post to have the link emailed to you directly.
I would love the elf template.
Of course! Just enter your email in the form at the end of the post to have the link emailed to you directly.
Thank you!
No problem!
Super excited to try this
Great! Hope you like it!
I absolutely LOVE this! Thank you so much ๐ I can’t wait to use this!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by ๐
This is the cutest i have seen so far… LOVE IT!!!
Thanks for sharing……
Thanks for such a sweet comment ๐
I just love this idea!
Ahh, thanks!!
Iโd like to try this with my kids!
Awesome! I hope you do!
Elf template please
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Great activity, will post photos when I get them done…..
Awesome! I’d love to see them!
This is so cute. I’m going to have the kids make it as an ornament to give to their grandmother as a gift.
What a cute idea!
I love this idea. How can I get a copy?
If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
cant wait to try this with the kids
yay, hope you guys have fun with it!
Love this. thank you
You’re very welcome!
This looks great would love to do it with my class
Thanks! I hope they like it!
This is super – I would love a copy of the template please and Thank you!
Definitely! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Love it!
Thanks!
Could I please have the template sent to me?
Thank you!
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
So cute!! Can;t wait to use this with my kiddos!
Awesome! Hope you guys have fun!
May I please have your template?
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Template for elves please
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I like your idea very much! What software do you use for designing it ?
Thanks! I use adobe illustrator.
I’d like a template please ๐
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
great idea
Thank you!
I can’t wait to use this with my children!
Yes! Hopefully itโs fun ๐
Looks so cute, I can’t wait to try!
Thanks!
This looks really cute! Can’t wait to try it with my students
Aw, thanks!
could I please get the print out for this craft?
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
This looks fantastic. Would like to have the template please.
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Yep! Thanks for stopping by ๐
Hi!
I submitted my email, but never got the link to download!
Such a cute craft! Perfect for kids project at school.
Thanks, Christy!
Looking for elf craft download
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Can you please email this download? I did not get it even after submitting my email.
Please can I have a copy of the elf template.
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
can you send me this template. It is soooo cute
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Hi!
I would love to have to get the free printable template.
thanks,
Definitely! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Template please! ๐
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Please email me the Buddy the elf template. TY!
If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
thank you this is great
Youโre welcome!
I can’t wait to try this
Awesome! I hope you like it!
Can’t wait to hopefully figure out how to download this
Oh, it simple! Just enter your email in the form at the end of the page that has the heading, โfree elf puppet printableโ and the file will be emailed directly to you.
My students will love this! Thank you for sharing it.
Hello. I would love to do this with my 5th graders for their holiday party next week, however I have to print everything before Wednesday. Is it possible to get the file emailed?
Thank you so much!!!
Yay; youโre welcome!
Excited to make these!
Woohoo! Hope you have a fun time with them!
This is adorable, I would love to try it with my students.
Yay! I hope you try them!
Hello.
My 5th graders would love to make this! Could I have the template please! ๐
Of course! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I put my email in the form, but haven’t received an email. I’m I doing something wrong?
This is my email: lorennap@hotmail.com
Lovely idea!
Thanks Carolene!
So excited to make these with my granddaughter and older “kids” this Christmas!
Thanks!
yay, hope you guys like ’em!
So cute!
Thanks!!
Thank you
You’re so welcome!
Please may I have a copy of the “elf template” to print off. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Justin
Of course! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
download link please
If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
This looks awesome! Could i get the template please!
For sure! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Looks like fun! I can’t wait to try it with my students.
Woo! Have fun!
love this; would like to complete with my son’s class!
I hope you guys try it out! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
So cute
Thanks so much!
Elf tempalte!
If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Hi, we are doing a craft project for some kids a babysit. Wondering if Iโm able to get the link for the free template? Really love the elves.
Thank you.
Of course! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
I need this craft for my daughter.
Definitely! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Great idea. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Elf template please and thanks!
Of course! If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link will be emailed directly to you ๐
Excited to make
Yay! Merry Christmas!
Hi! Thanks for the cute idea! I went through the trouble of laminating all the pieces and now as Iโm cutting them out Iโm wondering how I will glue the pieces together with the laminate? Or maybe I canโt anymore and I shouldnโt have laminated..? Help please? Thank you! And Merry Christmas! ๐
I haven’t laminated them, but I would use a hole punch still; just make sure it’s sharp so it cut cleanly through. Hope it works!! Merry Christmas!!!!
90percent of the comments are requests for the template and the answer is the same. So here is my request. Please send the template. Thank you.
Lol, yes, Iโm not sure people are reading through to the end. You donโt need to comment to get the template. Just enter your email in the for and it will be sent to you ๐
can I please have your elf printout
Of course! If you enter your email in the form at the end of the page, itโll be sent to you ๐
Great idea – thank you!
You’re very welcome! Christmas in July?
elf photo download please! thank you!
If you put your email in the form at the end of the page, the link to download will be emailed to you ๐