Download the elf on the shelf template, print, and cut out the pieces you need.

Trace your child's hand onto a skin colored piece of paper and cut it out. Arrange the handprint with the fingers pointed up. Place the red hat paper on the fingers so they're completely covered and glue them in place. Cut around the fingers to reveal them again. Alternatively, you can also have your child color or paint the fingers instead of using paper.

Place the hair on the line with the red paper and the handprint meet and glue it in place.

Next, take the white hat band and glue it over the red finger hat and hair. Trim off the sides.

Place the eyes just below the hair, one on each side. Optionally: Use a black pen to outline the eyes and draw on some eyelashes.

Use a black marker to draw on the eyebrows above the eyes and the smile below the eyes, in the middle of the face.

Next, use a pink marker to draw on the nose and the cheeks.

Finish off by gluing the collar to the bottom and back of the palm section of the hand.