It’s easy to create a paper shelf elf decoration with this template. There are boy and girl cartoon character elves, or kids can use their own photo so they become the elf on the shelf!
This is a fun and festive Christmas papercraft for kids and the latest in our printable elves series.
Love them or hate them, Elf on the Shelf characters are everywhere. Now kids can make a paper version to give the commercially produced elves a run for their money.
Or they could join the elves in their mischievous adventures once the family has gone to sleep by making a photo shelf elf.
This craft includes colour-your-own options. All you need is white cardstock, a gluestick a pair of scissors plus an (optional) photo.
Age suggestion: 6+, but younger kids could make this with some adult help.
Let’s get started …
How to make a Paper Shelf Elf decoration
You will need
- White card stock
- Markers if colouring your own
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Optional photo printed to white card stock – use a head shot printed at approximately 9.5×9.5cm (3.75”). You can fit four per page if working with a group of kids. There is an example of how I’ve set
head shots up for printing in the digital file - The printable template, available from our printables store and TPT store
How to
Print the template of your choice to white card stock.
Colour the graphics if using the colour-your-own set.
Cut the shapes out. If using the photo option, cut out your head shape, including hair and ears. Glue the hat in place and the ears on top of your own ears.
Glue the head and legs to the body.
Fold the dotted lines on the body and glue into a triangular shape.
Glue the arms on.
To sit your elf on a shelf, bend its legs.
These elves are super excited for Holiday season!
More Printable Elf Crafts
More Printable Christmas Crafts for Kids
