Elves Popsicle Stick Craft

Step 1: Gather your supplies

Lay everything out on your work surface so you’re not hunting for scissors halfway through. This is also a good time to decide if you’re making one elf… or a whole mischievous lineup.

Step 2: Build the elf body and legs

Line up four jumbo craft sticks to form the elf body. Line up two jumbo craft sticks to create the legs. Trim additional jumbo craft sticks to fit and glue everything together to secure the shape.
If you’re using liquid glue instead of hot glue, plan for drying time here.

Step 3: Cut the elf arms

Measure and cut two 2.25-inch sections from a jumbo craft stick to create the elf arms. Set them aside for later.

Step 4: Mark the head, hands, and feet

Measure 2.5 inches from the top of the body and mark it. This will separate the head from the body.
Measure 1 inch from the ends of the arms and legs and mark those spots to create hands and feet.

Step 5: Paint the green elf

Paint the head and hands with your chosen skin-tone color and paint one body bright green.

Step 6: Paint the red elf

Paint the second body red and the feet black. Let everything dry completely and add a second coat if needed.

Step 7: Attach the arms

Glue the arms onto the sides of each body, trimming additional craft sticks if needed for support.

Step 8: Attach the legs

Glue the legs to the bottom of each body to finish the basic elf shape.

Step 9: Trace the elf patterns

Download and print the elf patterns. Trace the hat trim and collar twice onto red and bright green cardstock. Trace the hat once onto red and bright green cardstock. Trace the short hair onto brown cardstock and the long hair onto yellow cardstock.

Step 10: Cut and assemble the hat and hair

Cut out all traced pieces, staying just inside the pencil lines for a clean look.

Glue the hair onto the first trim, attach the trim to the hat, then glue the hat onto the elf’s head. Glue the second trim around the neck as a collar.

Step 11: Add the face details

Glue two wiggle eyes onto the face. Dip a clean pencil eraser into pink paint and stamp cheeks on each side of the face. This step is always a favorite.

Step 12: Add trim and pom poms

Cut red and bright green cardstock strips about ¼ inch wide. Cut two pieces for wrists and one for the ankles. Glue them in place.

Attach one pom pom to the hat and three pom poms down the body.

Step 13: Draw the smile

Use a black permanent marker to draw a smile from cheek to cheek.

Step 14: Display

Hang them on the wall, add a ribbon loop to turn them into ornaments, or line them up as festive holiday decor. These elves were made to be seen.