Elves Popsicle Stick Craft

If your December crafting needs something cheerful, colorful, and actually doable, this Christmas Elves popsicle stick craft checks every box. These happy little elves are bright, playful, and full of personality without requiring complicated steps or fussy details, which makes them perfect for classrooms, holiday parties, or a cozy afternoon crafting at home.

Graphic image showing two popsicle stick elf crafts on a purple background with the text “elves popsicle craft sticks” and “bethannaverill.com.”

Materials for Your Craft Stick Elf Project

Before the elves show up, let’s get the supplies corralled.

Craft Sticks, Jumbo – Dollar Store
Pom Poms, Green and Red – Dollar Store
Wiggle Eyes – Dollar Store
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
Acrylic Craft Paint – Bright Green, Red, Black, Fleshtone color of choice
Cardstock – Red, Bright Green, Yellow, Brown
Scissors
Paintbrush
Pencil
Permanent Marker, Black
Patterns

Promotional graphic showing two elf craft stick figures with the text “Elves Popsicle Stick Craft,” a PDF label, and a message reading “Love this craft? Use code ELVES to get the matching packet for 25% off.”

Once everything is within arm’s reach, you’re ready to start building your elf crew.

Step by Step Craft Stick Elf Instructions

These steps are simple, clear, and very forgiving. No perfection required, elves thrive on personality anyway.

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.

Craft supplies arranged on a white wood surface including craft sticks, googly eyes, acrylic paint bottles, cardstock sheets, a paintbrush, black marker, scissors, and a glue gun.

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.

Craft stick pieces arranged into rectangular shapes with smaller stick pieces glued across the top, with a glue gun nearby.

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.

Cut craft stick pieces arranged next to scissors, a ruler, and a pencil on a white wood surface.

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.

Jumbo craft sticks laid out with pencil markings, a metal ruler, and a pencil on a white wood surface.

Step 5: Paint the elf pieces

Paint the head and hands with your chosen fleshtone color. Paint the body either red or bright green. Paint the feet black.

Craft stick pieces partially painted green and skin-tone colors with acrylic paint bottles and a paintbrush visible.

Let everything dry completely and add a second coat if needed.

Craft stick pieces partially painted red, black, and skin-tone colors with acrylic paint bottles and a paintbrush visible.

Step 6: Attach arms and legs

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

Painted craft stick elf body shapes laid out side by side, one red and one green, with a glue gun positioned near the green figure.

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

Two popsicle stick elf bodies painted red and green lying on a white wood surface, with a hot glue gun positioned near the green elf.

Step 7: 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.

Cardstock pattern pieces for elf hats, collars, hair, and trim laid out on a white wood surface with a pencil above them.

Step 8: 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.

Two popsicle stick elf bodies with cardstock collars and hats placed on top, with additional cardstock pieces and a hot glue gun nearby.

Step 9: 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.

Two popsicle stick elves with googly eyes and pink painted cheeks, acrylic paint bottles and a hot glue gun visible on a white wood surface.

Step 10: 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.

Two popsicle stick elves with cardstock hats and collars, small pom poms placed on the table near the elves and a glue gun to the side.

Step 11: Draw the smile

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

Two popsicle stick elves with drawn smiles, pom poms attached to their bodies, and a black marker resting on the green elf.

Step 12: 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.

Two completed popsicle stick elf figures displayed side by side on a white wood background.

Grab the Craftivity Packet

Want all the patterns ready to go without extra prep? Use code ELVES to snag 25% off.

Please Share This Popsicle Stick Elf Craft

If these Craft Stick Christmas Elves made your holiday crafting easier (or at least cuter), please share this popsicle stick elf craft with friends, teachers, or anyone who needs a festive win. More elves in the world is never a bad thing.