Turn an ordinary egg carton into a cheerful egg carton elf with this fun and easy Christmas craft! These colourful elves are the perfect way to recycle materials while creating something festive and adorable for the holidays.
Made from simple supplies like egg cartons, wooden beads, and paint, this DIY elf craft is great for kids and adults alike. Each egg carton elf has its own personality, and they look super cute whether you make a whole team of Santa’s helpers or just one for a crafty decoration for your shelf, mantel, or desk.
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DIY Egg Carton Elf Craft
Materials:
- Egg carton
- Acrylic paint (green and white)
- Acrylic paint markers (several colours)
- White pipe cleaner(s)
- Extra large wooden bead (30mm)
- Small white pom pom
- Fine tipped black marker
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Cut and paint the egg carton pieces
- Cut a pointed cone section from the egg carton (the part between the cups). Trim the bottom so it’s nice and even. This will be the elf’s hat.
- Then cut a cup from the carton, again cutting the edge so it’s straight. This is the body/jacket of the elf!
- Choose a colour of acrylic paint for the elf’s jacket (we chose green) and paint the egg cup.
- Use the same colour of paint for the hat. Allow to dry.
- Once the base paint is dry, use white acrylic paint to add a pointed collar and 2 round buttons on the jacket.Continue the collar so that the whole top of the jacket (the technical bottom of the cup) is white.
- Cut 2 pointed elf ears from the scraps you cut off the egg carton pieces. The inner part of the ear should be curved so they can be glued on the head easily.
- Use acrylic paint or a paint marker to paint both sides of the ears so they match the wooden bead.
Step 3: Decorate the clothing and paint the face
- Wrap white pipe cleaner around the bottoms of the hat and jacket. Twist the ends together.
- Connect the “trims” in place using a thin line of hot glue.
- Then glue a white pom pom on the top of the hat.
- Paint the elf’s facial features on a wooden bead or ball. Use white acrylic paint or a paint marker to add 2 vertical oval eyes (you’ll add the pupils in later).Make a horizontal oval with red for the nose and use pink to add 2 rosy cheeks. Finally, use a black fine tipped marker to add a smiling mouth.
Step 4: Assemble the elf
- Glue the head onto the jacket and then add the ears to the side of the head.
- Once the white paint has dried enough, use the black marker to add large black pupils. We made our elves looking to the side!
- Finally, add glue inside the hat and attach it on top of the head.
- Your egg carton elf is complete!
- Have fun making them in all different colours!
Helpful Tips:
- Use a clean, sturdy egg carton: Cardboard cartons work best, as foam ones can be too smooth for paint or glue to stick well.
- Let the paint dry completely: Paint soaks into the egg carton quite quickly, but waiting will prevent smudges when putting the elf together.
What kind of paint is best for this egg carton elf craft?
Acrylic paint works best for this project. It dries quickly and gives great coverage. Washable tempera paint is also a good option if young kids are helping.
We used paint markers to draw the elf’s face, and they work perfectly for adding small details. They’re much easier to control than a fine-tipped paintbrush, making it simple to add smiles and rosy cheeks without worrying about smudges.
How can I make each egg carton elf look different?
Have fun giving every elf its own personality! First, mix and match paint colours. Green and red are classic Christmas choices, but try adding blues, silvers, or pastels for a whimsical twist. Use paint markers to draw unique faces, from big smiles and rosy cheeks to winking or surprised expressions.
You can also experiment with different hats, hairstyles, and accessories. Add different colours of pom poms to the hat tips, or attach a jingle bell for a Christmas touch! You can make a scarf from felt scraps or add faux fur trims instead of using pipe cleaners. Or add rhinestone buttons or other glitter accents to really make these elves festive!
How can I make my egg carton elf into an ornament?
These adorable elves make perfect Christmas tree ornaments! Create a small hanger from twine or ribbon and insert it into the top of the hat before gluing on the pom pom. Secure the loop with a dab of glue, then make sure the hat is firmly attached to the head. Your egg carton elf is ready to hang in the tree!
Making an egg carton elf is such a fun and festive way to get creative during the holiday season. With a few simple materials and a touch of imagination, you can turn recycled egg cartons into adorable little elves full of colour and personality.
Whether you make one as a keepsake or a whole group to decorate your home, each egg carton elf will bring a cheerful, handmade charm that’s sure to make everyone smile.
Here’s even more Christmas craft ideas:
Ping Pong Ball Snowman Tealights
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Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
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