Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament Craft (Free Elf Template)

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The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, grab some supplies, and enjoy a fun and easy project that brings a smile to everyone’s face. That’s why this Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament Craft is such a favorite—it comes with a free printable Elf Template, and it’s festive, simple, and makes an adorable keepsake to hang proudly on your Christmas tree year after year.

Christmas Popsicle Stick Crafts are the perfect holiday activity for kids because they combine creativity, hands-on fun, and festive cheer in a straightforward project. Using just a few basic supplies, children can create their own cheerful elf to display as a decoration, give as a gift, or even use alongside their Elf on the Shelf tradition.

Elf popsicle stick ornament craft collage with steps

Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament Craft with Free Elf Template

Whether you’re looking for a fun Christmas activity, a way to keep little kids busy while preschoolers and kindergarten children are on break, or want to add some extra holiday cheer, this craft is a super-easy and fun hands-on activity that kids will love.

This craft is also perfect for those Elf on the Shelf Fans!

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Supplies Needed to Make This Elf Popsicle Stick Craft

For this craft, you don’t need anything fancy—just a handful of basic supplies that can easily be found at home or at your local craft store. Here’s what you’ll need to make a popsicle stick elf:

  • Popsicle sticks (or craft sticks)
  • Green paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Glue (school glue or adhesive of your choice; you can also use a glue gun if you prefer)
  • Scissors
  • Construction paper in red, yellow, brown, and pink
  • Googly eyes
  • Black marker or Sharpie
Craft supplies including felt sheets, glue stick, scissors, googly eyes, popsicle sticks, and green paint

These simple supplies come together to create one of the cutest popsicle stick Christmas ornaments you’ll ever see!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

This elf craft is a super easy and fun activity that’s perfect for little kids, preschoolers, pre-K, and even kindergarten children. Follow these steps to make your festive elf popsicle stick craft:

Step 1: Prepare the Popsicle Sticks

Line up three Popsicle sticks. Paint the bottom half with green paint to look like the elf’s outfit. Let it dry completely. On the middle stick, use a black marker or Sharpie to draw a simple smile.

Three popsicle sticks partially painted green with green paint tube

Step 2: Build the Base

Place the three sticks side by side and secure them together. If you used a glue gun, it will set quickly; if you used regular adhesive, give it a few extra minutes to dry.

Three popsicle sticks glued together with bottom painted green and a smile drawn

Step 3: Cut Out the Paper Pieces

Using scissors, cut out shapes from your construction paper:

  • A hat from yellow
  • Ears from brown
  • Blush circles from pink
  • A jagged collar and red dress from red
  • A small green circle for the hat’s pom pom
Cut felt pieces for elf hat, ears, cheeks, and hat pom pom with scissors

This is where the kiddos can get creative with shapes and colors.

Red felt cutouts for elf hair and collar with scissors

Step 4: Attach the Hat and Ears

Glue the elf’s hat to the top of the popsicle sticks and add the pom pom for a festive touch. Then glue the ears to both sides of the elf’s face.

Elf base with yellow hat, ears, and pink cheeks glued on

Step 5: Add the Collar and Dress

Glue the jagged red collar under the elf’s face and attach the red dress. It immediately gives the elf a festive Christmas look.

Elf base with added red hair and collar

Step 6: Add the Details

Glue on the blush cheeks, attach the googly eyes, and let your silly little elves come to life. Don’t forget to draw any extra details with your black marker.

Elf ornament with glued googly eyes, hat, hair, and collar

Step 7: Finish with Extras

If you want to hang your elf, add a ribbon loop to the back. You can also decorate with extra pom poms, a pipe cleaner candy cane, or any embellishment that makes your elf sparkle.

Completed elf popsicle stick ornament with hat, ears, hair, collar, and eyes

Now you’ve got yourself a popsicle stick elf craft that makes the holiday season brighter!

Why This Makes the Perfect Holiday Elf on the Shelf Craft

This is one of those Christmas crafts for kids that checks all the boxes: easy Christmas setup, fun Christmas craft vibes, and a finished piece that doubles as décor. Plus, it’s one of those stick Christmas crafts that can easily be turned into a family tradition.

  • Kids are on Christmas break? This is a lifesaver to keep them busy.
  • Looking for fun Christmas activity ideas for preschool? This one is a hit.
  • Want to teach kiddos about creativity and fine motor skills? Cutting and gluing help them practice while having fun.

Whether you’re making popsicle stick Christmas ornaments, reindeer ornaments, or even a craft stick Santa, projects like this keep the holidays magical.

Elf popsicle stick ornament lying on blue background with Christmas lights

Tips for Crafting with Kids

Since this is a craft for kids, here are a few tips to make the experience smooth and fun:

  • Preschoolers and Toddlers: Pre-cut the shapes for them so they can focus on gluing.
  • Using Scissors: Let older kiddos practice cutting out the shapes—it’s a great way to build fine motor skills.
  • Glue Choices: Regular school glue works fine, but if you want quick results, a glue gun is faster (keep it out of reach of the little kids).
  • Set Up a Craft Station: Lay everything out ahead of time—popsicle sticks, paper craft pieces, pom poms, googly eyes—so kids can jump right in.

This makes it a fun family or classroom project, and it’s the kind of fun hands-on activity kids will talk about long after.

Free Elf Template

Once your elf is complete, it’s time to show it off! Here are a few ways to use your popsicle stick Christmas ornaments:

  • Hang them on your Christmas tree with a ribbon loop.
  • Line them up on a mantel for a festive display.
  • Use them as gift tags—write the recipient’s name on the back.
  • Create a classroom display if you’re making them with preschool or kindergarten children.
Elf popsicle stick ornament on blue background with paper trees and lights

These elves are not just fun Christmas crafts—they also make keepsakes you’ll treasure. Each year, when you pull them out of storage, you’ll remember the fun activity of making them.

More Popsicle Stick Crafts to Make

If you enjoyed the Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament Craft, here are more fun and festive popsicle stick projects to try.

Elf popsicle stick ornament craft collage with step-by-step images and title

This Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament Craft is more than just a holiday project; it’s a way to slow down during the busy holiday season and make something special with your kiddos.

From preschoolers to kindergarten children and even older kids, everyone can join in and create their own festive Christmas elf craft.

So gather your popsicle sticks, green paint, googly eyes, pom poms, and glue, and get ready for a fun Christmas craft that the whole family can enjoy.

elf on the shelf popsicle stick craft ornament

Elf Popsicle Stick Craft

Yield: 1 Elf Craft Ornament
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $3.00

This adorable Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament is a festive and fun way for kids to celebrate the holidays. With just a few simple supplies and our free printable elf template, little crafters can create a cheerful elf decoration to hang on the Christmas tree or give as a handmade gift. It’s an easy holiday project that encourages creativity and fine motor skills while adding a touch of Christmas magic to your home.

Materials

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Green paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Googly eyes
  • Construction paper (red, green, peach, and white)
  • Scissors
  • Glue or glue stick
  • Free elf template

Instructions

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Popsicle Sticks - Gather three popsicle sticks. Paint the bottom half of each stick green to create the elf’s outfit. Allow the paint to dry completely. On the middle popsicle stick, use a black marker to draw a cheerful smile for the elf’s face.
  2. Cut Out the Template Pieces
    Print and cut out the pieces from the free elf template. Trace each piece onto its corresponding colored construction paper (for example, the hat on green, the dress on red, the ears on peach). Carefully cut them out.
  3. Assemble the Elf - Begin attaching the template pieces to the popsicle sticks one by one. Start with the larger pieces like the dress and face area, then move to smaller details. Glue the elf’s hat to the very top of the popsicle stick face. Attach the ears to both sides of the face.
  4. Add Facial Details - Glue on googly eyes to bring the elf to life. Add blush to the cheeks using the blush pieces from the template (or lightly color them with a crayon or marker).
  5. Finish the Outfit - Attach the red dress piece below the face to complete the elf’s festive look. - Let the glue dry completely before handling.
  6. Make It an Ornament - To hang your elf on the tree, glue or tape a loop of yarn or ribbon to the back of the popsicle sticks.

Now you have a charming Elf Popsicle Stick Ornament that’s ready to spread holiday cheer!

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