Every year, my kids are so excited for the appearance of their Elf on the Shelf. They love seeing the antics he gets up to in the days before Christmas. However, everyone knows that touching the elf means he will lose his magic! Help your kids make this cute Elf on the Shelf Paper Bag Puppet that they can play with to their heart’s content! They might make up their own mischievous scenarios for him!
Elf on the Shelf Paper Bag Puppet
Paper Bag Puppets are some of my favorite crafts. A stack of paper bags is very inexpensive and then you have what you need for so many puppets! I love seeing all the stories my kids invent.
Puppets are the perfect activity to do with a friend! The craft is quick and easy, and when you’re done, each kid has something new to play with! I love having a few crafts up my sleeve for when time is crawling backwards or for when friends come to play.
Supplies
- Colored construction paper
- Pencil – to trace the template
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- Sharpie or gel pen
- Paper bag
Printable Template
Not quite ready to join our email list where we share free and paid products and fun ideas? That is ok! Purchase the template below!
How to Make an Elf on the Shelf Paper Bag Puppet
Directions
- Select red, white, black or brown, and pink construction paper. Trace the template patterns on the selected paper and cut out the traced patterns. The template includes the head, hair, hat, hat pompom, gloves, sleeves, trousers, and collar.
- Glue the hands to the ends of the sleeves and glue the small white circle to the top of the hat.
- Glue the hair to the top of the head.
- Cut two small round shapes from pink paper (blush) and draw and cut out a pair of eyes from white paper
- Glue the blush cutouts to the edges of the cheeks, folding extra over to the back of the head. Use a sharpie to draw the face of the elf.
- Glue the hat onto the head.
- Select a paper bag or craft one out of paper. Measure and cut a red rectangle that is large enough to cover one flat side of the bag.
- Glue the collar onto the red rectangle, about 1 inch below the top edge. This will be your elf’s shirt.
- Glue the trouser legs onto the bottom of the shirt.
- Glue the body to the paper bag, underneath the flap.
- Flatten the bottom of the bag and glue the head onto it.
- Glue the arms to the sides of the elf to complete the puppet.
Tips and Tricks
- Change up your puppet’s look with different skin tones and hair colors!
- With little helpers, pre-cut the pieces and let them do the gluing!
- To make a sturdier puppet, cut the legs and arms out of thick craft paper
More Ideas…
Every Elf on the Shelf needs someone to report to! Pair this craft with the Santa Paper Bag Puppet to expand the imaginary play.
Help your kids visualize the time left before Christmas with this Countdown Chain!
After you’re all finished crafting, cuddle up on the couch with one of these delicious hot chocolate recipes and a book about elves!
Elf on the Shelf Puppet
This Elf on the Shelf Puppet is the perfect introduction to the Elf on the Shelf for your family. A craft for your family, and a friendly hello from the Elf on the Shelf.
Materials
- Construction papers
- Pencil – to trace the template
- Craft glue
- Sharpie or gel pen
- Paper bag
Instructions
Grab red, white, black or brown, pink construction papers for the Elf on the shelf puppet craft. The template includes a head, hair, hat, hat pompom, gloves, sleeves, trousers, and collar. Trace the template patterns on the selected construction papers and cut out the traced pattern.
Glue the glove cutouts with the sleeve cutouts and glue the pompom (small round shape) on the tip of the hat cutout.
Glue the hair cutout on the top part of the head cutout.
Cut out 2 round shapes from pink paper (blush) and draw and cut out a pair of eyes of your choice from white craft paper.
Add the blush cutouts and the eyes on the head. Use a sharpie to draw the face of the Elf.
Attach the hat pattern on the top side of the head.
Select a paper bag or craft your own paper bag. Prepare a piece of red paper to cover any one side of the paper bag.
Glue the collar cutout on the prepared red paper. This is the shirt of the Elf puppet.
Glue the trouser (legs) cutout on the bottom side of the shirt pattern.
Glue the body pattern on the paper bag, keeping the legs faced towards the open side of the paper bag. The closed side of the paper bag will be the top side of the Elf puppet.
Flatten the bottom part of the paper bag with the front side of the puppet and glue the head on the bottom side.
Glue the arm patterns on both sides of the paper bag Elf to complete the puppet.
How Do I Print A PDF?
You’ll need a program that supports PDFs. Adobe Acrobat is a great option. Open the program, click file then print. Select your printer and the number of copies you want to print. Be sure you click double-sided if you want it to print on both sides.
Can I Resell These?
You may not resell any printable or template that you find on our website or received in your email. You may use them for class parties, at church, at home, or in the classroom. You may get these printed at an office supply store or copy center at your own expense.
