Christmas crafts don’t get much cheekier than this! With just a few toilet rolls, paint, and some crafty extras, kids can create their very own army of elves and reindeer. These little characters are perfect for decorating the house, adding to the Christmas tree, or even sneaking into stockings as a festive surprise.
Imagine a row of mischievous elves with stripy shirts and cheeky grins, or a herd of reindeer with pompom noses and curly pipe‑cleaner antlers. Each one will have its own personality, and kids will love giving them funny expressions and playful details. Best of all, this project is simple, inexpensive, and packed with opportunities for creativity and skill‑building.
DIY Cardboard Elves & Reindeer Craft
Idea from Kate Brinkworth
What You Need:
- Toilet rolls
- Paint and paintbrushes
- Googly eyes
- Pipe cleaners
- Pompom noses
The Idea:
The goal is to make a little army of elves and reindeers using recycled toilet rolls. By folding, painting, and decorating, kids can bring these festive characters to life, complete with ears, rosy cheeks, and antlers.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Cheeky Elves
1. Shape the ears. Press down the tops of the toilet roll to fold in and create pointed ears.
2. Paint the base. Give the roll a coat of white paint. Once dry, add skin tones for the face and loosely paint on hair. Leave the ears skin‑toned.
3. Add clothing. Paint stripes or spots for the elf’s shirt. Once dry, use white paint to add a collar (this neatly hides the join between head and clothes).
4. Bring to life. Stick on googly eyes, add rosy cheeks with a dab of red paint, and finish with a cheeky smile.
Reindeer
1. Shape the ears. Press the tops of the roll in so they meet in the middle, forming ears.
2. Paint the body. Give the roll a generous coat of paint so it looks furry.
3. Add features. Stick on googly eyes and a pompom nose.
4. Make antlers. Shape pipe cleaners into antlers and push them into the top of the roll.
Helpful Hints:
- Use your thumbs to press the tops of the rolls neatly into ear shapes.
- When painting, put your hand inside the tube to hold and rotate it easily.
- Experiment with different shirt patterns, hair colors, and antler shapes to give each character a unique personality.
- Add glitter or metallic paint for extra festive sparkle.
Why Kids Will Love this Project:
- Festive fun – Perfect for Christmas excitement and holiday decorating.
- Skill building – Folding, painting, and gluing strengthen fine motor skills.
- Creativity unleashed – Kids design their own characters with unique expressions.
- Confidence boost – They’ll love seeing their handmade elves and reindeer displayed proudly.
Mischief and Magic
This DIY Cardboard Elf & Reindeer Craft is a joyful way to bring festive mischief into your home. Kids learn patience while painting, problem‑solving when shaping ears and antlers, and imaginative design when giving their characters personalities. Whether they make one elf or a whole reindeer herd, the results are always playful, unique, and full of holiday cheer.
So gather your toilet rolls, googly eyes, and pompom noses, and let your child’s creativity run wild this Christmas. These cheeky little characters aren’t just crafts — they’re memories in the making.
