Draw yourself as an elf with colored pencils, then make a simple paper star ornament to decorate or wear, practicing cutting, coloring, and creativity.


Step-by-step guide to Draw Yourself as an Elf with DIY Star (CraftyUnicorn10)
Step 1
Gather all the materials and spread them out on a clean table.
Step 2
Look in a mirror or at a photo and pick three elf features you want to have like pointy ears a funky hat and a colorful outfit.
Step 3
Use your pencil to lightly sketch the head and shoulders of yourself on one sheet of paper.
Step 4
Draw the elf features you chose such as pointy ears a hat and hair on your sketch.
Step 5
Draw eyes a nose and a big smile so your elf looks happy.
Step 6
Color your elf with colored pencils using bright shades and fun patterns.
Step 7
Take a second sheet of paper and draw a star shape large enough to decorate or wear.
Step 8
Decorate the star with colors patterns or little designs to match your elf.
Step 9
Carefully cut out the star with scissors while an adult watches.
Step 10
Make a small hole near the top of the star with the tip of your scissors or a pencil.
Step 11
Thread the string through the hole and tie a knot to make a hanging loop.
Step 12
Glue the star onto your elf drawing if you want to decorate the picture.
Step 13
Tie the string into a loop to wear the star as a necklace if you want to wear it.
Step 14
Share your finished elf drawing and star ornament on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!


Help!?
What can we use instead of colored pencils, string, or a mirror if we don't have them?
Swap colored pencils for crayons or washable markers, use yarn or ribbon in place of the string, and use a printed photo instead of a mirror when choosing three elf features so you can still complete the sketch and coloring steps.
My star tore when I tried to thread the string—what should I do?
If the star tears, reinforce the hole area with a small piece of tape or glue a scrap of paper behind it before poking the hole with the pencil tip and then thread the string as directed to make a sturdy hanging loop.
How can I adapt the steps for a 4-year-old versus a 10-year-old?
For a 4-year-old, pre-draw the head and have an adult help with cutting and hole-making using safety scissors, while a 10-year-old can add detailed patterns, mix colored pencils and markers, and make the star wearable as a necklace per the tying step.
How can we make the elf drawing and star more special or last longer?
Enhance the project by gluing on sequins or glitter before cutting, laminating the star or covering it with clear tape to preserve it, and gluing the finished star onto the elf picture or sharing the photo on DIY.org as the final step.
Watch videos on how to Draw Yourself as an Elf with DIY Star (CraftyUnicorn10)
How To Draw Elf On The Shelf
Facts about drawing and paper crafts for kids
🎨 Many colored pencil sets include over 100 different hues—great for shading elf ears and costumes!
🧝 In folklore, elves are often playful, magical helpers—perfect inspiration for a friendly or mischievous elf character.
🌟 Tiny folded "lucky stars" are a common papercraft and can be made from strips of paper without glue.
🖼️ Artists use self-portraits to study faces and expressions—drawing yourself as an elf is a fun way to practice!
✂️ Making paper ornaments helps kids build fine motor skills and learn safe scissor techniques.