Do you also have a few extra egg cartons? Then we have another new idea for you. With just a few materials and a little imagination, you can make egg carton elves that look like little, flowery forest spirits. This DIY is perfect as a decoration for the windowsill, your seasonal table or as a gift idea. You also use materials that you often already have at home. If you want to make egg carton elves, you combine upcycling with loving details – and that’s exactly what makes these elf dolls so special.

You need that

• empty egg cartons (preferably light egg cartons)
• Round head clothespin 🛒
• Jute twine
• Walnut shells (halved)
• dried gypsophila
• small wooden discs
• Acrylic paint 🛒
• Hot glue
• Scissors
• fine brush
• waterproof fineliner
• cotton swab

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prepare body from clothespin

If you don’t have round head clips, first separate the spring from the wooden clothespin. Then glue both halves back together to create legs and body. Let the glue dry briefly so that you can continue working cleanly.

2. Make dresses out of egg carton

Cut out an egg carton top and round the edges with scissors to make it look like a bluebell. Then you paint the dress white. Once the paint is dry, stick it over the body of the clothespin from above. So that the egg tip fits over the head, you can make a longitudinal cut on the back and bend it slightly when you put it on so that it can be placed around the doll’s neck.

3. Attach arms and hands

Cut two pieces of jute twine of equal length. Knot one end of each to create the hands. Then glue the strings to the side of the dress. Make sure that the arms hang loosely so that the elf appears alive.

4. Attach baskets and flowers

Glue some dried gypsophila into half a walnut shell. Then attach the basket to one of the elf’s hands. It looks like she has just collected flowers.

5. Shape and paint little hats

Cut another tip out of the egg carton, round off the ends again and bend them up a little. Paint the hat light green or light yellow and once dry, glue it to the elf’s head.

6. Paint the face

Take a fineliner and draw on a cute face and, if you like, dab on a few pink cheeks. The easiest way to do this is with a cotton swab.

7. Fix the elf on the wooden disc

Finally, stick the finished elf in the middle of a small wooden disc. This means it is stable and is ideal as a decoration.

Reading tips: Do you like our egg carton craft ideas? Then be sure to take a look at the great aquarium or the crab made of egg cardboard!

If you want to make egg carton elves, you don’t need a lot of time or expensive materials. Instead, you combine egg carton, wood and natural decorations to create a loving elf doll. The dress, hat and flower basket create a magical figure that combines naturalness and creativity. This DIY remains timeless and suits every season.