DIY Elf House Made From Recycled Materials and Wikki Stix
Spend time with kids making this elf house from recycled materials and have fun recreating the magic of Christmas!
My kids have always been particularly good at creating toys and structures from recycled materials. These types of projects are oftentimes my most favorite because they are completely child-led, and my children really delight in the process. I don’t really interfere with these types of projects, as I often find that when I take a step back and let the kids have the lead, that is where the magic happens. This was definitely the case with this project.
This DIY Elf House is a DIY toy made solely from recycled materials and craft scraps. It is a great project to do if you are looking to use up any unwanted materials in the house. It’s also a way to save money and keep kids busy during the holidays – which happens to be a fun, but exhausting time of year!
One of the best parts about this project is that all materials you likely already have on hand.
Materials Needed:
- Cardboard (Amazon boxes are perfect)
- Wikki Stix
- Painters tape or craft tape
- Hot glue gun
- Plastic lids
- Bottle caps
- Drinking straws
- Paper towel rolls
- Good pair of scissors
- Low temp hot glue gun
- Miscellaneous craft supplies (sequins, beads, craft sticks, yarn, ribbon, felt,etc.)
Step 1:
First, brainstorm and decide your layout. Kids can really use their imagination here. Your Elf House can have one room, two rooms, a garage, an outdoor pool — you name it! Remember, there is no right or wrong way for children to design their Elf House, so try to keep things as open-ended as possible and focus on the process above all else.
Step 2:
Construct the outside structure from cardboard boxes. This is where children will need scissors, craft tape, and possibly a little help from an adult to cut the cardboard. You also can add windows, doors or a roof to your house. Decide what role each of the rooms will have, and get creative (let your kids construct an elf bedroom, a kitchen, a slide, etc.)!! My daughters thought a swing would be appropriate inside, as well as a hot tub and an area for bunk beds!
Step 3:
Once the general structural design is complete, have your children choose colors, design elements and anything else they would like to add to their Elf house! Our Elf House has adorable detailed flower bouquets and signs constructed from Wikki Stix. Wikki Stix are a great addition to this project because you can mold them into literally anything and they do NOT require glue (in addition to the Wikki Stix, you can also add sequins, beads, tissue paper, felt, etc.).
Step 4:
Have your children use their imagination to add some finishing touches to your Elf House. Do the walls need some decor? Add paper to the walls to make wallpaper. Are there rugs inside to keep the elves’ feet warm? Use felt or fabric scraps and glue them down. How about a fireplace to make things cozy?
The more details within your Elf House, the better! I absolutely love witnessing my children’s imaginations run wild with this, so encourage your children to do the same!
When your Elf House is complete, your children have a fun DIY toy they made from completely recycled materials. Even better, this type of toy can be used again and again, but can also be transformed into something new when it becomes boring or when the holidays are over!
Reusing items in your house for art projects and crafts is a great way to teach your children about resourcefulness. It also teaches them how to reduce, reuse and recycle. So, next time you’re searching for a cool new project to do with the kids, look no further than your recycling bin. You’ll be impressed by what you can make by foraging just a few items together.
