Elf Shoe Craft
Elf shoes are pointy-toed, jingle-belled, and covered in curling toes — and making them from paper or felt is one of those Christmas crafts that is as fun to wear as to make. Children make a pair of pointy-toed slippers sized for small feet (or elf-sized slippers for dolls), add a jingle bell to the curling toe, and either wear them or display them as Christmas decorations.
What You'll Need
- Green or red felt — two pieces, 8x10 inches each
- Scissors
- Jingle bells — one per shoe
- Hot glue gun — adult use for assembly
- Optional: gold ribbon — for decoration along the edges
- Optional: elf foot template — for a consistently shaped cut
How to Do It
Step 1: Trace and cut the shoe shapes. Place a child's foot on the felt and trace around it. Extend the toe into a point and add a slight curling upturn to the toe tip. Cut two identical shapes for each shoe (one for the top, one for the bottom).
Step 2: Glue the edges. Adults use the hot glue gun to join the top and bottom felt layers around the entire outside edge, leaving the opening at the ankle for the foot to slide in.
Step 3: Curl the toe. Roll the toe point back and glue in the curled position. Hold for 30 seconds until the glue sets.
Step 4: Attach the bell. Glue or sew a jingle bell to the very tip of the curled toe. When children walk, the bells jingle with every step.
Step 5: Add decoration. Glue a border of gold ribbon along the top opening edge. Add small star stickers or embroidery if desired.
Step 6: Wear and jingle. Put on the elf shoes and practice elf walking — toes up, high steps.
Skills Your Child Will Develop
Functional design — Creating wearable footwear from flat material introduces pattern making and construction.
Imaginative dress-up — Wearing elf shoes launches extended elf-themed dramatic play.
Hand-sewing introduction — If using a needle and thread to sew the bell on, children learn basic whip stitch.
Tips & Variations
- Make doll-sized elf shoes for stuffed animals as Christmas gifts.
- Add a small pocket to the side to hold a Christmas candy or coin.
- Decorate with jingle bell trim along the entire top edge for maximum Christmas sound.
My Two Cents
Felt is the right material for this project — it does not fray when cut, so no hemming is needed, and it is firm enough to hold the curled toe shape without stiffening. Fabric or paper alternatives require additional work to get the same result.
