Messy and Mess-Free Elmo Craft

Elmo celebrates his birthday on February 3rd and there's no better way to celebrate with him than with by making this fun, easy and relatively mess-free Elmo craft! This craft requires minimal supplies, doesn't take very long and is perfect for toddlers. Looking for more of a mess? I've got you covered, we completed this craft two ways; messy and mess-free.

Mess-Free Elmo Craft

Let's start with the mess-free version of this Elmo craft. This craft was modeled after the quick and easy Grinch craft we saw at a local Christmas fair. 

It is super easy and aside from some small amounts of glue, this craft is mess-free.

Supplies

Red Construction Paper
Orange Construction Paper
Black Construction Paper
White Construction Paper
Scissors 
Glue

Prep Work

Since my girls are still too little to use scissors, I pre-cut all of the shapes we would need to make Elmo's face. 

To create the shape for his head I folded a paper plate in half and traced it.

For Elmo's nose I traced the bottom of a baby puff snack container.

Assembly

Pour out some glue onto a plate and dip one end of a cotton swab in it. Direct your toddler on where to put the glue based off of which part of his face they'll be attaching. 

I suggest putting the white circles down first, followed by the black, then the orange for his nose and lastly his mouth.

Mess-Free Elmo Craft The Finished Product

Depending on the age of your child Elmo's face may take on a new form and that's totally fine if this Elmo craft turns into a piece of art modeled after works from Picasso. As long as everyone is having fun it doesn't really matter what his face ends up like.

Messy Elmo Craft

The second way you can assemble Elmo's face is by swapping the red construction paper for the half of paper plate you used in the mess-free version.

Supplies

Half of paper plate
Red paint
Orange construction paper
White construction paper
Black construction paper
Scissors

Prep Work

Cut a paper plate in half and cut out the shapes for Elmo's eyes, nose and mouth. His mouth was the most difficult shape for me to cut, I didn't really know which household item I had on hand that I could use so I free-handed it. it took me a few tries it was either too big or too small or made poor Elmo look so angry. When looking at images of Elmo online his mouth was not the same constant shape either, so really, anything goes. Just, try not to make Elmo look too angry I mean, it is his birthday and all.

Assembly

Start by pouring out some red paint onto a plate. It is totally up to you if you want to provide your toddler a paint brush or just have them finger paint. You can make this craft as messy as you want! Once the plate is sufficiently covered have your child stick on Elmo's eyes, nose and mouth. You will still need to use glue to attach the black of his eyes. 

Messy Elmo Craft The Finished Product