Elephant Craft made with Recycled Newspaper {FREE Template!}
Elephants are such majectic and amazing animals! So, of course, we want to make them into crafts that you will enjoy making with your kids. This newspaper elephant craft is one of my favorites with the print adding a special detail. Plus, using newspaper for crafting is a great way to recycle and help our world while also doing something fun with your kids.
This craft is best for elementary aged kids. However, you can make this with a preschooler or kindergartener with some assistance given.
Here are Some Elephant Fun Facts
- They are the world’s largest land animal, weighing up to 6 tons!
- Not all types of elephants’ ears look the same. The ears of African elephants are larger than their Asian cousins.
- Their trunks are able to do so much and can suck and blow out up to 8 liters of water at a time.
- Elephants are CONSTANTLY eating (no wonder!)
- They communicate in lots of ways, from trumpet calls, body language, vibration, touch and scent.
- It’s true that elephants never forget.
You can learn more about elephants at the WWF.
If you like this elephant craft, you may also enjoy making:
- Paper Elephant Craft
- Elmer the Elephant Craft
- Paper Plate Elephant Craft (with moving ears)
- Circus Craft Collection
Save this Animal Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…
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SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- Newspaper
- Scissors
- Stapler with staples
- Glue stick
- Construction paper
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Markers
- Elephant craft template
If you’re like me, you have lots of good intentions, but time has a way of getting away from you. And things like crafting with your kids just never happens…even though you know how beneficial and FUN it can be. Well…I have a solution for you…a way to reduce the prep so that you can get right to the crafting. Just fill your bag using our master list of supplies (many of which you probably already have on hand), and you will be ready to make every single creative project that you see here…both on the site and in our SHOP. It’s that easy!
Elephant Craft Instructions
Step 1: Cut 2 Newspaper Circles
- Find a section of newspaper that is primarily print, without ads or large pictures. You can also use the comics to give your elephant craft a different look.
- Layer 2 pieces of newspaper together.
- Then cut out a large circle for the head of your elephant, with the height being the size of a fold sheet of newspaper. We made ours just slightly oblong rather than exactly circular.
*You can draw the circle out with a pencil or marker first to make cutting easier for kids.
Step 2: Use the Elephant Craft Template
- Print the elephant craft template
- Use the template to cut out 2 elephant ears, the trunk and a tuft of hair.
- We used gray paper for our elephant, but you can choose from whatever colors you have on hand.
Step 3: Add the Ears
- Place the tuft of hair in between the 2 cut out newspaper circles at the top and secure it with staples.
- Then place one of the ears between the layers of newspaper and secure it on each side with a staple.
- Next use your glue stick to attach the ears, both on the front and back of the circle. We are using the glue stick because the stapler will not reach the center of the ears to close up the circle.
- Repeat this process on the other side of the circle for the elephant’s other ear.
- Staple around the edge of the rest of the circle, keeping the staples close together…but leave a section open at the bottom about 5″ wide so that we can put the stuffing in later.
Step 4: Give Your Elephant Craft Some Details
- Now it’s time to add some details to your elephant craft.
- Fold a tab over on the top of the elephant’s trunk and attach it with your glue stick to the center of your elephant’s face.
- Now glue the eyes in place (included in the template). If you prefer, use large googly eyes instead.
- Use your markers to add in highlights, as well as adding any other details that you would like. We gave our elephant some pink rosy cheeks.
Step 5: Stuff It
- Tear strips of newspaper and crumple them into balls.
- Place them one at a time into the opening that you left at the bottom of your elephant craft.
- Keep putting in crumpled newspaper until your elephant is puffy but not over-stuffed.
Step 6: Finish Off Your Newspaper Craft
- For the final step, close up the opening with your stapler. Again, keep the staples close together.