The number one question we get in all of Elf on the Shelf Ideas is how to make Elf on the Shelf dendable? How do I make elf moveable? We have the answers! This poseable Elf  five minute no-sew tutorial answers all your questions! See well over 100s of creative, funny, and original ideas for your Elf plus free printables.

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How to Make Elf on the Shelf Bendable

No to long ago, I was talking to one of our loyal Elf on the Shelf viewers and she asked “how did you do that?” Elf was bent a really funny way. I was shocked that she didn’t know how to make five minute bendable elf. If she didn’t know I wondered how many of you didn’t know.

To help her and other readers,, I reproduced and updated our original post No Sew Bendable Elf on the Shelf Tutorial into a new post – How to Make Elf on the Shelf Bendable – without sewing!

Are Elf on the Shelf arms bendable?

If you have purchased the original Scout Elf, Elf on the Shelf arms are not bendable.  There is no wire inside the Elf doll. In fact, when Elf arrives arrives inside the box, Elf on the Shelf arms are sewn together.

If you plan to do a quick 5 minute Elf on the Shelf bendable craft, you want these hand detached. Don’t worry, you can detach sewn Elf on the Shelf hands easily using small nail scissors. Be careful not to cut the white Elf palms. While cutting Elf on the Shelf hands, also cut off your Elf doll tag.

How do I make my elf movable?

Asking if you can make your Elf move is a loaded question. The statement can mean so much! Let’s answer the many possible meanings of this question.

Can I move the Elf? First, according to the Elf rules, you cannot touch the Elf. If you are a parent that is part of the Elf moving committee, you will become aware of how to move the elf each night.

Can I catch my Elf moving on camera? There are many ways to track Elf on the Shelf moving on camera. Use Elf GPS trackers, Elf stop motion apps, and more.

How do I make Elf on the Shelf Bendable so he can move? As a parent and member of the Elf moving committee, you want an Elf on the Shelf that can bend or move it’s legs and arms. this will help you with your Elf on the Shelf Ideas.  This bendable Elf craft takes only minutes and a few supplies. Don’t worry, sewing is not involved.

How do I make my Elf on the Shelf bendable without sewing?

The first year you welcome Elf on the Shelf into the home, you want to quickly create a bendable Elf on the Shelf. This will help with moving Elf around the home.

Supplies:

• Elf on the Shelf
• Scissors or Wire Cutters
• Craft Wire (I have used 16 to 20 gauge craft wire)

I can wait to help you get your special elf to bend, hang, hug, groove, jig and more!

Instructions:

Before you begin the steps for How to Make Elf on the Shelf Bendable, you need Craft Wire. If you don’t have it, hurry up and order it or run to your local craft store. The thicker the better but make sure it is able to be threaded through the seams of your Elf.

My craft wire was thin, so I doubled up by folding it in half before threading it under the armpits. Lift up the arm pit and slide about three inches of wire into the elf’s arm. Like I said, I folded my wire to thicken it and make Elf have a stronger bend.

Next, trim the excess wire. Repeat under the second arm pit.

Keep in mind, most of the Elf on the Shelf dolls have a seam at the knee so you will need to place a lower and upper craft wire (calf and quad) in each leg.

Go behind the Elf’s bottom, slide in a new wire. This one will only be around an inch and a half as you are only going the length of the quad. Repeat behind the second leg.

Next, slide a new wire into the toe seam to the knee. This is about an inch in length.

More Ways to Make Elf on the Shelf Bendable

There are two other ways to make a possible Elf on the Shelf. Use either paper clips which also is a no-sew quick and easy bendable Elf tutorial or use an Elf on the Shelf bendable kit which also includes magnets for move posable Elf ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Bendable Kit

This Elf on the Shelf bendable kit will be the most involved but will also allow you to create more complex bendable Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Upgrade your Elf, with the Elf Doctor Kit. Included in the bendable Elf kit are custom length 12 gauge wire for elf’s arms and legs, Velcro tabs for hands and feet, needle, thread, seam ripper and four magnets. Clearly this moveable Elf requires some sewing.

How to Make a Posable Elf on the Shelf with Paper Clips

You can also make a bendable Elf on the Shelf using paper clips. Follow our tutorial for this quick and easy no-sew posable Elf.

First, I find this way to not be as secure as if doing it with craft wire. Craft wire just happens to be more moldable, but it works fine if you are in a pinch and need to create a poseable Elf with paper clips.

Following the same stapes we used with bendable wire, create a posable Elf using paper clips.

Open a paper clip to form a straight line. Thread it underneath the armpit and again under the buttocks. YOu can also thread through the tip of the hand and tip of the toes.

Cut off extra wire (paper clip) using scissors or wire cutters. This will allow you to create many posable Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Prop Stand

Not bendable but posable, take a look at this Elf on the Shelf Prop.  Now the Elf on the Shelf can stand is using the Claus Couture standing prop.  This of course includes no needle, thread, or sewing!

Elf on the Shelf standing up can change the potential of many of your standing Elf on the Shelf ideas. The Claus Couture Holiday Hipster standing gear includes Elf on the Shelf Shoes and plastic pants so that Elf on the Shelf can stand up.

Elf on the Shelf Printables

Now that your Elf on the Shelf can move, you need all the Elf props digital downloads you can get to make this the EASIEST and BEST Elf on the Shelf season.

Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!

Free Elf Printables

We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. Once you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!

Free Printables Step by Step Directions

1.) Enter your email address here.

2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.

3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.

4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”

5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.

We love printables – especially free ones! Be sure to save these Free Elf on the Shelf Printables. Pin to Pinterest your Elf on the Shelf and Christmas Pinterest Boards.

Make sure you say good-bye. Look at these creative Goodbye Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Pin to Pinterest your Elf on the Shelf and Christmas Pinterest Boards.

Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your Christmas and Elf Boards.

Online you can find ENDLESS Elf on the Shelf Accessories, Books, Games and Toys. We love some of the creativity coming from Etsy too! Be sure to Follow Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest where there are many Pinterest Elf on the Shelf Ideas.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.