15 Funny Elephant Crafts
Updated on November 2, 2018
Ever since we were little kids, we’ve been completely obsessed with elephants. Sure, it might be true that we’ve never met one in real life, but there’s just something we adore about their big eyes, floppy ears, and awe inspiring trunks that makes us feel impressed, comforted, and generally cheerful. Of course, being the avid crafters and DIY enthusiasts we are, it will only make sense for you to learn that one of our very favourite things to do is combine the things we love most and make all kinds of crafts and projects that are elephant themed!
Just in case you love the idea of hand making things that celebrate elephants as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials we’ve come across so far in our journey to surround ourselves by things we love.
1. Spraying elephant string art
Now, we’ve done string art plenty of times before and loved every single project we’ve tried that uses the technique, whether it’s complicated or simple. We’re sure you can imagine, then, just how excited we were when we came across this DIY project featured on Amanda Takes On Everything that not only combines string art with our favourite animal… but also adds sparkles! Check out how they nailed down and then wrapped the basic elephant shape on a wooden background and then added little sequins in a dissipating shape to make it look like the elephant is spraying water over its own back.
2. Elephant “painting” from buttons
Are you a very big fan indeed of the idea of making elephant themed wall art on a solid background but using slightly more unconventional materials, you’re just not sure that string art is the right technique for you? Maybe you’d like to be able to get your kids in on the craft and you’re just not sure that nails and a hammer are the tools you want them using right now because they’re still quite small. Either way, we’d suggest taking a look at how Goodiy made little textured elephants on a canvas using different sizes and colours of buttons to look like a baby elephant holding a bundle of balloons.
3. Pocket sized hand stitched elephant
Are you the kind of DIY enthusiast whose skills have always been mostly rooted in sewing techniques and stitching projects? Then we have a feeling you’re going to get along very well indeed with this adorable handmade elephant project featured on DIY Cozy Home! This tutorial is very simply outlined and that makes it a fantastic hand stitching options for young learners and beginner elephant lovers who are just learning how to sew.
4. DIY toy elephant succulent planter
If you’re going to make something elephant themed from scratch and go to that trouble and effort, would you prefer to make it both something you’ll use and something that you can make into an upcycling opportunity? Well, if you’re a plant lover but you’re very busy and in need of something a little low maintenance, perhaps this adorable elephant succulent planter made from a plastic figurine toy will be right up your alley! See how it’s done step by step (as well as how easily) on Heather Handmade.
5. Standing felt elephants
Were you very interested indeed in in the hand stitched elephants because you couldn’t get over how adorable they were but you’re also wondering whether there might be a slightly more advanced version because you’re feeling up for a challenge? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Lia Griffith created these adorable standing elephants made from a slightly stiff felt so that they can stay where you position them all on their own!
6. Giant papier mache elephant
Are you actually so in love with elephants that you can’t help but wish you had one of your own, even though you know that’s not realistic? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Techie’s DIY Adventure made a massive papier mache elephant that your friends will hardly be able to believe was actually created by you! Sure, it’s not quite the same as having a real elephant of your own, but this is probably the closest thing you’ll get that will still fit in your house without breaking your things.
7. Kids’ elephant costume
Do your kids share your absolute love for all things elephant themed to the point that they can regularly be found playing pretend by acting like they have trunks? Then we have a feeling you’ll get along very well indeed making them these absolutely adorable DIY elephant costumes! Everyday Dishes walks you step by step through the process of making na adorable set of ears using a hoodie as a base.
8. Elephant melted crayon art
Were you completely in love with the shape of the very first idea we showed you where you where the string art elephant was spraying sequinned water over his shoulder, but you’re worried that the technique might be a little too advanced for your kids to help you make? In that case, we’d suggest taking a look at this painted silhouette and melted crayon version of the same design instead! Get the full details for making it happen on Antonella Marie.
9. Rolled paper elephant craft for kids
Have your kids been very interested indeed in paper based crafts lately because they started learning a few simple basics of origami in school, so now they’ve been sitting at the kitchen table and testing out different folding techniques to see what kinds of shapes they can make happen? Well, we’ve always found rounded, rolled shapes a little easier to created than those with specific hard lines, which is why we knew we simply had to give this rolled paper elephant project from DM Creative School a try the moment we saw it.
10. Water bottle elephant garden decor
If you’re going to make something cute, themed, and kitschy, are you still convinced that making it into an opportunity for repurposed crafting would be the best strategy? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how DIY Enthusiasts upcycled large water bottles by cutting and painting the pieces in order to make an elephant shaped garden decoration, complete with a trunk and adorable ears!
11. Crocheted African flower elephant
Are your favourite or most experienced DIY skills actually the ones you’ve practiced for years that are rooted in yarn crafting? Well, if you’re quite experienced at crochet then we have no doubt you’re probably already familiar with how pretty the African flower stitch pattern is. Here’s a way to use it to show your appreciation for your favourite animal! We send huge thanks out to Guidecentral for this adorable pattern.
12. Huggable sewn elephant
Did we really catch your eye when we started talking about sewing projects themed after elephants, but you’re actually very confident indeed in your sewing skills, so you’re looking for something a little bigger and more shaped or detailed to try your hand at making? Then we think you might just be the perfect person to take a crack at this adorable “huggable” sewn elephant pattern featured on Craftsy! We think this little guy makes an adorable gift.
13. Elephant sweater with a trunk sleeve
Are you actually so in love with elephants that you’re pretty sure you’d even like to incorporate them into your personal style and wear them around all day in whatever funky capacity you can find? Then we have a feeling this adorable elephant themed sweatshirt alteration will be right up your alley! It’s a Crafty World guides you step by step through the process of putting the elephant onto the front of an old shirt like a sewn applique, running the trunk all down one arm.
14. Zipping felt elephant purse
Are you actually still intrigued by the idea of sewing your own elephants, but you can’t help but wonder whether there are any practical stitching based projects out there besides the sweatshirt, which isn’t quite your style? Then maybe this adorable little zipping coin purse that features a cute elephant face in one corner would be preferable for you! We were pleasantly surprised by how easy this tutorial by Handmadiya made the project seem, but we fully admit that we actually keep small crafting supplies like spare buttons in ours rather than coins.
15. Stunning crocheted elephant floor rug
Did we really get your attention when we started talking about adorable elephant crochet patterns but you’re actually very advanced in your crochet skills indeed in your skills and definitely open to the idea of making something that’s much more challenging than most of the other tutorials you’ve seen on our list so far? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at how Ira Rott created this breathtaking crocheted elephant floor mat that’s nothing short of stunning. Despite being quite an undertaking, we think you’ll be pleased to learn that this design is, actually, simpler to do than it looks!
Do you know a fellow crafter or DIY enthusiast who loves elephants just as much as we do, if not more? Share this post with them so they have plenty of new, creative ways to combine their love for their favourite animal with their crafting skills!