Treasure Chest Papercraft for Your Elf

Treasure Chest papercraft template with cut and fold lines to color for your elf

Print this free Treasure Chest papercraft, color it, cut it out and fold it into a little prop for your elf. Hide the chest around the house and leave a tiny treasure map. Build time is about 20 minutes.

✂️ About This Papercraft

Treasure Chest papercraft: A small treasure chest where your elf hides his treasure. Size: folded approx. 4.4 × 3 × 3.1 cm (1.7 × 1.2 × 1.2 in).

At a Glance

Difficulty
●●○ medium
Craft time
about 20 minutes
Size
folded approx. 4.4 × 3 × 3.1 cm
Pages
1 × A4
🧺 What You Need
  • Printer
  • Heavy cardstock (65–110 lb) recommended
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Colored pencils
  • Ruler and an empty ballpoint pen for scoring

📐 Step-by-Step Instructions

🖨️ Important: print at 100% (“Actual size”), not “Fit to page”.

1
Color and cut along the solid lines.
2
Fold all dash-dot lines backward (mountain fold); the colored side stays outside.
3
Glue the gray tab inside the opposite side to make a tube.
4
Fold in the small flaps at the bottom and tuck in the bottom. Same at the top – the lid opens again.
The Lines on the Template:
━━━ solid = cut · ━ · ━ dash-dot = mountain fold, fold backward · - - - dashed = valley fold, fold forward · ▒ gray area = glue

💡 Tips & Common Mistakes

  • Color the chest in gold and brown. A touch of glitter pen makes it sparkle.
  • Medium build: Plan on about 20 minutes. Kids can color and glue while a grown-up handles the tricky cuts.
  • Use a glue stick on the tabs. Liquid glue soaks small paper pieces quickly.
  • Small paper pieces are not for children under 3. Craft and play only with supervision.

🎭 How the Elf Plays With It

Hide the chest around the house and leave a tiny treasure map. The kids hunt for it in the morning. Let the kids pick the spot themselves so they help build the scene.

📦 Matching printable set: Treasure Hunt

Goes Well With

Your Benefits at PureSketchy:

  • Completely Free: Every elf printable with no sign-up, no newsletter, no subscription.
  • Made for Coloring: Clear black lines – kids color everything themselves.
  • Your Elf, Your Name: There is always space to write in your own elf's name.
  • Everything in One Place: Prank ideas, papercraft props, printable sets, letters and guides all fit together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How big is the “Treasure Chest” papercraft?
According to the template: folded approx. 4.4 × 3 × 3.1 cm (1.7 × 1.2 × 1.2 in). An elf is about the size of a yogurt cup.

How long does it take, and what age is it for?
About 20 minutes. From about age 7 with a parent's help, and many kids manage it alone by age 9.

What goes in the treasure?
Buttons, tiny notes or a chocolate coin work well. Keep small parts away from children under 3.

Should I color before cutting?
Yes, color first and cut afterward. Small pieces are much easier to color while they are still on the sheet.

Is the download free?
Yes, every printable on PureSketchy is 100% free for personal use, preschools and schools – no sign-up needed.

Is there a German version?
Yes! You can find the German version at Schatztruhe.