The Elf on the Shelf — parents either love ’em or hate ’em. I happen to love him! Last year was the first year that we welcomed an elf (lovingly named ‘Madison’) to our abode and the lil guy brought so much joy to my kids.
To help you out, I made a list of some of the things we did + some ‘easy’ ideas. I would love to hear some of your ideas as well!
If you don’t have an elf yet – there is still time. You can get one here; or if you want just the elf and not the book – this is a good option!
Insider tip: Plan ahead, I planned for all 25 days at once so that I never had to feel overwhelmed the night before. It didn’t take long to do so and made it super easy!
Insider tip 2: Commonly used props to have on hand – Sharpie marker; marshmallows; chocolate chips; Hershey Kisses; Skittles; M&M’s; toilet paper; string or yarn.
Special thanks to my friends who sent me photos of their elves to help me out! This year I will be better about taking pics of our little friend!
40 Creative Ideas for the Elf
‘Did You Miss Me?’ (spelled out with M&M’s)
Easy enough – situate your elf on the counter and spell out DID YOU MISS ME? with M&M’s (or Hershey Kisses or skittles or whatever candy you have on hand).
Make a Rainbow with Skittles
My absolute FAVORITE (and this one made me feel crafty, even though I’m not!). Get out a plate, line the perimeter with skittles. Leave a note, telling the kids to ‘make a rainbow’ — simply pour some warm water in the middle of the plate and watch the magic happen!
Making S’mores
Put some marshmallows on a wire or fork and put the elf by a candle. Don’t forget leave out some graham crackers and Hershey bars.
Getting into the Rice Krispies
When the Rice Krispies are just about gone, have your elf pop through the box — and pour the remaining Rice Krispies into a bowl with chocolate chips and marshmallows.
Is This How You Do the Floss?
Wrap him with some floss and leave a note asking ‘Is this how you do the floss??’
Taco Tuesday
On Taco Tuesday, cut a hole in a tortilla (for your elf’s face) and wrap your elf up like a burrito! Leave a note saying ‘It’s Taco Tuesday!’
Fishing for Goldfish
Turn a candy cane or straw into a fishing pole (with a little string) and put goldfish in a bowl and see if he can catch any fish!
Cheesehead Elf
With some paper – make a cheesehead and a GB Packers sign (attach to a straw and put in the elf’s hands).
TP the Christmas Tree
Grab some toilet paper and wrap it around the Christmas tree!
Exercising Elf
Grab a water bottle and a stuffie and have your elf do some stretches — for extra fun, print off a sheet that says ‘Holiday Elf-ercise.’
Taking a Bubble Bath
Fill a bowl (or sink) with marshmallows and have the elf hop in!
Paper Airplane Landing in Tree
Make a paper airplane and put the elf on it and have it land on the tree and write ‘oops’ on the airplane!
Outer Space Elf-stronaut
Wrap him in aluminum foil and hang him from a light or ceiling fan. For extra fun, hang a couple stars or moon.
Peek-A-Boo
Grab 3 rolls of TP – stack 2 of them and put the elf in the tube; write PEEK-A-BOO and then put the 3rd roll over his hat, so only his face is peeking out.
Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?
Grab 3 rolls of TP and stack them… cut some paper to make snowman eyes and a nose and put the elf on top. Add a note that says: “Do you wanna build a snowman?”
Sick Day
Grab a thermometer and some tissues and lay him down to rest!
Snowman Nose Rejection Center
Grab a carrot and use a cheese grater to shred the carrot. On a piece of paper write ‘Snowman Nose Rejection Center’.
I See London I See France
Tie some underwear to a light and put the elf in the undies and leave a note that says: I see London, I see France… I’m flying in your underpants!
Spa Day Elf
Make little cucumbers out of paper and tape them to his/her eyes; make a sign that says Quiet please! Spa treatment in session… and put marshmallows in a little bowl for the elf to soak his feet.
Use Legos to Tie Him up!
Grab some Legos and string and lay him on a Lego board – grab some Legos action figures to get in on the action.
Zip Line through the Living Room
Tie a string from your light to the wall.
Stuck in an Upside Down Glass
Flip a glass upside down and put it over the elf. Write HELP on a piece of tape on the glass!
Sprinkle Angel
Instead of a snow angel, have the elf make a ‘sprinkle angel’ – do it in a pan to reduce mess!
Build Snowflakes out of Q-Tips
Get out a bunch of Q-tips and create designs that look like snowflakes.
Tic Tac Toe
Put X’s and O’s on marshmallows (with sharpie) and draw the tic tac toe game board on a sheet of paper!
Santa Says ‘Hi’
Have Santa say hello — spell it out with skittles or M&Ms.
Playing Candyland
Set up the Candyland game (or any other board game) and have the elf play a game. For extra fun, include Barbie or Action Figures or LOLs… whatever you have!
Replace the Stockings with Kids Undies
This one always makes my kids laugh! Remove the stockings and in place, hang up some of their underwear.
Googly Eyes on the Fruit
Get some googly eyes and put them on all the fruit! For extra fun, leave a note from the elf that says ‘I’ve Got My Eyes On You!!!’
Playing with a Deck of Cards with Barbie
Get out the cards and set up a card game. Add in Barbie or friends for added fun!
Spell Something Out with Marshmallows
Spell out ‘BE GOOD’ or ‘I LOVE YOU’ or ‘HI’ with marshmallows.
Draw Some Faces on the Eggs
Draw some faces on the eggs with a Sharpie!
Make Some Elf Milk
Have your elf write on the carton of milk (ELF MILK) and then pour some in a glass and put in some green food coloring!
Find (#) Candy Canes
This is one of my favorites! Buy a small box of candy canes and hide them in your home. Then have the elf sitting in the empty box with a note telling the kids to find (#) candy canes!
The Floor is Lava
Tape the elf to the wall (or adhere him somehow) and put a paper below that says ‘The Floor is Lava’, add a volcano to the pic for extra fun.
Drawing on Bananas
Grab a sharpie and draw some faces on those bananas!
Riding an Apple Caterpillar
Put 4-5 apples in a line, use a sharpie to make eyes and tooth picks (or pipe cleaners) for antennas. Have the elf hop on top!
Spell Something with Toothpaste
I don’t love this one (not a fan of messes) but if you don’t mind cleaning up — give the elf some toothpaste and have him write a message in the sink!
Snack on some Mini Sugar Cookies
Pick up some mini sugar cookies at the store (Lofthouse brand always has yummy and cute minis) and put them in a bowl next to the elf!
Make a Grocery List
Have the elf make a grocery list…Hershey Kisses, candy canes, marshmallows, milk, cookies…’
