Elf on the Shelf has become part of the run-up to Christmas in so many homes. Kids love nothing more than racing downstairs to see what their mischievous little Elf has been up to overnight — but for parents, that joy can wear thin fast when you’re the one dreaming up a new scene, night after night, for weeks on end.
To keep the magic going without the nightly panic, here are 21 mischievous Elf on the Shelf ideas that are sure to delight the kids.
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The Magic of Elf on the Shelf
If you’ve never come across the Elf on the Shelf tradition, the idea is that these special scout elves are sent from the North Pole to help Santa keep track of his naughty and nice lists.
Once a family “adopts” their Elf and picks a festive name, he or she comes to live in the house to keep an eye on things during the day, using a little Christmas magic to slip back to the North Pole each night. After giving Santa the nightly update, the Elf returns each morning to a brand-new spot — cue the kids dashing around the house trying to spot where they’ve landed!
While the kids are having a ball, you’re the one who has to get creative each night before bed. So we’ve pulled together some of the best Elf on the Shelf ideas to keep the magic alive right through December.
Before you dive in, it’s worth watching this quick how-to video, which shows you how to make your Elf bendy and poseable — handy for a few of the ideas below: https://youtu.be/NLnMvqZXryM
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Hilarious Elf on the Shelf Ideas
#1. Parachuting Elf
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How does your Elf make their big arrival? Peanut Blossom shows how their Elf parachutes in for the festive season. Your Elf could also arrive by hot air balloon, helicopter, or sleigh — whatever suits your household’s sense of drama!
#2. Playing School
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How about getting Elf to play school and teach the rest of the toys, like this clever idea from A Small Snippet. No blackboard? A whiteboard, Etch A Sketch or even a sheet of paper works just as well.
#3. Stuck Outside
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Make some cute little Elf footprints, as Lil Blue Boo did, and pop your Elf outside the patio door for the kids to discover.
#4. Playing Twister
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Elf will love playing Twister with all his pals on this elf-sized Twister game from Frugal Coupon Living — download the printable and off they go.
#5. LEGO Ambush
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Uh oh — looks like Elf has upset the LEGO toys, and they’ve gotten their revenge. This LEGO ambush idea from Living Locurto is a brilliant one.
#6. Elf on a Swing
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Rig up a toilet roll swing for the doorway using this fun idea from A Small Snippet.
#7. In the Car
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Travelling in the run-up to Christmas? This quick and easy idea from Pigskins & Pigtails makes sure Elf never misses the trip.
#8. Ride a Zipline
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Your kids will love spotting Elf riding a zipline, like this setup from Rachel Swartley. What could be more exciting!
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#9. Taped Up Elf
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Looks like Elf has gotten himself into trouble with the other toys again, in this clever idea from Life with My Littles.
#10. Weightlifting Elf
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Elf likes to keep fit and strong! Dirty Diaper Laundry has Elf lifting weights made from a straw and marshmallows.
#11. Elf Emails
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Did Elf not make it back to the North Pole one night? Get Elf to email Santa to explain what happened — a clever idea from Lil Blue Boo.
#12. Drummer Boy Elf
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Time to rock out with this Elf on the Shelf drummer idea from Frugal Coupon Living — all you need is a few tin cans and pencils.
#13. Build a Snowman
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Let Elf build a snowman out of marshmallows, an idea from Bombshell Bling, who has plenty more marshmallow-inspired Elf ideas too.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Don’t Be Stuck for Ideas – Download Our Elf on the Shelf Cheat Sheet
#14. Snowball Fight
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A Small Snippet set up their Elf and Rapunzel having a snowball fight using mini marshmallows.
#15. Elf Mechanic
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Elf can make himself useful overnight — even fixing Barbie’s car! This idea, spotted on Pinterest, needs just a toy car, some LEGO blocks to prop it up, and toy tools.
#16. Elf Decorating
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Prop your Elf up by the tree with a toy ladder or fire truck and some ornaments, like this idea from Beautifully Being Mom. Perhaps Elf is delivering a brand-new decoration this year!
#17. Candy Cane Car Wash
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Line up all the toy cars for a seasonal car wash. The Keeper of the Cheerios created this Candy Cane Car Wash using jumbo craft sticks, sponges and strips of fabric.
#18. Elf Magic
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If your kids love a bit of science, try this Elf Magic experiment from The Simple Parent. All you need is a bag of Skittles arranged in a circle on a plate. Elf leaves it set up overnight, then the kids pour water into the middle until it reaches the sweets — and watch the colour spread. It’s Elf Magic!
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#19. Minecraft Elf
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Got a Minecraft fan in the house? Maybe their Elf is one too. Follow My Mommy Style’s steps to create your own Minecraft Elf.
#20. Christmas Pox
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These elves from Mommy Glitter have come down with the Christmas Pox — don’t worry, the only thing catching is extra festive cheer.
#21. See You Next Year!
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A fun way for Elf to say goodbye, from The Nerd’s Wife, using snow spray and a downloadable cut-out template.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should we keep Elf on the Shelf ideas going for?
Most families start once December begins and keep it up right through to Christmas Eve, when Elf heads back to the North Pole for good until next year. There’s no rule though — some families do a lighter version with just a few special moves a week rather than every single night.
What if we forget to move the Elf one night?
It happens to every family! A simple line works well: Elf was extra tired after a busy night helping Santa, or got caught up on a special errand. Kids are usually happy with a quick, playful explanation.
Do the ideas need to be elaborate?
Not at all. Some of the most loved Elf moments are the simplest — Elf sitting in a mischievous spot, or caught “playing” with a toy overnight. Save the bigger scenes for when you have a spare few minutes.
Related Articles
- 20 MORE Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Christmas Fun
- 20 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Last-Minute Magic
- 101+ Festive Elf on the Shelf Name Ideas for Your Scout Elf
- 20 Homemade Christmas Decorations for Kids to Make
Save These Ideas for Later
Not ready to start tonight? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite Christmas planning board so you’ve got all 21 ideas ready to go whenever you need fresh Elf inspiration.
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