I’ll go ahead and say it … I LOVE THE ELF 🤗 Every year, I look forward to soaking in the kids’ excitement and experiencing the magic of the Christmas season through their eyes 🫶🏻✨ If you’re looking for creative, low-effort Elf on the Shelf ideas, be sure to SAVE these 25+ easy setups! They’re perfect for when you suddenly jump out of bed in a 3am panic (IYKYK). Follow along with me @JessicaGrant14 to see even more holiday fun this season!
1. Spa Day – White balloons in the sink as bubbles and mix green food coloring into yogurt for a fun face mask are perfect for a little s-“elf” care!
2. Tic Tac “Bow” – Create a tic-tac-toe board with festive washi tape. Use small ornaments and gift bows as game pieces.
3. Makeover – Our Elf tends to get into the girls’ makeup ; a heavy application of washable paint always brings out the giggles.
4. S-“elfie” – Elf has an instant camera to take photos with other toys, Santa, or different spots around the house, leaving behind little photos momentos along the way. Elf can also just be posing with a toy camera.
5. Deck the Dollhouse– Decorate the dollhouse using tiny Christmas decorations. Use small foil balloons as front yard blow- ups!
6. TP the Tree – Let your Elf go wild with a roll of toilet paper, winding it around the Christmas tree for some silly mischief.
7. Elf on the Shelf Breakfast- Elf-themed cereal or holiday waffles for breakfast.
8. Frozen Elf – Pop your Elf into a Ziploc bag and freeze it in a block of ice. They’ve been “chilling” in the North Pole overnight!
9. Festive Glow – Replace the lightbulbs in a room with red and green ones.
10. Christmas Tree on the car – Use a toy car and a mini tree tied on top to recreate the classic holiday scene.
11. Melted Snowman- Elf brings a “melted” snowman : buttons and a carrot nose in a bowl or plate of water. Your Elf can be holding a mini hairdryer as the culprit!
12. Christmas neighborhood light tour – Pack up the family for a neighborhood light tour, with your Elf joining in a clear jar for the ride.
13. Advent Calendar Helper- Elf finds itself in a silly position trying to add (or remove) a new piece of the family Advent calendar.
14. Cocoa bath – Elf relaxes in a mug of hot cocoa, complete with marshmallow “bubbles”. Add some extra mugs and a hot cocoa station for the kids to make their own drink!
15. Wrapped lunchboxes on the last day of school – Wrap your kids’ lunchboxes in holiday paper for a fun surprise on their last day of school before winter break.
16. Bottle brush Christmas Tree Farm – Arrange bottle brush trees to create a miniature Christmas tree farm scene. Your Elf can be “shopping” for the perfect tree.
17. North Pole Express – The Elf brings “train tickets” for the Polar Express, inviting the kids to watch the movie together or visit a local holiday train event.
18. TP Snowman – Stack a few toilet paper rolls, decorate them as a snowman, and have your Elf peeking out from inside one.
19. Sleigh Ride – The Elf takes a ride on a sled pulled by flying toy animals or dinos.
20. Elf on the Shelf Tooth Fairy – Combine Elf duties with the Tooth Fairy- add tiny wings and a wand to your Elf and leave a little surprise under the pillow.
21. Art Project – Catch your Elf mid-craft with crayons, paper, or paint supplies strewn around. Encourage the kids to join in on a holiday art project like paper snowflakes or homemade ornaments.
22. Magnetic Blocks – Elf builds a Christmas tree and tiny gift boxes.
23. Shoe-Shoe train – Shoes lined up as train cars with the Elf riding up front.
24. Reindeer Games- A playful scene with your Elf hosting games for toy reindeer or stuffed animals
25. Tree decor – Elf can either hide in the Christmas tree dressed as an ornament or brings a mini tree for the kids’ room, complete with tiny ornaments.
26. Letters to Santa – Encourage the kids to write letters to Santa. Elf delivers them overnight in a magic mailbox!
27. LEGO Portrait – A LEGO masterpiece featuring your Elf or other holiday symbols, with the Elf proudly admiring their work.
28. Baking Day – Elf is in the kitchen with cookie cutters and sprinkles – ready to bake some holiday treats!
29. Playing Doctor – Elf takes care of an “injured” toy or doll with Band-Aids and a toy doctor kit.
30. Story Time- Elf reading a holiday book to a group of stuffed animals for a cozy storytime setup.
31. Puzzle piece Snow Angel – Elf makes a “snow angel” in scattered puzzle pieces, either a new holiday puzzle or old favorite!
32. Hot Air Balloon – Elf flying with hot air (helium) balloon
33. Movie Night – Elf delivers a cozy movie night with popcorn, blankets, matching jammies, and a Christmas movie queued up.
34. Good-bye letter & book- On Christmas Eve, the Elf brings a special letter and a holiday book to read together at bedtime. Our Elf always has a special last day because he doesn’t need his magic to fly back to the North Pole, so the kids can play with and touch him all day long! The note tells them to leave him under the Christmas tree at bedtime.
What do you think?