101+ Easy Elf Ideas for This Christmas Season
We have rounded up 101+ of the *best* Elf on the Shelf ideas for this holiday season! These fun ideas are easy, festive, cute, and will have the whole family in the holiday spirit.
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It’s that time of year again as we gear up for the Elf on the Shelf tradition. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love this holiday tradition. From the very first year I knew it would last after seeing how much magic it brought into our home.
But as time goes on, you may need some new ideas. You are definitely in the right place because whether you are looking for a little mischief, over the top, or the easiest elf ideas ever, we’ve got you covered for the entire month of December.
Find the free printable calendars + resources at the bottom of this post.
The best part is that most of these only require household items, but you can always shop for elf accessories like clothes and elf pets.
Many of these ideas come from our printable elf props bundle and daily elf notes, making them super easy but still really cute.
If you are new to the tradition, use our list of 199 best names for Elf on the Shelf and grab the free printable what’s your elf name and tags to get started!
🎄Don’t Leave Before You Check Out These Seasonal Ideas!🎄
This digital file is an instant download that you will receive via download link after subscribing. Our printables are for personal use only. No physical product will be shipped. Classroom use is okay.
🎅More Elf on the Shelf Fun
Need a new elf? You can grab the elf and the Elf on the Shelf Tradition Book.
Get the elf flex kit so Santa’s little helper can do more tricks!
Bring your elf in from the North Pole in style with the glide and go accessory kit that includes a parachute!
To take it on the go, get the scout elf carrier! This is a fun way to let the kids carry their little elf without worrying about the Christmas magic being lost.
🎄Elf Arrival
Now that it’s time for your favorite elf to return, you can use these arrival ideas.
For something quick and easy, just grab our free printable elf arrival letters and place it beside them. You can also use the little sign in our printable elf notes and get our entire collection of printable Elf Props!
If you are looking for more over the top entry ideas, here’s a few to choose from.
✈️Elf Departure
On Christmas Eve when it’s time for the elf to leave, use our free printable elf goodbye letters to say farewell. You can also award the kids with our free printable nice list certificate on Christmas morning.
🌟Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas For This Christmas Season
Here’s a whole list of great ideas! Don’t forget to grab the full calendar list at the bottom of this post. Along with using our elf props and notes, here’s some other printables I recommend to use.
- Christmas Bingo – comes to two a sheet so they are smaller, great for family game night.
- 31 days of Random Acts of Kindness – perfect for the whole family and they can choose something from that list when the elf requests.
- Letter to Santa – this is a prompt on one of our cards and is an easy and fun idea.
- Official Elf Warning – to use when bad behavior strikes, the mini versions are included in the elf printable notes.
Making Reindeer Food
These little letter board signs are available in our free Elf on the Shelf notes! Plus, this one actually doubles to make reindeer food that you can put out on Christmas Eve. We have this on our Christmas bucket list as well.
Elf Games
The Want to a play a game sign is in our printable elf notes bundle, while the games are in the props bundle that includes Twister, Hopscotch, Tic Tac Toe, and Pin the nose on the reindeer and snowman.
Let Me Take an Elfie (Elfagram)
Cut out the center of the Elfagram, or take a photo of your elf and glue it into the square.
Melted Snowman
Grab some googley eyes and fake snow from the Dollar Tree. Fill a glass with water, add the snow, and place the eyes on top. We used the paper carrot from the printable props set.
Snowball Fight
Dollar Tree had some pom pom garland, so we cut those apart to make the snowballs. You could also use cotton balls or mini marshmallows.
Fresh Baked Cookies
These are in the free printable elf prop set as well. Along with individual cookies that you can cut apart and glue on the cookie sheet or put in the elf’s hands.
Sprinkle Snow Angel
You can also use flour or fake snow. I will say, the little balls made a mess and next time I would use more of the larger sprinkles. Then you can repurpose to make reindeer food on another day.
Working Out
To make the larger weight I used a paper straw and jumbo marshmallows. For the smaller dumbbells, I used mini jingle bells (like the ones we use in Jingle Bell Toss) and hot glued them to smaller paper straws.
Danger! Thin Ice!
I love this creative elf on the shelf idea! Cover your sink with saran wrap and tape it on. Cut out a little hole as if the elf has falling through the ice. Add powdered sugar or flour around the edges and a few mini marshmallows.
Pumping Iron
Setting up a workout session is a quick elf idea that anyone can do. Use toothpicks or paper straws to make the barbell then add marshmallows to the ends.
Dominos Pizza
Kids will get a kick when the scout elves order a “Domino’s Pizza“.
Sponge Cake
If you are looking for really easy ideas, this one is for you!
Making Skittles
Grab a stuffed animal or two along with some crayons and Skittles to make the magic happen.
Toilet Paper Igloo
A toilet paper igloo is a great idea especially if you are running short on time, but still lots of fun.
Making Copies
Talk about elf fun! Lay them in your printer and make a few copies then hang them all around the house. The next morning kids will think it’s hilarious!
Christmas Trees for Sale
Use Little Debbie Christmas trees and set up a mini farm for a quick last minute elf idea.
Sprinkle Fountain
Add colorful sprinkles to a strip of tape on the sink for a cute new elf idea. Doubled sided tape would probably work the best.
Ironing Chips
This is a super easy idea that only takes minute to set up!
Drinking Coffee
Here’s a cute elf idea! Stick a straw into a K-cup for give the elf the fuel they need to back to the North Pole.
Gone Skiing
Make ski poles out of toothpicks and marshmallows. Then attach the elf to two popsicle sticks using clear rubber bands.
Ninja Turtle Apples
With a pack of googly eyes and a few pieces of construction paper you can turn ordinary apples into Ninja Turtles.
Worst Cookies Ever
Have a cat or dog? Set the elf up as if they have been eating their food and thought they were cookies.
Home Alone
How cute is this elf acting as Kevin McCallister from Home Alone?!
Eggcellent Drawing
Running short on time? Draw some funny faces on a few eggs and call it a day!
Blowing Bubbles
Grab a pack of Bubble Yum and blow up a balloon for an easy elf idea. Use tape or a glue dot to get the balloon to stay in place.
Magic Castle
If you already have the magnetic tiles, you make the little elf sit inside as if it were a castle.
In My Swiftie Era
For all of the T. Swift fans this one if for you!
Movie Night
Grab some popcorn and write a cute little note to kick off the holiday season with a classic flick. We also have a printable in our elf notes collection that you can use for this one.
The Lego Takeover
Uh oh, looks like the Lego people have tied the elf up!
Prankster
Want a great way to get back at the kids? Have the elf draw on their face and watch them go crazy in the morning!
Slow Cooker Hot Tub
Fill your crock pot with cotton balls or marshmallows to turn it into a bubble bath or hot tub.
Christmas Bow Tic Tac Toe
Use mini Christmas bows and washi tape to set up an elf sized tic tac toe board.
Just Roll With It
Replace the regular toilet paper with a little bit of wrapping paper if you need a new spot for that sneaky little elf.
Magic Shrinking Machine
Craft a shrinking machine to turn regular cookies into those suitable for an elf to eat.
Slumber Party
Fuzzy socks make the perfect sleeping bag for elves and their friends.
Minion Bananas
Use a black Sharpie to turn bananas into minions!
Elf Slime
Make a batch of elf slime that kids will love, then the next day they can play with it too.
Fresh Orange Juice
Pop a crazy straw into fresh oranges for a super simple elf idea.
Do Not Feed the Crocs
This idea is perfect if you are a Croc family!
Toothpaste Cookies
The mischievous elf is at it again as they replace the filling of the Oreo cookies with toothpaste!
Hot Chocolate Angels
Instead of a regular snow angel, use hot chocolate powder and mini candy canes to recreate this festive scene.
Bad Milk
Print out a Grinch face and add a little food coloring to milk!
🎅Naughty Elf Ideas
For those looking for ideas that are a little more naughty or for older kids here’s some to choose from.
We hope you have found TONS of ideas for your little elfie this year! Remember to go get the free printable props, elf notes, arrival and departure letters to make this new tradition super simple and hassle free!
