The holiday season is a time for magic, joy, and cherished family traditions. One of the most beloved traditions is the Elf on the Shelf, a playful visitor from the North Pole who brings laughter, surprises, and a sprinkle of holiday mischief into our homes.
Whether your elf is making their grand debut or returning for another season of fun, coming up with new Elf on the Shelf ideas can be tricky when December gets busy.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up 50 easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that are funny, creative and family-approved. From quick last-minute setups to elaborate Aussie summer scenes, there’s something here for every family (and every energy level!).
From quick setups for tired parents to clever scenes that will wow the whole family, these ideas will help you keep the Christmas magic alive night after night.
So, grab your elf, get inspired, and let the holiday magic begin!
1. Elf in the Fridge
Your elf’s cooling off from the Aussie summer heat — a perfect quick laugh for hot December mornings.
2. Marshmallow Bubble Bath
Pop your elf in a bowl or cup filled with marshmallows and label it “Elf Spa Day.”
3. Cereal Box Dive
Have your elf head-first in the cereal box with a sign that says, “Found breakfast!”
4. Cookie Crumb Culprit
Scatter crumbs around a half-eaten cookie — your elf couldn’t resist a midnight snack.
5. Elf colouring in
Place your elf next to a Next to a half-finished colouring sheet.
6. Wrapped Up in Fun
Tangle your elf in wrapping paper and ribbon. Perfect for a pre-Christmas giggle.
7. Toilet Paper Snowman
Stack toilet rolls, add a paper face and carrot nose — instant “snowman.”
8. Hanging Around
Hang your elf from a ceiling fan or curtain rod using string or ribbon.
9. Peek-a-Boo Elf
Hide your elf inside a tissue box or bread bin for a morning surprise.
10. Elf Camping Trip
Set up a mini “tent” from a tea towel with a torch or nightlight for effect.
11. Beach Day Elf
Lay your elf on a mini towel with sunglasses and a paper umbrella — pure Aussie Christmas vibes.
12. Surf’s Up
Place your elf on a toy surfboard riding a “wave” made from blue fabric or paper.
13. Elf BBQ
Have your elf standing by a toy barbecue with tiny food props.
14. Elf in Thongs
Cut tiny paper flip-flops and add a sign that says, “Too hot for the North Pole!”
15. Ice Cream Party
Set up your elf with small tubs or wrappers from an ice-cream feast.
16. Vegemite Prank
Have your elf holding a spoon of Vegemite pretending it’s chocolate.
17. Aussie Wildlife Ride
Your elf can “ride” a toy kangaroo, koala or wombat. So cute!
18. Pool Day Elf
Float your elf in a plastic container or bowl of water — a perfect summer swim.
19. Beach Picnic
Set up a tiny picnic rug, snack packets and a juice box.
20. Santa’s Helper on Strike
Give your elf a sign: “It’s 35°C — I’m taking the day off!”
21. Hiding Elf
Get your elf hiding in the Christmas Tree. You can make this as easy or as hard as you want to. You can even use whiteboard markers in green and brown to do a camouflage pattern on your elf’s face. Maybe have an arm sticking out to help kids find the elf.
22. Dress Up Elf
Use some cotton balls and stick a beard on your elf to disguise them as Santa Claus for the day.
23. Ziplining Elf
Use some string or dental floss and arrange your elf to go ziplining.
24. Snowball Fight
If you have action figures in your house, stage a battle between the elf and other toys. Use smal cotton balls as “snowballs”.
25. Take an “Elfie”
Pose your elf as if they’re taking a selfie. Extra points if you use various selfie props.
26. Make a Snow Angel
Sprinkle flour or rice on a tray or counter and position your elf to look like they’ve made a snow angel.
27. Joking Elf
Get you elf cracking some jokes. Have your elf hold up a card with a festive joke, like “What do you call an elf who sings? A wrapper!”
28. Skiing Elf
Use candy canes or popsicle sticks as skis, and set your elf on a “mountain” of pillows or books.
29. Elf in a Mug
Sit your elf inside a Christmas-themed mug with marshmallows. Add a tiny note: “Waiting for hot chocolate!”
30. Mini Marshmallow Snowman
Have your elf create a snowman using marshmallows and toothpicks.
31. Elf eating fairy bread
There’s something magical about fairy bread and it will amuse kids to no end to see their elf eating it.
32. Letter from Santa
As we all know, the elf flies back to the North Pole each night and reports to Santa on the kids’ good and bad activities. One night, your elf could deliver a letter from Santa.
33. Elf reading their book
Elf on a Shelf comes with a rhyming book that explain how Santa uses Scout Elves to keep an eye on boys and girls. One morning, the elf could be reading the book.
34. Elf decorating Christmas biscuits
Arrange some small sugar cookies and some decorating tubes and get your elf decorating. It’s a nice morning treat for your kids.
35. Sledding Elf
Find some small rectangular Tupperware lids and place your elf on it to go sledding. Use white flour to create a snowy wonderland.
36. Chess Elf
If you have a chess board, get your Elf playing chess.
37. Tangled Up in lights
Wrap your elf in Christmas lights and position them near a power outlet.
38. Elf bowling
Use small candy canes as bowling pins and a small ball as the bowling ball.
40. Joy riding elf
Put the elf in a toy car, racing against other toys.
41. Dishwasher Elf
Make out that your Elf got stuck in the dishwasher. Place the elf peeking out from inside the dishwasher.
42. Elf on a hot air balloon ride
Do you have an adventurous Elf? Use a balloon and a small basket to create a hot air balloon for the elf.
43. Get some coffee into your elf
If your elf is starting to get tired during a busy festive season, get them pepped up with some caffeine. Reuse a coffee pod and cut a small straw in half and it’s the perfect size beverage for your elf.
44. Game night Elf
Find small travel-sized board games and pose Elf playing with them.
45 Weightlifting Elf
Create weights using toothpicks and gumdrops for the elf to lift.
46. Elf in hammock
Use a handkerchief tied between two points as a hammock for the elf.
47. Elf snow globe
Use a small clear bowl and place your elf inside it with fake snow to create a snow globe effect.
48. Play chocolate Jenga
Use some chocolates like Kit Kat or Twix and get your elf playing Jenga.
49. Elf on a Roomba
Got a Roomba? Tape your elf to it and let it whirl around the room for an amusing ride.
50. Final day of Elf on the Shelf
Leave a note and some treats saying that elf is heading back to the North Pole to spend Christmas with their own family and that they’ll be back next December
Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.