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 you’re new to the tradition or a seasoned Elf enthusiast, finding fresh and creative ideas for your elf can sometimes feel like a challenge.
That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate list of 40 Elf on the Shelf ideas to keep the fun going all season long. From quick and easy setups for busy nights to elaborate and adventurous scenes that will amaze your kids, this guide has something for every family. So, grab your elf, get inspired, and let the holiday magic begin!
1. 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.
2. Dress Up Elf
Use some cotton balls and stick a beard on your elf to disguise them as Santa Claus for the day.
3. Cereal Box Hideout
Place your elf inside an empty cereal box with the flap open or cut open the front of the package to have the Elf’s face appearing. Sprinkle cereal around for added fun.
4. Ziplining Elf
Use some string or dental floss and arrange your elf to go ziplining.
5. 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”.
6. Take an “Elfie”
Pose your elf as if they’re taking a selfie. Extra points if you use various selfie props.
7. 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.
8. 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!”
9. Skiing Elf
Use candy canes or popsicle sticks as skis, and set your elf on a “mountain” of pillows or books.
10. Elf in a Mug
Sit your elf inside a Christmas-themed mug with marshmallows. Add a tiny note: “Waiting for hot chocolate!”
11. Mini Marshmallow Snowman
Have your elf create a snowman using marshmallows and toothpicks.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Chess Elf
If you have a chess board, get your Elf playing chess.
18. Elf in the Fridge
Place the elf inside the fridge, wrapped in a scarf, with a note: “Brrr… it’s cold in here!”
19. Tangled Up in Lights
Wrap your elf in Christmas lights and position them near a power outlet.
20. Elf Bowling
Use small candy canes as bowling pins and a small ball as the bowling ball.
21. Joy Riding Elf
Put the elf in a toy car, racing against other toys.
22. Dishwasher Elf
Make out that your Elf got stuck in the Dishwasher. Place the elf peeking out from inside the dishwasher.
23. 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.
24. Gingerbread House Helper
If you have a gingerbread house kit, place the elf helping to build it.
25. Game Night Elf
Find small travel-sized board games and pose Elf playing with them.
26. Weightlifting Elf
Create weights using toothpicks and gumdrops for the elf to lift.
27. Elf in Hammock
Use a handkerchief tied between two points as a hammock for the e
28. Elf Snow Globe
Use a small clear bowl and place your elf inside it with fake snow to create a snow globe effect.
29. Play Chocolate Jenga
Use some chocolates like Kit Kat or Twix and get your elf playing Jenga.
30. Get Ready With Me Elf
Leave your elf out with a small mirror and some skincare or makeup and let your Elf show kids how they can get ready.
31. 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.
32. Make a Tiny Bed
Set up a mini bed for the elf with tissues and a small pillow so that they can get some ZZZZs. It’s hard work flying to and from the North Pole each night.
33. Pool Float
Let your elf lounge around. Place it on a foam float in a shallow bowl of water for a “pool day.”
34. LEGO Elf House
Build a cozy little LEGO house and place the elf inside, peeking out a window or sitting on the roof. Decorate the house with holiday-themed bricks or stickers for extra flair.
35. Elf on a Roomba
36.Got a Roomba? Tape your elf to it and let it whirl around the room for an amusing ride.
36. Go Golfing
Let your elf loose on the greens. Use a candy cane and mini marshmallow and get them playing putt-putt.
37. Play some music
If you have a piano or keyboard in your home, set your Elf up and show your kids that they’re playing music.
38. Play Scrabble
Get out the Scrabble board and spell out some holiday words for your kids to find.
39. Wrapping Gifts
In the days before Christmas, set your elf to work. Leave the elf surrounded by wrapping paper and tape.
40. Breakfast Elf
Organise your elf to make breakfast for your kids. Mini pancakes decorated with maple syrup is. an option. (FYI syrup is a major food group for elves)
41. Musical Elf
Set up a portable speaker near your elf for your kids to find. Have it playing a variety of Christmas tunes.
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.