Create fun and unforgettable memories with your children this Christmas with the tradition of the Elf on the Shelf by using our 25 awesome Elf on the Shelf ideas! This fun Christmas tradition was started in 2005 and has become increasingly popular throughout the years! The tradition involves an elf that is sent to your home to keep track if your child is naughty or nice and they report back to Santa. So moms, keep your child on their best behavior by introducing this little guy into your home this year!
This tradition started in our household when our daughter was 2 years old, to this day it is still one of those magical experiences she looks forward to every year! Whether you are looking for Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers or Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids, we have 25 fun Elf on the Shelf ideas that are easy enough for you to do every night! And don’t worry, we also have quick ideas for those last-minute mornings when you forgot to move your elf!
In this Blog post we will show you funny and adorable Elf on the Shelf ideas for 2024! Bring on the laughter, wonder, and elf-sized fun in your home! Follow along daily and copy these adorable ideas!
This blog post is all about Elf on the Shelf Ideas.
Best Elf on The Shelf Ideas
1. Elf On The Shelf Arrival Day
It is Elf on the Shelf arrival day! Make day 1 exciting with a bunch of balloons so your elf is high up and cannot be easily touched. This makes it easier for you to explain the rules and remind your toddlers they can’t touch the elf until Christmas! Add a little note personalized to them and read the book to kick off day one!
2. Funny Elf On The Shelf
By using empty paper toilet rolls and some string or ribbon, you can make your Elf on The Shelf swing with some friends! Simply, string your ribbon through the roll and use some tape to secure it to your doorway. Add some double sided tape to your elf to help him or her stay put. This Elf on The shelf idea is cute and silly idea for Day 2.
3. Elf on The Shelf Ideas kit
If you want to splurge on a Elf on The Shelf kit, there are plenty of adorable ones on Amazon! This Elf in particular is making some breakfast with a cute candy cane apron. This idea is fun especially for your older kids.
4. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Girl
This is another simple and fun way to incorporate your children’s toys with Elf on The Shelf Ideas Dolls! Simply, take a few dolls and dress them up your elf with some of their dresses! Have them standing with their friends or make them sitting together having a tea party! Your toddler will love this idea!
5. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Boy
For boys, you can take their favorite dinosaur or animal, and have your elf ride them! This is one of the easiest Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids!
6. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Kids’ Books
It’s story time! Have your Elf on The Shelf read some Christmas books to action figures, dolls, or stuffed animals! This is an easy last-minute idea for when you forget to switch spots!
7. Frozen Elf on The Shelf
This is a fan favorite! Freeze your elf over night in a plastic cup of water. When you wake up, your elf will be frozen! Place it next to an Elsa doll so you can make believe Elsa ‘froze’ your elf. This is magical to all children.
8. Movie Night Elf on The Shelf
It’s movie night! This is another easy one, put some popcorn in a small bowl and make believe your elf is watching a movie on your tablet or tv.
9. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Funny
This is another Hilarious Elf on The Shelf Idea that is easy to do! Have your elf sitting in the bathroom with some droppings! We used some M&M’s for this photo, you can also use some chocolate chips or anything else that may be… brown.
10. Elf on The Shelf Ideas for Older Kids
For your older kiddos, this idea is cute one! When your child is sleeping, quickly take a photo of your child and their elf. Print it out and hang it throughout the house. When your child wakes up, they will be wondering how the elf was able to take all of these selfies!
11. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Kitchen Cabinets
Who doesn’t love sledding? This one has a little bit more to it than the others, however this is a favorite idea that is worth the effort. To create this look, take any leftover wrapping paper and tape it to your cabinet and counter, add some cotton balls for pretend there is snow and have your elf sledding!
12. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Before School
This idea is a super cute one to do before school! You can use some paint or a dry erase marker to draw an elf hat and shirt on the mirror! This will make your child feel special since they are included!
13. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Classroom
This is a cute campsite idea for a classroom. Make a quick and easy tent using a book and use some paper to create the fire. You can make this as complex as you want or as simple as you want.
14. Elf on The Shelf Ideas Funny
Sprinkles! This easy Elf on The Shelf Idea looks hard but it can be done in a few minutes. Use some double sided tape and tape down towards your drain. Add sprinkles to the tape to make it seem like sprinkles are magically coming out of the faucet. Remember to close your drain so sprinkles don’t actually go inside.
15. Sick Elf on The Shelf
This sick Elf on The Shelf was outside playing in the snow for too long and got sick. Fortunately, he will feel better the next day! Add a thermometer and some crumbled up tissue to make it seem like your elf got sick. This is another easy and last-minute idea.
16. Elf on The Shelf Fishing
Have your Elf on The Shelf fish in the sink! Add some string to a straw and tie a gold fish to it. Fill up the sink with some water and close the drain. Your elf is now fishing!
17. Hilarious Elf on The Shelf Idea
This Elf on The Shelf Idea is hilarious! Fill up some small cups with any yellow drink. Create a sign for the lemonade stand and have your elf attempt to sell his lemonade. This is a funny favorite especially for older boys!
18. Easy Elf on The Shelf Idea
It’s Elf’s turn to take the dogs out! Use some pipe cleaners or string to tie around some dog figures and make-believe elf is walking the dogs.
19. Elf on The Shelf Baking
This is a quick Elf on the Shelf Idea to copy! Take a sponge and add some sprinkles! Write a little note and plate it so your kids can read it! They will laugh at how silly the elf can be!
20. Silly Elf on the Shelf Idea
This is another silly Elf on the Shelf Ideas for toddlers! Add some googly eyes to a family photo to make a funny family portrait.
21. Elf on the Shelf Helping With Chores
Have your Elf on the Shelf help with some chores! Decorate your robot vacuum as a reindeer with cardboard ears, googly eyes, and a pom-pom nose! You can add battery lights for an extra touch.
22. Elf on the Shelf Idea Christmas Tree
This Elf on the Shelf Idea is super cute! Have your elf decorate your Christmas tree like a snowman! Wrap toilet paper around the top of the tree with some paper eyes, nose, and buttons.
23. Elf on the Shelf Golfing
This is a fun golfing Elf on the Shelf Idea! You can use a candy cane as a golf club and tiny marshmallows or candy as the golf balls! This is a funny idea for older kids and golf lovers.
24. Elf on the Shelf Ideas Easy
Use some sprinkles or flour for this super simple Elf on the Shelf snow angel idea! This is a perfect last minute idea!
25. Elf on the Shelf Last Day
After days of creating magical moments, your Elf on the Shelf is done for the year and has to go back to the north pole! Send him off in a cute way by spraying snow spray on a window and writing with your fingers “see you next year”. You can personalize it and add your kiddos name!
This blog post was all about Elf on the Shelf Ideas.