24 Elf on the Shelf Ideas I Love

Privately, I loathe the Elf on the Shelf (as I’m assuming most parents do), however, he does do some good and I tend to lean in when it comes to creative ideas each day of December.

Here, I’m sharing the 24 ideas I have used and come across in my Elf on the Shelf research (which has been extensive). These are fairly simple (key to doing this for 24 days) and fun (key for the kids and your sanity as a parent).

A few years ago, my mom (GMA) decided Buddy (our elf) should give a present when he comes to visit every. single. day. This year, we are trying to scale back because the kids get so many presents so it will not be daily, but reward based or as Buddy feels it is appropriate. Please feel free to ignore the small present idea, because warning, once you do it, you can’t undo it.

Day 1

We always have a letter written from our elf saying he’s back. Sometimes I type this, sometimes I write it in crayon, but it basically lays the ground rules for the next 24 days… behave and Buddy will report good things back to Santa. You can download my example letter here to use to use.

But for a slightly different twist in 2020, I may try this s-elf isolation jar and mask. You can certainly purchase this, but it would be super easy to make with some ribbon, a marker or decals and some fake snow. This would also take care of 14 days worth of ideas from the get go!

Day 3

Slightly messy, but super easy, I love the snow angel in flour.

Day 4

As I said, we like to give gifts, and one of the easiest ones is a book! So we love integrating the elf into this idea and have him reading to all of his friends and then our kids get a book to read themselves.

Day 5

Another simple idea is to have your elf “rock climbing” with package bows. I have tried this and some maneuvering or extra tape is key to make this really stick.

Day 6

I have not tried this yet, but will this year because all you have to do is prop your elf up and print this fun secret message activity from Over the Moon! How easy is that?

Day 7

Whenever you decorate your tree (or after you have it up), wrap your elf in twinkly lights. You already have the lights out so it makes it super simple.

Day 8

This one is a big winner with my son. We have used army men, LEGO minifigs, and bad guy figures, but he gets a kick out of this one whenever we do it.

Day 9

Writing on fruit or snacks and having the elf be the culprit is also super easy. I also found these edible eye stickers that I’m going to bring into the mix this year to do something a bit different.

Day 10

Put your elf in a roll of toilet paper and roll him/her down the stairs.

Day 11

Make your elf into a superhero and have him/her fly from a light fixture! I did break down and buy the costume a couple years ago, but it would be super easy to make your own. Just cut out a small mask from paper or felt and attach it to his/her face and then create a small cape from felt or a small piece of cotton fabric or t-shirt material and tie around his/her neck.

Day 12

Sadly there are those days where the kids have not behaved (sometimes there are many of them), in these cases I like to use the elf to my advantage. He will usually write them a letter saying how disappointed he is or how he sadly has to report this behavior back to Santa. I don’t have to do this very often, because the kids REALLY want to make it onto the nice list. Again, I write this in crayon or type it out as if it is from Buddy our elf but this year I put an official warning letter together that you can download here.

Day 13

I think most of us with kids either have cotton balls, or faux snowballs, or marshmallows around the house so why not have your elf launch into a snowball fight that includes the kids?

Day 14

Movie night is a big deal in our house and having the elf around is a way to make it extra special. Have pop corn, candy, and a choice of holiday movies ready to go with the elf holding the remote. You can make this as elaborate or as easy as you want. I usually print tickets like these, and have a sign that says what options of movies we have. Everyone gets their own popcorn and I have a few special treats thrown into the mix. They even have a movie night kit if you are interested.

Day 15

If you know me, you know I love a good scavenger hunt, so why not do one with your elf and candy canes? I hide 6-12 candy canes around the house and have the kids find them. Sometimes there is a reward at the end, sometimes the candy canes are the reward.

Day 16

Elf on the Shelf bowling! Need I say more? This does require a purchase (or you can use chocolate kisses as the pins and a bouncy ball as the bowling ball) but this one is too cute to pass up.

Day 17

Whether you make your own paper kissing booth or purchase a downloadable one for a few dollars, I adore this one with or without the chocolate kisses to go with it.

Day 18

Theme night! I love tying my elf into something that will happen later in the day including pizza or taco night.

One year I added a sombrero to my elf and said it was taco night. One night I found a mini gummy pizza and told the kids the elf proclaimed it pizza night. The idea is to make it a theme… maybe it’s ice cream night, maybe it’s another food or treat, but make it fun and tie it in.

Day 19

Toast marshmallows around the campfire! This is one that you can make as elaborate as you want or as simple. Use a battery-powered tea light for the fire and cut out some flames from paper to go over it, gather some twigs and put a tiny marshmallow on your elf’s stick. Or make a tent and sign as seen here. Either way it’s the perfect excuse to make s’mores with the kids.

Day 20

By the end of December, my elf gets to be a bit of a daredevil including hanging from zip lines. I have a candy cane hook and red and white baker’s twine I use for mine, but you can literally use a regular candy cane and any string you have laying around to put this one together.

Day 21

Deal me in on this card game. Take any deck of cards or card game you have (or you can make elf-sized cards if you have the time) and gather the elf’s friends. This is also the perfect day to introduce a new game to the family!

Day 22

Elf on strike! This is another one I like to do if the kids are misbehaving. Create and print out a little sign that says “Elf on Strike” with whatever naughty behavior the kids exhibited the day before and attach it to a toothpick. You can print as many as you like if they have done more than one naughty thing.

Day 23

This day is usually reserved for Christmas PJs for the whole family and some sort of treat like hot chocolate kits complete with special marshmallows that we can all enjoy on Christmas Eve! So it doesn’t really matter what the elf does or does not do today, it’s more about the surprise that he brings, but I like to integrate him into this one too so you can have him enjoying his/her own hot chocolate, bathing in mini marshmallows, or presenting the hot chocolate kits to the kids.

Day 24

Christmas Eve is here and tomorrow morning the big guy will finally arrive and our elf will finally leave! We usually do a goodbye letter from Buddy saying how much fun he had and that he will be back again next year. No presents necessary because boy, will they have enough with Santa coming.

More Ideas to Make the Elf on the Shelf Easier

There are also so many great kits now complete with instructions and ideas for everyday. I broke down and spent $100 last year on this from pure elf exhaustion, but this year I’m back to doing it on my own.

I have also purchased this box in the past that gives you ideas and some tools, but does not lay everything out for you each day. I think having some of the elf-sized accessories is fun and helpful if you choose.

And finally, if you are looking to spend a little less money, I just recently came across this downloadable list of ideas and printables you can use with your elf. I’m planning on mixing this into my rotation this year.