19 Elf On The Shelf Ideas Your Kids Will Enjoy

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Elf on the Shelf is a fun family tradition to do with your kids. It can be hard to come up with unique things to do for it, so these Elf on the Shelf ideas are really helpful.

Elf on the Shelf is where a scout elf is sent to your home from the North Pole. He or she looks after your kids each day, then reports back to Santa each night. You’ll then move the elf to a new location each night for your kids to find in the morning.

To get started, you’ll read the book that comes with your elf and you’ll choose a name for your elf.

If you don’t yet have an Elf on the Shelf, you can buy the girl elf here and the boy elf here.

Elf On The Shelf Idea #1 – Hot Air Balloon

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I love this Elf on the Shelf idea from Happy Busy Kids Mom. This is a really fun arrival idea to do on the first night your elf visits.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Red paper lantern
• Ribbon
• Small basket

2. Ball Pit

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This easy Elf on the Shelf idea is from Life of Coco. Their scout elf is playing in a ball pit that says “ball pit elves only”.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Pom poms
• Clear bin

Related Content: 72 Cute Elf On The Shelf Name Ideas

3. Swing

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This funny elf is on a swing made from a toilet paper roll. This idea is from A Small Snippet.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Empty toilet paper roll
• String

4. Kissing Booth

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Living Locurto made this elf kissing booth. She has a free printable so you can make this for your elf.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Free printable from Living Locurto
• Candy kisses

5. Ziplining

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This hilarious elf idea uses 2 elves. It has the boy one and the girl one ziplining on some string. Christmas ideas like this make life so much fun for kids.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• String

6. Sprinkle Angels

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This elf is making snow angels with sprinkles. This idea is from Rachel Swartley. This is a fun one for the parents to setup at night and it won’t take a lot of time.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Sprinkles

7. Workout

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This fun elf is doing a workout. Kids love funny things like this! Kids Activities Blog has a free elf workout printable for you in their blog post.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Elf on the Shelf workout printable

Related Content: 24 Christmas Porch Ideas That Aren’t Just Wreaths

8. Hot Cocoa Party

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Wouldn’t it be so fun to setup your elf doing a hot cocoa party? I love this idea because your kids will be excited to find it, then later that day you can have a hot cocoa party with your elf. This idea is from Sweet C Designs and she has free printables you can use for it.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Hot cocoa party printables
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Red striped paper straws
• Mugs
• Jars

9. Bubble Bath

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Bombshell Bling came up with this Elf on the Shelf idea. Their elf is taking a bubble bath in mini marshmallows.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Mini marshmallows

10. Chocolate Kisses

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This Inspiration Board came up with this idea to have your elf eating chocolate. He even has a little bit smeared on his face.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Candy kisses

11. Bingo

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Pretty Providence has a free printable for elf sized bingo cards that you can use for this idea.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Bingo cards printable

12. Flossing

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This elf didn’t quite understand what flossing is! The Organised Housewife tied up her elf in dental floss and put a sign next to him that says “This is how you floss, right?”

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Dental floss

13. Wrapped Up

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A Few Short Cuts’ elf is all wrapped up in wrapping paper and tape. This idea is so cute.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Wrapping paper
• Tape
• Scissors

Related Content: 27 Songs Your Christmas Playlist Needs

14. In The Tree

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This family’s fun elf is hanging out in their Christmas tree and he flew a paper airplane into it. The paper for the plane had a letter from Santa on it. This idea is from Snapshots of My Life.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Paper
• Christmas tree

15. Wrapped Toilet

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The Mom Creative’s elf wrapped their toilet up in wrapping paper.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Wrapping paper

16. Secret Message

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You can get this secret message printable from Over the Big Moon. Your kids will love solving this puzzle!

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Secret message printable

17. Mini Pancakes

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Home Stories A to Z maple this cute setup of their elf eating mini pancakes.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Pancake mix
• Maple syrup
• Butter

18. Tied Up In Ribbon

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Jen McKen Photo’s elf tied up a little reindeer stuffed animal in curling ribbon.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Ribbon
• Reindeer

19. On Top of Blocks

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Life With My Little’s put their elf up on a tower of mega blocks.

Here’s what you’ll need for this idea:

• Mega blocks

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