Add a spark of Christmas magic to your home and make fun holiday memories with this ultimate list of elf on the shelf ideas for 2023 that your kids will love!
From giggle-inducing elf antics to sweet and heartwarming moments, these ideas will add an extra dash of joy to your holiday festivities. You will find a sleigh-load of ideas that will entertain your little ones all the way to Christmas Day.
For those who enjoy a sprinkle of mischief and playfulness, these naughty elf ideas will not disappoint. Your kids will laugh hysterically with some of these funny elves pulling the most hilarious stunts! Many of these ideas are quick and easy, so they are perfect for the last minute.
These kid-friendly elf-on-the-shelf ideas include special arrival and departure ideas to kick off and wrap up your elf's visit in style. From grand entrances that will amaze your kids to heartwarming goodbyes that will leave them eagerly awaiting next year's visit, these ideas are designed to make every moment with your elf unforgettable.
For more festive fun, pair these ideas with these elf coloring pages, Christmas crafts for kids, Christmas coloring pages, and these free Christmas wish list printables!
Jump to:
- What is Elf on the Shelf?
- When Does Elf on the Shelf Return and Depart?
- Arrival and Departure Elf on the Shelf Ideas
- Naughty and Funny Ideas
- Elf on the Shelf with Other Characters
- Adventurous Elf Ideas
- Food & Drink Ideas
- Other Elf on the Shelf Ideas
- Sick Elf on the Shelf Ideas
- Elf on the Shelf FAQs
- More Christmas Fun
What is Elf on the Shelf?
For those who don’t know about this popular Christmas tradition, it is based on a children’s picture book where special scout elves that work for Santa are sent to your home from the North Pole to encourage your kids to behave and report back to Santa every night who is being naughty or nice. Children cannot touch the elf, or it will lose its magic, so the adults are responsible for moving it once a day for the month of December until Christmas. It only moves at night when the children are asleep. If your kids are new to the elf-on-the-shelf tradition, here is a fun way to introduce them to their elf.
Kids are huge fans of this fun Christmas tradition, but coming up with new ideas for a whole month can be challenging for parents, so below, you will find some quick and easy ideas for inspiration. Since there are over a hundred ideas, you won’t run out of ideas for quite a while!
When Does Elf on the Shelf Return and Depart?
It is recommended that your Scout Elf arrives between November 24 (Thanksgiving) and December 1st. This is known as Scout Elf Return Week. During this time, Santa's elves leave the North Pole and head to houses they'll be staying throughout Christmas time until Christmas Eve day (December 24th)!
Arrival and Departure Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Hot Chocolate Welcome Back Party (with free printable party pack)
Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter from Prudent Penny Pincher
Random Acts of Kindness Arrival Letter from Living Locurto
North Pole Breakfast Welcome from Sweet Shoppe Designs
Airplane Welcome from Busy Kids Happy Mom
Snow Spray Goodbye Note on the Window from The Nerds Wife
Sledding Away with Reindeers from Mum’s Grapevine
Jeep Packed Up from Little Bit Funky
Bursting out of Package Arrival from A Small Snippet
Entrance Door from Etsy
Christmas Eve Farewell Gift from She Knows
Santa Mailbox Package from Etsy
I’m Back Note for the Window from Pinterest
Balloon Arrival with Printable Banner from Mama Cheaps
Arrival with Flour Footprints and a Box from Bee-ing Mommy
Send a Postcard Goodbye from TP Craft
Goodbye Kisses from Pinterest
Naughty and Funny Ideas
Going to the Bathroom from A Small Snippet
Quick and Easy Found the Stickers from Pinterest
Copying His Butt from Lil Blue Boo
Playing with Wrapping Paper from Frugal Coupon Living
Easy Kissing Booth (free printable sign)
Worst “Cookies” Ever from Pinterest
Candy Cane Lock Up (free printable) from This Mama Loves
Flying in Underpants from Mama Cheaps
Breaking into M&Ms from Lisa Stout Photography
Stinky Time of Year from Advent Elf (via Instagram)
Piggy Bank Burglar from Simple as That
Cutting Down the Christmas Tree from A Small Snippet
Clownin’ Around with Picture Frames from Elf on the Shelf
TPing the Christmas Tree from Simply Organized
Peaking at Christmas Presents from Snapshots of My Life
Time Out from Frugal Coupon Living
Pea’d from Advent Elf (via Instagram)
Drawing Minions on Bananas from California Unpublished
Drawing on Faces with Dry Erase Marker (source unknown)
Melted Snowman from Pinterest
Printable Joke Cards from Over The Big Moon
Peeing in Lemonade Cups from Helen Kent (via Instagram)
Chocolate Poops in the Bathroom (source unknown)
Elf on the Shelf with Other Characters
Grinch Tied Up from I Think We Could Be Friends
Meeting Elsa from Imgur (by Stacy McNeil)
Photoshoot with Barbie from Living Locurto
Batman Dangling Elf over the Toilet (source unknown)
Batman Smells Prank (source unknown)
Racing to the Finish Line from A Small Snippet
Meeting Darth Vader from Lisa Stout Photography
Super Elf on the Shelf from Busy Kids Happy Mom
Free Printable Spiderman Mask from Enza’s Bargains
On a Date with Barbie from Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Drive in Movie with Barbie from Lil Blue Boo
Sack Race from Stacy Molter Photography
Playing Twister (free printable) from Frugal Coupon Living
Harry Potter Elf on the Shelf Idea (source unknown)
Taken Hostage by Toy Army Men from Jennifer Saintz (via Flickr)
Adventurous Elf Ideas
Skiing Down the Stairs from Pickle Head Soup
Lifting Weights (source unknown)
Mission Almost Impossible from Elf on the Shelf
Climbing the Window (source unknown)
Rolling Down the Stairs in a Toilet Paper Roll from A Thrifty Mom
Zip-lining Elves from Gina Rae Miller Photography
Sledding Down the Stair Railing from Crazy Lou Creations
Toilet Paper Roll Swing from Simple as That
Catching a Shark from Pinterest
Parachute Elf from Peanut Blossoms
Hot Air Balloon Ride from Peanut Blossoms
Food & Drink Ideas
Having a Cozy Campfire with Marshmallows from Nelly Cole Photography
Cookie Monster Locked Outside from Home in Alaska
Eating Maple Syrup Spaghetti (source unknown)
Green Milk Elf on the Shelf Ideas (source unknown)
Taco Tuesday Elf Burrito from Advent Elf (via Instagram)
Elf Donuts (Free Printable Box) from East Coast Mommy
Fruit Loop Garland from Come Together Kids
Reindeer Root Beer from Busy Kids Happy Mom
Eating Gingerbread House from Simply Organized
Mini Sugar Cookies from Make the Best of Everything
Building a Marshmallow Snowman from Bombshell Bling
Elf Kisses Printable from The Inspiration Board
Maple Syrup Drink from Lil Blue Boo
Breaking into the Candy from Pinterest
Mini Pancakes from Home Stories A to Z
Eating Cookie Cereal from Pretty Providence
Drinking Coffee from The Keeper of the Cheerios
Other Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Hiding in the Fridge from I Heart Nap Time
Printable Good Deed Cards from Over the Big Moon
Reasons for Elf Not Moving from Living Locurto
Camping in a Tent from Creek Line House
Relaxing Spa Day from Pinterest
Missing the North Pole from Advent Elf (via Instagram)
Journaling Elf from Mama Cheaps
Playing Operation from Frugal Coupon Living
Car Wash for Elves from Keeper of the Cheerios
Elf Igloo from Domestic Femme
Pin the Nose on the Reindeer (source unknown)
Elves Only Ball Pit from Pinterest
Gone Fishing with Goldfish Crackers from Pinterest
Tied up on the Train Tracks from California Unpublished
Gift Paper Stilts from Pinterest
Repairing a Car from Frugal Coupon Living
Drummer Elf from Frugal Coupon Living
Spelling with Cheerios from Simple Parent
Elf on the Shelf Rules from Midget Momma
Taking a Bubble Bath from Pickle Head Soup
Magic Elf Dust Printable from Sweet C’s Designs
Tied to Train Tracks Elf on the Shelf Idea (source unknown)
Shaving Elf from A Small Snippet
Advent Box Elf on the Shelf from Artsy Fartsy Mama
Brushing Teeth from A Small Snippet
Having a Movie Night with Popcorn from A Small Snippet
Hiding in the Silverware Drawer from Busy Kids Happy Mom
Hidden Christmas Ornaments from Simple as That
Making a Flour Snow Angel (source unknown)
Sick Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Quarantine Printable Kit from Mama Cheaps
Quarantine Elf with Free Coloring Printables from Living Locurto
Doctor’s Note Printables (3 Days of No Moving)
Keep in Clean from Elf on the Shelf
Free Printable Quarantine Letter from Elf on the Shelf
Elf with a Broken Leg (no movement for two weeks) from Courtney Boles (via Facebook)
Elf on the Shelf FAQs
In the Elf-on-the-Shelf tradition, a special scout elf is sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice list. Each night during the holiday season, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report on the day’s adventures. Before the family wakes up each morning, the elf returns and positions themselves in a new spot in the house, creating a fun and magical hide-and-seek game each morning for the kids.
The number one rule for Elf on the Shelf is that you should never touch the elf. The story goes that if the elf is touched, it might lose its magic, which is needed to fly back to the North Pole and report to Santa.
Yes, parents move the Elf on the Shelf. Each night, after the kids go to bed, it’s the parent’s job to move the elf to a new spot in the house. This creates the magical illusion that the elf has returned from its nightly trip to the North Pole and is engaging in different activities.
The three main rules of the Elf on the Shelf are:
#1: You can’t touch the elf, or else it might lose its magic;
#2: The elf cannot move while anyone in the house is awake, as it only moves when everyone is asleep
#3: The elf must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to stay with Santa for the rest of the year.
More Christmas Fun
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