Start a fun Christmas tradition for your kids with these creative elf on the shelf ideas.
Whether you are looking for funny or naughty elf ideas, there are plenty kid-friendly elf on the shelf ideas to choose from. There are first arrival and return ideas included as well. Many of these ideas are quick and easy so they are perfect for the last minute.
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 a special scout for Santa is sent to your home from the North Pole to encourage your kids to behave and reporting back to Santa every night who is being naughty or nice. The elf cannot be touched by children or it will lose its magic so the adults are responsible for moving the elf once a day for the month of December until Christmas. The elf only moves at night when the children are asleep.
Kids are 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 different ideas, you won’t run out of ideas for years!
Arrival and Departure Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Hot Cocoa Welcome Back Party (with free printable party pack)
Free Printable Elf Arrival Letter from Living Locurto
North Pole Breakfast Welcome from Sweet Shoppe Designs
Elf on the Shelf Goodbye from The Nerds Wife
Reindeers and Elf Sledding Away from Mum’s Grapevine
Elf Packed Up from Little Bit Funky
Bursting out of Package Arrival from A Small Snippet
Christmas Eve Farewell Gift from She Knows
Naughty and Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Elf Going to the Bathroom from A Small Snippet
Quick and Easy Found the Stickers from Pinterest
Elf Copying His Butt from Lil Blue Boo
Playing with Wrapping Paper from Frugal Coupon Living
Elf Kissing Booth (free printable sign)
Worst “Cookies” Ever from Pinterest
Elf Candy Cane Lock Up (free printable) from This Mama Loves
Cotton-Headed Ninny Muggins Elf from Pinterest
Elf 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 Christmas Tree from A Small Snippet
Clownin’ Around from Elf on the Shelf
TPing the Christmas Tree from Simply Organized
Peaking at Christmas Presents from Snapshots of My Life
Time Out Elf from Frugal Coupon Living
Elf Pea’d from Advent Elf (via Instagram)
Minion Bananas from California Unpublished
Drawing on Faces with Dry Erase Marker (source unknown)
Melted Snowman from Pinterest
Printable Elf Joke Cards from Over The Big Moon
Naughty Elf from Helen Kent (via Instagram)
Elf Chocolate Poops in the Bathroom (source unknown)
Elf with Other Characters
Grinch Tied Up from I Think We Could Be Friends
Elf Meets Elsa from Imgur (by Stacy McNeil)
Elf Photoshoot from Living Locurto
Batman Dangling Elf over the Toilet (source unknown)
Batman Smells Elf Prank (source unknown)
Racing to the Finish Line from A Small Snippet
Elf Meets Darth Vader from Lisa Stout Photography
Super Elf from Busy Kids Happy Mom
Free Printable Spiderman Mask from Enza’s Bargains
Elf and Barbie on a Date from Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Drive in Movie with Barbie from Lil Blue Boo
Sack Race from Stacy Molter Photography
Elf Playing Twister (free printable) from Frugal Coupon Living
Harry Potter Elf on the Shelf Idea (source unknown)
Elf Taken Hostage by Toy Army Men from Jennifer Saintz (via Flickr)
Adventurous Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Skiing Elf from Pickle Head Soup
Lifting Weights (source unknown)
Mission Impossible Elf from Elf on the Shelf
Elf Climbing the Window (source unknown)
Elf Rolling Down the Stairs from A Thrifty Mom
Zip-lining Elves from Gina Rae Miller Photography
Sledding Elf from Crazy Lou Creations
Swinging Elf from Simple as That
Elf Caught a Shark from Pinterest
Parachute Elf from Peanut Blossoms
Hot Air Balloon Ride from Peanut Blossoms
Food & Drink Ideas
Campfire Elf from Nelly Cole Photography
Cookie Monster Locked Outside from Home in Alaska
Dog Treat Cookies from Pinterest
Elf Eating Maple Syrup Spaghetti (source unknown)
Green Milk Elf on the Shelf Ideas (source unknown)
Taco Tuesday Elf 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
Elf Eating Gingerbread House from Simply Organized
Mini Elf Cookies from Make the Best of Everything
Building a Marshmallow Snowman from Bombshell Bling
Elf Chocolate Kisses from The Inspiration Board
Maple Syrup Drink from Lil Blue Boo
Breaking into the Candy from Pinterest
Elf Made Mini Pancakes from Home Stories A to Z
Elf Eating Cookie Cereal from Pretty Providence
Drinking Coffee from The Keeper of the Cheerios
Other Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Elf 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 Elf from Creek Line House
Spa Day Elf 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)
Elf in a Ball Pit from Pinterest
Elf Gone Fishing from Pinterest
Tied up on the Train Tracks from California Unpublished
Elf on Gift Paper Stilts from Pinterest
Elf Repairing 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
Elf Taking a 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
Elf Brushing Teeth from A Small Snippet
Watching a Movie from A Small Snippet
Elf Hides in the Silverware Drawer from Busy Kids Happy Mom
Hidden Christmas Ornaments from Simple as That
Elf Making a Snow Angel (source unknown)
Sick Elf Ideas
Quarantine Elf with Free Coloring Printables from Living Locurto
Elf 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)
100 Christmas Crafts for Kids
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