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    Home » Holidays » Christmas » 150 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    150 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Published: Nov 18, 2023 · Modified: Sep 25, 2024 by Stephy Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    207.8K shares

    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!

    best elf on the shelf ideas

    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 Cocoa Welcome Back Party

    Hot Chocolate Welcome Back Party (with free printable party pack)

    Elf on the Shelf welcome Letter

    Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter from Prudent Penny Pincher

    random acts of kindness letter printable

    Random Acts of Kindness Arrival Letter from Living Locurto

    North Pole Breakfast Welcome

    North Pole Breakfast Welcome from Sweet Shoppe Designs

    airplane welcome

    Airplane Welcome from Busy Kids Happy Mom

    Elf on the Shelf Goodbye with snow sprayed message on the window

    Snow Spray Goodbye Note on the Window from The Nerds Wife

    Sledding Away Goodbye Elf

    Sledding Away with Reindeers from Mum’s Grapevine

    Elf Packed Up and driving away in toy car

    Jeep Packed Up from Little Bit Funky

    Bursting out of Package Arrival

    Bursting out of Package Arrival from A Small Snippet

    elf door

    Entrance Door from Etsy

    Christmas Eve Farewell Gift Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Christmas Eve Farewell Gift from She Knows

    elf box

    Santa Mailbox Package from Etsy

    I'm back elf arrival note

     I’m Back Note for the Window from Pinterest

    balloon arrivals

    Balloon Arrival with Printable Banner from Mama Cheaps

    arrival with flour footprints

    Arrival with Flour Footprints and a Box from Bee-ing Mommy

    elf at the beach goodbye postcard

    Send a Postcard Goodbye from TP Craft

    goodbye kisses sign with Hersheys kisses

    Goodbye Kisses from Pinterest

    Naughty and Funny Ideas

    Elf Going to the Bathroom

    Going to the Bathroom from A Small Snippet

    Found the Stickers Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Quick and Easy Found the Stickers from Pinterest

    Elf Copying His Butt

    Copying His Butt from Lil Blue Boo

    Playing with Wrapping Paper

    Playing with Wrapping Paper from Frugal Coupon Living

    Elf Kissing Booth

    Easy Kissing Booth (free printable sign)

    elf eating dog treats

    Worst “Cookies” Ever from Pinterest

    Naughty Elf Candy Cane Lock Up (free printable)

    Candy Cane Lock Up (free printable) from This Mama Loves

    Elf Flying in Underpants

    Flying in Underpants from Mama Cheaps

    Breaking into M&Ms Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Breaking into M&Ms from Lisa Stout Photography

    Stinky Time of Year

    Stinky Time of Year from Advent Elf (via Instagram)

    Piggy Bank Burglar Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Piggy Bank Burglar from Simple as That

    Elf on shelf Cutting Down Christmas Tree

    Cutting Down the Christmas Tree from A Small Snippet

    Elf putting clown noses on pictures

    Clownin’ Around with Picture Frames from Elf on the Shelf

    TPing the Christmas Tree

    TPing the Christmas Tree from Simply Organized

    Peaking at Christmas Presents

    Peaking at Christmas Presents from Snapshots of My Life

    Time Out Elf on shelf idea

    Time Out from Frugal Coupon Living

    Elf on shelf Pea'd

    Pea’d from Advent Elf (via Instagram)

    elf Minions on Bananas

    Drawing Minions on Bananas from California Unpublished

    Drawing on Faces with Dry Erase Marker

    Drawing on Faces with Dry Erase Marker (source unknown)

    Melted Snowman Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Melted Snowman from Pinterest

    Printable Elf Joke Cards

    Printable Joke Cards from Over The Big Moon

    Naughty Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Peeing in Lemonade Cups from Helen Kent (via Instagram)

    Elf Chocolate Poops in the Bathroom

    Chocolate Poops in the Bathroom (source unknown)

    Elf on the Shelf with Other Characters

    Elf captures and Ties Up grinch

    Grinch Tied Up from I Think We Could Be Friends

    Elsa freezes elf

    Meeting Elsa from Imgur (by Stacy McNeil)

    Elf Photoshoot

    Photoshoot with Barbie from Living Locurto

    Batman Dangling Elf over the Toilet

    Batman Dangling Elf over the Toilet (source unknown)

    Batman Smells Elf on the Shelf Prank

    Batman Smells Prank (source unknown)

    Racing to the Finish Line

    Racing to the Finish Line from A Small Snippet

    Elf Meets Darth Vader

    Meeting Darth Vader from Lisa Stout Photography

    Elf wearing superman costume

    Super Elf on the Shelf from Busy Kids Happy Mom

    Free Printable Spiderman Mask Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Free Printable Spiderman Mask from Enza’s Bargains

    Elf and Barbie on a Date

    On a Date with Barbie from Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Drive in Movie with Barbie Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Drive in Movie with Barbie from Lil Blue Boo

    Sack Race with other toys

    Sack Race from Stacy Molter Photography

    Elf Playing Twister with free printable

    Playing Twister (free printable) from Frugal Coupon Living

    Harry Potter Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Harry Potter Elf on the Shelf Idea (source unknown)

    Elf Taken Hostage by Toy Army Men

    Taken Hostage by Toy Army Men from Jennifer Saintz (via Flickr)

    Adventurous Elf Ideas

    Skiing Elf on the shelf

    Skiing Down the Stairs from Pickle Head Soup

    Lifting Weights

    Lifting Weights (source unknown)

    Mission Impossible Elf

    Mission Almost Impossible from Elf on the Shelf

    Climbing the Window with mini gift bows Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Climbing the Window (source unknown)

    Elf Rolling Down the Stairs in toilet paper roll

    Rolling Down the Stairs in a Toilet Paper Roll from A Thrifty Mom

    Zip-lining Elves

    Zip-lining Elves from Gina Rae Miller Photography

    Sledding down the staircase railing Elf on the Shelf idea

    Sledding Down the Stair Railing from Crazy Lou Creations

    Swinging Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Toilet Paper Roll Swing from Simple as That

    Elf Caught a Shark in the sink

    Catching a Shark from Pinterest

    Parachute Elf

    Parachute Elf from Peanut Blossoms

    Hot Air Balloon Ride

    Hot Air Balloon Ride from Peanut Blossoms

    Food & Drink Ideas

    Campfire Elf on shelf

    Having a Cozy Campfire with Marshmallows from Nelly Cole Photography

    elf eating cookies while Cookie Monster Locked Outside

    Cookie Monster Locked Outside from Home in Alaska

    Elf Eating Maple Syrup Spaghetti

    Eating Maple Syrup Spaghetti (source unknown)

    Green Milk Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Green Milk Elf on the Shelf Ideas (source unknown)

    Taco Tuesday Elf on the shelf idea

    Taco Tuesday Elf Burrito from Advent Elf (via Instagram)

    Elf Donuts (Free Printable Box)

    Elf Donuts (Free Printable Box) from East Coast Mommy

    Elf making a Fruit Loop Garland

    Fruit Loop Garland from Come Together Kids

    Reindeer Root Beer Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Reindeer Root Beer from Busy Kids Happy Mom

    Elf Eating Gingerbread House 

    Eating Gingerbread House from Simply Organized

    Mini Cookies for Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Mini Sugar Cookies from Make the Best of Everything

    Building a Marshmallow Snowman Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Building a Marshmallow Snowman from Bombshell Bling

    Elf Chocolate Kisses

    Elf Kisses Printable from The Inspiration Board

    Maple Syrup Drink Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Maple Syrup Drink from Lil Blue Boo

    Breaking into the Candy Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Breaking into the Candy from Pinterest

    Elf Made Mini Pancakes

    Mini Pancakes from Home Stories A to Z

    Elf Eating Cookie Cereal

    Eating Cookie Cereal from Pretty Providence

    Elf on shelf Drinking k cup coffee

    Drinking Coffee from The Keeper of the Cheerios

    Other Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Elf on the Shelf Hiding in the Fridge

    Hiding in the Fridge from I Heart Nap Time

    Printable Good Deed Cards

    Printable Good Deed Cards from Over the Big Moon

    Reasons for Not Moving Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Reasons for Elf Not Moving from Living Locurto

    Elf camping in a tent

    Camping in a Tent from Creek Line House

    Spa Day Elf

    Relaxing Spa Day from Pinterest

    hiding in the ice dispenser Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Missing the North Pole from Advent Elf (via Instagram)

    Journaling Elf

    Journaling Elf from Mama Cheaps

    Elf Playing Operation

    Playing Operation from Frugal Coupon Living

    Car Wash

    Car Wash for Elves from Keeper of the Cheerios

    Elf in a cotton ball Igloo

    Elf Igloo from Domestic Femme

    Pin the Nose on the Reindeer Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Pin the Nose on the Reindeer (source unknown)

    Ball pit Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Elves Only Ball Pit from Pinterest

    Elf Gone Fishing

    Gone Fishing with Goldfish Crackers from Pinterest

    Tied up on the Train Tracks

    Tied up on the Train Tracks from California Unpublished

    Elf on Gift Paper Stilts

    Gift Paper Stilts from Pinterest

    Elf Repairing Car

    Repairing a Car from Frugal Coupon Living

    Drummer Elf

    Drummer Elf from Frugal Coupon Living

    Spelling with Cheerios Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Spelling with Cheerios from Simple Parent

    Elf on the Shelf Rules Printable

    Elf on the Shelf Rules from Midget Momma

    Elf Taking a Bath

    Taking a Bubble Bath from Pickle Head Soup

    Magic Dust Printable Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Magic Elf Dust Printable from Sweet C’s Designs

    Tied to Train Tracks

    Tied to Train Tracks Elf on the Shelf Idea  (source unknown)

    Shaving Elf

    Shaving Elf from A Small Snippet

    Advent Box Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Advent Box Elf on the Shelf from Artsy Fartsy Mama

    Elf Brushing Teeth

    Brushing Teeth from A Small Snippet

    Watching a Movie Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Having a Movie Night with Popcorn from A Small Snippet

    Elf Hides in the Silverware Drawer

    Hiding in the Silverware Drawer from Busy Kids Happy Mom

    Hidden Christmas Ornaments Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt

    Hidden Christmas Ornaments from Simple as That

    Elf Making a Snow Angel with flour

    Making a Flour Snow Angel (source unknown)

    Sick Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    quarantine kit printable

    Quarantine Printable Kit from Mama Cheaps

    Quarantine Elf on shelf with Free Coloring Printables

    Quarantine Elf with Free Coloring Printables from Living Locurto

    Doctor's Note Printable Elf on the Shelf Idea

    Doctor’s Note Printables (3 Days of No Moving)

    elf washing hands

    Keep in Clean from Elf on the Shelf

    Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Quarantine Letter

    Free Printable Quarantine Letter from Elf on the Shelf

    Elf on shelf with a Broken Leg

    Elf with a Broken Leg (no movement for two weeks) from Courtney Boles (via Facebook)

    Elf on the Shelf FAQs

    What do you do in the Elf-on-the-Shelf?

    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.

    What is the number 1 rule for Elf-on-the-Shelf?

    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.

    Do parents move the Elf on the Shelf?

    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.

    What are the three rules of the Elf-on-the-Shelf?

    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

    • 100 Best Gingerbread Houses
      100 Best Gingerbread House Ideas
    • 50 Fun Christmas Games for Adults and Kids
    • 100 Best Christmas Crafts
      100 DIY Easy Christmas Crafts for Adults and Kids
    • christmas coloring pages for kids
      150 Free Christmas Coloring Pages for Kids

    Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Flipboard, or Instagram for more inspiration on crafts, DIY, free printables, and recipes!

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    • 20 Best Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks for Kids
    • 20 Free Printable Christmas Stocking Coloring Pages for Kids
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    • The Ultimate Christmas Bucket List: 100 Fun Activities for All Ages
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    Hi, I'm Stephy! I am the owner of Prudent Penny Pincher. I have been an author, content developer, and professional blogger for seven years. Prudent Penny Pincher explores ways to save money in daily life with a particular focus on DIY projects, crafts, and budget-friendly recipes while sharing helpful frugal tips along the way.

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