Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas: 50 Quick Ideas for All 24 Days (+ Free Printable Calendar)

It’s 10:47 pm, the house is finally quiet, and you remember: the elf hasn’t moved. If that sounds familiar, this list is for you. These easy elf on the shelf ideas take two minutes or less, use things you already have at home, and still get a big reaction at breakfast.

Below you’ll find 50 quick ideas in six groups (2-minute classics, breakfast surprises, kindness ideas, activities that keep kids busy, funny mess-free mischief and 60-second last-minute saves), a ready-made 24-day plan for December, toddler safety tips and a free printable elf idea calendar with arrival and goodbye letters.

How the elf tradition works (in 30 seconds)

The tradition comes from The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, a picture book by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell first published in 2005. In the story, a scout elf watches the family during the day and flies back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa. When it returns, it lands in a new spot. Kids can talk to the elf, but they aren’t supposed to touch it, or it may lose its magic. The elf goes home on Christmas Eve (here are our goodbye elf on the shelf ideas for the last night).

Many families welcome the elf on December 1 or right after Thanksgiving, and some start with a short arrival letter (see our elf on the shelf arrival ideas for first-night setups and a free letter). That’s it: one new spot every night. The ideas below make that part easy.

2-minute elf on the shelf ideas with things you already have

1. Zip-lining across the kitchen

   Tie a string between two chairs or cabinet handles and hang the elf from it with a clothespin, as if it’s mid-ride.

   You need: string, a clothespin

2. Fishing in the sink

   Fill the sink with a little water, give the elf a pencil “rod” with string, and float a few paper fish or bath toys.

   You need: pencil, string, bath toys

3. Toilet paper on the Christmas tree

   Drape one roll of toilet paper around the tree and leave the elf holding the end. The most famous easy idea of all.

   You need: 1 roll of toilet paper

4. Reading a bedtime story to the toys

   Line up stuffed animals on the couch and put an open picture book in front of the elf.

   You need: stuffed animals, a book

5. Hide-and-seek with a clue

   Hide the elf somewhere new and leave a note on the table: “Can you find me? I’m somewhere cold and white.”

   You need: paper, pen

6. Building a block tower

   Stack blocks or bricks into a tower and sit the elf on top, waving.

   You need: blocks

7. Toy car race

   Line up toy cars on a ramp made from a book, with the elf in the lead car and a paper finish line.

   You need: toy cars, a book

8. Paper snowball fight

   Scrunch up white paper into “snowballs” and set the elf up behind a cushion fort with the toys on the other side.

   You need: white paper

9. Taking selfies

   Lean the elf against your phone with the camera open, or take a photo of the elf and leave it on the lock screen.

   You need: your phone

Breakfast elf ideas (prep the night before)

10. Green milk

    Add one drop of green food coloring to the milk jug and leave the elf next to it with a note: “I made the milk festive!”

    You need: green food coloring

11. A cereal message

    Spell “HI!” or a child’s name on the table with cereal and put the elf at the end of the line.

    You need: cereal

12. Powdered-donut snowmen

    Stack three mini powdered donuts into a snowman and leave the elf building it.

    You need: mini powdered donuts

13. Banana faces

    Draw silly faces on bananas with a marker and leave the elf holding the pen.

    You need: bananas, a marker

14. Hot cocoa bar

    Leave mugs, cocoa packets and the elf sitting in an empty mug, ready for an after-school treat.

    You need: cocoa, mugs

15. Pancake surprise

    Leave the pancake mix and a spatula out with a note: “Pancakes for breakfast? I asked nicely!”

    You need: pancake mix, a spatula

Kindness elf ideas (the elf brings a mission)

Kindness ideas turn the elf from a spy into a helper, and most of them only need a note. Many parents like mixing in a kindness mission every few days.

16. Thank-you card for a helper

    The elf leaves blank cards and a note asking the kids to thank the mail carrier, teacher or bus driver.

    You need: cards, crayons

17. Pick a toy to donate

    The elf sits in an empty box with a sign: “Can you find one toy to give to a child who needs it?”

    You need: a box, a note

18. Cookies for the neighbors

    The elf sits on a baking sheet with a note: “Let’s bake cookies for next door today!”

    You need: a baking sheet, a note

19. Compliment jar

    The elf leaves an empty jar and paper strips so everyone can write one nice thing about someone in the family.

    You need: a jar, paper strips

20. Bird feeder day

    The elf leaves a pinecone, string and a note asking the kids to make a treat for the birds.

    You need: pinecone, string, birdseed

21. Kindness challenge card

    A small card with today’s mission: hold the door, share a toy, help set the table.

    You need: a printed elf note

Elf ideas that keep kids busy

22. A coloring page left out

    The elf leaves a Christmas coloring page and crayons with a note: “Color this for me, please!”

    You need: a coloring page, crayons

23. Craft kit delivery

    The elf sits next to a paper-plate snowman kit or paper snowflakes ready to cut.

    You need: paper plates, glue, scissors

24. Scavenger hunt

    Leave three clues around the house that lead to a small treat or a new Christmas book.

    You need: paper clues, a small treat

25. Letter to the elf

    The elf leaves tiny paper and a pencil so kids can write or draw a message back.

    You need: small paper, a pencil

26. Christmas book night

    The elf wraps a Christmas library book or one from your shelf for bedtime.

    You need: a book, wrapping paper

27. Pajama movie night

    The elf brings new pajamas or a movie ticket you drew: “Family movie tonight!”

    You need: pajamas or a homemade ticket

28. Dance party

    Leave the elf next to a speaker with a note: “Dance party after school. I picked the songs!”

    You need: a speaker

29. Paper chain countdown

    The elf starts a paper chain with one link per day left until Christmas.

    You need: paper strips, tape

Funny elf on the shelf ideas (no big mess)

30. Googly eyes on everything in the fridge

    Stick googly eyes on the eggs, milk, butter and fruit. Leave the elf holding the pack.

    You need: googly eyes

31. Mustaches on family photos

    Draw mustaches on the glass of a family photo with a dry-erase marker. It wipes right off.

    You need: a dry-erase marker

32. Tied up by the toys

    Toys “capture” the elf with ribbon or yarn. Add a sign: “Help! The dinosaurs won!”

    You need: ribbon, toys

33. Bubble bath in the sink

    The elf relaxes in a dry sink full of cotton balls with a tiny towel.

    You need: cotton balls, a washcloth

34. Elf sick day

    Tuck the elf into a tissue with a toy thermometer and a note: “Too much candy cane. Resting today.”

    You need: tissues

35. Wrapped the remote

    The elf gift-wraps the TV remote, the cereal box or Dad’s shoes.

    You need: wrapping paper, tape

36. Swapped faces

    Tape a printed photo of the elf’s face over a face in a family picture.

    You need: a printed photo, tape

37. Stuck in the cookie jar

    Put the elf headfirst in the cookie jar with legs sticking out.

    You need: a cookie jar

Last-minute elf on the shelf ideas (60 seconds)

Forgot until bedtime? These last minute elf on the shelf ideas take one minute and need no props.

38. Chilling in the fridge

    Sit the elf on a shelf in the fridge next to the butter. Note: “It was too hot by the fire!”

39. Hiding in a shoe

    Tuck the elf into a boot by the door, peeking out.

40. Brush your teeth!

    Sit the elf in the toothbrush cup in the bathroom.

41. Top of the tree

    Put the elf at the top of the Christmas tree like a star (only if it’s safe to reach).

42. Sleeping in a tissue box

    Tuck the elf into an open tissue box with a tissue blanket.

43. Riding a stuffed animal

    Sit the elf on the back of a teddy bear or toy horse.

44. Hanging from the curtain rod

    Hook the elf’s arms over the curtain rod as if it’s doing pull-ups.

45. In the mailbox pile

    Leave the elf peeking out of today’s mail or a stack of Christmas cards.

46. Washing machine ride

    Sit the elf on top of the washing machine with a sock “seat belt”.

47. Reading the newspaper

    Prop up a magazine or newspaper with the elf “reading” it on the couch.

48. Inside a Christmas stocking

    Only the elf’s head pops out of a stocking.

49. Ice skating on a mirror

    Lay a small mirror or baking tray flat and pose the elf mid-spin.

    You need: a small mirror or tray

50. Climbing the stairs with string

    Tie a string to the banister and pose the elf as if it’s rock climbing.

    You need: string

A ready-made 24-day elf on the shelf plan

Don’t want to think every night? Follow this plan of quick, easy elf on the shelf ideas. Easy ideas on school nights, and the bigger ones on weekends. The free printable has the same calendar to stick inside a cupboard door.

Elf on the shelf ideas for toddlers (and safety tips)

Toddlers love the elf, but they also put everything in their mouths. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists marshmallows, popcorn, nuts and hard, gooey or sticky candy among foods to hold back until at least age 4, and warns that balloons are a choking risk for children up to 8 years old. Keep these simple rules:

• Skip small food and candy props when you have a child under 4 in the house.
• Never use button or coin batteries, small magnets or balloons in a setup.
• Keep the elf away from candles, the fireplace and hot lights.
• Place it up high so little hands can see but not grab.

Toddler-friendly favorites from the list: reading to the toys, the block tower, the toy car race, riding a stuffed animal, hiding in a shoe and the tissue-box bed. For more ideas for little ones, see our Christmas activities for kids.

Forgot to move the elf? What to say

Every parent forgets at least once. Keep it light and pick one of these:

• “He loved that spot so much he asked Santa if he could stay one more day.”
• “It snowed at the North Pole last night, so all the elves had to stay home.”
• “Maybe he’s waiting for a letter from you. Let’s write one tonight.”

If a child touches the elf, many families write a short “sorry” note to Santa together and let the elf rest for a night. It’s a gentle way to keep the magic without tears.

How to make the elf easy all month

1. Plan once. Fill in the 24-day calendar on November 30 and stick it inside a kitchen cupboard.
2. Make an elf box. String, clothespins, tape, googly eyes, a dry-erase marker, cotton balls and a few printed notes.
3. Set a 9 pm phone reminder called “Move the elf”.
4. Use the elf for kindness, not threats. Some child-development writers and privacy researchers have criticized the tradition for teaching kids they are always being watched. Keeping the focus on fun and kind missions avoids that.
5. Keep it small. Kids remember the giggle, not the setup. Two minutes is enough.

If December is already feeling heavy, our guide to holiday stress with kids has ways to keep Christmas calm, and our family Christmas traditions list has 50 more ideas to start this year.

Handy props for easy elf ideas

• Self-adhesive googly eyes for the fridge and beyond
• Mini clothespins and string for zip lines and climbing
• A small elf props kit (mini skis, signs, accessories)
• Fine-tip dry-erase markers for mirror and photo doodles
• Christmas coloring books for busy mornings

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Frequently asked questions

What are easy elf on the shelf ideas?

Easy elf on the shelf ideas use things you already have and take two minutes or less: a string zip line, fishing in the sink, toilet paper on the tree, a cereal message, googly eyes in the fridge, hiding in a shoe or sleeping in a tissue box.

When does the elf on the shelf arrive?

There’s no fixed date in the book. Many families welcome the elf on December 1 or the day after Thanksgiving, often with a short arrival letter.

When does the elf leave?

In the story, the elf goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Many families leave a goodbye letter that night.

What do I do if I forget to move the elf?

Say the elf loved the spot and asked Santa to stay one more day, or that a snowstorm kept the elves at the North Pole. Then set a 9 pm phone reminder for the rest of the month.

What happens if a child touches the elf?

In the story, touching the elf can make it lose its magic. Many families write a short sorry note to Santa together and let the elf rest for a night, so nobody gets upset.

What are good elf ideas for toddlers?

Choose ideas with no small items: reading to the toys, a block tower, a toy car race, riding a stuffed animal, hiding in a shoe or sleeping in a tissue box. Avoid marshmallows, popcorn, hard candy and balloons for young children.

Is there a free printable elf on the shelf calendar?

Yes. FamilyDecode’s free Christmas Elf Idea Calendar has a 24-day plan for December, an arrival letter, a goodbye letter and 12 cut-out elf notes.

The Elf on the Shelf® is a registered trademark of The Lumistella Company. FamilyDecode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Lumistella Company. The ideas on this page work with any Christmas elf or toy.

Sources

• American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Choking prevention
• Wikipedia — The Elf on the Shelf (history and criticism)