You need somewhere to put the elf tonight. You do not need a shopping trip, a glue gun emergency, or flour across the entire kitchen.
These 30 easy and low-cost Elf on the Shelf ideas use things you probably already have. Pick a few now and keep the rest for the nights when you remember the elf approximately three seconds before bed.
Start with the stuff you already own
A small box, a clean sock, a picture book, paper, crayons and a few toys cover a lot of elf territory. Keep those together in a little basket so you are not hunting for supplies every night.
Planning the first appearance? Here is when your Elf on the Shelf arrives and goes home. The official Scout Elf Return Week runs November 24 through December 1, but your family’s start date can fit your schedule.
30 easy Elf on the Shelf ideas
1. Arrive in a gift box
Set your elf inside an empty gift box with the lid propped open. Reuse the same box next year; the elf does not need new luggage.
2. Read to the stuffed animals
Sit a few stuffed animals in a semicircle and prop your elf beside an open picture book. A book you already own does the job.
3. Take a sock sleeping-bag nap
Slide your elf into a clean sock with their face peeking out. Put it beside the tree, then leave a tiny folded-paper pillow.
4. Go fishing for crackers
Put a few fish-shaped crackers in a dry bowl and sit your elf beside it with a paper fishing rod. Keep the scene out of reach of pets.
5. Make a cereal message
Spell a short hello with cereal on a clean tray. Keep it short unless you enjoy sorting cereal at midnight.
6. Have a toy-car parade
Line up the toy cars already on the floor and let your elf lead the parade. A small cardboard box works as the elf’s ride.
7. Get tangled in ribbon
Loop a little leftover gift ribbon loosely around your elf on a table. Keep long ribbon away from pets and young children.
8. Play a card game
Deal a few cards to your elf and two toys. You can leave the cards face up so the kids can decide who is winning.
9. Hide in the ornament box
Sit your elf in the empty storage box after decorating the tree. Add a paper note asking where all the ornaments went.
10. Make paper snowflakes
Fold a scrap of paper, cut a simple snowflake, and leave it beside your elf. Put the scissors away once the scene is set.
11. Have a movie night
Set your elf beside a remote and an empty popcorn bowl. The surprise can double as a plan to watch a Christmas movie together.
12. Build a block tower
Use a handful of building blocks to make a seat or lookout tower. Put the elf on top and leave the remaining blocks nearby.
13. Camp under a tea towel
Drape a clean tea towel over two sturdy stacks of books on a low surface. Sit your elf underneath with a paper campfire.
14. Wrap up in toilet paper
Wrap a few sheets loosely around your elf like a blanket. You can make the joke without using an entire roll. See Beth’s toilet-paper elf at Home Stories A to Z for inspiration.
15. Leave a mirror message
Write a small message with a marker intended for that surface, testing a hidden spot first. Keep the elf on a dry counter rather than inside a wet sink.
16. Host a marshmallow bath
Put your elf in a dry mug or bowl with a few marshmallows around them. Use a clean setup and keep the sweets away from pets.
17. Climb a stack of books
Stack a few books flat on the floor and sit your elf on the highest one. No climbing the furniture required.
18. Ride a toy dinosaur
Balance your elf on a sturdy toy dinosaur. A paper saddle is optional; the dinosaur is already doing most of the work.
19. Inspect the lunch boxes
Set your elf beside the lunch boxes with a little note about tomorrow’s lunch. Leave any perishable food in the fridge.
20. Build a snowman from paper
Cut three circles from scrap paper and draw a face. Lay your paper snowman next to the elf instead of making a kitchen mess.
21. Make a sprinkle angel on a tray
Use a small amount of sprinkles on a tray and move the elf’s arms to make an angel shape. Keep the mess contained, then wipe the elf clean. For another version, see Crystal & Comp’s snow-angel tutorial.
22. Put stickers on a paper tree
Draw a tree on scrap paper and add a few stickers. Leave the sheet beside your elf so the kids can finish decorating it.
23. Have a board-game break
Set your elf at the edge of a board game you own. Arrange a couple of pieces and leave the rest in the box.
24. Deliver a coloring page
Put a coloring sheet and crayons beside your elf. A hand-drawn tree works if the printer has chosen violence. Or use the elf-sized coloring pages designed by Amy of Living Locurto at Kids Activities Blog.
25. Make a candy-cane heart
Arrange two wrapped candy canes into a heart beside your elf. Use a paper version if sweets are not part of your plan.
26. Set up a pretend bakery
Put paper cookies on a toy plate and sit the elf next to a spoon. No oven, flour cloud or midnight baking session.
27. Hide in a stocking
Let the elf’s face peek out of a stocking laid on a chair. Keep the scene away from a fireplace or heater.
28. Turn gift bows into a seat
Gather a few leftover bows on a table and sit your elf among them. Keep loose pieces away from little kids and pets.
29. Leave a kind-mission note
Write one achievable idea: draw someone a card, thank a helper, or put away a toy. Keep it a friendly invitation rather than a threat about presents.
30. Say goodbye with a tiny suitcase
Fold a small paper suitcase or use a toy bag. Set it beside your elf and a farewell note for Christmas Eve.
The plan for a school night
Choose the sock nap, book club, toy-car parade or stocking hideout when you need a fast setup. Save anything involving sprinkles or craft supplies for a morning when you have time to tidy up.
You can repeat a favorite scene with different toys. Nobody is checking your elf’s creative portfolio.
Planning the next part? Check when your elf arrives and leaves, doll, craft and dress-up elf ideas, or current elf phone-call options.
More cute elf ideas from creative bloggers
Sometimes you want a quick setup. Sometimes you want the tiny pancakes and the ridiculously cute printable. These bloggers have both. Click through for their recipes, instructions and downloads.
Simplistically Living’s green elf pancakes
A weekend breakfast surprise with the full recipe on Brittanie’s blog.
Elf-sized coloring pages at Kids Activities Blog
The little coloring sheets are designed by Amy of Living Locurto. Let the elf color alongside the kids.
Home Stories A to Z’s elf adventures
Beth’s tissue-box nap, paper snowflakes and toilet-paper mischief are excellent low-fuss inspiration.
Simplistically Living’s KitchenAid elf scene
For the elf who apparently has a baking shift to cover.
Crystal & Comp’s snow angel
See Crystal’s setup, then use a tray to keep your version’s cleanup manageable.
Living Locurto’s tiny elf kissing booth
Amy’s printable booth makes an adorable little scene. Check her page for the current download details.
So Easy Being Green’s mini Twister board
A printable game board for an elf and a few toy friends.
Julie Blanner’s tiny elf cookies
Actual little cookies for a day when baking sounds fun.
Your Modern Family’s funny elf ideas
Becky’s roundup has grown beyond the original boys list and includes ideas for boys and girls.
Meaningful Mama’s kind elf ideas
Jodi’s collection takes the elf in a thoughtful direction with kind things to do for others.
