100 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas That Are Beyond Funny
Thee silly and sometimes naughty Elves really get up to some mischief!
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When December rolls around, the advent calendars come out, the silver bells start to jingle, and children everywhere delight as the Scout Elves of Elf on the Shelf return. And each year, we're surprised anew at how much these Elves can get up to in just one short month.
Magic — with some help from willing adults — not only moves the elves from place to place each night but also ensures they're doing something funny, cute or clever that will delight the kids when they wake up in the morning.
For those who need help filling the 24 days of Elfdom — or more if you follow the Scout Elf Return Week, which starts in November — read on for all the best and easiest Elf on the Shelf ideas that you can use to keep the fun going right up until the Elves go home on Christmas Eve.
What is Elf on a Shelf?
Started by mother-daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, the Elf on the Shelf rules are simple: The Scout Elf watches over your family during the day, and then checks in with Santa each night to reveal who is being naughty and who is being nice. After these nightly trips, they return to a new spot each day. But kids aren't allowed to touch the Elves, or they'll lose their magic, and the Elves get up to plenty of funny pranks and tricks in the night and leave evidence of it the next day.
To get started, you'll first have to adopt your Elf (psst: They're available on Amazon). Don't forget to give your new Elf a name! That's half the fun. Once they're properly named, then they can start their job reporting to Santa at the North Pole each night.
What should the Elf on the Shelf do on Christmas Eve?
Once you've made it to December 24, it's time to say goodbye. After Santa leaves presents for kids on Christmas Eve, he takes all of his Elves back with him to the North Pole. But make sure everyone knows that your Elf will be back next season!
But, for that period between the Elf's arrival and departure, here are some things the Elf can do.
Play KitKat Jenga
Among the Elf's magical talents is a masterful sense of balance, as a KitKat Jenga tower can prove. Kids will be wowed by the feat of engineering — and even happier to sneak a few chocolate pieces off the top.
Get Ready With Me
With that cold, dry North Pole air, the Elf has to keep up their skincare routine to stay looking so rosy-cheeked. Leave out a mirror, some cosmetics and a washcloth/towel wrap so they play around with beauty products.
Make Breakfast
Elf, that doesn't look like a nutritious start to the day! When they get the opportunity, they'll seize ingredients like marshmallows, sprinkles and chocolate chips to make a magical meal (and a bit of a mess).
Go for a Drive
Vroom, vroom — Elves at the wheel! This setup is great for families with kids who love to collect toy cars, especially if they already have toy traffic cones or road tape at home. (Ten and two, Elves. Ten and two.) Any Barbie-sized car should do the trick, but there's something festive about a red convertible.
Take a Float
Being a Scout Elf can be stressful, so it's important for the Elf to take some time to relax. Floating on a sponge in a bubble-filled sink is just the self-care they need.
Build a "Snow" Fort
Sugar cubes are the perfect building blocks for forts, igloos and other "snow" structures. (And afterwards, you can put them in your coffee — keeping up the Elf magic can be tiring!)
Wash Clothes
Good Housekeeping — more like Good Elfkeeping! After rolling in the snow, making sprinkle-filled breakfasts and generally creating holiday cheer, the Elf definitely needs to make time to do some laundry (and maybe some other chores, too).
Build a Snowman
Do you want to build a snowman? The Elf certainly does! Marshmallows, pretzel sticks and chocolate chips are all they need to get started.
Get Tangled
One of the classic parent holiday pain points — the knots in the strings of Christmas lights — can come for the elves, too. This is a great idea right before you trim the tree since the lights are probably already balled up in a box somewhere. (Remember: No touching! The Elf has to get out on their own the next night.)
Wrap Gifts
The Elf has been busy! In addition to reporting back to Santa each night, they've taken some time to box up and wrap some gifts. And maybe they've left something small for kids to open in anticipation of the big day?
Take a Seat
What can these two possibly be talking about? Whatever it is, chocolate donuts provide the perfect Elf-sized seat (and the leftovers serve as a good morning treat).
Pack Lunch
The Elf is so helpful, supporting the students at home with good nutrition and words of encouragement. (The note says, "Good luck on your spelling test!") Hey, how did that candy cane get in there?
Take a Nap
Do not disturb! It's a little-known fact that the Elf likes to curl up on the dining table, because they don't want to miss out on the festivities.
Go Sledding
Glue a few candy canes together, and you've got yourself a perfect Elf sled! Then they can go dashing through the snow.
Do Skateboard Tricks
Yes, but can they ollie? The green pants included in this set are actually rigid, so when you put the Elf into it, the Elf can stand upright on its own.
Throw a Welcome Party
The Elf loves to make a grand entrance! If you're looking to go all out with their arrival, then you can throw an Elf on the Shelf welcome party, complete with Santa table settings, snowball chair garlands and a festive holiday village.
Introduce Themselves
The Elf can also announce its arrival via a personalized ElftastiGram, which includes a child's name, favorite book/movie/tv show, and other fun, customized tidbits. Departure letters are also available.
Meet Elsa
No, Elsa will not "let it go" — the winter time is for her. Let Elsa and your Elf get into some trouble with this simple DIY.
Bake Treats
The Elf loves to whip up some goodness in kitchen! You can re-purpose some of the toy accessories that are already in your house, or get this set of Elf Props to make it look like they're following a recipe. And if kids want to try their hand at baking real treats, they can get these Elf on the Shelf-inspired baking bundles to follow along at home.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
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