If you are a fan of Elf on the Shelf then I am sure you are looking for Easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that the kids will love. We have been doing Elf on the Shelf for many years and while the extravagant elf on the shelf ideas are fantastic they are not always possible. These easy elf ideas are ones that the kids will love just as much and they don’t take much time at all to do.
Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas Kids will Love
To make your life easier we have made this list of 23 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas so you have an idea for each day the Elf is visiting aside from the day they arrive and the day they leave. In our house, the elf comes on December 1st and then goes home on December 25th when Santa arrives. So this list of Easy elf on the shelf ideas will cover an idea for every day but the first one and the last one, which of course once you get part way thru the month the ideas can start to get tough. Don’t worry we have you covered to make your life as easy as possible.
There are many Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas, Elf on the Shelf welcome back letters, and Elf on the Shelf printables that you can use in your Elfy fun. There are also some really great Good Bye letters from the Elf on the Shelf to print out for when it is time for them to go back to the North Pole.
What is Elf on the Shelf?
Year after year, children and adults alike are baffled by the mystery of how Santa really knows who’s been naughty or nice. After much urging by the elves and Mrs. Claus, Santa has allowed his biggest secret to be revealed in The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition.
At the start of each Christmas season, the elf appears to serve as Santa’s eyes and ears, traveling back to the North Pole each and every night to make a detailed report of the day’s activities.
What should I do with my Elf on the Shelf tonight?
This seems to be a question that is asked almost every night in my house, of course in my head so the kids don’t hear me and I know I am not the only who asks that. So if you are asking yourself what can I do with the elf tonight? You are in luck because there are plenty of ideas that the kids will love in this post of Elf on the shelf ideas for kids.
Toilet Paper Snowman
Using 3 rolls of toilet paper create a snowman and then hide the elf inside the toilet paper rolls for a fun Elf on the Shelf Snowman Ideas.
Sick Elf on the Shelf
Elf needs a sick day sometimes and it is super easy! Just grab some random cold medicine and some tissues and set it up. If you want to have the Elf come back the next day all better you can stretch this idea for 2 days and bring back an Elf Health Certificate!
All Tangled up
Grab some tinsel and just about any location in the house and you can get the elf making a mess in no time. This will work on a fan, a stair railing, chairs, and more all around the house.
Reading time with a Friend
Any friend will do and you can do this one with a book you already have or have the elf bring the kids a new Christmas book to read later.
Nap time
Make your Elf friend all cozy and snuggly in a bed for a nap! This works well in a guest room or you can use a doll bed and set it up.
Easy Elf on the Shelf Idea with maple syrup
Elves love one specific food group. Sweets! One of their favorite special treats is some maple syrup, right out of the bottle with a straw!
Tasty Frosting
While on the subject of Elf snacks, frosting is also a favorite. Any flavor frosting will do, all they need is the container and a spoon.
Cereal Angel
Of course, eating sweets is fun but so is playing in them. While you can not have the elf make snow angels in the house, they can make cereal angels in the house!
Elf Donut Shop
A two-for-one idea, the elf is having fun and you don’t have to worry about breakfast with an Elf donut shop! You can make your own shop or grab the Donut Shop printable. Set up some donuts for the kids to enjoy and tada, done in under 5 minutes, and such an easy and tasty idea!
Baby it’s cold in here
Elves don’t mind the cold, they are used to it at the North Pole so a great place to be is in the ice bin in the freezer.
Easy Elf on the Shelf Idea Christmas Count Down
There are many ways to do a count down but one of my favorite ways is to write it out for the kids to see. I personally like using chocolate syrup because elves love sweets and it is super easy to write with and then clean up later.
Elf Selfies (old school style)
Cell phones have not been around forever so a fun twist on the selfie is to go old school and have the elf take selfies by making photo copies of him or herself.
Elf Eats all the Cookies
Any type of cookie will work, just use what you have on hand and leave the elf and the mess of the cookies they are enjoying.
Hiding in the pet food
This one is super easy, just sit elf so it looks like he is playing in the pet food bowl. You can also use the container of pet food and have elf playing in there.
Hidden in plain sight
One of my kid’s favorites is when the elf is hiding but in plain sight. It always takes them a few minutes to find the elf but they always love it. The coffee pot is one of the easiest ones but you can also use the stand mixer, the blender or any other appliance you do not plan on using that day.
Make it snow inside
Using white paper cut out snowflakes and hang them on the wall or leave them for the kids to hang with the elf in the center of the crafting. You can also make Coffee filter snowflakes or have the elf bring the supplies to make them.
Cookies and Milk
Any type of cookie will work for this one, and you can use store bought or homemade. I like to do this one the night we have made Christmas cookies. If you are looking for homemade Christmas cookie recipes there are tons to pick from.
Stuck in a tube
This one is super easy to do, all you need is the tube that ornaments come in, take the ornaments out and stick the elf on in.
Elf Kissing Booth
Use this Elf Kissing Booth Printable Prop to make an elf kissing booth. I like to add some chocolate kisses to the fun.
Elf on the Shelf Easy Idea for Elf Candy Bowl
Elves love sweets and candy is a favorite, take a bowl and a handful for your kids favorite candy and make it look like the elf has been enjoying candy all night long.
All wrapped up
Get out the gift wrapping supplies and wrap up the elf like he was trying to wrap some gifts but made a mess.
Elf on the Shelf Swing
While this one looks hard it is super easy! Use a toilet paper roll and some string to make a swing and tie the swing in a high place. Be sure to wrap the string around the elf a little bit so it holds him up. I like to hang the elf swing on the fan.
Elf Swimming
Elf on the shelf does things a bit different then us. We like to swim in a pool but elves like to swim in wrapping supplies. Take a cardboard box and cut off the top, make a diving board with one of thepieces and tape it on then add some paper confetti or other Christmas wrapping supplies into the box. Place the elf face down as if they have dove right in.
Elf on the Shelf Printables
If you are looking for more fun to do with the Elf on the Shelf, here are some of the printables we have found and love.
- Elf on the Shelf Tic Tac Toe
- Elf on the Shelf Names Printable
- Elf on the Shelf BINGO Game
- Elf Reindeer Friend Adoption Certificate Printable
- Elf on the Shelf Printables Pack
- Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter
- Elf on the Shelf Rules Printable
- Elf on the Shelf We are Back Letters
More Elf on the Shelf Fun
How to Name your Elf on the Shelf and a printable too!
Make sure you also check out Reasons your Elf Did not move… it might happen sometimes 😉
Christmas fun for kids
If you are looking for more Christmas fun for kids make sure you check out 16 Kids Christmas Crafts and this HUGE list of Tasty Christmas Treats for kids. They are all things that the Elf can make the kids or bring the kids as activities if you wanted him too!
