our favorite elf on the shelf ideas

“Game Night with the Elf!” 🎄✨
Tonight, your elf is hosting a Bananagrams Battle! Set the scene with Rudolph, Clarice, Olaf, and a few surprise guests (Batman, Spiderman, Elsa—whoever your kids love most). Arrange the tiles into fun holiday words to kick things off.

Here are some Christmas/Winter themed words for inspiration:

Santa, Elf, Reindeer, Sleigh, Rudolph, Clarice, Olaf, Snowman, Snowflake, Frosty, Jolly, Merry, Tree, Lights, Star, Angel, Stocking, Gifts, Wrapping, Ribbon, Bells, Jingle, Carol, Noel, Holly, Mistletoe, Cookies, Candy, Cane, Gingerbread, Fireplace, Chimney, Northpole, Winter, Icicle

“Flour Power Elf!” 🍪✨
Looks like your elf got into the kitchen overnight—and what a mess! 

Steps for Parents:

1. Dust the counter with flour for a "snow angel"
2. Add a whisk, mixing bowl, or rolling pin nearby
3. Scatter a few chocolate chips or sprinkles for extra mischief
4. Place some pre-baked goodies (cookies, muffins, or cinnamon rolls) for your kids to enjoy at breakfast
5. Invite a few “friends” to join in t

Fun "Flour Power Elf" Additions:

• Use chocolate chips to “write” a holiday word (like JOY or SNOW) in the flour.
• If your little ones like to bake, leave out a personalized recipe card and the ingredients for you to bake together the next day
• Give the elf a mini chef hat (a folded coffee filter makes a quick one!).
• Add powdered sugar over store-bought pastries so it looks like they baked fresh overnight

“Uh-Oh, Tinsel Trouble!” 🎄🧻
Looks like your elf got carried away and wrapped the Christmas tree in toilet paper instead of tinsel! Silly elf!

Fun "Tinsel Trouble" Additions:

• Replace the tree topper with a small roll of toilet paper (bonus giggles!).
• Add a note from the elf: “I
• Have holiday friends (Rudolph, Olaf, or dolls/action figures) looking shocked or “caught in the mess.”
• Sprinkle in a few candy canes or ornaments tangled in the toilet paper for extra chaos.

🎄The Christmas Kindness Challenge🎄

Instead of just spreading Christmas mischief, Elfie brought a 12 Days of Christmas Kindness Challenge! 💌

Each day, your little ones can complete one sweet act of kindness — it’s the perfect way to remind our kiddos that Christmas magic shines brightest when we’re kind to others. 🌟

Email us for your customized Kindness Challenge!

🚨 Holiday Rescue Mission! 🚨
Looks like our silly elf got into a bit of trouble this time… he dumped out the recycling bin and somehow ended up dangling from it! Luckily, Rocky from PAW Patrol is here to save the day and clean up the mess! ♻️💪

💚 Elfie's Change of Heart 💚

Looks like Elfie learned an important lesson this week! After being the one who spilled everything last time, our mischievous little friend decided to make things right.  When Mayor Humdinger made a big mess around Christmas Bay, Elfie jumped right into action — literally! He and Rocky are in the truck helping clean up every last bit and Elfie is even holding a "Please

🎄✨ Elfie’s 25 Books of Christmas✨🎄

Our mischievous Elf has been extra thoughtful this year! He wrapped up 25 Christmas books so the kids can pick one each night leading up to Christmas!

It’s the sweetest countdown tradition — one story, one snuggle, and one magical memory at a time. It’s a simple way to build excitement and connection all season long.

🎄25 Books of Christmas Continued🎄
One of our favorite touches on the Elf Adventures are the personalized messages from "Elfie" - email us for your personalized notes!

💚🎄Elfie’s Gone Full Grinch Mode! 💚🎄

Looks like our mischievous Elf teamed up with you-know-who from Whoville… and things got a little stink, stank, stunk! 💩🍫 From the Hershey “kisses” 💋 left behind to the “Merry Grinchmas” throne, Elfie clearly took his bathroom break way too seriously. 😂

💚🎄Elfie’s Gone Full Grinch Mode! 💚🎄
Holiday Pro Tip: use double sided tape to get the clothespin to stay on

Although you can't see it in this picture, Elfie also left a train of Hershey kisses on a piece of toilet paper starting at the bathroom door over to his throne. 

🎨✨ Vincent Van Elf, a favorite of ours! 🎅🏼🎄

Our Elf set up an entire holiday craft station for the little ones — complete with personalized coloring sheets (he even colored one himself!), a mini easel with his own painting, a snowman-building corner, a sticker station, and even a sled full of white Christmas ornaments ready to decorate! 🎅🎁

"Marshmallow Spa Day"

Your Elf is treating himself to the ultimate spa day — a cozy bath in fluffy marshmallows surrounded by Christmas rubber duckies! To make it extra magical, scatter marshmallows and duckies from your child’s bedroom door all the way to the “spa" for an extra surprise when they wake up!

"Marshmallow Spa Day" Add Ons:

For a special surprise, the Elf can leave a note saying “Santa sent an early present for you!” and gift something fun for bath time like a small toy, festive bath bombs, or holiday-themed towels. A silly, sweet setup that’s sure to bring lots of giggles and joy!

"Lego my Elf!"

This time the Elf spilled Legos all over the floor and then wrote a silly message on a baseplate! 

🎄 Fun  Lego My Elf Add-Ons:

• Scatter a few Lego towers or cars around to make it look like a full building zone and add some mini Christmas figurines (reindeer, snowmen, or Santas) helping him “construct.”
• Leave a small Lego kit as a special surprise from Santa’s workshop.

🎄Elf Rock Climbing Adventure 

Your Elf scaled new heights — literally! For this silly setup, your Elf becomes a daring rock climber, using Christmas present bows as “rocks” to climb up a wall or door.

✨ Fun Add-Ons:

• Add a sign at the top that says “North Pole Summit!” or “Santa’s Mountain.”
• Leave a small prize at the top — maybe a wrapped candy cane, holiday sticker, or toy — as the Elf’s “treasure” 
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🏠Elf's Gingerbread Surprise! 

Special Gingerbread House Delivery from the Elf your family can decorate!  (This turned into one of our favorite Christmas Eve Traditions)

✨ Holiday Pro Tip:
It's easiest for the Elf to pre-build the houses the night before so the icing can dry and set. That way, the kids can jump right into decorating with all the goodies Santa’s workshop has to offer.

🎄 Fun Add-Ons:

• L

🛷Fun in the Snow! 

Your Elf made candy cane sleds to have races with his friends! For this set up a banister or slide are easiest. Add a few more candy cane sleds so other holiday pals (Rudolph, Santa, Batman, etc.) can join!

✨ Holiday Pro Tip: Scatter cotton balls around the “sledding hill” to create the look of fluffy snow. 

🎄 Fun Add-On: If you have a pet bed, large pillow, or cozy blanket nearb

🎯 North Pole Nerf Battle

Looks like your Elf couldn’t resist a little holiday mischief—a full-on Nerf battle with Santa, the reindeer, and all their friends! Scatter some soft darts around the room, set up a few stuffed animals or action figures as “teammates,” and maybe even build forts out of pillows or wrapping paper boxes. 

🍿✨ Elf Movie Night Magic! ✨🍿
Your Elf is ready for a holiday movie marathon! Tonight, he set up movie night signs, gathered a bunch of stuffed animal friends, and even popped some popcorn to get cozy. Whether you queue up a Christmas classic or a family favorite, this elf idea is the perfect way to kick off a festive night in. 

 Elf Movie Night Magic Holiday Pro Tip: 

• Leave a bucket of snacks and movie related items so you can have a movie night with your family, courtesy of the North Pole. 
• Line up all of your little one's favorite stuffed animals, action heroes, etc. so it looks like everyone joined for movie night!