24 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for a Magical Christmas Countdown
Download Elf Cheat Sheet
Day 1 - Elf fills the house with balloons
Kick off the Elf’s antics with a bang! Imagine waking up to a house filled with colourful balloons—perfect for starting the holiday season with joy and laughter.
Pro tip: Focus on one room for an easier cleanup!
Day 2 - Elf creates a space helmet from a fillable bauble
Blast off into festive fun! Have your Elf fashion a space helmet from a clear fillable bauble. It’s simple, adorable, and perfect for little ones who love all things space.
Day 3 - Elf makes a reindeer using paper rolls
Time to get crafty! Transform paper towel rolls into a reindeer with the help of your Elf. Add some wiggly eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and antlers for a whimsical touch.
Day 4 - Elf covers everything in the kitchen cupboards with wrapping paper
Imagine opening the kitchen to find the cupboards completely wrapped in festive wrapping paper. It’s a cheeky (but manageable!) prank that guarantees a good laugh.
Day 5 - Elf bejewels Dad’s reading glasses
Add a bit of sparkle to Dad’s routine by decorating his reading glasses with stick-on gems. The Elf’s love for all things shiny will definitely get some giggles.
Day 6 - Elf is caught playing in the slime pot
Caught red-handed! Place your Elf mid-mischief with a pot of slime. Bonus points if you sprinkle glitter into the slime for a festive twist!
Day 7 - Elf fills all the cookie jars with snow
Fill your cookie jars with fake snow or cotton balls to create a snowy wonderland. Your Elf can sit nearby, looking proud of their wintry mischief.
Day 8 - Elf writes a cheeky letter to Santa
Have your Elf write a playful letter to Santa, confessing their antics or asking for presents. Leave it in a spot for your kids to discover and read aloud.
Day 9 - Elf has set the dinosaurs free & is feeding them
Dinosaur toys running wild? Your Elf is to blame! Set up a mini Jurassic escape scene, with your Elf feeding or riding one of the dinos.
Day 10 - Elf makes toothpaste cookie sandwiches
Trick or treat! Your Elf replaces cookie filling with toothpaste and leaves behind a naughty grin. A harmless prank that’s perfect for little pranksters in the family.
Day 11 - Elf cautions off the Christmas tree
Wrap some caution tape around the Christmas tree and leave a sign warning others to stay away. What has your Elf been up to this time?
Day 12 - Elf puts the car keys in a snow globe
Misplaced your keys? Your Elf has turned them into a wintry snow globe scene. A fun and harmless setup that adds a touch of Christmas magic.
Day 13 - Elf covers everything with Christmas stickers
Let your Elf go sticker-crazy! Use festive stickers to “decorate” the table, walls, or even toys. Just don’t get too carried away if you’re on cleanup duty!
Day 14 - Elf stayed up all night playing cards with the other elves
Create a mini table with a deck of cards, and place your Elf and a few other toys mid-game. It’s a cute way to show your Elf playing a classic game.
Day 15 - Elf hides the remote in their sleeping bag
Your Elf has decided to keep the TV remote for themselves! Wrap them up in an elf sleeping bag (a sock also works perfectly) and tuck them away with the hidden remote.
Day 16 - Elf leaves snowy footprints around the house
Sprinkle flour or icing sugar on the floor and make tiny footprints using a small elf shoe or stencil. It’s a magical way to show where your Elf has been.
Day 17 - Elf makes a family of sprouts using wiggly eyes
Transform ordinary Brussels sprouts into a quirky veggie family with wiggly eyes. Your Elf has clearly been up to no good in the kitchen!
Day 18 - Elf has picked a story for bedtime
Set your Elf up with a cosy reading nook, complete with a book they’ve picked out for bedtime. It’s a sweet and simple idea perfect for book-loving families.
Day 19 - Elf has a snowball fight with pom poms
Stage a mini snowball fight using fluffy pom-poms. Arrange a playful battle scene between your Elf and some of your child’s favourite toys.
Day 20 - Elf is camping under a book tent
Create a makeshift tent using a book and prop your Elf inside. Add a tiny campfire made from toothpicks and tissue paper for extra charm.
Day 21 - Elf organises a toy car race
Line up toy cars and set your Elf in the driver’s seat of one. Draw a race track using tape for a fun, interactive display.
Day 22 - Elf hides in the biscuit tin
Tuck your Elf into a biscuit tin or cookie jar for a fun surprise at snack time. Just don’t forget to add a cheeky note!
Day 23 - Elf has challenged a cuddly toy to a board game
Set up a small board game like chess or Articulate! and pose your Elf and a stuffed animal mid-game. Let your kids decide who’s winning!
Day 24 - Elf makes paper chains from Mum and Dad’s mail
For the final day, your Elf gets crafty by making paper chains out of junk mail or leftover paper. It’s a festive farewell that wraps up their mischievous antics beautifully.
Shelf the Doubt, Start the Fun!
As December arrives, so does the excitement of the Elf on the Shelf tradition. From mischievous pranks to heartfelt moments, your Elf has the potential to bring endless joy to your home or classroom. With these simple and creative ideas, you'll never have to stress about what your Elf will be up to next.Whether it’s creating magical scenes or crafting cheeky surprises, the possibilities are endless. So, let your Elf’s antics keep the countdown to Christmas magical, one fun-filled day at a time!
If you're looking for some fun activities to keep kids busy over Christmas, check our some of our free printable Christmas activity sheets.
