Our Elf on the Shelf isn’t mischievious, she just wants to have fun. Here are 24 easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that your kids will love!
UPDATE: After the 1st year of having our elf she became a kindness elf. To see my post with ideas for 24 days of kind acts, click HERE.
I have resisted the Elf on the Shelf trend as long as possible but last week my mom took Malea to the bookstore, where she noticed them and, like every kid, just “had to have one”. Personally I think the idea of an elf watching you for 24 days of December, is a little creepy, but she loves the idea so this year we are jumping on the bandwagon with this Christmas tradition.
Meet Eila (pronounced Ee-la).
Eila is a sweet elf that doesn’t get into mischief but wants to have a fun time while she’s staying with us. I knew if I was going to do this, I had to find easy ideas, so I gathered up some easy Elf on the Shelf ideas from social media, and I threw in a handful of my own. If you’re wondering what Eila is going to be doing for the next 25 days, here’s her schedule.
Day 1 – We must have a proper Elf welcoming, Malea is going to be SO excited to see her!
Day 2 she’ll show Malea the Christmas countdown she made for her.
And on Day 3 Eila is going to remind Malea to make her Christmas list.
Days 4- 8 she’s going to hang out in the silverware drawer, go fishing in the bathroom sink, hang from the fan by the Christmas countdown, zipline and draw a smily face in the sink for Malea, using toothpaste (if you don’t want to waste toothpaste, you could also use a dry erase marker).
Day 9 she’s going to play dress up because, as a “scout elf”, she knows Malea loves to dress up.
Day 10 is going to be a fun day because Eila is going to give Malea the early Christmas gift she brought her back from the North Pole.
But on day 11 she’ll be tired from all the playing and just want to read an American Doll toy magazine, with Malea’s glasses. ?
Days 13-16 it’s back to being silly with rolling down the stairs, tic-tac-toe, manicures and a toilet paper roll hammock.
Day 17, Eila and Elsa are going to go crusin’ around the house in the Barbie sports car.
Day 18 is only a few days before Christmas so she’s going to make sure all the “reindeer” are ready for the Christmas Eve.
On days 19 -21 she’s going to have some winter fun with sledding, snowflake making and making snow angels.
Day 22 she’s going to play a game with all her new friends before she has to leave.
Day 23 she’s going to hang out in the fridge to get herself used to cold temperatures again, because it’s not very cold here in California.
Day 24 she’s going to say goodbye with a Jesus-centered goodbye note, because talking about Santa, playing with elves, and all that is fun, but the real reason for the season is to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
Day 25 – Merry Christmas!!!
So I was wrong, having an Elf on the Shelf isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, I’m actually kind of looking forward to setting her out every night because I know Malea is going to LOVE it!
Here are some other fun, easy Elf of the Shelf ideas:
* Have your elf give your kids a box of candy canes to pass out to their friends.
* Have them make paper snowflakes to hang in the windows.
* Have them pop their head out of one of the Advent Calendar days.
* Have them hiding in a mug, along with all the fixings for your kids to make hot chocolate.
* Have a cotton ball “snowball fight” with the other stuffed animals.
* Use big marshmallows to have them build a Snowman “army”.
* Hide them somewhere in the Christmas tree, and leave a note for your kids that they have to find them.
* Have them hanging from the TV, with a basket of all the things your kids will need for a fun movie night: popcorn, cookies, blankets, their favorite movie, etc.
No matter what you end up doing, your kids are going to love it and think they have the best elf! I’d love to hear your favorite things to do with your Elf on the Shelf!
After a year of fun, Eila became a “kindness elf”. CLICK HERE to read my post with 24 days of kind acts for your Elf on the Shelf.
We don’t do Elf on a Shelf but if I did I would (steal) all these really cute and simple ideas. I love them!
I love making all the little gadgets and gizmos for my grandsons’ elf on the shelf-his name is jolly. I’m going to add him to our nativity one night too, I like your letter and will be sure to use the idea. I made a tv, game controls, camera, bunk beds, I pad and I phone, stocking apron, boots, scarf, hoodie, sleeping bag and pillows. My daughter can use them again in the future too I coated every cardboard gadget with monkey glue so it’s like plastic (a 3D printer would have worked great but I don’t have one!) happy elfin
That’s amazing! I wish you lived closer, I might have you make some stuff for our elf. 😉 I’m sure Jolly loves all the fun things you’ve made him and I’m sure your daughter is very appreciative! 🙂