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These Elf on the Shelf Ideas totally Rule! We found tons of the best Elf on the Shelf ideas that will keep your family laughing every day leading up to Christmas! We love the Elf on the Shelf Doll and Book that started this super fun Christmas tradition!
We have included so many fun ideas that not only your kids will think are hilarious, but adult Elf on the Shelf ideas too! It is such a fun Christmas tradition and your family will love these crazy ideas!
The Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Yes, it is almost time for your little elves to come down from the North Pole and make some mischief. Whether your elf is super sweet or a little naughty, I have some really fun Elf on the Shelf ideas to share with you.
First, you need the Elf on the Shelf Doll and Book. You can get that here (or pretty much anywhere around the holidays).
You will be prepared for your little visitor to come and not have to worry about coming up with another amazing last minute idea… I’ve got you covered! Looking for some other great last minute Christmas decorations – check this out!
Before we start with those much-needed Elf on the Shelf ideas – let me answer a few questions that, believe it or not, I get asked all of the time!
What is the Elf on the Shelf?
The Elf on the Shelf is a special Scout Elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists. When a family adopts a Scout Elf and gives it a name, the Scout Elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day’s adventures.
Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the fun. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their Scout Elf each morning.
What are the Elf on the Shelf Rules?
There are 2 simple rules with the Elf on the Shelf:
- The elf has to be moved to a different location in your house every night while your kids are sleeping. He is traveling back to the North Pole to report back to Santa about how well your kids behaved that day. So he comes back to a “new spot” when your kids wake up in the morning, after his travels.
- Second, you need to make sure your children never touch the elf, or else he’ll lose his “magic.” But don’t worry, the official Elf on the Shelf website says that your elf can get their magic back! All your kids need to do is one of these things:
- Write a note to your elf or Santa apologizing for touching your elf.
- Sprinkle a little cinnamon next to your Scout Elf. Cinnamon is like vitamins for your elf.
- Sing a Christmas carol with your family!
Important Elf on the Shelf Tip
Set an alarm! That’s right. Put a reminder on your phone to notify you to “MOVE THE ELF” every night after your kids go to bed!!
JIC (just in case) you FORGOT to move your elf…we came up with some GREAT LAST MINUTE ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS! These last-minute ideas use stuff that you have in your house and that you can do in less than 5 minutes!
Let’s see those awesome Elf on the Shelf Ideas…
Find the hidden treat Elf! This will keep the kids active for a while!!
Elf mischief in the microwave! Popcorn anyone?
Pin the nose on the reindeer Elf on the Shelf game!
Elf Ball Pit!
Batman and Elf on the Shelf just hanging!
Ready for some MORE ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS….
Elf caught in Vader’s Force from Lemonista
Elf on the Shelf Zip Lining by Carey Pace . Just be careful not to hit your head!!
Official Elf on the Shelf Notice Letter from Spaceships and Laser Beams. This will keep your kids on their toes! You know the elfs have a direct line to Santa! The naughty and nice list is on the line here!
This elf got a little too jolly with the dry erase marker on Sweet Cheeks and Tasty Treats. p.s. Don’t use a sharpie – use a dry erase!!
This elf is playing in mom’s makeup!! Courtesy of Kelly Simms (and her daughter!)
Snowball Fight from Nelly Cole Photography
Fancy Shanty’s Elf turned bananas into minions. So cute! This would be fun to put in your kids lunch too – always watching!!
This elf on Picklehead Soup’s blog is walking the dogs and the post is cleverly titled, “Don’t eat the Yellow Snow”. Super cute and love the pipe cleaner leashes!
Make the Best of Everything shows us how to make these adorable Elf on the Shelf mini cookies and they are so cute! AND the best news is that they are only like 5 calories a piece!! So fun!
This elf is up against a firing squad by Jennifer Saintz Photography. This may be one of my favorite ideas ever! This cracks me up every time I see it! Personally, I think Santa may be pissed about it, but totally stealing this one anyways!
Peanut Blossom shared this adorable Hot Air Balloon Ride for her elf. So cute!
Super Elf by Busy Kids Happy Mom is the cutest! My kids would love him!
Momma Melly’s elf has been a very bad boy writing on daddy like that. Okay – so I said the army guys ideas was my favorite, but I take that back – this one….I. Can’t. Even.
Elf and Barbie on a hot syrup date by Elf on the Shelf Ideas . SO “Sweet” – get it?
Printable Elf Notes including this official warning that you’ve been naughty!
This elf is actually on the shelf and he is picture perfect. So cute by A small Snippet!
This Elf on the Shelf is feeding the dog with his backhoe loader on Home Stories A-Z.
This elf is having a sweet marshmallow bath on Living Locurto, how else would an Elf take a bath? Check out her page, it is full of fun ideas!
This elf clearly has hung stockings made by Fruit of the Loom. This was taken by Dana Suggs via I Heart Faces. So funny!
I think this elf may have had a chocolate craving on She Knows.
Elfie Rojo is going to be running errands with Mom all day long. See his other antics on Elfie Rojo’s Mischief.
This elf is having a difficult time playing tiny twister on She Knows.
Over the Big Moon has created a Mission Impossible Game for your Elf on the Shelf complete with free printables!
Looks like this elf has turned on the wrong superhero! WV Mom on Instagram shared this funny one with us! My kids would absolutely love this one!
Toilet Paper Snowman Elf from Frugal Coupon Living
Toilet Paper Snowman Elf from Frugal Coupon Living
Elf Melting Frosty from Pink Peony
The Girl Creative’s Elf is really into those M and M’s. I love them, too!
Elf on the Shelf Girl Edition
The Elf on the Shelf doesn’t discriminate, but there are some kids that would love to see a Elf on the Shelf girl elf. Not a problem. You can get your Elf on the Shelf Girl edition here. All of our Elf ideas can be used for a girl or boy elf!
Elf on the Shelf Note Ideas & Free Printables
Make your life easier with these Elf of the Shelf free printable notes. Do you need an “I caught you being good” note or an explanation on why your elf didn’t move the night before? Check out some of these creative ideas!
Be sure to visit these sites to print out your free Elf on the Shelf printables!
Cute Printables for Your Elf on the Shelf to hold from Frugal Coupon Living
Here are some more great printables for your clever elf from Play Dough to Plato
Caught you being good tickets Elf on the Shelf Notes from A Little More Blog
Why the Elf on the Shelf Forgot to move letter and excuses from Your Modern Family
Did you FORGET to move your Elf in the Shelf? No problem! Check out our post for Last Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas using materials that you should already have in your house!
Don’t forget to leave some cookies out for Santa! Here are some of our favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
- Blossom Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
- Christmas Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
- Gingersnap Cookies
More Amazing Recipes
- Air Fry French Fries
- Korean Beef Bowl
- Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
- Smores bars
- Chocolate Lasagna Recipe
- Chicken Enchilada Recipe
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
You guys may also love these great ideas…
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