As the countdown to Christmas begins, your Elf on the Shelf can bring a little extra magic and cheer with creative setups and playful antics. Here are 12 fun and easy ideas to keep your elf busy and your family entertained in the final days leading up to Christmas.
Day 1: Elf’s Cookie Baking
Start the countdown with a kitchen adventure! Set up your elf with a sprinkle of flour, tiny cookie cutters, and a few mini cookies (real or pretend). Leave a note saying, “Baking some holiday cheer!” to get everyone excited for holiday treats.
Day 2: Snowball Fight
Let your elf stir up some playful chaos! Use mini marshmallows as “snowballs” and stage a fun battle between the elf and toy soldiers, action figures, or stuffed animals.
Day 3: Zipline Adventure
Turn your living room into an elf playground. Create a zipline using string or ribbon and hang the elf on it, holding a candy cane as a handle. It’s a high-flying way to spread joy!
Day 4: Sledding Fun
Who doesn’t love sledding? Use a small sled or even a kitchen spatula and place the elf on it, sliding down a ramp made of books or cardboard. Bonus points for adding cotton balls as snow.
Day 5: Wrapping Presents
Your elf can “help” wrap gifts. Scatter some wrapping paper, bows, and tape around, and pose the elf next to a tiny present or two. It’s a festive scene that highlights the spirit of giving.
Day 6: Elf’s Reading Nook
Create a cozy reading spot for your elf. Set it up with a tiny book or a Christmas storybook and surround the elf with dolls or stuffed animals “listening” intently.
Day 7: Reindeer Riding
Bring some adventure to your elf’s day by seating it on a toy reindeer or another stuffed animal. Use ribbon or string for reins and let your elf gallop into the spotlight.
Day 8: Magic Snowflake
Unleash your elf’s crafty side! Scatter paper snowflakes around and pose the elf with scissors (if safe) and scraps of paper to look like it’s been busy making decorations.
Day 9: Candy Cane Mischief
Get cheeky with candy canes! Hang them in unexpected places like a chandelier, a shoe, or a doorknob. Place the elf nearby with a candy cane in hand and a mischievous grin.
Day 10: Movie Night
Transform the elf into a film buff for the night! Set up a tiny bowl of popcorn (or mini marshmallows) and a drink for the elf, then pose it watching a Christmas movie with other toys as “friends.”
Day 11: Countdown to Christmas
Highlight the excitement of the season by creating a visual countdown. The elf can point to a paper chain, chalkboard, or sign showing the number of days left until Christmas.
Day 12: Goodbye with a Gift
On the final day, bid farewell with a heartfelt goodbye note from the elf. Include a small gift or treat for the kids, such as a candy cane, sticker, or tiny toy. It’s a sweet way to end the elf’s visit until next year.
These 12 days of Elf on the Shelf ideas are sure to keep the holiday spirit alive and make lasting memories for your family. Whether your elf is mischievous, crafty, or sweet, each setup adds a little more magic to the season. Happy holidays!