Elf on the Shelf Season: Easy Ideas and More

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Learn More.

The clock has struck midnight and it’s officially ok to talk about Christmas! Time to start planning for the Elf on the Shelf to come back soon. To be honest this is my favorite tradition I have started with my kids. My oldest knows that it’s me that moves the elf each night so I love that when she’s home she gets excited to move it for me. We both agree the best part is seeing the little one’s reaction in the morning.

Our family has been excited about the Elf on the Shelf since 2017. It all started when my husband’s Grandma Lil gave us two ugly elves. To be honest I didn’t exactly know what I was supposed to do with them. I wasn’t a fan at first so they started in the box for the first year. Then the following year in 2017, is when the elf on the shelf was big so why not we will use the two we already had? That first year was pretty boring. I don’t even have pictures to share. However, as the years went by the experience grew and the kids enjoyed the tradition. 

Need some ideas for this year? Here are some of my favorites from over the years. At the end make sure to check out the free printable that we have available for download.

Elf Bath-

This one is simple to do. Grab a bowl and fill up with marshmallows as the bubbles. For fun bring down the kids’ shampoo and their favorite bath toy. The little ones always love it when this happens in our house.

Elf Trap-

This is one that all the kids wonder will happen again. Take some party streams from the dollar tree and tape them to the doors. Make sure when you plan this one for a weekend so when they wake up they see it.

Yucky Cookies-

Have a dog? Grab their dog treats and write a note saying “Yuck! Don’t leave these cookies for Santa! Love (elf name)”

Elf Shrink Machine-

Take a small box and have a hole on each end. On one end send in a normal-sized food and on the other end have a smaller version come out. I used a piece of a graham cracker and a teddy gram. Some other options can be Oreo and mini Oreo, Skittles and Skittle Littles, or M&M’s and Mini M&M’s. 

Elf Jail-

I took the same box from the elf shrink machine. I just made holes on the top and used candy canes as the bars. With a note that said “Be on you best behavior today so you can help me escape!”

Elf Transport-

We love taking the elf on adventures with us. When I know we have something fun planned I make sure to put him in a jar so he can join us. Now on Amazon they do have fancy transport tubes that I need to look into. Check it out here

Elf brownie prank

Who says pranks are just for April Fools? I love it when the elf pranks the kids because I can never pull one off on April Fools. After all, they always expect it. Have brownie lovers? Cut out some brown “E’s” and place them in a pan with foil over them. Leave a note that says “Grab some milk I made you some brownies. Enjoy!”

Toasty Elf

This is a perfect easy plan on a snowy day. Toast some toast and use it as a blanket. Leave a note saying “I was cold but now I’m toasty”

Sour Candy Challenge-

Have a sour candy lover in your house? Grab some sour candy out of their Halloween stash and put it away for one day. When it’s time, write a note saying, “ Kids Let’s have a warhead challenge. I triple-elf dare you! How many can you hold in your mouth? 1,2 or 3? Let’s see” 

Feel free to change that wording to make it safe for your child. This was for my 10 year old who always jokes around with me. 

Elf poop museum-

This one was fun to come up with. The kids even loved it as much as I did. You may have everything you need around the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be the exact stuff. Just have fun with it.

Yeti- White Whoppers candy

Unicorn- Rainbow Sprinkles

Santa- Red and Green Sprinkles

Snowman- Marshmallows 

Elf- Chocolate 

Grinch- Green M&M’s

Home Alone Elf-

We are big Home Alone fans. So this was fun and simple. Print off something from their favorite Christmas movie and place a character’s face on the elf. 

Taco Tuesday Elf-

My son is a big fan of Taco Tuesday. So I decided it was perfect to wrap our elf in a soft shell sitting in his lunch box with a note saying, “Taco bout a close one I was about to be your lunch”

Elf to school-

Want to bring a big smile to your kids’ face on a school day? Place the elf in the car so they can take him to school. Last year I decided to tape him to the window.  My middle schooler hopes that this never happens again…so now I need to up my game for this year! If you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments.

Elf mess-

Ready to make a mess? I try to do one messy one each year. This one was not too messy and easy to clean up. Cut up the paper and place the pieces on the fan so when they turn it on it goes everywhere.

Need more Ideas? We have 25 easy ideas in our free printable. Check it out and you can download and print them over there.

We have also created a Benable storefront just for Elf on the Shelf that we will be adding to all season on some fun things we find. Check it out here. Make sure to give us a follow over there!

I have a bunch planned for this year. Follow along with our Elf adventure this 2023 Holiday season on our Instagram.
Let us know in the comments: Does your family do the Elf on the shelf tradition? How many years you’ve been making memories with your Elf?