One of the most popular Christmas traditions other than visiting Father Christmas is the Elf on the Shelf, but coming up with 24 days of elf-activities isn't always easy, which is why here at Mother&Baby we've found and created easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for you.
Love him or hate him, the mischievous elf has become a family favourite and is a great way to encourage better behaviour throughout the festive period. Your designated family Elf turns up every morning and reports to Father Christmas about what your child has been up to in the evening.
It sounds easy enough, but if you're new to the Elf on the Shelf, you've got to create 24 different scenes for your little one to discover every morning. It can seem like a lot and you might run out of ideas.
Whether you're looking for ideas involving Elf on the Shelf props or just items that you can use from around your home, we've created the ultimate, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for you to use, inspired and tired by parents, including our own Mother&Baby writer
Easy Elf on the Shelf ideas
1. Special Delivery Arrival
Wrap an empty box in Christmas wrapping paper then break a hole into it. Add in your Elf, with a note on the front that says "special delivery". It makes a great arrival idea from the Elf!
Credit: Elf on the Shelf.
2. Melted snowman
The melted snowman is always a winner with children. Add some water to a bowl or ramakin, then add a few stones, little twigs and cut a small bit of carrot to recreate this look.
Credit: Kristin Collins on Pinterest.
3. Snowflake toilet roll
All you need is some toilet roll and scissors for this one. Simply unravel a bit of the toilet roll, fold it over and cut out patterns. You can keep it simple by cutting triangles and semi circles.
4. Snowman toilet roll
You can use stickers or a pen to add the snowman features, but for this, simply put your Elf through the middle of the toilet rolls to create a stacked snowman effect.
5. Eyes on you
Write on a piece of paper or cardboard "We're keeping our eyes on you..." (Or I'm if you only have one Elf in your house), and lay out as many googly eyes as you like. You can even stick them to different objects throughout your house.
Credit: Kainspired on Pinterest.
6. Elf zipline
Using some string or even wool, attach it someone through your house, from your light to your Christmas tree or a curtain rail, and hook your Elfs arm over (you could use a candy cane or coat hanger too).
Credit: @funnyelfideas on Instagram.
7. Clingfilmed school shoes
Even if your little one isn't at school yet, you can clingfilm their favourite pair and pose your Elf either mid-wrapping their shoes, or completely wrapped. This also works with foil and wrapping paper.
8. Don't feed the dinosaurs
Set up your child's toy dinosaurs on the floor, then using some bread or even some biscuits, sprinkle it around in front of them. Write a sign that says "do not feed the dinosaurs" and position your Elf to look like he's feeding them!
9. Toilet paper tree star
Another simple idea is to wrap toilet paper around your tree and replace the star on top with the toilet paper roll. Make sure you only put your lights on in the morning before your child finds the Elf, and don't leave them on over night with the toilet roll wrapped around.
10. Tucked into bread
Super simple and you can use as many slices as bread as you like!
Credit: Elf on the Shelf.
11. Hanging paperchain light
You can buy a cheap pack of paperchain sets from the shop, or cut strips of paper yourself to make the chain links. Then tie the end around your lamp in your main living space, and hang your Elf off the other end.
12. Breakfast thief
Get your child's breakfast ready in the morning, and have the cheeky Elf positioned so that they look like they're eating it!
13. A wrapped lunch
If your child has a packed lunch for school, pack it as normal then just wrap in Christmas wrapping paper!
Credit: Elf on the Shelf.
14. Movie night
Using any snacks you have in the house, set your Elf up pretending to eat them, with either the TV on their favourite film or on a tablet. You might just need get up before your little one so you can switch the film on!
15. Cereal face replace
This should work for most cereal boxes and if not you can get a little bit more creative with where you cut out the hole for your Elf's head! Spill a bit of their favourite cereal on the side too.
16. Caught the Elf
Tape your Elf to the wall using plasters or sticky tape and surround them with toys such as army figures, police cars or superheroes.
Credit: Daddy by Day.
17. Money thief
If your child has a money bank or a purse, have the Elf rummaging through for money. You can add a few coins yourself, or even have the Elf borrowing money from your purse!
18. Egg-cellent faces
Get your Elf to draw silly faces on your eggs! You can either leave the carton open or keep them in fridge with a note on the outside.
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest.
19. Toasting marshmallows
Light a candle and sit your Elf at the side with marshmallows on a stick. Add a stack of biscuits to one side of him and it will look like he's making s'mores!
Credit: thetravellingred.com
20. Clear out
One that's not only easy to do but good for actually checking under the sofa, or down the back of it! If not, just pop a few coins and small toys with your Elf looking under the sofa cushions.
Credit: Today.com
21. Snowman nose rejection
Easy to do, grate part of a carrot and draw on a face!
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest
22. Hook a duck
Pop some rubber ducks into the bath, and have Elf holding some rope to pretend they're playing hook a duck!
23. Frozen Elf
If your little one loves Frozen and has an Elsa doll, put the Elf in a freezable container and add water. Freeze him over night, then in the morning empty the block onto a plate with Elsa stood next to the block of ice!
Credit: Studio DIY.
24. Shoe-shoe train
Line up your child's shoes and sit a few of their teddies or dolls in, with the Elf at the front.
Credit: The Traveling Red on Wordpress.
25. Frying eggs
Add some Haribo eggs to the frying pan or your child's toy kitchen pans, and pretend the Elf is frying eggs.
26. Elf's secret message
You can create your own secret message and it's easy to make on a word document (or hand draw). It's a great activity to keep children entertained as they find the hidden message.
Credit: Spot of Tea Designs.
27. Elf drop cookies
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest.
28. Toilet tape
Credit: Mums Grapevine.
29. Elf photo swap
Credit: Elf on the Shelf.
30. How to floss
Credit: Mums Grapevine.
31. Drive in movie
Credit: Elf on the Shelf.
32. Wrap up!
Credit: our_little_bubble on Instagram.
33. Fruit faces
Credit: simplifycreateinspire on Instagram.
34. Empty chocolate wrappers
Credit: Me and B Make Tea.
35. Milk gone bad
Credit: Jenna Harkins on Pinterest.
36. Hot dogs for sale
Credit: Your Girl Knows on Pinterest.
37. Magic eggs part one
Credit: Andrea Smith on Pinterest.
38. Magic eggs part two
Credit: Andrea Smith on Pinterest.
39. Elf angels
Credit: Life With My Littles on Pinterest.
40. Toothpaste flavoured oreos
Credit: Andrea Smith on Pinterest.
41. Sponge cake
Credit: Parties Made Personal on Pinterest.
42. Elf activity jar
Credit: Elf on the Shelf on Pinterest.
43. Elf lemonade
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
44. Ironing crisps
Credit: Kay Salt on Facebook.
45. Spider Elf
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
46. Stuck in the blinds
Credit: Just Simply Mom on Pinterest.
47. Cotton ball Elf-man
Credit: Liv Social on Pinterest.
48. Elf in a slinky
Credit: Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest.
49. Red noses
Credit: Elf on the Shelf on Pinterest.
50. Find the candy canes
Credit: Kainspired on Pinterest.
51. Chocolate Elf
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest.
52. Banana bread
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
53. Elf Jenga
Credit: Kainspired on Pinterest.
54. Don't feed the crocs
Credit: Selena Sanchez on Pinterest.
55. Elf delivery
Credit: Jennifer Moloney on Pinterest.
56. Making brown E's
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest.
57. I will be a good Elf
Credit: Brighter Craft on Pinterest.
58. Elf makes breakfast
Credit: Lynette McCloud on Pinterest.
59. Elf sleepover
Credit: We Have Kids on Pinterest.
60. Washing machine ride
Credit: christinelundinhomes on Instagram.
61. Tic tac bow
Credit: Mommy Glitter on Instagram.
62. Hiding in a cup
Credit: I Heart Naptime.
63. Christmas Elf-angel
Credit: elfontheshelfmadeeasy on Instagram.
64. Rejected Santa cookies
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest.
65. Broken Elf leg
Credit: Mums Grapevine on Pinterest.
66. Gingerbread house
Credit: Parties Made Personal on Pinterest.
67. Space Elf
68. Movie night showcase
Credit: Paging Fun Mums on Pinterest.
69. Christmas-pox
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
70. Chocolate orange trick
Credit: Sally Kelly on Pinterest.
71. Getting toasty
Credit: Unknown on Pinterest.
72. Special delivery
Credit: Just Simply Mom on Pinterest.
73. Target practise
Credit: Frugal Coupon Living on Pinterest.
74. Cheese crackers
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
75. Egg-cellent jokes
Credit: Harman Awal on Pinterest.
76. Grinchmas treats
Credit: Mums Grapevine on Pinterest.
77. Elf igloo
78. Elf pancakes
Credit: I Heart Naptime.
79. Merry crisp-mas
Credit: Tisha Pinckney on Pinterest.
80. Elfie selfie
Credit: We Have Kids on Pinterest.
81. Sant-o-meter
Credit: Sweet Nikki Babes on Pinterest.
82. Pee'd my Elf
Credit: Bored Panda on Pinterest.
83. Do you wanna build a snowman?
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
84. Landing strip
Credit: Giggles Galore on Pinterest.
85. I'm an Elf - Get me out of here!
Credit: We Have Kids on Pinterest.
86. Elf twister
Credit: Savannah on Pinterest.
87. Elf crisp and coin making
Credit: Hania Emilia Kubas on Pinterest.
88. Find the hidden treasure
Credit: Elf on the Shelf on Pinterest.
89. Santa sauce portrait
Credit: Discover on Pinterest.
90. Orange juice
Credit: Maria Salvatico on Pinterest.
91. See you next year
Credit: The Nerds Wife on Pinterest.
When does Elf on the Shelf start?
Officially, the Elf is support to start their job on December 1st, so you need to make sure you have your Elf ready the night before, for your child to discover in the morning.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.