Love him or hate him it’s that time of year. It’s Christmas season and the Elf on the Shelf has returned with his holiday antics. I am firmly on team Elf although I know many moms stand firmly on team no Elf…EVER. Personally, I love having the ability to create a little bit of Christmas magic each morning during the month of December for my kids and our Elf Chippy has been up to some fun things this year!
If you are an Elf parent like me you’re likely looking for some more inspiration at this point as we grow closer and closer to Christmas. If you need some new ideas read on to see some of the things I’ve tried over the past couple of years. Most of my Elf ideas come from good old pinterest however I have come up with a few of my own as well.
Elf Arrival
Last year, our Elf, Chippy, arrived with a letter, a Christmas movie, and popcorn. Although we did this for an Elf arrival this can be done at any time and is very easy to put together. We love to watch movies together so this was a really fun day for us.
We love a movie day!
Blippi Elf
Blippi stopped by to school Chippy in a little spelling lesson!
Blippi stopped by to hang with Chippy!
Elf Runway
This one takes a little extra effort and that beginning of the season Elf parent energy. For this one you’ll need two strings of lights, an airplane for your Elf to ride in on, and a couple of Lego men. Place the lights on either side to create a runway for your Elf plane and arrange your Lego men to guide the plane through.
The lego men guided him in safely.
Elf Snowball Fight
Another idea for when you’re feeling really ambitious and are okay with making a mess. Arrange a little (or a lot) of powdered sugar and some marshmallows and you’ve got yourself an Elf snowball fight. We are huge Toy Story fans here so Woody was the perfect choice to participate in the snowball fight!
It’s hard to say who won this one, definitely not mom.
Elf Tree Decorating
Pull up a toy firetruck and prop him up by the tree with some ornaments and you’ve got a super cute pose for your Elf on the Shelf.
We think Chippy did a great job!
Elf Story Time
We have lots of stuffed animals in the house so bringing them around for story time seemed like a no brainer for this super sweet Elf on the Shelf story time. Quick and easy to put together!
Story time.
Elf Count Down
I don’t know about you, but the excitement of Christmas combined with a child that cannot yet use a calendar creates a necessity for a countdown. An Elf construction paper chain is the perfect countdown tool for your young children. Chippy arrived with his complete as Will was only two at the time, but for older kids your Elf could bring the materials and this could double as a Christmas craft.
Red and green construction paper makes a great chain.
The following year we graduated to the Melissa & Doug Advent Tree which is great for teaching numbers and also moving closer to using a calendar.
We are partial to Melissa & Doug toys.
Elf Minions
You don’t have to be an artist to create this easy Elf on the Shelf pose. Grab a sharpie and some bananas and you can easily create some banana Minions!
That silly elf!
Elf Potato Sack Race
This one has become an annual thing for our Elf Chippy. Each year he has a potato sack (paper bag) race with the other toys. He’s still the reigning champion.
First place finish.
Chippy wins again!
Elf Trapeze
With a toilet paper roll and some jute twine your Elf on the Shelf can swing from his very own trapeze. Secure him up by strategically wrapping the twine so he can easily sit upon the trapeze without falling.
Swinging away on the trapeze.
Elf on the Shelf Reindeer Cars
Here’s a great pose to create with some favorite toys! This can be done with any cars. Line them up and place your Elf towards the back and you’ve got an Elf on the Shelf sleigh with car “reindeer.” Of course our red Lightning McQueen posed as Rudolf.
Lightning McQueen guided the pack in.
Elf on the Shelf Sugar Snow Angel
If you don’t mind cleaning up a sugar mess an Elf on the Shelf snow angel can be a lot of fun for the kids! This is easy to put together but can be a pain to clean up.
Blue and white sugar makes great snow!
Elf on the Shelf Held Up
This one is for the dads! Line up the army action figures and tape your Elf to the wall for a pose that your children aren’t soon to forget. This one was a big hit here!
The army men were clearly protecting the house.
Elf on the Shelf in the Fridge
A bundled up Elf one the Shelf in the fridge is perfect for when you need a quick pose for your Elf. Wrap him in a dish rag and he’s ready to go.
Burrr….
Elf on the Shelf Magic M&Ms
I loved this Elf on the Shelf pose. I think I originally saw this shared on facebook and had to give it a try. It was so easy to put together and created some awesome Christmas magic! Arrange your M&Ms in a pattern on a plate, add some hot water, and watch the magic happen.
Chippy arranged the M&Ms into a red and green pattern.
Will added the hot water.
The M&Ms are magic!
Elf on the Shelf Goes Fishin’
For this Elf on the Shelf pose Chippy sat with a spool of ribbon and a straw for the fishing pole and cast his line into a bowl of goldfish on the floor. On the end of his line Chippy placed a gingerbread man marshmallow as bait!
Wonder if he caught anything.
Elf on the Shelf Walks the Dogs
With some pipe cleaners and toy dogs, in our case Paw Patrol figures, Chippy helped out with the family chores and took the dogs on a walk.
Marshall, Chase, and Rocky on their walk.
Elf on the Shelf in a Stocking
Forgot to move the Elf again? Your child’s Christmas stocking is the perfect place for him to hang out for the day when you’ve only got seconds to find a new place for your Elf!
Cozy in Will’s stocking.
Elf on the Shelf Christmas Eve Box
The Christmas Eve box is a tradition we have in our house and if you happen to do a Christmas Eve box also this is a great place for your elf to show up on Christmas Eve.
Are you an Elf family? What’s your favorite Elf idea? Leave a comment and let me know!
