Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas (35+ ideas) • Domestic Superhero

The Elf on the Shelf® is a fun holiday tradition that takes some effort on the parents part. The idea behind the The Elf on the Shelf® is this popular book (which comes with the Elf)! This list will show you over 35 Easy The Elf on the Shelf® Ideas you can do at home in less than two minutes!

What is The Elf on the Shelf®?

"The Elf on the Shelf®" is a popular holiday tradition that involves a small elf placed in various locations around the house during the Christmas season. The idea is that the elf acts as Santa Claus's scout, observing children's behavior and reporting back to Santa each night. The elf "moves" to a different spot in the house while the children are asleep, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation as they wake up each morning to find the elf in a new location. Families often use this tradition as a fun way to encourage good behavior in children leading up to Christmas.

Is the The Elf on the Shelf® Naughty or Nice?

The Elf on the Shelf® is typically depicted as a neutral observer, neither inherently naughty nor nice. However, some families incorporate additional creative elements into the tradition by posing the elf in mischievous or playful scenes, suggesting a bit of mischief. Ultimately, the elf's behavior, whether mischievous or well-behaved, is left to the imagination and creativity of the family participating in the tradition.

Personally, I think the easier the task is, the better! Here's a list of ideas from the internet of EASY ideas that shouldn't take more than a minute or two. If you want to take it to the next level, I will add some of those at the end. I like a lazy elf approach, how about you?

I've also been sharing TONS of Elf inspiration videos on my Instagram, so make sure to follow along there as well!

Don't have your elf yet? Get the figurine and book here!

Over 35 EASY ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS:

The elf is "peeing" from the refrigerator! Boys, especially will think this is hilarious!
How to make it: Tape the elf to the fridge and then tape the legs out ot he side to secure the elf.

The elf is making a joke, "what happens when you tell an egg a joke....it cracks up!"
How to make it: Write the joke on a paper, then set it next to the sitting elf. In a small bowl, crack and egg, then make a 'crying laughing' face on the egg shell using a maker.

The elf is playing elf Twister! Fun and super quick idea!
How to make it: Using a white napkin, use different colored markers to make the Twister dots. Arrange the elf to look twisted up!

The elf is encouraging the child to play tic-tac-toe!
How to make it: Using mini marshmallows, make X's and O's on one side of them. Use blue painters tape to make the tic-tac-toe board. Use a small paper to draw a note and sit the elf next to it!

The elf is peeping from the toilet paper rolls! Making a poop joke is always hilarious with kids!
How to make it: Stack 2 toilet paper rolls and then write the. message using marker. Place the elf inside the toilet paper rolls!

The elf is tucked into a bowl of fruit as if hiding among the produce.
How to make it: Choose a bowl of fruit or snacks, place the elf in the center or partially hidden, so it looks like he’s sneaking in among the food. Draw on the fruit with marker.

The elf is "pooping" out popcorn after eating regular corn! Hilarious!
How to make it: Pop the popcorn and add to the bottom of a glass cup. Sit the elf inside and then add the corn (I like to use fake plastic corn) to the elf's lap as if he is eating it!

The elf is an elf-kiss! Kids who like kisses will giggle at this idea!
How to make it: Using aluminum foil, wrap the elf into a triangle shape. Make a triangular hat for the elf as well. Write "kisses" in blue on a sheet of paper and cut them out, then stick inside the hat letting it hang out. Add Hershey's kisses around the area.

The elf is doing hot yoga! This is so fun for a child who is active!
How to make it: Place a white washcloth down as a yoga mat. Position the elf. Write the message on a piece of paper and set in front. Use LED small candles around the area.

Elf is about to get eaten by the toilet shark!
How to make it: You can use 1 or 2 elves for this. Arrange the elves (If using 1 elf, just tape to the toilet), then place a printed out shark image under the toilet seat.

Elf can always SEE everything! This is great for when kids are misbehaving or you want them to focus on 'being good'.
How to make it: Make the sign and then spread the googly eyes around near them! You can place the eyes around your house to remind the kids as well!

It's Tuesday which means it's TACO TUESDAY for our Elf!
How to make it: Wrap the elf up in a soft shell tortilla and use a toothpick to close. Use a post-it to write your message that it's taco Tuesday!

The elf is inside a transparent drinking cup with a little sign that says “HELP!”
How to make it: Grab a glass or plastic cup, place the elf inside, write a small “HELP!” note and lean it against the glass, then set it somewhere in view.

The elf is shaving his face to keep clean!
How to make it: Grab a travel size shaving cream, and put a little bit on the Elf's face and a razor. Set the razor in the Elf's hand. Perfect to setup in the bathroom at Dad's sink.

The elf is rolling in the middle of a stair-way made out of toilet-paper rolls.
How to make it: Stack or roll some toilet-paper rolls on the stairs to form a mini slide or ramp, then place your elf on top or halfway down.

The elf is leaving little 'poops' in the bathroom sink!
How to make it: Place the elf sitting on the side of the sink. Use mini chocolate chips and make a row of them leading to the drain.

The elf is having a 'snowball fight' with another character!
How to make it: Build some walls using legos, then place Elf and whatever other character behind the walls. Use mini marshmallows or cotton balls to setup the scene!

The elf is sending the kids on a scavenger hunt for candy canes!
How to make it: Hide 12 candy canes throughout the house. Place the elf in the empty box, holding one candy cane, and then leave a note with instructions for the hunt!

The elf is having fun with the eggs in the fridge!
How to make it: Using a marker, make funny faces on the eggs, then place the elf holding he marker nearby.

Elf is frosty in the ice maker!
How to make it: Place the Elf upside-down in the ice maker! Leave a note saying, "nice and cold just like the North Pole!"

The elf is playing in the bathroom with the toilet paper rolls. This time he has made a toilet paper snowman!
How to make it: Use a marker to create the snowman, then place the elf inside 2 of the rolls, and prop the 3rd roll on top so he is peeking out!

The elf is making minions on the bananas!
How to make it: Using a marker, make funny faces or minion outlines on the bananas, then place the elf holding the marker nearby.

The elf is making a "gingerbread house" but not really! I love these sneaky elf ideas!
How to make it: Arrange your bread slices around a container of ginger spices. Make a little note and set it next to the cheeky gingerbread house!

The elf is tucked into a bowl of apples causing trouble!
How to make it: Place the elf in the center or partially hidden, so it looks like he’s sneaking in among the food. Add faces to the apples, and then tape masks to the front. Add a mask to the elf!

The elf is eating the dogs food! This will work if your dog doesn't eat his food right away.
How to make it: Place the elf next to the dog food bowl, and put soe of the food out on the floor by the Elf. Make a sign that reads, "Worst cookies ever!!!"

The elf setup a hilarious scene of smartie pants!
How to make it: Purchase a couple packs of Smartie Candies. Lay out a pair of boxer shorts or eve pants will work. Set the candies around them and then place a note that reads, "Smartie Pants."

The elf is making a mess with flour, but writing a message to the kids!
How to make it: Spread a light layer of flour our on the floor (and make sure you have a good vacuum before doing this), then use your finger to write the message in the flour. Place the flour next to the elf!

The elf is reclining in a “marshmallow bath” — surrounded by marshmallows like bubbles.
How to make it: Use a small bowl or plate, spread mini-marshmallows around or use cotton balls, place the elf in the middle, and position it where your kids will see the funny scene.

The elf is being naughty getting into junk food!
How to make it: Place some candy around the elf, then use a medicine cup and add some cola. Trim a straw so it's about half the size, then prop into the elf's mouth!

The elf is tangled in Christmas lights! So easy when you don't have ANY time or forget realizing you need to move the elf at the last minute!
How to make it: Place the elf wrapped up in some hanging Christmas lights! this can be around the house or even on the Christmas tree!

The elf is making snowflakes out of a toilet paper roll!
How to make it: Fold the toilet paper and then cutout little patterns for a few feet of the roll. Lay on the side of the table, hanging off the side to display the designs. Elf is holding the scissors.

The elf is staying of the floor since THE FLOOR IS LAVA!
How to make it: Using markers, create some flames and the message on white paper and then cut them out. Tape to the wall (use painters tape as not to damage the paint), and then also tape the elf above the lava and the message!

All aboard the shoe-shoe train! This is a cute play on choo-choo train!
How to make it: Line-up various shoes and then place Elf in the front. Make a sign and pop it into the show or have the elf hold it!

Elf is cooking and making breakfast!
How to make it: Add fun candies to a skillet and place the elf next to the skillet holding a spatula! Add a fun note that reads, "I made you breakfast!"

The elf is enjoying a “bath” in the tub surrounded by rubber ducks or bath toys.
How to make it: Fill (or pretend to fill) the tub or a sink with a few toys or foam pieces, place the elf in with them as if he’s taking a bath, and put him where the kids will find him.

Elf is playing golf!
How to make it: Cut out a 'green' using green construction paper and then add a circle for a hole using permanent marker. Place a candy cane in the elf's hands to look like a golf club. Add a small ball or candy (as a ball) to hit into the hole.

Elf is being held hostage! I like this one the day after Elf did something naughty!
How to make it: Use painters tape and place the elf somewhere held up by the tape. Place little soldier toys around the elf on the ground.

Elf is sneaky under the bathroom cupboard, making a snowman on the toilet paper rolls.
How to make it: Stack two toilet paper rolls on top of each other, and then put the elf inside the hole. Add one more toilet paper roll on top of the elves head, and make it look like he's holding it up. Add the design using markers to the toilet paper rolls to create a snowman.

Office getting into trouble by digging into a holiday M&M bag!
How to make it: Open the bag of candies, and scatter some around the counter. Add the elf inside the bag so you can only see part of his body and legs out of the side.

Elf is sharing S'mores!
How to make it: get together, some graham crackers, marshmallows, and some chocolate pieces and stack them together to make a s'more. Write out a little card that says something like, "I love you s'more!"

Elf is enjoying a movie with a friend and popcorn!
How to make it: make a small bowl of popcorn and sit the elf along with another doll or friend inside. Add the remote, so it looks like they are watching a movie. You could also leave a movie playing on your TV!

Elf is selling Christmas trees!
How to make it: add some flour to a tray, and then place the Christmas tree cakes standing up. Sit elf next to the dish, and add a little sign that says Christmas trees for sale $.25!

Elf with some butter and a poem!
How to make it: please the elf on a dish with a stick of butter sliced. Have the elf holding a butter knife pointed towards the butter. On a note card write, 'you butter watch out, you butter not cry, you butter, not pout, I'm telling you why… Santa Claus is coming to town, and then fill in how many more days are left!