This post lists 100 festive Elf on the Shelf ideas to try this year.
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Elf on the Shelf can be a fun and festive way to count down the days until Christmas!
There are a plethora of ways your mischievious little Elf can create fun and havoc in your house during the holidays.
From cheap to easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, there are tons of creative ways you can play with your Elf and create fun memories for you kiddos.
Here is how you can learn to make your Elf on the Shelf posable.
Know, let’s get into it!
This post covers the best Elf on the Shelf ideas.
The Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Whether you want cheap and easy Elf on the Shelf ideas or you want to flex your creative muscles more, there are ideas for all mamas to try!
1. Elf Reads Stories
This one is such a cute Elf on the Shelf with book idea!
Encourage the passion for reading by showcasing your little Elf reading a mini book. You can also print out the story books for frugal living.
Place him on a window sill, a reading nook, or a fireplace mantel.
You can place a mini hot chocolate next to him, too!
2. Elf Relaxes in Hammock
Try placing your Elf buddy in a makeshift toilet paper hammock!
It’s cheap, easy, fast, and provides your kiddos a good morning and evening while brushing their teeth or using the restroom!
On your towel bar, grab some toilet paper and tie each end to the bar to create a hammock.
Then place your little dude right in so he can chill for the rest of the day!
3. Elf’s Gone Fishing
Here is another super simple, fast, and cute Elf on the Shelf idea!
Have your little dude fish in the toilet, a pet bowl, or a sink.
Grab a mini fishing pole and post your Elf on the edge as he waits patiently for his catch.
You can use a fake mini fish or this as an excuse to buy Swedish Fish for a little treat for yourself, too!
4. Do You Want To Build a Snowman?
I love this Elf on a Shelf idea! It’s super cute, and I guarantee you already have the materials.
Grab a few rolls of toilet paper, and draw your snowman’s eyes, buttons, and nose using a Sharpie!
Then place your little elf in the middle, and voila! You have your little snowman!
5. Elf Has Car Chase
Elf has gotten himself into a bit of a pickle!
After picking up Barbie for a joyride, he was spotted speeding and has fled!
He was seen dashing through the living room as a last attempt to ditch the fuzz.
A great Elf on the Shelf with barbie idea.
Related Reading: 55 Adorable First Christmas Baby Photoshoot Ideas
6. Elf Cheese Grater Snowman
Here is one of the more funny and mischievous Elf on the Shelf ideas!
If you love Frozen, your kids will get a kick out of this one.
Grab a plush Olaf and place him on a cheese grater.
Then add mini marshmallows inside the cheesegrater and your Elf standing next to him!
7. Elf Takes Marshmallow Bath
Give your Elf some relaxation in a stress-free environment. He’s got a difficult and demanding seasonal job, you know?
You can either use small Tupperware or use a mini bathtub.
Put your Elf inside, and then fill the tub with mini marshmallows!
Place the tub somewhere in the bathroom for your kids to spot.
8. Elf Has Photo Booth
This Elf on the Shelf idea is super fun and creative!
Elf creates a photo booth and takes funny pictures with his buddies.
Print out your Elf photo props your Elf and his buddies can play with while taking pictures!
Related Reading: 100 Jolly AF Christmas Nails To Try This Year
9. Elf Does Yoga
Elf had a long ass trek from the North Pole and is feeling tight and cramped.
He needs time and space for a good stretching session!
Have Elf reach his spiritual center as he completes his yoga poses by the Christmas tree.
Namaste!
10. Elf Eats Chocolate
If your family is full of chocolate lovers, you will get a kick out of this Elf on the Shelf idea!
It’s easy and cheap.
All you need is a small bowl, any bowl will do. Then, fill it with a compilation of different fun-sized chocolate treats.
Smush some chocolate on your Elf’s face and place his little hand over his belching mouth!
So cute, cheeky, and festive for the holidays.
11. Elf Has a Cold
Give your poor Elf some TLC from his long, long trek from the North Pole!
Cozy him up on your couch, bed, or recliner.
Grab him his blanket, a tissue box, a thermometer, and the TV remote to set up his space.
12. Elf Makes Toilet Roll Snowflakes
Your Elf simply can’t help that he’s creative and he MUST let it out.
He got ahold of your toilet paper and made it look WAY prettier…less functional, but prettier!
Thanks Elf!
13. Elf Decorates His Tree
Give your Elf his little tree to decorate!
These little trees are super fun, and you can use white cotton balls to place around the tree to act as snow.
Putting it on a side table in your living room or entry hall is a great place to put your scene!
14. Elf Has a Rave
Have your Elf get his rave on with cute neon glow stick bracelets!
Keep him in a dimly lit room for the fun effect!
You can add cute rave sunglasses to your Elf, too.
15. We Peed
Your Elves had a long ass ride from the North Pole! They obvi couldn’t hold it in any longer!
16. Elf Gets Into Chocolate
Your Elf got hungry AF from his trek up North.
The first thing he found was a delicious bag of holiday M&Ms!
This scene is perfect for the kitchen counter or hiding away in a pantry where the kids see him when they grab a snack!
17. Elf Makes Flour Snowangel
This Elf on the Shelf idea is cute and pretty cheap; free if you already have flour in the house!
All you need is a cutting board, your Elf, and flour.
Create a little snow angel using your flower and lay your Elf on it. Place him on your kitchen counter or island.
It will look like he made a little snow angel! So cute.
18. Elf Slides Down Banister
Your Elf is rested and ready to tear it up! Make a sleigh out of Candy Canes for your Elf and tape them together.
Place him, sleighing down the stairs to greet everyone coming up!
19. Elf Makes Sponge Cake
This Elf on the Shelf idea is super cute, cheap and easy!
Elf tried his best to make a delish sponge cake for your kiddos and put together a master piece! Bon Appetit!
20. Elf Crash Lands
Your Elf didn’t correctly navigate the winds of your home properly, and he smashed right into your Christmas tree upon arrival!
Whoops! At least they made it haha
21. Elf Makes Popcorn
What do you expect? The North Pole is a long trip and your Elf is hunnngry!
It looks like your Elf and his buddies found the popcorn and got poppin!
He may have even found your delish popcorn seasonings in your pantry and is also trying to butter them up.
22. Elf Hides in Freezer
Your Elf is homesick and misses the North Pole.
He found the nearest equivalent environment that replicates his home: your freezer!
Your kiddos will find your Elf chilling and watching over their ice cream.
23. Elf All Tied Up
If your kiddos love legos and have them lying around, they will get a kick out of this Elf on a Shelf idea!
You need yar, legos, and your Elf.
Tie down your Elf and place angry Lego villagers around him, ready to pounce!
24. Elf Goes Camping
Create a cute campfire scene for your Elf on the night of Christmas Eve!
25. Elf Tumbles Down Stairs
Anyone can do this; it is one of those easy Elf on Shelf ideas.
If you have a roll of toilet paper, you can do this!
Place your little Elf inside the toilet paper roll and have it rolled out to the bottom of your stairs.
He took a tumble!
26. Elf Melts Snowman
Flex your creativity skills for your kids with this fun melted snowman Elf on a Shelf idea!
Its cheeky and mischievous and will be a blast for your kids.
On the kitchen counter spill some milk on the counter.
Then add two blueberries for eyes, a carrot for the nose and coco puff cereal for his buttons!
Your kids will crack up.
27. Snowball Fight
This Elf on a Shelf idea is excellent if your kiddo has another toy he loves.
Place them on the battlefield as your Elf engages in the ultimate snowball fight with Barbie, Buzz Lightyear, or any toy you like.
28. A Christmas Story Elf
This Elf on a Shelf idea is funny AF if your family enjoys A Christmas Story!
Dress your Elf in the bunny costume Ralphie got from his grandmother, your Elf will look adorable.
29. Bow Climbing Elf
This is a cheap and easy Elf on a Shelf idea.
All you need are sticky Christmas bows and your Elf!
Place the bows on the doors of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets and then tape your Elf on board.
Voila!
30. Elf Smokes Smores
Another super cute camping depiction for your Elf!
Have Elf roast his marshmallows next to the gorgeous ambiance of your Christmas tree.
31. Elf Sells Snowballs
This is a cheap and easy Elf on the Shelf idea!
Have your little Elf embrace the spirit of business as he sells his snowballs to the household.
Use cotton balls for his snow and you’re good to go.
32. Elf Gets Zipped
It looks like your Elf snuck into one of your snack Ziplocs and tried to make a break for it in your Kiddos lunch bag!
33. Elf Makes Sprinkle Snowangel
Your Elf was en route to making cookies and cupcakes but once he found the rainbow sprinkles he got a little distracted!
34. Elf Makes Doorway Danger
Oh no!
Your Elf got into the party decorations and found your streamers.
Being the little butth*les they are, it looks like your Elf decided to play a trick on your kiddos!
35. Elf Holds Cookie Monster Hostage
Your Elf is hella mischievous girl like dang!
He wanted his cookies and he was willing to do whatever it took to get them.
Your kiddos walked in on this hostage situation first thing in the AM with their mouths being stuffed with the Cookie Monster’s cookie crisps!
36. Elf Gets Trapped
This Elf on the Shelf in a balloon idea by Frugal Coupon Living is so cute and classic!
Your Elf was trying to sneak hisself some of the Reese’s cups you had stored in your balloon and got sucked in!
Whoopsie!
37. Elf Makes Q-Tip Snowflakes
This is an easy Elf on the Shelf idea!
Not to mention cheap too. Grab your Q-Tips and make cute snowflakes of different sizes and designs!
You can have this display out in the living room, kitchen or bathroom.
38. Elf’s Cameo Christmas
This is a SUPER easy Elf on the Shelf idea. Using dry erase marker, you can color a cameo pattern on your Elf like he’s about to embark into Vietnam or something.
You can even give him little combat boots to really sell it!
39. Elf Plays Hopscotch
This is a cheap Elf on the Shelf idea any mama can take on!
All you need is chalk and a sidewalk. Draw your hopscotch course so Elf can take a whack at it.
40. Elf Unwraps Presents
Oh jeeeez. It’s Christmas Eve and your mischievous little Elf is trying to take a peak in your presents!
41. Elf Makes Minions
Give your Elf little minions!
Make your own using a Sharpie and a bunch of bananas.
Your Elf will have his Christmas squad!
42. Elf is a Mechanic
Your Elf can’t take his job anymore and he’s ready to flee.
He’s desperately attempting to fix this toy truck in the hopes he can drive it back to the North Pole!
43. Elf is a Vandal
Aw dangit!
Your Elf was a sneaky little butth*le last night and totally vandalized your family pictures!
44. Elf Poops Peppermints
Your Elf was a little backed up from his long travels. He made himself cozy on your pot and pooped peppermints!
This is one of the best
Elf on shelf bathroom ideas.
45. Elf Waits for Santa
THis is the perfect Elf on the Shelf idea for Christmas Eve!
After a long season of reporting to Santa, your Elf set up a Welcome Wagon for the big man himself.
46. Elf Plays Piano
You Elf can’t help but showcase his wondrous musical abilities!
He was seen in the living room rocking out to Christmas carols all day long.
47. Elf Poops Chocolate Chips
Your Elf was seen trying to make it to the toilet and didn’t make it!
This is a fun Elf on the Shelf pooping idea lol
He couldn’t hold his chocolate chips but he did however have a nice poop lol
48. Elf Chillin With Egg-Sheeran
This Elf on the Shelf idea is so cute and funny if you’re a Ed Sheeran fan!
49. Elf Gets Carried Away
Oh shoot! Your other toys caught wind of your seasonal intruder!
They took it upon themselves to toss him overboard and back to the North Pole.
50. Elf Gets Booked
Your Elf was spotted in the early hours of the morning loitering around your precious Christmas tree.
Your Lego cops found him attempting to resell your ornaments on the black market and he has been booked!
51. Elf Gets Detained
Your Elf startled your Green Army Men this morning and they may have taken their duties a little too far! Whoops!
52. Elf Plays Kit Kat Jenga
It turns out ya’ll have been playing Jenga wrong this whole time!
Your Elf put together one bad ass Kit-Kat Jenga game for his buddies to play.
53. Elf Is Home For Christmas
This Elf on the Shelf idea is perfect if you have a family members that serve.
Your Elf is back from serving all year overseas and is so happy to be back home!
54. Elf Makes Pancakes
After a few hard days on the job, Elf decided to make the family ( and hisself ) some delish AF pancakes for breakfast.
Yum!
55. Elf Makes Snowflakes
Your Elf was busy making lots of cute snowflake garlands last night!
56. Elf Pumps Iron
Even in the North Pole they know how important it is to break a sweat!
Your Elf made do with mini marshmallows and a toothpick for his weights and is getting his blood flowing this morning.
57. Elf Fills Oreos With Toothpaste
Your Elf is feeling extra mischievous today and was spotted replacing your Oreo creams with toothpaste!
Dang Elf that’s cold!
58. Elf Walks Dogs
Your Elf is an animal lover too!
He took it upon himself to give your toy doggies a stroll.
59. Elf Makes Mess
Your Elf got hungry last night and attempted to make a late night snack.
The cereal boxes proved to be a little heavy and big and he made a mess! Whoops!
60. Elf Hides in Ball Pit
Your Elf was looking for late night fun and found your kiddos ball pit!
However he had a hard time getting out!
61. Elf Plays Scrabble
Hey, your Elf likes to break a mental sweat too! He took it upon himself to whip out a game of scrabble last night.
62. Elf Goes Up
If you’re a Disney fan and love Up, your kids will get a kick out of this Elf on the Shelf idea!
Grab some balloons, yarn and a brown paper bag and your Elf will be cruising through your house in a balloon bag.
63. Elf Gets Smooched
Hey, your Elf has feelings too and also needs some loving!
He was getting after it with one of his buddies under the mistletoe this morning.
64. Elves Arrives in Envelope
This is an easy Elf on the Shelf idea. It’s easy and you can just buy the Envelope and set him out in the morning.
65. Elf Bakes Cookies
Your Elf is a massive sweet tooth obvi so he decided your home needed more cookies!
66. Elf Sips Syrup
Your Elf worked up a thirst and found the most nourishing syrup in your pantry and went to town!
67. Elf’s Egg-cited for Santa
Your Elf is so excited for Santa he has to show you just how much he is overflowing with anticipation!
68. Elf is Superman
Let out your Elf’s inner superhero!
69. Elf is Spider Man
Your Elf took it upon himself to come up with more creative and slightly (not really) inconspicuous ways to keep an eye on your kiddos!
70. Elf is Hannibal Lecter
Go full Silence of the Lambs with your Elf on the Shelf idea!
Your Elf is a movie junkie too and went after it. “Hello Clarice.”
71. Elf Does UFC
Your Elf got into it with some of your toy wrestlers and needed to showcase his bravado and strength.
72. Elf’s an Egomaniac
Your Elf has officially caught wind of just how popi he is and now his appetite for himself is insatiable!
73. Jurassic Park Elf
Your Elf was called in to test out a new park in town that showcases toy dinosaurs.
Super cool until their t-rex got loose and your Elf is now fleeing for his life!
74. Elf Plays Football
Your Elf is a huge football fan and dresses up every sunday to watch!
75. Elf Colors
One of your Elf’s favorite ways to decompress is by coloring Christmas cards!
76. Elf Reads Bedtime Story
Your Elf is getting sleepy and ready for a good long nap!
In the meantime he got into one of your kiddos bedtime books and got to reading.
77. Elf Throws Block Party
If your kiddos have legos lying around, you Elf will definitely get his hands on them!
He is ready to throw a block party and nothing is stopping him now.
78. Elf Rides Car Reindeers
Your Elf has had enough and is ready to GTFO back to the North Pole!
He put together his own reindeer using your kiddos car collection and found your pipe cleaners to disguise them as reindeer.
Your Elf is off!
79. Elf Finds Your Ketchup
Darn it!
That sneaky little butth*le found your ketchup and left your family a festive note to wake up to in your kitchen!
80. Elf Throws a Sack Race
Your Elf loves to play games, especially with your kiddos toys!
He found your lunchbags and put on a competitve game of sack races for the afternoon.
81. Elf Plays Dress Up
You Elf is not ignorant to our pop culture and he just looovesss to dress up as his favorite characters!
82. Elf Lights Scented Candles
Your Elf just can’t get enough of your delicious smelling and festive candles!
He spent all night lighting all of them and basking in the yummy scents.
83. Elf is Mission Impossible
You Elf went on a mission to sneak all the candy he upstairs could without being noticed…sort of.
84. Elf Gets Flossed
Elf has been snacking on a lot of sweets this season and noticed how you humans clean your teeth and decided to give it a shot!
Did he do it right?
85. Elf Plays XBox
Your Elf has been watching your kiddo play video games so much he decided to see what the big deal was.
Apparently, Elf loves Xbox just as much as your kiddos! Hope he knows how to share lol
It’s perfect for those looking for two elf on the shelf ideas.
86. Elf Sends a Message From Buddy
Buddy the Elf sent reminders to your Elf on how to have the best Christmas ever!
87. Elf Hides With Silverwear
Elf wanted to see what it was like to be a spoon today…boring!
88. Elf Takes Selfie
Elf wants to remember all the fun he had this year and decided to rummage through your purse, found your phone and took a selfie today!
89. Elf Free Climbs Tree
Your Elf is feeling ambitous today and wanted to straight up free climb your tree!
90. Elf is Cousin Eddy
Just like cousin Eddy from Christmas Vacation, your Elf drove all the way to your house in his dinky RV.
Like Elf said, sh*tters full!
This is an epic Elf on the Shelf photoshoot opportunity for sure.
91. Elf Plays Dominoes
Elf got bored last night and started a rather extensive games of dominoes!
92. Elf TP’s Tree
I guess TPing is a thing they also love to do in the North Pole!
If only he decided to cute them into little snowflake streamers instead haha
93. Elf Rests In Stockings
Elf is feeling lazy today and is happy just hanging over the toasty fireplace and watching the going-ons in the living room!
94. Elf Announces His Arrival
Elf took it upon himself to let the household know, via Cocoa Puffs, that he has in fact, returned for the season!
95. Elf Robs Piggy Bank
Traveling to and from the North Pole is expesnive AF.
Your Elf needed spare change for the bus back to the NP!
96. Elf Steals From Cookie Jar
Your Elf is incredibly resourceful.
He spotted your cookie jar that you mistakenly placed super close to the edge right where Elf can grab it!
97. Elf Rummeges Through the Couch
Your Elf was simply trying to chill on the couch and watch a show when he kept finding doodads in the cracks!
He went rummeging and found goodies you’ve been missing for a minute.
98. Elf Sells Reindeer Poops
Your Elf has been watching a ton of Gary V. and decided he wants to grow his entreprenueral spirit by selling reindeer poops from the North Pole!
99. Elf Makes Martinis
Elf needed some refreshments to help him finish the rest of the day strong!
100. Elf Gift Wraps Toilet
Just like Buddy the Elf, your Elf has killer gift wrapping skills and just couldn’t handle himself in your bathroom!
At least your toilet is pretty now!
Elf on the Shelf Ideas
There are tons of easy Elf on the Shelf ideas you can try. This tradition can be fun and festive for your family each holiday.
From cheeky Elf on the Shelf poop ideas to really simple and free 5 minute ideas, I hope you found some ideas that resonate with you!
Be sure not to put too much pressure on yourself to make things perfect or go extravagant with your Elf on the Shelf.
If you can’t do it every day, don’t! Enjoying your holiday season is important, too.
Have fun this year and have happy holidays!