December 1st arrives faster every year, and suddenly your family’s elf needs some new tricks! The holiday season brings enough stress without worrying about elaborate scenes that require a lot of time, effort, or props. So below I give you 75 easy Elf on the Shelf ideas!.
This collection of ideas focuses on simple elf setups using items you already have at home. From rolls of toilet paper transformed into snowmen to action figures joining your little elf for adventures, these quick elf solutions save busy parents precious time.
Whether it’s your first year starting this Christmas tradition or you’re a veteran looking for new ideas, these simple concepts work for the whole family. Your scout elf can create magical moments using everyday items like chocolate chips, googly eyes, or a piece of paper.
The best elf scenarios don’t require Pinterest board perfection or hours of preparation. Sometimes the easiest elf ideas bring the biggest smiles the next morning when kids discover their creative elf has moved to an unexpected location.
These quick ideas help maintain the magic without the stress. Your children’s excitement on Christmas Eve will prove that simple elf fun often beats complicated setups every time.
75 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
1. Elf in the Fridge
Place your elf inside the fridge on a shelf. Sit them near a juice box or milk carton. Kids will giggle when they find him chilling.
2. Toilet Paper Roll Slide
Set up a roll of toilet paper down the stairs or couch. Position the elf at the top or halfway down, as if sliding for fun.
3. Marshmallow Snowball Fight
Scatter mini marshmallows around the table. Place your elf holding a few like snowballs. Add a toy figure opposite to look like an opponent.
4. Elf Reading a Book
Sit your elf with a small book propped open. Place tiny toys in a circle around him as “students.” It looks like storytime.
5. Elf in the Tissue Box
Hollow out some tissues in a tissue box. Position the elf peeking out the top with tissues around for a cozy hideaway.
6. Elf in the Cookie Jar
Place your elf inside a clear cookie jar. Leave some cookies inside with him. Kids will laugh seeing their elf caught sneaking treats.
7. Elf Coloring Time
Lay out a coloring book and crayons. Position the elf with one crayon in hand and some scribbles on the page.
8. Elf with Cereal Spill
Tip over a cereal box on the counter. Scatter some cereal pieces around. Sit your elf inside the box like he caused the mess.
9. Elf in a Shoe
Place your elf inside a sneaker or boot. Tuck him down like he’s taking a nap. Leave shoes by the door for easy setup.
10. Elf Playing with Legos
Build a small Lego tower or car. Position the elf next to it holding a block. Add a few scattered pieces to look like mid-build.
11. Elf in a Cupboard
Place your elf on a shelf inside a kitchen cupboard. Lean him against canned goods. Kids will discover him while grabbing snacks.
12. Elf Watching TV
Set the elf on the couch with the remote. Angle him at the TV. Turn on a holiday movie before bedtime for extra fun.
13. Elf Taking a Bubble Bath
Fill a mixing bowl with mini marshmallows. Sit the elf inside as if he’s bathing. Add a toy rubber duck for extra detail.
14. Elf in a Coffee Mug
Place your elf inside a large coffee mug. Add a spoon beside it. Position near the coffee maker for a silly morning surprise.
15. Elf Hanging from a Light
Tie string around the elf’s hands. Hang him from a chandelier or lamp. Make it look like he’s swinging through the room.
16. Elf on a Zip Line
String yarn across two chairs. Clip the elf’s hands onto it with clothespins. Position him sliding along the string like a daredevil.
17. Elf Stuck in a Jar
Put the elf in a mason jar with the lid slightly off. Kids will find him trapped and wonder how he got inside.
18. Elf Wrapped in Toilet Paper
Roll toilet paper around the elf like a mummy. Place him on the bathroom counter. It looks like he wrapped himself for fun.
19. Elf in a Christmas Stocking
Tuck the elf halfway inside a stocking hanging on the mantle. Leave his head and arms peeking out like he’s waiting for gifts.
20. Elf with a Candy Cane
Place your elf holding a candy cane like a walking stick. Lean him against a wall or prop him up on the counter.
21. Elf Playing Hide and Seek
Hide your elf behind curtains with just his face peeking out. Kids will enjoy spotting him hiding like he’s playing along.
22. Elf Hanging in the Pantry
Clip the elf to a pantry shelf using a chip clip. He’ll look like he’s dangling near the snacks, caught in the act.
23. Elf in the Freezer
Place your elf sitting among frozen vegetables or ice cream. Kids will laugh seeing him trying to stay cool.
24. Elf Making Paper Snowflakes
Cut simple snowflakes from paper. Sit the elf with scissors nearby and scraps on the table. It looks like he’s been crafting.
25. Elf in the Blender
Place the elf inside a blender pitcher. Don’t plug it in. The silly setup will make it look like he climbed in on purpose.
26. Elf with Toothpaste Art
Squeeze toothpaste on the mirror into a smiley face. Sit the elf holding the tube like he did it himself.
27. Elf on a Balloon Ride
Tie helium balloons to the elf’s arms. Position him floating above a chair or table. It looks like he’s soaring.
28. Elf Wrapped in Christmas Lights
Tangle the elf up in a short string of lights. Lay him on the floor with the plug nearby like he got caught decorating.
29. Elf Playing a Board Game
Set out a board game like Candy Land. Position the elf with a piece in front of him. Add a few other toys as players.
30. Elf in the Silverware Drawer
Place the elf stretched across spoons and forks. Kids will discover him when reaching for utensils.
31. Elf in the Cereal Bowl
Fill a bowl with dry cereal. Place your elf sitting inside holding a spoon. It looks like breakfast gone wrong.
32. Elf Making Hot Cocoa
Set the elf by mugs with cocoa packets and marshmallows. Position him like he’s preparing a cozy drink.
33. Elf Hanging on the Tree
Place your elf in the Christmas tree branches. Position him like he’s climbing or hanging upside down.
34. Elf with a Toy Car
Put your elf driving a toy car. Add small toys as passengers for a playful scene.
35. Elf Playing with Play-Doh
Set up Play-Doh with cookie cutters or shapes. Sit the elf nearby with a piece in his hands.
36. Elf in the Laundry Basket
Bury the elf halfway in clothes. Position him like he fell asleep while hiding in the laundry.
37. Elf in a Tissue Snowstorm
Shred tissues and scatter them like snow. Place the elf sitting in the middle of the “snowstorm.”
38. Elf in the Fruit Bowl
Sit your elf among apples and bananas. Kids will find him blending in with the produce.
39. Elf with Sticky Notes
Stick notes around a door or mirror. Place one in the elf’s hand with a funny doodle.
40. Elf on a Candy Cane Swing
Tie string to two candy canes. Balance the elf sitting in the middle like a swing.
41. Elf Hanging from the Ceiling Fan
Attach the elf’s arms to a fan blade with tape. He’ll look like he’s swinging around the room.
42. Elf in the Dishwasher
Set the elf on the top rack. Make sure it’s empty. It looks like he’s hitching a ride.
43. Elf with a Banana Message
Write a note on a banana with a marker. Place the elf holding the pen beside it.
44. Elf in the Backpack
Tuck your elf into a school backpack. Leave his head sticking out like he’s going to class. This works best once the kids are on Christmas break; that way you don’t have to worry about moving him.
45. Elf in a Jar of Rice
Place the elf buried halfway in uncooked rice in a jar or bowl. Kids will think he’s hiding.
46. Elf Playing Video Games
Sit the elf with a game controller. Position him near the console like he’s mid-game.
47. Elf in the Pet Bed
Lay the elf in the pet’s bed. Add a blanket or toy for a cozy nap.
48. Elf on the Bookshelf
Tuck him among books on the shelf. Lean him holding one open like he’s reading.
49. Elf Building a Tower
Use Lego blocks or plastic cups to stack a tower. Place the elf climbing up or holding a piece.
50. Elf Making a Snow Angel in Flour
Spread a thin layer of flour on the counter. Lay your elf flat with arms and legs outstretched. Move the flour slightly to mimic a snow angel.
51. Elf in the Sink
Fill the sink with cotton balls like bubbles. Place the elf inside holding a bath toy.
52. Elf with Spilled Sprinkles
Scatter sprinkles on the counter. Position the elf sitting in the mess with the container tipped.
53. Elf Making a Mess with Paper Towels
Unroll paper towels across the floor. Place the elf sitting at the end like he rolled it.
54. Elf with Candy Wrapper Mess
Scatter empty candy wrappers. Sit the elf with one in his lap like he’s been snacking.
55. Elf with a Mini Christmas Tree
Place a small tree near the elf. Add a few ornaments or ribbons like he’s decorating.
56. Elf Playing Doctor
Wrap a toy in tissues like a bandage. Place the elf beside it holding a cotton swab.
57. Elf in the Cupboard Hanging
Use a rubber band, string, or rope to hang the elf from a cupboard knob. He’ll dangle in surprise.
58. Elf with a Puzzle
Lay out a simple puzzle with a few pieces missing. Sit the elf nearby holding one piece.
59. Elf in the Cookie Mix
Place the elf inside a mixing bowl with cookie mix. Add a spoon for stirring.
60. Elf Swinging on Toilet Paper
Hang an empty toilet paper roll with string from a door frame using push pins. Position the elf sitting on the roll like a swing.
61. Elf Stuck on the Window
Use tape to stick the elf’s hands to the window. Kids will laugh seeing him hanging outside.
62. Elf with a Balloon Bath
Fill a tub with balloons. Place the elf inside like he’s having a bath.
63. Elf on the Stair Rail
Balance your elf sitting on the banister rail. Position him like he’s sliding down.
64. Elf in the Grocery Bag
Place the elf peeking from a shopping bag. It looks like he came home with groceries.
65. Elf with Toothbrushes
Line up family toothbrushes with toothpaste already on. Sit the elf nearby like he helped.
66. Elf Climbing the Curtain
Tuck the elf into curtain folds. Position him climbing upward like a mountain climber.
67. Elf Playing Hideout
Make a small fort from pillows. Place the elf peeking out like he’s hiding inside.
68. Elf Making Pancakes
Scatter pancake mix and a whisk. Sit the elf with a bowl like he was cooking breakfast.
69. Elf in the Toy Bin
Bury the elf halfway in toys. Kids will find him mixed in with their favorite things.
70. Elf on a Swing Set
Tie string to a chair back and attach the elf. It looks like he’s swinging.
71. Elf on a Candy Pile
Make a pile of wrapped or unwrapped candies. Sit the elf right on top like he claimed the stash.
72. Elf with a Christmas Card
Prop up a holiday card. Sit the elf holding a pen as if he’s writing messages.
73. Elf with Kitchen Utensils
Place the elf inside a mixing bowl surrounded by whisks and spatulas. It looks like he’s ready to cook.
74. Elf Stuck in a Paper Towel Roll
Insert the elf halfway into a paper towel tube. Leave arms out like he’s trapped.
75. Elf Sleeping in a Sock
Use a clean sock as a sleeping bag. Tuck the elf inside with his head sticking out for bedtime.
I have a collection of free printables for Elf on the Shelf goodbye letters (5 seasonal and 2 final) you can download for FREE!
They are in Microsoft Word, that way you can personalize them with your elf’s name and also address them to your kids if you wish.
Use a cool font for your Elf on the Shelf goodbye note
Assuming you’ll write the letter on your computer and print it, I recommend using a sort of funky, hand-written looking font.
You may have some great ones, but there are a ton of free ones you can download too. Since this will be during the holiday season, you could also use some holiday-themed fonts too.
Here are my favorite free fonts for Elf on the Shelf goodbye letters
(just click to download them for free from the font website):
Like most fonts you would download online, these are zip files. Just right click to expand and then drag the folder contents into your fonts folder (that for a PC; I’m not super familiar with Mac).
Final Thoughts
These easy elf ideas prove that maintaining your shelf tradition doesn’t require Pinterest perfection or extra cost. The best way to handle this time of year is to keep things simple and stress-free for busy parents.
Your scout elves don’t need elaborate setups to create magical moments. Sometimes, a handwritten note, a few pom poms, or a paper airplane brings more joy than complicated scenes that take hours to arrange.
Remember that older kids often appreciate funny elf scenarios just as much as younger children. A little chocolate stash discovered the next day or elf prints leading to a new spot can spark excitement across all ages.
The shelf tradition works best when it brings families together rather than adding pressure. Use these simple ideas as starting points, then adapt them based on what you have at home and your children’s interests.
Focus on creating fun surprises that encourage good behavior without overwhelming your schedule. Your little artist might love finding art supplies arranged by the elf, while others prefer discovering their stuffed animals having a tea party.
These easy elf ideas help maintain the magic while keeping your sanity intact throughout the busy holiday season.
Check Out All My Elf on the Shelf Articles – Get Answers to all your questions!
What Age is Elf on the Shelf For?
Elf on the Shelf Arrival & Goodbye Letters (free printables)
115 Easy Elf on the Shelf Mischievous Ideas
Is Each Kid Supposed to Have an Elf on the Shelf?
What to Do if Your Child Sees You Move the Elf on the Shelf?
Are Elf on the Shelf Really Alive?
Can Elf on the Shelf Improve Kids’ Behavior?
Why Are Elf on the Shelf Hands Sewn Together?
Can Elf on the Shelf Get Married?
Why Elf on the Shelf is Considered Evil By Some
Is Elf on the Shelf Real?
Can Elf on the Shelf Move?
Photo credits (that aren’t mine):
Stocking & Tree & drinking & Reading & Puzzle & snacks – https://www.flickr.com/photos/baylors/
Stocking & Tree & drinking & Reading & Puzzle & snacks – https://www.flickr.com/photos/baylors/
Snow Angel & Candy Spelling & baking & Toy Story & Etch a Sketch & devastated sports Elf & teaching – https://www.flickr.com/photos/peapodsquadmom/
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