That camping trip your family still talks about? Science says it’s worth more than any toy under the tree.
If you’re a parent, then you’re well aware of what “Elf on the Shelf” is — and hopefully you’re having fun with it!
After all, it’s one of the hottest and most popular Christmas traditions in the world right now and has been for nearly two decades.
But still, some people are just now adding it to their annual holiday festivities. And if you’re one of those parents who aren’t accustomed to the chaos yet, then welcome to the fun!
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It’s very easy to play along (albeit a lot of work) and is something kids always get a kick out of.
For example, you can place the elf next to a puddle of water by the sink and leave a note that says, “Sorry, I got thirsty and made a mess. Can you help me clean it up?”
Of course, some parents like to get super creative with the tradition. So, if you’re looking for easy Elf on the Shelf ideas to try this year, here are some that are sure to elicit plenty of giggles from the kids.
25. Packed lunch? More like wrapped lunch!
If you want an easy win that still feels downright hilarious, try sending your kids to school with their entire lunch wrapped like a stack of tiny Christmas presents.
Sandwich? Wrapped. Juice box? Wrapped. Goldfish? Yep—wrapped, too.
Bonus points if your elf is sitting beside the leftover wrapping paper roll with a pair of scissors and a note that says, “I thought your lunch could use a little holiday magic!”
24. Tubing (and skiing) down a snowy hill
If your elf is feeling adventurous, this idea is pure wintertime comedy gold. Grab some clear wrap, stretch it from the counter to the floor and give it a mist of fake snow so it looks like a frosty downhill run.
Then pop your elf onto a tiny tube or skis (a dab of glue works wonders to keep them upright), and voilà — you’ve got a full-blown alpine scene in the middle of your kitchen.
Kids will think their elf spent the night hitting the slopes, and honestly, who could blame them? It's peak holiday adrenaline.
23. Swinging the holiday away
For a setup that looks elaborate but takes almost no effort, let your elf channel their inner acrobat.
Thread a long ribbon through a toilet paper roll, then secure each end of the ribbon to the ceiling or the top of a doorway. Tape your elf to the roll, and suddenly they’re on their own personal holiday swing set.
It’s adorable, slightly chaotic and guaranteed to make your kids wonder what kind of wild nightlife their elf is living while everyone’s asleep.
22. Kisses anyone?
This one is equal parts adorable and delicious-looking.
Wrap your elf in aluminum foil and shape the top so it resembles the iconic Hershey’s Kiss swirl. Place them in a pile of real Hershey’s Kisses and leave a note that says, “I wanted to fit in… Kisses anyone?”
It’s simple, silly, and guaranteed to get a giggle — plus your kids might think their elf spent the night raiding the candy stash.
21. Toilet paper igloo
If your elf is craving a cozy winter hideaway, this toilet-paper igloo is the perfect makeshift home.
Stack toilet paper rolls in a circle, building them up layer by layer until you’ve crafted an elf-sized igloo with an opening out front. Nestle your elf inside, peeking out like they’re settling into their snowy new digs.
It’s cute, creative and hilariously on-brand for December — because if there’s one thing elves love, it’s turning everyday household items into full-blown winter real estate.
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20. Who needs water?
If your elf has a sweet tooth (and honestly, whose doesn’t?), this sprinkle stunt is the perfect chaotic kitchen moment.
Cover the sink drain with tape and dump in a pile of colorful sprinkles. Then run a sprinkle-coated strip of tape from the faucet to the drain so it looks like your elf turned the water into (you guessed it) sprinkles.
Leave a note that says, “Who needs water when you have SPRINKLES?!” and let the kids marvel at the sugary magic. It’s messy, whimsical, and exactly the kind of mischief an elf would pull at 3 a.m.
19. Scout Elf’s messy toilet surprise
If your elf has a questionable sense of humor (and let’s be honest, most of them do), this bathroom prank is equal parts gross and hysterical.
Sit your elf backwards on the toilet paper roll so he’s facing the wall — already suspicious behavior — then unroll a strip of toilet paper toward the toilet.
Add a couple of chocolate “skid marks” on the TP to really sell the disaster. Just be prepared for the giggles… and maybe a few dramatic “Ewwws!” in the morning.
18. Don’t tell Mom and Dad!
If your elf has zero impulse control when it comes to cookies, this setup is absolutely perfect.
Stack canned goods from the floor all the way up to the countertop, building a precarious tower that ends right at the cookie jar. Perch your elf on top, reaching into the jar like they've been caught red-handed.
Leave a note that says, "Don't tell Mom and Dad!" and watch your kids lose it over their elf's late-night snack mission.
17. Getting warm and toasty
If your elf is battling the December cold in the most ridiculous way possible, this toast jacket is comedy gold.
Pop a piece of bread in the toaster, let it get golden brown, then poke two small holes in it — one on each side. Slide your elf's arms through the holes so they're literally wearing toast like a cozy winter coat.
Leave a note that says, "It's cold in here! Had to improvise," and watch your kids absolutely lose it over their elf's creative (and delicious-looking) solution to staying warm.
16. I see you, but can you see me?
Grab two toilet paper rolls and tape them together side by side to make a pair of binoculars. Then cut two large circles from construction paper and glue them to one end so it looks like giant eyes staring out.
Tape the other end to your elf's face and perch them up somewhere high — like on top of the fridge, a bookshelf, or a curtain rod — so they're "spying" down on the room below.
Leave a note that says, "I see you, but can you see me?" and let your kids hunt around trying to figure out where their elf is watching from.
15. Want to see some snowy magic?
If your elf wants to get a little interactive and scientific with the holiday spirit, this DIY snow globe trick is pure genius.
Fill a clear jar about halfway with baby oil, then add water until it's nearly full. Drop in a bit of white acrylic paint and give it a gentle swirl so it looks cloudy and wintery.
Position your elf next to the jar with a note that says, "Want to see some snowy magic? Drop an Alka Seltzer tablet in here and watch what happens!"
14. I built a snowman, but it melted!
If your elf has a flair for the dramatic (and doesn't mind making a mess), this melted snowman scene is hilariously tragic.
Pour some milk on the counter or floor in the shape of a puddle — bonus points if you can make it vaguely snowman-shaped with three connected circles.
Then add a baby carrot for the nose, a line of Oreos for the mouth, and a few Skittles down the middle for buttons, all sitting in the milky "remains."
13. We called dibs on shotgun!
If your elf wants to switch up the morning routine and claim the best seat in the house, then this car takeover is perfect for those hectic school drop-off mornings or when you've got errands to run.
Before your kids wake up, head out to the car and buckle your elf (or elves) into your kid's usual seat. Make sure that seatbelt is clicked in nice and secure — safety first, even for elves.
Then leave a note on the dashboard or tucked under the buckle that says, "We called dibs on shotgun! It's our turn today!"
12. It’s treasure hunt time!
Grab a bag of gold-wrapped chocolate coins and hide them all over the house while everyone's asleep — under couch cushions, inside cereal boxes, tucked behind picture frames, you name it.
Then position your elf somewhere obvious with a note that says, "I hid gold coins all around the house last night! Can you find them all? Happy hunting!"
Kids will get a sweet treat out of it, while also doubling as a fun activity to keep them entertained for a morning full of fun.
11. Help, I fell through the ice!
If your elf is prone to winter mishaps, this dramatic ice-skating disaster is sure to get some laughs.
Stretch plastic wrap tightly across the top of your sink so it looks like a frozen pond. Then poke a hole in the middle and position your elf so it looks like they’ve fallen through with their arms flailing around.
For added effect, sprinkle flour around the edges of the wrap to look like freshly fallen snow, and put a few mini marshmallows to create snowy mounds. Leave a note that says, "Help! I fell through the ice!"
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10. Let’s play a game of hide and seek!
If your elf wants to turn the morning into a full-blown game show, this hide-and-seek setup is ridiculously fun.
Grab a bunch of red Solo cups and scatter them upside-down all around the room. Hide your elf under one of the cups and leave a note that says, "I'm hiding under one of these cups! Can you find me?"
Your kids will have a blast lifting cup after cup, playing their own version of hide-and-seek until they finally discover where their sneaky elf has been hiding all along.
9. Fishing you a Merry Christmas!
If your elf is craving a peaceful morning by the water, this fishing pond setup is adorable and surprisingly easy to pull off.
Fill a bowl with water, then stretch clear plastic wrap tightly over the top so it's completely sealed. Place a handful of Goldfish crackers on top of the wrap so it looks like little fish swimming in a pond.
Then make a tiny fishing rod by tying a piece of string to a straw, and position your elf holding the "rod" like they're patiently waiting for a bite.
8. Elves Only Ball Pit
If your elf is looking to relive their glory days at the playground, this miniature ball pit is pure joy in a bowl.
Grab a medium-sized bowl and fill it to the brim with colorful mini pom poms — the more colors, the better. Then plop your elf right in the middle, arms spread wide like they're having the time of their life.
Leave a note that says, "Found myself a ball pit! Want to join?" and watch your kids wish they could shrink down and dive in too.
7. Can you beat Scout Elf’s high score?
If your elf is feeling competitive and wants to challenge the kids to a little friendly competition, this DIY carnival game is a total hit.
Grab a large piece of cardboard and cut out several holes of different sizes — some big, some small. Prop it up against a chair or the wall, then position your elf next to it with a pile of cotton balls nearby.
Leave a note that says, "I scored 50 points last night! Can you beat my score?" and assign point values to each hole based on difficulty (smaller holes = more points, obviously).
6. Marshmallow spa bath in session
If your elf is feeling the holiday stress and needs some serious R&R, this spa day setup is absolutely adorable.
Fill a bowl with mini marshmallows to create the fluffiest "bubble bath" imaginable, then nestle your elf right in the middle looking completely relaxed.
Wrap a piece of toilet paper around their head like a plush spa towel, then cut two small circles out of green construction paper to look like cucumber slices and place them over their eyes.
5. This is our version of angel hair pasta!
Lay a handful of uncooked spaghetti noodles flat on the counter, then position your elf holding a mini curling iron (or a regular one if that's all you've got) near the end of the pasta.
Place a pack of ramen noodles next to the curling iron so it looks like your elf has been "curling" the straight spaghetti into those perfectly crimped ramen waves.
Leave a note that says, "This is our version of angel hair pasta!" and let your kids try to wrap their heads around the logic.
4. Can you help Scout Elf with his math homework?
If your elf is trying to stay relevant with the latest trends (and honestly, good for them), this math homework setup is perfect for kids who are obsessed with the 67 phenomenon.
Prop your elf next to a small notebook with "Elf's Math Homework" written across the top in big letters.
Then fill the page with a bunch of math problems that all involve the numbers 6 and 7 — think 6+7, 6-7, 6×7, 67÷1, you get the idea. Make it look like your elf has been working on this all night long.
3. Scout Elf got a new gift this year!
If your elf is tired of watching the kids have all the screen time fun, this punny DIY device is comedic genius.
Prop your elf so they're holding a small notebook with "Eye-Pad" written across the cover in bold letters. Then go absolutely wild gluing googly eyes all over the page — the more eyes, the better.
Leave a note that says, "Look! I got my own iPad!" and prepare for the groans, giggles, and eye rolls (pun intended).
2. Parachuting with my friends!
f your elf has a taste for extreme sports and aerial stunts, this parachute drop is visually impressive and surprisingly simple to pull off.
Grab a plastic grocery bag (or a few if you want a whole squadron) and tape the bottom of the bag flat against the ceiling. Then attach your elf to the handles so they're dangling down mid-descent.
If your kids have toy figurines or stuffed animals, have them join in on the fun.
1. Let’s make friendship bracelets
Position your elf next to a bowl of colorful Froot Loops with a piece of string or yarn laid out nearby. Leave a note that says, "Let's make friendship bracelets! Can you make one for me?" and let the magic unfold.
Your kids will love threading the cereal onto the string, creating a colorful (and edible) bracelet for their elf.
Plus, it doubles as a fun morning activity that keeps tiny hands busy, and let's be honest — they'll probably snack on half the Froot Loops in the process.
Funny Elf on the Shelf ideas don’t need to be too elaborate
While many parents enjoy the Elf on the Shelf tradition, others can find it difficult to keep up with.
“It’s a pain in the butt,” one single mother, Beryl Goldblatt, said of her Scout Elf in a 2024 interview with the New York Post.
“I’m tired when I get home. I do my nightly routine to get my daughter in bed then I have [to] sacrifice my relaxation time figuring out what this elf is going to do tonight,” she continued.
That criticism isn’t lost on “Elf on the Shelf” creators Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, who responded to the complaints while speaking with the Post.
“The people that get it, get it,” Bell told the outlet. “And the people that don’t — well, not everyone’s gonna like everything.”
The twin sisters, who act as co-founders and co-CEOs of Lumistella Co., the company that owns the “Elf on the Shelf” brand, urged parents to dial it back if it’s too overwhelming.
“He doesn’t have to be that complicated,” Bell continued.
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“Keep the tradition simple. It’s all about what works for your family,” she added.
