25 Funny & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Between family events, school parties, decorating for the holidays, and everything else that comes with the Christmas season, December can feel so hectic! Sometimes the last thing I want to do is come up with new ideas for our Elf on the Shelf, Sparkles. But my kids absolutely love it, and I want them to hold onto that Christmas magic for as long as possible, so we make it work. Here are 25 funny and easy Elf on the Shelf ideas to get you through every day of December leading up to Christmas!

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Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #1: Rock, Paper, Scissors

The majority of these Elf on the Shelf ideas use items you probably already have around the house! For this one, all you need are scissors, a small rock, and paper. Use Christmas wrapping paper to make this one extra festive!

Idea #2: Snowball Fight

Grab some small cotton balls or white pom poms and surround your elf with them. Write a note that says, “Let’s have a snowball fight!”

Idea #3: Feeling Toasty

For extra “fun mom” points, make breakfast extra special with a few of their favorite toasts! Cinnamon sugar toast is a kid-approved, easy option.

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #4: Chocolate-Covered Face

There always seem to be extra treats around the house this time of year, so finding a spare sweet or two shouldn’t be a problem. Smear a little chocolate on your elf’s face and place them next to an open package of cookies or another fun treat for a silly setup!

Idea #5: Elf Ball Pit

All you need for this easy elf on the shelf activity is a bowl and some colorful pompoms!

Idea #6: Flour or Sprinkle “Snow” Angels

This one is a little messy, but your kids will get a kick out of it! Spread some flour or sprinkles on the counter and lay your elf in the middle of it. Move its limbs a few times to make it look like they’ve been doing “snow angels”.

Idea #7: Doodle on Their Faces

I’ve seen parents draw on their kids’ faces while they’re sleeping and blame it on the elf, but some kids may not like that. Plus, there’s always the risk they’ll wake up while you’re doing it! Instead, I drew on some extra school photos we had. But you could also use dry-erase markers and doodle on the glass of picture frames.

Idea #8: Gone Fishing

Grab some Goldfish and place them inside a bathroom sink. Then, make a “fishing pole” out of a straw and some string. Tie one of the fish to the string, and have your Elf sitting on the edge of the sink, ready to catch more.

Idea #9: In the Fridge

Wrap your elf in a dishcloth, blanket-style. Then, place them inside your fridge. You could also make it look like the elf got into sugary treats, like whipped cream, or have the elf draw faces on eggs, too! Get creative here—the kids will love it!

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #10: Hershey’s Kiss

Place Hershey’s Kisses around your elf, then wrap the elf in aluminum foil so it looks like they’re tucked inside a Hershey’s Kiss wrapper too!

Idea #11: Upside Down Elf

Help your elf defy gravity by placing them upside down on the ceiling! You can use Museum Gel or heavy-duty mounting tape to hang them up. Be sure to spot test the adhesive in an inconspicuous place before putting it on your ceiling!

Idea #12: Melted Snowman

Sit your elf next to a clear glass of water—AKA, a melted snowman. Add toothpicks, googly eyes, and a tiny carrot piece (for the nose) to the water, then leave a note that says, “I brought a snowman back from the North Pole!”

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #13: Rocket Ship

We are big fans of Magna-Tiles, and they are the perfect way to make a custom rocket ship for our elf!

Idea #14: Toilet Paper Igloo

Build an “igloo” from rolls of toilet paper and place your elf inside. You could also add a battery-operated tea light to double as a fire!

Idea #15: Cereal Bracelets

Sparkles is such a thoughtful elf. 😉 One day, she made these cereal bracelets with pipe cleaners and Cheerios. The kids loved it!

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #16: Weight Training

All you need for this one is two mini marshmallows and a toothpick! Stick a marshmallow on either end of the toothpick to create a barbell. If you have a home gym or exercise area, place your elf there. If not, the counter works just fine, too!

Idea #17: Blame it on Dad

All kids will laugh about this one, but the boys might find it especially funny. Place a glass jar over your elf along with a note that says something like, “Your dad farted! I’m hiding,” or place it in the bathroom with the message “It smells better inside this jar.”

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #18: Breakfast

Get some mini Oreos, special cereal, or another treat and put it in a small bowl. Then, make a tiny “apron” from white printer paper for your elf to wear. It doesn’t have to be fancy! Just a small rectangle with a strip of paper around the back, tied around the elf’s waist, will do the trick.

Idea #19: Playing with Toys

This one might be the easiest Elf on the Shelf idea of all! Just place your elf among your kids’ toys and make it look like they’re joining in on the fun. A few fun ideas: sit them in the driver’s seat of a construction truck, tuck them inside a dollhouse, or perch them on top of a LEGO tower like they helped build it.

Idea #20: Tree Farm

One thing’s for sure: when Sparkles is around, she probably has treats nearby. All you need for this “tree farm” are some sprinkles, frosting, and triangular ice cream cones. Leave a note explaining what the kids should do, and they’ll take it from there!

Idea #21: Pet Treats

Sit your elf on the counter and place pet treats around them. Add a message that says, “These cookies are terrible!” Your kids are sure to get a laugh from this one.

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas #22: Spa Day

Cut out two tiny circles and color them light green to look like cucumber slices. Tape them over your elf’s eyes, then wrap the elf in a small white washcloth. To complete the spa-day look, rest the elf’s feet in a small bowl of Epsom salt (Bonus: you can take a relaxing Epsom salt bath with what your elf doesn’t use!).

Idea #23: Making Cookies

Get some brown Play-Doh, a small cookie cutter, and set up a cookie-baking scene for your elf! Then, plan a time to make (non-Play-Doh) Christmas cookies together.

Idea #24: Band-Aids

Put Band-Aids on your elf’s arms and legs, then stick them to the fridge. The wackier the way they’re stuck, the better!

Idea #25: Pack a Lunch

Set out your kids’ lunchboxes and position the elf so it looks like they’re helping to pack them. Pair the scene with a special Christmas treat for lunch and a note that says, “I hope you like the lunch I packed you!”

What are your favorite easy Elf on the Shelf ideas?

I’m always looking for new ideas! Let me know in the comments.

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