Love it or hate it, the Elf is back! We didn’t start the Elf on the Shelf until my kids were 6 & 8, it just felt too hard before that. This list is 4 years of my best and silliest Elf on the Shelf ideas for older kids- all fun and easy and don’t include buying tiny kits.
27 Last Minute Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
The following list are easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that don’t involve weird little kits and all take under 5 minutes to set up. This list is geared to he older kid crowd too. Not that younger kids wouldn’t enjoy these, but it’s not Toy Story, Disney, Bluey and more silly jokes and shows for the older elementary and middle school kiddos.
Night 1- North Pole Mail
Grab an old box, print out any “fragile handle with care” label on the internet and glue it to the box. Cut a hole in the box for Elf’s head and arms to stick through. Next, add a mailing label by gluing a peice of paper to the top of the box with “To:” and “From:” filled out. Stick the Elf in the box on the front porch.
Elf on the Shelf Social Media Jokes
I am very amused by these social media joke Elf ideas, but I will note that my kids find the, less funny, ha!
2. Apple watches
Doodle clock faces on white paper and attach to apples with tape. My kids were not amused, ha!
3. You Tube is boring
Grab an empty cardboard tube and write a letter “U” on the cardboard tube. Add a sign that says, “U Tube is boring. I’d rather read books.” My kids loved this one!
4. Eye pad
Glue google eyes to any pad of paper. If you don’t have a pad of paper in the desk drawer, ask a neighbor! Or Here’s a link for cute, colorful pads of paper– share this pack with friends who are also in need of clever Elf of the Shelf ideas!
Food Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Some of the food ideas below involve buying specific things, but one of my favorite last minute Elf ideas is to put the Elf inside any box of anything open in the pantry! Chips, crackers, popcorn, cereal… stick his legs out of the box and leave a few crumbs. Done and done.
5. Is it Cake?
If your kids love the show Is It Cake?, this elf idea is really fun one. For this Elf game you will need to buy 1 box of Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes, but once you have that just grab a few other Chrsitmas items that pseudo resemble cake! For extra points, wrap the Elf in a white paper cone and add some marker decorations for a cake disguise.
6. Taco Tuesday
This idea is a tad tricky only because it works best if done on a Monday night. Although, Taco Wednesday, Taco Saturday, Tacos are great for any day! Elves get confused, you know? Cut a hole in a tortilla and wrap up that Elf. Done and done.
7. Hide Elf in a cabinet
Stick the Elf in a mug in a kitchen cabinet with bags of Hot Chocolate ready. If you’re fancy, add chocolate stir sticks or candy canes. Who doesn’t love a box of Swiss Miss?
8. Free Kisses
I love mint and chocolate, so I was very excited about when I found this bag of mint truffles from Hershey Kisses! Add a “free Elf kisses” sign and everyone wins.
9. Elf opens a bag of anything
Grab a bag of popcorn, chips, or Oreos and have the Elf spill it out. Make a few crumbs for extra points.
Easy Bathroom Elf Ideas
Kids love a poop joke and finding the Elf in the bathroom is always exciting.
10. Your poop smells
Grab a few rolls of tp and add a sign that says, “Jingle Bells your poop smells” Kids love it every time.
11. We love skin care too
My daughter loved this one! Set the Elf up in a bathroom with the most skin care products. Use lipstick or lip gloss to write a note on the mirror.
Easy Elf on the Shelf Challenges & Games
12. Snowball challenge
Use my silly poem or make up your own, but my kids love trying to catch marshmallows in their mouth! And the treat with a bow? It’s usually leftover Halloween candy, ha!
13. Drawing challenge
This is less of a challenge and more of an activity for the kiddo that loves to draw! Remembering to leave a note about how much Santa loved the art the next night is is the hardest part.
14. Tic tac toe
Use washi tape (here’s a festive inexpensive roll!) to make a tic tac toe on the floor. You could also use strips of paper or any other tape you haveFor game pieces, use whatever candy, marshmallow, coins you have available. Be sure to grab a stuffie to be the Elf’s playmate!
Last minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas
A few of the ideas below include buying things, including baby elves, ha!
15. Take Elf to see lights
Stick the Elf in a glass vessel and put her under the Christmas tree with a sign that says “Take me to see lights, please”. The glass jar is key so that you can take the Elf without touching the Elf.
16. Painted toes trick
This is probably my kids favorite Elf joke to date! It’s also the most time consuming on this list, ha! Leave a note that says, “I left your dad a funny treat, go find him now and look at his feet!” Before bed, paint your partners toes. I promise the kids will love this one.
17. Pregnant Elf announcement
My friend, Kelly, came up with this cuteness! This is probably my daughters favorite Elf trick to date, but it involves buying baby elves. Google search sonogram image and print it out tiny to have the Elf announce the pregnancy. The next night, the baby elves arrive!
18. LEGO help
I use the same Elf LEGO set every year and add a note that says, “Help, please!” Here is a cute, small inexpensive set for this Elf trick. This LEGO train is a fun set too!
19. Melted snowman
Grab a bowl of water, a carrot, 2 google eyes, and a few sticks and set it out side with a note that reads, “Fingers crossed it doesn’t melt! I brought it from the North Pole.” Add glitter to the water for extra effect.
20. Dry eraser marker on outlet
Use a dry erase marker to doodle hair and a mustache on an outlet. Have the Elf hold the dry erase marker. It wipes right off.
21. Dad farted
Have the Elf hide under a clear drinking glass with a sign that says, “Dad farted! Hiding from the smell in here.”
22. Minion bananas
Use a black permanent marker to draw Minion faces on bananas and leave the marker with the Elf.
23. Hanging out
Have the Elf hang from anywhere- the Christmas tree, chandelier, fan, and light fixtures are all fun ideas!
24. Snow angel
Lay the elf in powdered sugar to make a snow angel.
25. Candy cane hunt
The candy cane hunt card is from our advent card, but this is a fun idea for an Elf! Simply use a note like this, “I ate a few but hid some too. Good luck!” And don’t forget the broken candy canes scattered around the Elf.
26. Snowflake cutting accident
Cut out snowflakes and set the Elf up in the mess. Don’t forget the bandage!
27. Turn pictures into coloring sheets
Add old Chrsitmas pictures to chat gpt and as it to turn the images into coloring sheets for kids. So easy and fun for evreyone!
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