The Best of 2019: Elf on the Shelf Ideas | The Elf on the Shelf (2024)

Spirited Sled Race

Ready to ride? Even without snowy terrain, your Elf Pets^® Arctic Fox is ready to race through your home with your Scout Elf in tow for a swift and spirited sled ride.

Materials:

• Orna-Moments^® Snow Day Sled
• Elf Pets® Arctic Fox
• Scout Elves at Play® Tools Candy Cane Cable

Instructions:

1. Your elf will use the package instructions to build the Orna-Moments^® Snow Day Sled.
2. Then, your elf will use Candy Cane Cable or string to attach the sled to the collar of your Elf Pets^® Arctic Fox[es].
3. Finally, your elf will get ready for an exhilarating sled race, courtesy of the arctic fox cub racing team!

Winter Window Washer

When it’s time to catch a peek of Santa on Christmas Eve, you’ll have a crystal-clear view thanks to your Scout Elf’s squeaky-clean window washing skills!

Materials:

• Spray snow/washable window marker
• Two wooden craft sticks
• Pipe cleaner
• Plastic coffee stirrer
• Scissors
• Glue
• Tape
• Scout Elves at Play® Tools Candy Cane Cable

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will coat a window with spray snow or a washable white window marker.
2. Then, your elf will create a 1” x 1.5” T-shaped squeegee by cutting and gluing together a pipe cleaner and a plastic coffee stirrer.
3. To create a bench, your elf will glue two wooden craft sticks together, side by side.
4. Next, they will tie a piece of Candy Cane Cable or string onto one end of the bench. They will repeat this step on the other end.
5. Your elf will use the string to hang their bench on a hook or curtain rod before climbing onto their seat.
6. Using their handy elf-sized squeegee, your elf will wash the windows until they are squeaky clean. Bonus: Your elf may also use an elf-sized washcloth or bucket they brought back from the North Pole or bought at a local craft store.

Breakfast of Scout Elf Champions

We’ve seen Christmas trees but never one quite like this! Your Scout Elf will decorate a milk carton to look just like a tree—the perfect festive backdrop to enjoy their morning cereal or host an official North Pole Breakfast!

Materials:

• Jug of milk
• Green food coloring
• Ribbon
• Pom poms
• Refrigerator
• Color printer
• Card stock/paper
• Printable
• Elf-sized bowl
• The Elf on the Shelf^® Sugar Cookie Cereal

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will turn a jug of milk green by adding food coloring.
2. Then, they will decorate the jug Christmas tree style with ribbon and pom poms.
3. They’ll hide out in the fridge, too, with their own mini bowl of The Elf on the Shelf^® Sugar Cookie Cereal. Helpful hint for elves: A ramekin makes an easy elf-sized bowl or search for one at a local craft store.
4. As a finishing touch, your elf will print and cut out the mini cereal box included in the printable and wait for you to find them!

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Festive and Fruity “Snow” Angel

Scout Elves love making snow angels of all kinds, and with a few packs of fruit snacks, they can create the perfect colorful display.

Materials:

• Assorted fruit flavored snacks

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will spread out a colorful assortment of fruit flavored snacks
2. Then, they will lay down in the pile and begin waving their arms and legs to create a funny, fruity “snow” angel.

All Tied Up

Unravel the ball of yarn your Scout Elf left behind in this twisted, tied up, hidden treat surprise!

Materials:

• Thick yarn
• Individually wrapped candies or treats
• Cellophane
• Pen and paper

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will gather a handful of small candies or treats and wrap them tightly in cellophane.
2. Then, they will begin wrapping the bundle of treats in thick yarn, hiding it completely.
3. Your Scout Elf will sit next to the yarn and leave a note asking you to unwind it to find a special treat they left for you!

Working at the Pet Wash

Wash, rinse and repeat! Your Scout Elf will help your Elf Pets^® get sudsy in a mini pet wash machine to make sure they’re fresh and clean for playtime with little ones.

Materials:

• Tissue box
• Tissue paper
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue
• Yarn
• Small bench
• Small towel
• Elf Pets® Saint Bernard
• Elf Pets® Arctic Fox
• Color printer
• Card stock/paper
• Printable

Instructions:

1. Your Scout Elf will cut out a rectangular shape on the front and back of a tissue box to create an entrance and exit for the pet wash.
2. Then, they will cut off the bottom of the box.
3. Your elf will cover the frame with tissue paper.
4. To create a sign, your elf will cut a small piece of construction paper, fold it in half and glue it on top of the box.
5. Next, they will print and cut out the printable pet wash sign and glue it to the construction paper; the bubbles and suds can be added to the box for additional decoration.
6. To create a sponge with bristles, your elf will cut little strands of construction paper and tape the fringe in the corners of the pet wash entrance.
7. On the opposite end, your elf will glue strands of yarn to the inner top of the box to mark the pet wash exit.
8. Finally, your elf will sit next to the pet wash on a small bench with a drying towel in hand to wait for your squeaky clean Elf Pets^®.

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Karaoke Caroling

Christmas carols aren’t the only thing the Scout Elves can sing! Watch your Scout Elf hit the high notes in this cool karaoke idea, featuring a printable with the lyrics to some of the elves’ favorites songs.

Materials:

• Color printer
• Card stock/paper
• Printable
• Scissors
• Tape
• Small box
• Modeling clay
• Fishing Line
• Elf Pets® Reindeer
• Elf Pets® Arctic Fox
• Elf Pets® Saint Bernard

Instructions:

1. Your elf will print and cut out the printable, featuring lyrics to popular North Pole songs.
2. Then, they will tape the lyrics to a wall and leave behind the printable sing-along sheets so kids can join the fun, too!
3. Your elf will find a small box to serve as a stage. Helpful hint for elves: Fishing line is a great tool to help you stand steady on stage while singing!
4. Finally, they will create an elf-sized microphone out of modeling clay and hop on stage to show off their inner superstar!

Get the family together to participate in your own Elf on the Shelf Karaoke Challenge.

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Super Sweet Highway

Beep! Beep! Scout Elf coming through! Your elf will cruise along this sweet treat road using an easy-to-assemble Orna-Moments^® vehicle.

Materials:

• Orna-Moments^® Snowflake Snowmobile
• Orna-Moments^® Scout Elf Racer
• Graham crackers
• Sour candy belts
• Mini marshmallows
• Elf Pets® Reindeer
• Elf Pets® Arctic Fox

Instructions:

1. To create this holiday crossing, your elf will use the package instructions to build the Snowflake Snowmobile and/or the Scout Elf Racer.
2. Next, your elf will build a Christmas-inspired roadway by laying graham crackers in a straight line and using a sour candy belt to create two lanes.
3. Your elf will scatter marshmallows along the roadway to give it a snowy look.
4. Finally, your elf will hop onto their ride and drive along the super sweet highway, being careful not to cause a traffic jam with the Elf Pets^®!

Christmas Circuit Workout

It’s time to get in shape for the Christmas season, and your Scout Elf knows the perfect way: setting up an interval workout with some of their favorite sweets!

Materials:

• Color printer
• Card stock/paper
• Printable
• Paper straw
• Donut holes
• Mini marshmallows
• Cruller

Instructions:

1. Your Scout Elf will print and cut out the printable listing the circuit workout.
2. Then, they will use pipe cleaners for muscle ropes, a cruller as a tire and donut holes or marshmallows attached to a paper straw to imitate a weighted barbell.
3. Finally, your elf will move through the circuits to complete their high intensity Christmas workout

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Super Merry-O

What a super idea! With a few boxes and craft supplies, your Scout Elf will take their daily surprise to the next level in this elf-tastic reboot of a classic video game!

Materials:

• Small gift boxes
• Construction paper
• Pipe cleaners
• Peppermints
• Pom poms
• Googly eyes
• Tape
• Glue
• Elf Pets® Reindeer
• Scout Elves at Play® Tools Holiday Harness

Instructions:

1. Your Scout Elf will start by rolling green construction paper into a cylinder shape and gluing a pipe cleaner along the top edge to create a pipe.
2. Then, they will gather small gift boxes and wrap them in construction paper.
3. To mimic a video game scene, your elf will tape the boxes in rows on a wall.
4. Then they will tape peppermint “coins” and small pom-pom “mushrooms” onto the wall.
5. Finally, they will attach the Holiday Harness to the wall and strap it around themselves, so they are ready to experience this super video game adventure.

“Marblelous” Paint

With a little shaving cream and food coloring, this elf created “marblelous” Christmas-inspired artwork to put on display!

Materials:

• White shaving cream
• Plate
• Food coloring
• Paint brush
• White paper or card stock
• Scissors
• Piece of plastic

Instructions:

1. Your elf will create the base of the “marblelous” paint by squeezing small drops of food coloring onto a plate of shaving cream.
2. Using a paint brush, your elf will swirl the food coloring into a unique design.
3. After, they will cut small squares of white paper or card stock.
4. They will place the paper onto the shaving cream and lightly rub the paper.
5. Then, they will flip the paper over and use a piece of plastic to scrape off any remaining shaving cream.
6. Ta-da! The food coloring and shaving cream mixture, a.k.a. marble paint, has created a beautiful design! Helpful hint for elves: These steps can be repeated as many times as you want with different colors to create new designs.

Mini Story Time

Your elf can take a page from the book of this Scout Elf, who is having a mini reading session with his friends.

Materials:

• Plushee Pals® Mini Clip-ons
• Scout Elves at Play^® Cozy Christmas Story Time
• Printer (optional)

Instructions:

1. To set up this bitty book reading, your elf will gather his friends, the Plushee Pals^® Mini Clip-ons.
2. Then, your elf will open the mini version of The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, which is included with the Cozy Christmas Story Time set and read to their audience!
3. Alternate option: Your elf could search online for the book cover of one of their favorite tales, print a small version of it and staple it to other miniature pages to form their own bitty book.

Perfectly Roasted Marshmallow

Your Scout Elf is keeping things sweet by roasting marshmallows over an open gumdrop fire—a sweet alternative to a typical campfire!

Materials:

• 5 cardboard straws
• Handful of gumdrops
• Jumbo marshmallows
• Glue

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will create a base to roast their marshmallow on by gluing two straws in the shape of an “X.” They will repeat this step to create two sides.
2. Then, your elf will create a roasting stick by placing a straw through one jumbo marshmallow and resting it atop the base.
3. Your elf will gather a small handful of gumdrops and place them underneath the marshmallow to look like a small campfire and toast their treat to perfection.

All the Jingle Ladies

All the jingle ladies, all the jingle ladies! Your Scout Elf can play the part of a glamourous dancer by channeling her inner pop artist while sporting fabulous Claus Couture Collection^® fashions!

Materials:

• Claus Couture Collection^® Pastel Polar Princess dress
• Small jingle bells
• Toothpicks
• Glue

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will slip into her Claus Couture Collection^® outfit!
2. Then, she will use glue to attach two small jingle bells to a toothpick.
3. Finally, your elf will hold her instrument and unleash her inner pop star! All the jingle ladies, now put your hands up!

Bridge to Safety

Why did the elf cross the sink? “Jaws” because he wanted to! Your elf will take a daring trip over shark-filled waters in this this adventurous elf idea that can be staged in a bathroom or kitchen.

Materials:

• Wooden craft sticks
• Paper straws
• Plastic sharks
• Blue paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Color Printer
• Card stock/paper
• Printable
• Elf Pets® Saint Bernard
• Elf Pets® Arctic Fox

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will build the base of the bridge by gluing two paper straws end to end. They will repeat this step to create the two sides of the base. Helpful hint for elves: Add extra straws for longer sinks.
2. For extra stability, your elf will glue a wooden craft stick under each set of connected straws.
3. To complete the bridge, your elf will glue wooden craft sticks horizontally from straw to straw, spacing them evenly to create bridge planks.
4. Finally, your elf will place the bridge over a sink where small sharks are lurking on blue construction paper “water.”
5. Your elf will make a daring trip across the sink using their bridge to safety!
6. As a finishing touch, your elf will cut out one of the jokes from the punny printable and tape it on a nearby wall to elicit a laugh from little ones.

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