These super quick last minute ideas could really help you out
Written 15th September 2022 | Subscribe to our Christmas newsletter
We've all been there. At first it's exciting when the elves arrive, thinking of inventive and creative ways for those cheeky elves to appear in the mornings. You may even have some elf on the shelf props lined up. Good work!
But as time goes on, it gets harder and harder and sometimes it cactches you out. How many times have we woken in the night and thought 'Oh no, I've forgotten the elves, quick what can I do that is quick and easy'.
We've compiled a list of fantastic, simple but creative ideas you can do with your elves, that will take you less than 1 minute.
Need more Elf on the shelf ideas?
- Join our dedicated ideas Facebook group
- Complicated Elf on the Shelf ideas
- Shocking and Inappropriate Elf on the Shelf
- Elf on the shelf with Mini Marshmallows
The Blinds
Place the elf between the blinds with this poem - 'Roses are red, violets are blue, I got stuck in the blinds, coming back to you', written on a piece of paper.
Credit: Telegraph
Drawing on Photos
Using a wipe-clean pen you can deface photos. Makes sure you test the pen first to make sure it is easily removed.
Credit: Credit Unknown
The Snow Angel
Using everyday flour or sugar you can create this simple, but effective snow angel.
Credit: Credit Unknown
Hostage Elf
Taped to the wall, if you have toy soldiers great, if not you could pretend any toy has done this.
Credit: Jennifer Saintz Photography
Minion Bananas
With just a sharpie pen and you can bring the bananas to life.
Credit: Stacy Molter Photography
Hot Dog Elf
Place the elf in a roll and position condiments around him.
Elf Burrito
Wrap an elf in a burrito and cut a circle for his head.
Credit: Frugal Coupon Living
Elf Stuck a Jar
Put the Elf in a jar
Credit: Your Elf Name
Elf in Kitchen Roll
Put the middle of a kitchen roll to pretend he is stuck.
Credit: Pinterest
Broken Bones
Using toilet paper and some sellotape, create a broken leg/arm. May also encourage children to tidy up.
Elf Poo
A packet of chocolate chips across the floor looks like elf poo. If you have a potty you can go one further and sit the elf on there.
Credit: Pinterest
Tooth Fairy
A great idea if one of your little ones has lost a tooth.
Elf Christmas Tree
Pile up your cushions and sit the elf on the top! Simple but genius
Dinosaur Ride
Line up your child's dinosaur toys and sit the Elf riding on the front one. This can also be done with horses.
Credit: Ally T
Toilet Roll Elves
Put the elves in toilet rolls, you can also recreate this note.
Credit: Jennifer Tarnowski
Elf Surveillance
This sign can be bought from Etsy. Alternatively, you can create your own.
The Toilet Roll
Put the elf in the toilet roll at the bottom of the stairs, leave some unraveling.
Credit: The Mummy Bubble
The Toilet Roll Snowman
Draw on the toilet rolls to create a toilet roll snowman. If you have time, make a scarf.
Credit: Mummy of Four
Reading a Story
Place the elf as if he reading a story to the other toys.
Credit: Mummy of four
Secret Message
The secret message can be made up by you, or even quicker - just print it here
Credit: Over the big moon
Elf in the fridge
Wrap a towel or blanket around the elf and pop him in the fridge.
Sharks
Sharks in the bath
Credit: Michael Td Roberts
Washing Machine
Elf stuck in the washing machine
Credit: Johary Colón
Toothpaste
Squirt toothpaste into the sink.
Credit: Renita Odstrcil
Height Chart
Place one elf against the wall. Use the other elf to be checking how tall the other elf is along a wall.
Credit: Reading with Mrs D
elf-on-the-shelf-toothpaste-mirror-writing
Great for children who don't brush their teeth.
Credit: Nevaeh Lofton
Toilet Roll Tower
Put the toilet rolls on top of each other.
Credit: Giggles Galore
Rice Crispy Shoe
Fill a shoe with rice crispies. Quick to do last minute but takes a while to tidy up the next day.
Crisps Tree
Place the Crisps into a tree shape.
Credit: Claire Danby
Cutlery Drawer
Credit: poofycheeks.com
Cotton buds snowmen
Credit: Instagram
Carrot
Grate a carrot and draw a face on him.
Credit: Happy Toddler Playtime
Elf with Springles
Tip sprinkles on a tray and place elf in the middle.
Credit: Grimsbytelegraph
Clingfilm
Wrap an adult's shoes in clingfilm.
Credit: Anjali - Recipe Magik
Grocery List
Write a list of things the elf would like such as cookies, syrup and candy canes.
Credit: Cloe
Coat hanger elf
Hang the elf from the ceiling with a coat hanger
Credit: Made the best of everything
Spider Elf
Print off a face of spiderman and attach to the elf, hang upside down.
Credit: Brit
Candy Cane Elf
Using candy canes hang your elf from the ceiling.
Credit: Beeing mommy
Tall Elf
Use wrapping paper to create long legs on the elf.
Credit: We have kids
Balloon Elf
Trap the elf on a balloon and blow it up. Write 'Help Me' on the front of the balloon.
Credit: Jennifer joy life
Dog Biscuits
Pretend the elf has eaten dog biscuits and write a note to say not to leave them out for Santa.
Credit: Flickr
Farting Elf
Free Reindeer Poop
Fill a bowl with brown cereal.
Help You locked me out
Such an easy one, place the elf outside with a note saying 'Help, you locked me out'
Credit: wiccanwoman
On the phone
The elf on the shelf is taking a serious phone call
Credit: Becki Jayne Wright
Peek a boo
Place the elf between toilet rolls and write on the toilet roll with pen.
Credit: Tara Kush
Eating Choco Snaps
Place the elf in the box and place coco pops on the table.
Credit: Rach Jr Palmer - facebook
Birthday
Place the elf near some candles and write a note asking the children when the elf's birthday is.
Credit: Christina Mayhue Emmel - facebook
Animals
Place the elf amongst the animals.
Credit: Jeannette La Marque Kruger - facebook
Poo on Toothbrush
Place a chocolate chip on a toothbrush
Credit: Don Mcabee - facebook
Marshmallows over Candles
Toasing marshmallows over candles
Credit: Kelly Bradley
Elf in a cotton wools
Place the elf in a 'snow bath' using cotton wool
Credit: Dana Wisseman - facebook
Elf doing a poo in a glass
Using Chocolate chips in a glass.
Credit: Dana Wisseman - facebook
Toilet Paper
Throw toilet paper over the tree.
Credit: Karen Bydawell - facebook
Races
The elves find animals to cross the finish line
Credit: Em Cole
Elf Twister
By drawing a mini twister board you can easily create this design.
Credit: hikendip.com
Hanging
Hang the elf upside down from a light.
Credit: Helen Wild - Facebook
No Ipads
Wrap an iPad in clingfilm, so quick and effective.
Credit: Yamille Quinones
Feeding the duck
Fill a sink with water, add some rubber ducks. Add some bread
Credit: Megan Ray - Facebook
Listen to Mummy
Fantastic idea for children who haven't been listening to mum. Makes some mini ear muffs using pipe cleaners and pom poms.
Credit: Tiffany Grammer
Snowman
Such an easy way to make a snowman
Credit: Kasandra
Christmas Picture
Ask the children to draw a picture that the Elf will give to Santa. Great way to get children being creative.
Credit: Little Learning Club
Tins
By stacking tins on top of each other can make a really effective 'Elf Ladder"
Credit: Your Girl Knows
Ironed Chips
Ironing crinkle cut chips to make them straight
Ice Hills
Make Ice hills out of toilet paper on your furniture.
The Floor is Lava
Credit: mercy sanchez
Princess Elf
Introducing Princess Elf on the shelf
Credit: Nikki
Bedtime Elves
Credit: Credit Unknown
Make Up Elf
Brr it's cold
Sun Tan Elf
Credit: Natalie Kalck Ware
Eggs
Using a pack of eggs, create a scared look on the egg's faces
Credit: Melissa Abshire
Sick Elf
Put the elf in a shoe box and cover with a pretend cover and pillow. Add the Vaporub, tissues and a thermonitor next to them.
Credit: Leann Burleson
I Pea'd my elf
Elf Donuts
Using cherrios to symbolize elf donuts
Elf picture
I have my own Ipad
Snowman Orange
Elf pooing on biscuits
I've made my own TikTok
Melted Snowman
Using milk and cereal.
Elf pox
Magic
'Rock' climbing
Swapping Oreo filling for toothpaste
Toilet Monster
Credit: Pinterest
End bad behaviour
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