Ideas for your Elf on the Shelf. Free printable Elf on the Shelf notes included. These are great easy last-minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas. 
An Elf on the Shelf sits on a piano holding a note that says "play me a song?" while a child plays piano.
 
We’re well into the second week of December and starting to run low on creative Elf on the Shelf ideas. Our girls are 3 and 6 and completely enamored with our little elf friend. I know this phase, so full of wonder and belief in Christmas magic won’t last long, so we are trying to have as much fun with it as we can.
 
But… there are many nights I finish putting the girls to bed, washing the dishes, maybe getting around to a shower, that elfin creativity is the last thing I’m feeling. I’ve been so thankful for my friends posting their elves’ antics on facebook to give me some inspiration. If you’re like me and could use a few more Elf on the Shelf ideas, here’s the mischief our little guy has been getting into… 
 
First, find out When Elf on the Shelf Leaves and Comes Back. And grab our printable letter from elves. Keep reading for the rest of the Elf ideas! 

An Elf on the Shelf sits next two two small Christmas trees and a printable that says "Elf Rules" with a list of the Elf on the Shelf Rules.

Start out by printing our Elf on the Shelf Rules to keep handy for the holiday season. 

Funny Last-Minute Kid-Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

 
elf arrival

1. Arrival Elf on the Shelf Idea

On Thanksgiving, my husband went for his long bike ride. When he got back he casually mentioned to the girls that he felt something strange on his back, and felt especially quick, while riding home down the mountain. The girls’ jaws dropped when he turned around and they saw the elf in his cycling shirt pocket. 
 
Learn about the best times for Elf on the Shelf to leave and return here

2. Music Practice Request 

Pictured at top. Daily piano practice is just more fun when an elf asks. This is a great way to make music or any other chore more fun. 
 
elf on the shelf sits next to green tic tac "seeds" that have grown into mini candy canes sticking out of a bowl of sugar

3. Candy Cane Garden 

My friend Kaeley posted this idea on Facebook and I loved it so much I had to do it with the girls. It’s a 2-day project.
 
On day one, your elf leaves “Elf seeds” aka tic-tacs, and a note instructing the kids to plant them in bowl of sugar. The next morning baby candy canes have sprung up! 
 
elf on the shelf swings from a candy cane hooked over a turquoise chandelier

4. Candy Cane Trapeze 

Who wouldn’t want to swing from a chandelier from candy canes? 
 
elf on the shelf lies flat in a home printer while making photocopies of himself

5. Printer Elf

Elf making copies of himself. I think I found this idea on Pinterest. It cracks me up every time. 
 
elf on the shelf sits at a pink doll house table and makes s'mores for an easy and fun kid friendly idea

5. S’mores elf

Another idea my friend posted on Facebook. I thought it was hilarious and had to copy it. Dollhouse furniture is great for elves! 

An elf on the shelf sits in a bowl filled with loom bands and makes bracelets.

6. Crafty Elf

Our 6-year-old loves making these popular rubber band bracelets. And she is sure she is the only one in the house who knows how to make them, so she was amazed to find our little elf had made his own band bracelets in the night.
 
*Hint: elves can learn to make band bracelets by watching YouTube tutorials. 
 
Update: rainbow loom isn’t as popular these days but you could use any beads or crafts your family has at home. No need to learn a new skill or shop. 
 

An elf on the shelf rides a small white toy horse while leading a toy animal parade.

7. Animal Parade Elf

If you have kids, you probably have plenty of toy animals. 

Line them up with your elf getting ride! 

An elf on the shelf sticks out of a broken gingerbread house and has chocolate on his face. A funny idea.

8. Sweet Tooth Elf

There’s no denying elves like sugar. This guy stuck in the gingerbread house reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

Your elf could get into all sorts of different mischief eating whatever treats you have at home. 

An elf on the shelf makes a snow angel.

9. Snow Angel Elf

If you live in the snow, you’re set. If not, use powdered sugar or fake snow to give your elf a fun winter experience. 

Two elf on the shel dolls sit in a microwave with mini marshmallows while another elf presses a button.

10. Naughty Elf 

Now that our kids are in the tween-teen years, they are encouraging some questionable behavior from our elves. One day two of the elves had been tied up and put in the microwave while a third elf threatened to turn it on! 

Two elf on the shelf dolls ride scooters on a graham cracker track.

Image: Amazon

Elf on the Shelf Pets and Accessories 

There are so many fun Elf on the Shelf accessories and pets available now, from pet dogs and cats to inflatable planes and more. See the card below for links. 

Easy Elf on the Shelf Idea: Elf Mail

It’s fun to leave little notes from your elf or Santa. Feel free to print this page of notes I made. 
 
What are your favorite Elf on the Shelf ideas? 
Yield: 1 Elf on the Shelf Idea

Elf on the Shelf Ideas + Notes

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $0

Here are some of our favorite fun, silly, easy, lazy, kid-friendly Elf on the Shelf ideas.

An elf on the shelf makes a snow angel.

Materials

  • 1 Elf on the Shelf
  • Printable Notes
  • Candy Canes
  • Toy animals
  • Gingerbread House or other sweets
  • Musical instruments such as piano

Tools

  • Varies

Instructions

  1. Choose a few of the funny and easy elf on the shelf ideas explained in the main post.
  2. If desired, print out "elf notes" to help your elf communicate with your children.
  3. Have fun and enjoy the holidays!