36 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas (Because You Have Enough on Your Plate This December)

Inflate a balloon, tape it to the elf’s hand, then tape both to the wall. Bonus points if you include a “Guess who’s dropping in for the holidays?” sign or “I’m back” note to go with it.

If you really want to kick things off on a high note, you could always buy the Glide and Go Accessory Pack ($16, Amazon), which takes seconds to set up (just thread the parachute) and hang up. You could even DIY a parachute with a coffee filter and some string.

Any board game will do, but ones like Bananagrams or Scrabble are especially fun, because you can arrange the letters to spell out a secret message.

 Let that elf swing from the chandelier, from the chandeliiiiier…OK, maybe your kid’s too young to get the reference, but they’ll have fun searching high and low to spot the elf this morning.

Keep the playful momentum going by sticking the elf in a roll of toilet paper, letting it unravel down the hall or on the stairs. (You may want to set yours up off to the side, since you’ll be spending the whole day trying to avoid stepping on the elf, per the “no touching or it will lose its magic” rules.)

Nod to another legendary elf with a tiny bowl (I used a mise cup) filled with an Elf’s four favorite food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

Tuck the elf in the freezer for a cool surprise. If you have a Barbie jacket or washcloth handy, you could also wrap the elf up to really drive home the “just chillin’” vibe.

Snow angels, only make it glam. You could also use flour, but this version was a bit less messy, in my opinion.

Get that little elf to help you decorate for the holidays. A little printer paper, some scissors and you’re good to go.

The next day, you can put those paper snowflakes to use by hanging a couple up—and having your elf get accidentally locked out of the house! (And if you don’t have a glass door—or don’t want to expose the elf to the elements—you could always prop it up near a window inside, as if it’s hanging up the decorations.)

A little dish soap, a watery bowl, a sponge and some toy cars are all you need to pull this one off.

Busy night? No time to do much? Tuck the little guy (or gal) into a pair of shoes and call it a night.

Use a dry erase marker to draw moustaches and other designs on a framed photo. Then blame it on Santa’s (cheeky) little helper.

You’ve got a bowl. You’ve got cereal. And now, you have a surprise waiting for your kids as they race over for breakfast.

Leave the dresser slightly ajar so your elf isn’t too hard to find.

It’s worth tracking down micro marshmallows and an espresso cup for this setup.

You could make silver dollar pancakes from scratch—or hit up the frozen food aisle.

Repurpose your kid’s kinetic sand—or use brown sugar—to create a mini beach scene. (I store ours in a plastic pencil case, so it can be an on-the-go sensory bin after its day with the elf is done.)

Consider this your sign to unwind with a mini paint-by-numbers kit, then use it as a prop for your elf. (Or grab a piece of art from the wall and an old paintbrush.)

Your kids’ challenge: Extracting their toothbrush without touching the elf. On second thought, maybe use a spare toothbrush and toothpaste for this, lest they argue they simply cannot brush their teeth today (can’t risk making the elf lose its magic, after all!).

Round up some stuffed animals, it’s story time.

Draw on faces with edible ink markers—or use orange and black Sharpies, as long as nobody’s eating your creation afterward.

You’re already up late wrapping presents. Might as well get the elf tangled up in the action too.

To celebrate the Elf on the Shelf’s 20^th anniversary, Pillsbury launched a line of cake mixes and marshmallow-swirled brownies, and they can provide two back-to-back days of elf poses. First, reveal a kit with a note from the elf, instructing you guys to bake together. Then, leave some treats out for your elf, and the next day, reveal just a few crumbs leftover, next to the little guy (or gal).

Let the elf peek out from a bin of toys—fast, easy and still fun.

You were already planning on writing letters to Santa. Let this elf’s positioning be your kids’ reminder to get those on their way to the North Pole, stat.

This is why the elf needs you to bake treats for them. (To make this one extra memorable, turn the mixer to low before the kids wake up, so the elf is casually spinning when he’s spotted. It’s oddly amusing, I have to admit, though if he isn’t securely stuck in the beater, he’ll go flying across the table within minutes.)

Pink and green pipe cleaners can be quickly twisted into a little rose, making a sweet gift for your kid to uncover.

Hand over the remote and prop the elf on the couch for a quick win.

Toothpicks, mini marshmallows and a votive make for a fun display. (Obviously, don’t leave the flame unattended, or use an LED candle instead.)

Low effort, big payoff: Simply cut a piece of construction paper into a “pond,” sprinkle with Goldfish and tie a piece of string to a toothpick, chopstick or thin paintbrush for the fishing pole.

If only that elf could tackle the folding, honestly.

When in doubt, add stick-on googly eyes. They’re a crowd-pleaser. Trust.

Another peek-a-boo moment that may just encourage them to pick up their socks off the floor. (After all, the elf’s watching…)

A foam rectangle can be a solid stand-in for a yoga mat, though if you’ve made it this far and you’re feeling overwhelmed, let me introduce you to the ultimate shortcut: Buy a prop kit. Etsy, Oriental Trading and other brands make them, though I’m partial to the 24-Day Ultimate Elf Ideas Kit. As the name implies, it provides 24 days’ worth of setups for the elf, with each one labeled by day in its own baggie. This kit even includes a photo with each day’s kit, depicting exactly what to do to set it up. Plus, the props can be repurposed into other vignettes, so next year you don’t find yourself in the same, “Ack, what do I do tomorrow?!” quandary.