- adelemorris
175+ ideas for Elf on the Shelf 2022
Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Survival guide of ideas for your Elf on the Shelf in December.

One of Christmas family traditions is Elf on the shelf, when parents introduce this little chap, there is no turning back! It’s a Christmas activity that you will need plenty of ideas for, which last you through all the Christmas build up. It seems easy at the start, but believe you me, the ideas will soon run out for your Elf on the Shelf as Christmas approaches.
We all know Christmas is stressful enough with children, so with a little help from some parents we have created a go to Elf on the shelf for Christmas survival guide. Here you will find endless possibilities of places to hide the elves and situations to put them in.
So if this is your first Christmas with the Elf or your are experienced in directing the Elf on the shelf show, we've got plenty of suggestions to help you out. From easy to funny, adorable to thankful, cheeky to memorable, we have you covered with some fantastic Christmas treats.
What is Elf on a Shelf?
He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he's the Elf on the Shelf.
In 2001 mother-daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, came up with the Christmas helper who’s been keeping an eye on kids in the day, and then checks in with Santa each night to reveal who’s been naughty and nice. On the Elf’s return from Santa he can be found in a new place, but the rule is that children are now allowed to touch the elves or they will loose their magic.
So, you’ve bought your Elf, and part of the fun is to pick a name for it. You could do this as a family before December, involving the children builds excitement and prepares them for the Elf on the Shelf’s arrival.
Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Christmas 2022.
Before the arrival of Elf on the Shelf.
1. Elf on the Shelf Under construction

Elf on the shelf arrival ideas
1. Elf on the Shelf Tik Toc look who's back

2. Elf on the shelf royal entrance

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
3. Elf on the shelf arriving through magical Elf door.

Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
4. Elf on the shelf bringing Elf arrival letter

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
5. Elf on the shelf Scavenger Hunt.
6. Elf on the shelf arrives with a naughty or nice list with child's name on it
7. Elf on the shelf arriving inside a balloon
8. Elf on the shelf hiding in Christmas tree
9. Elf on the shelf hiding in gift wrap
10. Elf on the shelf bringing a gift
11. Elf on the shelf gets flown in

Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
12. Elf on the Shelf "Donut" I'm Back!
13. Elf on the Shelf Parachute landing.
14. Elf on the Shelf 24 days of reading - thats the full build up to Christmas sorted!
15. Elf on the Shelf Throws a Welcome Party
16. Elf on the shelf being mailed from North Pole in magical envelope
17. Elf on the Shelf Welcome Breakfast.
Elf on the shelf food fun
1. Elf on the Shelf replaces all the cutlery for candy

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
2. Elf on the Shelf Has a Snack Break
3. Elf on the Shelf Makes breakfast
4. Elf on the Shelf Sells Hot Chocolate
5. Elf on the Shelf says Cheerios!

6. Elf on the shelf leaves a Christmas message made out of candy.
7. Elf on the shelf is eating cheese in the fridge.
8. Elf on the shelf takes a piece of candy from the advent calendar.
9. Elf on the shelf teases that Maltesers are reindeer poo
10. Elf on the Shelf Runs on Dasher Donuts

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
11. Elf on the Shelf Roasts Marshmallows
12. Elf on the Shelf Enjoys Candy Cane Sledding

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
13. Elf on the Shelf hides in the fridge

Photo credit to mommyglitter
14. Elf on the Shelf Samples "Cookies"
15. Elf on the Shelf Redecorates the cake
16. Elf on the Shelf leaves chocolate
17. Elf on the Shelf drinks apple juice

18. Elf on the Shelf turns the milk into Elf milk.

19. Elf on the Shelf hides in the Cereal Box
20. Elf on the shelf empties flour in the kitchen and makes a snow angel.
21. Elf on the Shelf is home sick so chills in the Freezer
22. Elf on the Shelf makes a picnic
23. Elf on the Shelf brave enough to taste

24. Elf on the Shelf Bakes Cookies

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
25. Elf on the Shelf

26. Elf on the Shelf builds a tin food tower
27. Elf on the Shelf builds an igloo out of marshmallows (you could use sugar cubes too)
28. Elf on the Shelf Picnic in the Park

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
29. Elf on the shelf is ziplining on a candy cane.
30. Elf on the Shelf Fajitas.
31. Elf on a Shelf stuck in a Water Bottle.
32. Elf on a Shelf with a melted Snowman.

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
33. Elf on a Shelf, Snowman nose rejection centre.

Photo credit to Teachingonthegc
34. Elf on a Shelf with eggs.
35. Elf on the Shelf cooking Christmas Spaghetti.
36. Elf on the Shelf Milk
37. Elf on the Shelf takes a ride down the magical cereal slide.

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
38. Elf on the Shelf Spells the childrens names with Cereal
39. Elf on the Shelf Sneaks Some Candy
40. Elf on the Shelf bad milk

41. Elf on the Shelf Gets Trapped in jar or Tupperware box
42. Elf on the Shelf is stuck on the fridge
43. Elf on the Shelf Draws Banana Minions
44. Elf on the Shelf Makes Breakfast
45. 17. Elf on the Shelf Blends in With the Bananas
Christmas party with Elf on the Shelf.
1. Elf on the Shelf becomes a rock star

Photo credit to UK Elf on the Shelf
2. Elf on the Shelf Peeks unwraps a Present
3. Elf on the Shelf is in a Rock Band
4. Elf on the Shelf plays a musical instrument
5. Elf on the Shelf Wraps Gifts
6. Elf on the Shelf Listens to Christmas Music
7. Elf on the Shelf has a disco
8. Elf on the Shelf Has a Slumber Party
9. Elf on the Shelf Plays Twister
10. Elf on the Shelf Has a glow stick party
11. Elf on the Shelf is Dancing on the ceiling

Involving the children toys with the Elf on the Shelf.
1. Elf on the Shelf is washing his car

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
2. Elf on the Shelf is having his hair done.
3. Elf on the Shelf Reads Book

Photo Credit Monica Lynn
4. Elf on the Shelf build a LEGO tower
5. Elf on the Shelf loves Gaming

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
6. Elf on the Shelf Joins a Christmas Parade
7. Elf on the Shelf goes to the Drive-In Movies
8. Elf on the Shelf takes the dogs out for a walk.

Photo Credit Monica Lynn
9. Elf on the Shelf Works at the Car Wash
10. Elf on the Shelf rides a train

Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
11. Elf on the Shelf does a painting

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
12. Elf on the Shelf hangs out in the doll house

Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
13. Elf on the Shelf Rides around in the toy car
14. Elf on the shelf is colouring in the colouring book.
15. Elf on the Shelf Has a Sack Race with the teddies
16. Elf on the Shelf Plays Tic-Tac-Toe

Photo credit eld2021ideas
17. Elf on the Shelf becomes Santa with his sleigh and Reindeers
18. Elf on the Shelf Plays Pin the Nose on the Reindeer
19. Elf on the Shelf needs help to free him from a Runaway Train
20. Elf on the Shelf Help! Sharks!

20. Elf on the Shed plays hop scotch

Photo credit Elf2021ideas
21. Elf on the Shelf Gets Held Hostage
22. Elf on the Shelf is down at the farm

Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
Elf on the Shelf dress up.
1. Elf on the Shelf turns the kids into Elves

2. Elf on the Shelf puts all the socks on the Christmas tree
3. Elf on the Shelf Becomes a Snowman
4. Elf on the shelf makes a trail of shoes to the Christmas tree.
5. Elf on the Shelf Transforms Into a Mermaid
6. Elf on the Shelf Dresses Up as a Christmas tree star or fairy
7. Elf on the Shelf Dresses Up as Santa
8. Elf on the Shelf Tries on New Shoes
Elf on the shelf helps around the house
1. Elf on the Shelf goes shopping

Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
2. Elf on the shelf washes the dishes.
3. Elf on the shelf dusts the shelves.