175+ ideas for Elf on the Shelf 2023
Updated: Oct 6
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 2023.
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.
4. Elf on the shelf does his washing
Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
5. Elf on the Shelf in the washing machine
Elf on the shelf brings treats
1. Elf on the Shelf smartie Pants
2. Elf on the shelf has a surprise treat day for you
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
3. Elf on the shelf watches 'Elf' on TV.
4. Elf on the shelf is in the car with his seatbelt on.
5. Elf on the Shelf Plans a Movie Night
6. Elf on the Shelf Plays Extreme Hide and Seek
Elf on the Shelf is poorly.
1. Elf on the Shelf Breaks a Leg
2. Elf on the Shelf is poorly
3. Elf on the Shelf Has Christmas Pox
4. Elf on the shelf takes a nap in a tissue box.
5. Elf on the Shelf Takes a Tumble
6. Elf on the Shelf Enjoys a Spa Day
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
7. Elf on the Shelf is having a shower
8. Elf on the Shelf relaxes in a Hammock
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
9. Elf on the Shelf on the potty.
10. Elf on the Shelf has a bad tummy.
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
11. Elf on the Shelf is taking a bath.
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
Sports day for Elf on the Shelf.
1. Elf on the Shelf bungee jumping
Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
2. Elf on the Shelf goes rock climbing
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
3. Elf on the Shelf builds an assault course.
4. Elf on the Shelf Goes Sledding
5. Elf on the Shelf Goes Golfing
Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
6. Elf on the Shelf Goes Fishing
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
7. Elf on the Shelf Scales a Rock Wall
8. Elf on the Shelf Yoga.
9. Elf on the Shelf playing This floor is Lava
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
10. Elf on the Shelf Swings Around
12. Elf on the Shelf goes Ice Skating.
Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
13. Elf on the Shelf on a zip line.
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
Elf on the shelf countdown.
1. Elf on the Shelf Counts Down to Christmas
2. Elf on the shelf is on the couch with a "5 days until Christmas" note.
More Elf on the Shelf ideas.
1. Elf on the Shelf rolling around
Photo credit mommyglitter
2. Elf on the Shelf Creates a Magic Experiment
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
3. Elf on the Shelf Joins the Nativity Scene
4. Elf on the Shelf becomes a teacher
5. Elf on the Shelf hanging out in the tree house.
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
6. Elf on the Shelf Hides in the cutlery Draw
7. Elf on the Shelf cant believe the snow man has melted
Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
8. Elf on the Shelf Redecorates Family Portraits
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
9. Elf on the Shelf legs have grown
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
10. Elf on the Shelf is a magician
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
11. Elf on the Shelf brings craft
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
12. Elf on the Shelf hangs out with the penguins
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
13. Elf on the Shelf loves skateboarding
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
14. Elf on the Shelf Learns Ballet
15. Elf on the Shelf Takes an "Elfie"
16. Elf on the Shelf Leaves a Secret Message
17. Elf on the Shelf Carol singing
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
18. Elf o rockets to the moon
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
19. Elf on the Shelf is keeping his eyes on you.
Photo credit jamesandholly.eots
20. Elf on the Shelf Takes a Balloon Ride
21. Elf on the Shelf delivers a note from the North Pole in the mailbox
22. Elf on the Shelf unravels the toilet paper in the bathroom.
23. Elf on the Shelf takes a spin on the ceiling fan.
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
24. Elf on the Shelf writes a cute message on the bathroom mirror in lipstick
25. Elf on the Shelf on a toilet paper swing.
26. Elf on the Shelf dog walking.
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
27. Elf on the Shelf leaves naughty notes on toilet rolls.
28. Elf on the Shelf on strike.
29.Elf on the Shelf balloons in the bath
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
30. Elf on the Shelf is at a Photo Shoot
30. Elf on the Shelf re-papered the loo
31. Elf on the Shelf is in a Booby trap
32. Elf on the Shelf Honk if your naughty
33. Elf on the Shelf builds a Snowman
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
Photo credit to Jaime Greenwood Kapoor
34. Elf on the Shelf Redecorates the Tree
34. Elf on the Shelf goes camping
Photo credit Elf2021ideas
35, Elf on the Shelf sleepover
Photo Credit Monica Lynn
36. Elf on the Shelf Feeds the Ducks
37. Elf on the Shelf gets stuck in the letter box
38. Elf on the Shelf Hitches a Ride
39. Elf on the Shelf is a little windy
40. Elf on the Shelf sits under the Christmas tree
41. Elf on the Shelf Hugs a house plant
42. Elf on the Shelf Paints a Picture
43. Elf on the Shelf Finds a Winter Fairy Garden
44. Elf on the Shelf pops out of the Christmas stocking
Saying. goodbye to Elf on the Shelf.
1. Elf on the shelf brings the Christmas pyjamas.
2. Elf on the shelf is reading the Night Before Christmas.
3. Elf on the Shelf Heads Back to the North Pole
Have you tried any of our Elf on the Shelf list?
Let us know in the comments below what you have been up to.
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