20 Quick And Easy Elf-On-The-Shelf Ideas - Mini Travellers - Family Travel & Family Holiday Tips (2024)

It is time for the arrival of the Elf on the Shelf and all the fun an antics they get up to over Christmas. Although there are lots of props available, there will still be occasions when you need super quick and easy elf on-the-shelf ideas. You might have forgotten and left it to the last minute or just used up all your props and current ideas. So let me help you with our guide to the simplest DIY Elf on the Shelf ideas that you can do at home without using ANY props!

1. SPELL OUT A FUNNY WORK OR CHILDS NAME IN TOILET PAPER

Use squares of toilet paper to spell out a funny word or your child’s name.

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2. ELF STORY TIME

Elves love to read, set up your elves reading a story to their toy friends.

3. SPELL OUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME IN CEREAL

Spell out your child’s name or your elf’s name in cereal and maybe add a fun festive picture, what about a christmas tree or a snowman.

4. WRITE FUNNY MESSAGES ON TOILET ROLL

Silly messages or Christmas song titles written onto your toilet rolls with a coloured pen are a sure way to bring a smile to your children’s faces. Here are some ideas:

• All I want for Xmas is POO!
• Have yourself a POOPY little Xmas!
• Rocking around the Xmas PEE!
• Jingle bells, your POO smells!
• Have yourself a merry PIDDLE Xmas!
• Let it go! Let it go!

5. ELF SNOW ANGELS

Make snow angel shapes with your elves by sprinkling round the edge with flour or fake snow.

6. ELF PLAYING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TOYS

Set up your child’s favourite toys to play with the elves, whether its a train track, dolls, action figures or playing a board game.

7. HIDE THE ELVES IN CHILDREN’S SHOES OR SCHOOL BAG

You could hide the elves in your children’s shoes or school bag, ready to stowaway to school.

8. WRAP THE TREE IN TOILET PAPER

Wrap the Christmas tree in toilet roll for a fun and easy DIY elf on the shelf idea.

9. ELVES MAKE PAPER SNOW FLAKES

Cut our snowflakes from paper and hang or stick them around the house. Here’s handyinstructions for paper snowflakes.

10. WRAP THE ELVES IN CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER

Wrap up the elves in christmas wrapping paper.

11. ELVES EAT CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE

Eat some Christmas sweets or chocolates and save the wrappers for the elves. You could always rub some melted chocolate on the elves faces to make them look even naughtier.

12. POST IT NOTE CHRISTMAS TREE

Stick up post it notes into a fun christmas tree shape. You could always write little messages on them too.

13. ELVES HIDING IN A SNACK TUBE

This one does require cutting a hole in a snack tube, but it is totally worth the effort! Cut a hole to show the elves faces.

14. STUFF PYJAMAS WITH CUDDLY TOYS

Grab a pair of pyjamas and stuff them full of cuddly toys to make a funny scene.

15. MAKE A MESS

Squirt some ketchup in the kitchen, scatter some cereal or flour on the floor.

16. ELF MOVIE TIME

Set the elves up ready to watch a christmas movie with your child, even add some popcorn.

17. Make Elf Money And Swap Moms Cash

If the Elves want to play Monopoly, they need their own Elf Money. Print some Elf money to make their Elf game authentic. They could even swap Mom cash in her purse.

18. Make Elf Passports

Let your Elf share their travels around the world or get messages from elf friends around the world with snapshots on stamps in different locations.

19. Make Elf Countdown Day Stickers

Elf countdown stickers can be printed off and left every morning to tell little ones how many sleeps till Santa comes.

20. Create Your Very Own Elf Door

Use this printable template to allow your Elf to nip back to the North Pole occasionally.

Also See Our 24 Day Elf Planner

Also, check out this24 day Elf planner including FREE ELF PRINTABLESto download to make the Christmas elves as easy as possible.

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