Learn from the Greats: Get Legendary Elf Ideas | The Elf on the Shelf (2024)

Elf Ideas

Legendary. Never before seen. Iconic. These A-plus elf ideas will go down as some of the best ever completed! With their impressive ideas and feats, a handful of elves have landed a spot in the Elf Ideas Hall of Fame. Will your Scout Elf be inspired to recreate one of these epic ideas that will leave your family “oohing” and “ahhing”?

Time for a Countdown

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24…23…22…21…Countdown the days to Christmas with this super adorable and easy to create idea. Your elf just needs paper, cups and an enthusiastic attitude to jump out and surprise you!

Materials:

  • 24 paper cups
  • Tissue paper
  • Rubber bands
  • Paper
  • Marker
  • Tape
  • Sweet treats

Instructions:

  1. First your elf will place 24 paper cups in four rows.
  2. Then, your elf will fill some or all of the cups with sweet treats or notes and then cover them with tissue paper, using a rubber band to seal them in place.
  3. After, your elf will use paper and a marker to number each cup from 1 to 24.
  4. Finally, your elf will hide in which ever cup corresponds to the day they showcase this surprise, and they will jump out and surprise you.
  5. Bonus: This idea can double as a simple advent, where kids punch each day as they count down to Christmas, revealing a sweet surprise, note or an idea for a family activity!

Cocoa Kitchen

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Lending a helping hand in the kitchen to create a hot cocoa treat is the perfect elf idea, but these elves took this idea up a notch by using some simple tools to lower chocolatey candies into their yummy drink!

Materials:

  • Mug
  • Hot cocoa
  • Mini cup
  • Marshmallows
  • 3 paper straws
  • Glue
  • Peppermint candies
  • Chocolate candies
  • Scout Elves at Play® Tools
    • Candy Cane Cable
    • Peppermint Grappling Hook
    • Cheery Chair

Instructions:

  1. To recreate this Hall of Fame worthy idea, your elf will fill a mug with piping hot cocoa.
  2. Then your elf will offer a helping hand in one of two ways. They could sit in the Cheery Chair and pour marshmallows into the cup of cocoa.
  3. As a second option, they may build an archway by attaching two paper straws to either end of a third straw. They will use peppermint candies to provide stability around the base of the archway.
  4. Then, your elf will attach a piece of Candy Cane Cable to the Peppermint Grappling hook and place a piece of chocolate candy in the hook.
  5. Finally, they will toss the hook over the ledge and carefully lower the chocolate candy into the drink!

Santa’s Super Helper

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Flying back to the North Pole each night and surprising your family with something new each day definitely makes your elf a superhero! Now, they’re ready to show off their super-duper skills with this flying surprise!

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. First, your elf will use cardboard or paper and a marker to draw a city scene. They will stand up their scene or tape it to a wall.
  2. Then, your elf will attach fishing line to the Holiday Hook and hang it from the wall.
  3. They will hold on tightly to the Holiday Hook and fly over the city scape. Helpful hint for elves: The fishing line will allow you to stay extra still for an extended period.

Mirror, Mirror

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? It’s your Scout Elf who thought up the perfect idea using a common item found in most bathrooms!

Materials:

  • Small, makeup mirror
  • Scout Elves at Play® Tools
    • Cheery Chair

Instructions:

  1. Your elf is ready to show off their smile! First, they will locate a small, makeup mirror.
  2. Then, they will pull up the Cheery Chair and look in the mirror, waiting for you to see their reflection!

Over the Moon

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This idea is out of this world! No wonder it landed in the Hall of Fame. Your elf can easily create it though, staging a spectacular moon landing right in your home!

Materials:

  • Polystyrene ball
  • Paper straw
  • White paper
  • Pen
  • Tape
  • Yellow paper
  • Scissors
  • Scout Elves at Play® Tools
    • Christmas Climbing Boots

Instructions:

  1. First, your elf will set a polystyrene ball in a secure location.
  2. Then, your elf will tape a small paper sign to a straw to create a mini flag.
  3. After, your elf will cut stars out of yellow paper to create a starry backdrop.
  4. Finally, your elf will put on their Christmas Climbing boots and walk on the moon. They will be sure to place their flag on the moon to document this momentous landing!

Island Adventures

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Your elf is ready to say aloha from their own personal island. They aren’t lost at sea; they’re just soaking up the sun and much needed R&R—it’s island time!

Materials:

  • Brown sugar
  • Different colored construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • String
  • Paper straw

Instructions:

  1. First, your elf will gather a small mound of brown sugar to create their own mini island.
  2. Then, your elf will use construction paper to make mini palm trees, ocean waves and fish.
  3. Finally, your elf will grab a fishing pole (string attached to a paper straw) and lean back and relax!

Marshmallow Avalanche

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Your elf may shoot from a slide right onto a pile a marshmallows! Careful—the marshmallows might begin to tumble—causing quite the sweet treat avalanche!

Materials:

  • Paper cup
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Marshmallows

Instructions:

  1. First, your elf will create a mini slide by cutting a small paper cup and attaching it to a wall.
  2. Then, your elf will gather a pile of marshmallows.
  3. Finally, your elf will slide and land right onto the fluffy white treats!

See additional elf ideas, ranging from simple to challenging, to inspire more exciting “elf-capades” this season!

Before you or your elf get to work recreating any of these inspirational photos, be sure to read these safety warnings. Santa wants to make sure everyone stays safe!


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Learn from the Greats: Get Legendary Elf Ideas | The Elf on the Shelf (2024)

FAQs

What is Elf on the Shelf idea? ›

The Elf on the Shelf® is a Christmas tradition centered around Scout Elves who fly to the North Pole each night. Scout Elves arrive at homes in a keepsake box set that features a storybook. The book explains that elves love to report to Santa to tell him about each day's activities!

Can you touch the Elf on the Shelf before you name it? ›

As an avid elf fan, you already know the number one rule about having a Scout Elf: no touching! This helps Scout Elves keep their Christmas magic so they can complete their important Christmas duties.

What is Elf on the Shelf rule? ›

Let your family's Elf be a lesson in “you can look, but not touch,” for the kiddos. This is the most important rule because touching the Elf leads to him losing his magic. If an Elf loses his magic, he'll be unable to fly back to the North Pole to inform Santa of what's been going on at home, which no one wants.

What happens if you touch your Elf on the Shelf on purpose? ›

But some parents are wondering: Can adults touch Elf on the Shelf? According to the official "Elf on the Shelf" website, "Christmas magic is very fragile, and if scout elves are touched they may lose their magic." It doesn't specify that this only applies to kids, so we're guessing this applies to any humans.

What is the legend of the Elf on the Shelf? ›

The idea is simple: A family adopts a Scout Elf, who has the important job of being Santa's eyes and ears during the busy Christmas season. The Elf heads back to the North Pole each night to report on the children's behavior, then returns in the morning where he will perch in a new spot in the home.

What are the 3 rules in elf? ›

The Code of the Elves: A Primer for Joy
  • Treat every day like Christmas.
  • There's room for everyone on the nice list.
  • The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
Dec 7, 2020

Do parents move the Elf on the Shelf every night? ›

Every night, a parent hides the elf in a new place. The children wake up each morning and search the house to see where the elf has reappeared—becoming a daily, holiday-themed hide-and-seek game with a sneaky elf.

Can 10 year olds touch Elf on the Shelf? ›

There is only one rule according to the story: if the child touches the elf, it will lose its magic. Herein lies the problem for so many parents of children who are blind or low vision.

What happens if you name your Elf on the Shelf? ›

For an elf, receiving a name is an exciting moment because this allows them to receive their Christmas magic so they can fly to and from the North Pole each night!

What is elf on a shelf banned? ›

Leonard II, in a blistering decision, banned the elf, a stuffed toy that serves as a lookout for Santa around the world. Santa Claus may have to find a new way to spy on children in Cobb County, Georgia after a blistering court decision banning the Elf on the Shelf in homes throughout the area.

What is the number 1 rule in elf? ›

The first rule in the Code of Elves is to “treat every day like Christmas”, and that, in a nutshell, is Will Ferrell's comic style. At 6ft 3in, he's almost always the tallest actor on screen yet his instinct is to play even bigger, with an ungainly exuberance that tends to set the tone for whatever scene he's in.

Why I'm against elf on a Shelf? ›

Controversies of the Elf on the Shelf

Some say that it inadvertently teaches children that their behavior should be governed by potential rewards (i.e., if you behave well, you'll get more gifts on Christmas).

How to tell if your Elf on the Shelf is real? ›

Santa's official Scout Elves always come in an official The Elf on the Shelf® box, and they are accompanied by a children's storybook, just as shown above! You can tell Scout Elves apart from other elves at the North Pole because they arrive in an official solid red jumpsuit.

What to do if your elf loses its magic? ›

This is a great way for your Elf to regain Christmas magic. Sprinkle some cinnamon near the Elf. Cinnamon is like Elf vitamins and will help your elf get back to the North Pole and make a full recovery!

How to get your Elf on the Shelf to talk to you? ›

eMessage Your Elf

Have a wish, want to ask a question, or would just like to say hello? Just fill in your name and what you'd like to tell Santa or your Scout Elf. It's super easy and quick, and will have your hopes and dreams flying up above the Northern Lights and on their way to him in no time.

What does it mean to put The Elf on the Shelf? ›

The premise is that each night, your elf flies to the North Pole to tell Santa Claus whether your children have been naughty or nice. It's a cute way to keep the spirit of Santa alive—and encourage good behavior in your children in anticipation of Christmas (and hopefully all year round).

What is the main idea of elf? ›

Summaries. Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.

What is the reasoning of an Elf on the Shelf? ›

The story goes that Santa's Scout Elves fly to the North Pole each night of December to report to Santa if children have been behaving (or misbehaving). The elves then fly back and hide in a new spot for the children to find him the next morning.

What is the psychology behind The Elf on the Shelf? ›

Some say that it inadvertently teaches children that their behavior should be governed by potential rewards (i.e., if you behave well, you'll get more gifts on Christmas).

References

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