50 Simple Mom-Approved Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Elf on the Shelf is a polarizing character. Some parents love it, while others hate it.

Coming up with fun ideas for your elf every night in December can be challenging, but with these simple and fun Elf on the Shelf ideas, you’ll be the “fun” parent without having to spend hours each night making something elaborate.

Pick your favorites for this year and try the rest of the ideas next year!

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50 Simple Mom-Approved Elf on the Shelf Ideas

While there are a lot of complicated Elf on the Shelf ideas, most parents don’t have time for elaborate pranks.

Luckily, these Mom-approved and easy Elf on the shelf ideas are all simple enough to implement before your kids go to bed at night, but they are also tons of fun and super adorable.

1. 1. Guarding Christmas cookies
   2. Drawing a picture of Santa or a present, star, etc.
   3. Building a marshmallow or cotton ball snowman
   4. Playing a family game
   5. Put your elf inside a small paper bag and have a paper sack race
   6. Reading a Christmas story
   7. Snoozing on the sofa, wrapped in blanket
   8. Hanging out with the family pet (by the cat’s favorite place to sleep or by the hamster cage)
   9. Making coffee for Mom and Dad
   10. Building a marshmallow tower
   11. Making Christmas cookies
   12. Having a snowball fight with cotton balls
   13. Painting a picture
   14. Stringing popcorn garland

1. Eating candy
2. Playing a computer game
3. Guarding Christmas presents (under the tree or even guarding the room where Mom stores presents)
4. Dusting by the TV or coffee table
5. Listening to Christmas music with earbuds
6. Elf yoga
7. Riding in a toy car
8. Feeding a baby
9. Decorating a dollhouse
10. Reading a kids’ magazine
11. Hanging out by a bottle of essential oil, like Peppermint
12. Making breakfast – pouring a bowl of cereal or cracking an egg into a bowl
13. Napping in a tissue box
14. Making snow angels out of flour or sugar on the counter
15. Feeding the family pet – pouring dog or cat food or even feeding the fish
16. Christmas countdown – changing a sign or simply writing on a paper “X days until Christmas!”
17. Lipstick message on the bathroom mirror
18. Tangled in Christmas lights
19. Wrap the elf in a towel in the bathroom- the elf has had a relaxing bath!
20. Sorting socks
21. Hiding inside a vase
22. Combing the elf’s hair in front of the mirror
23. Building a block tower
24. Writing an email to Santa
25. Making a Christmas wish list
26. Swinging off the ceiling fan
27. Making elf copies on the printer
28. Making paper snowflakes and hanging them in the window
29. Teaching doll school
30. Doctoring stuffed animals
31. Decorating houseplants
32. Hiding in the pantry
33. Switching out regular light bulbs for red and green lights
34. Hosting a toy tea party
35. Making a simple ornament
36. Helping fold laundry

Free Printable Simple Elf-on-the-Shelf Ideas List:

I’m made this list of simple elf-on-the-shelf ideas into a free printable for your added convenience.

Download it here: Elf-on-the-Shelf Printable