Elf on the shelf is a wonderful family tradition around the holidays. Moving an elf (or multiple elves) and setting up scenes each night for 25 days can seem daunting. However, a little planning can reduce the stress and maximize the fun!

1. Welcome Letter – The elves will be set out with a letter announcing their arrival back to our home.
2. Christmas Coloring Books – The elves will make a delivery of festive coloring books for the children to color over the weekend.
3. Rock Climbing Bows – Place several bows in different positions on the wall and place the elves on the bows as though they are climbing a rock-climbing wall. For an added touch, place it near the Christmas tree so it looks like the elves are climbing to hang a new ornament on the tree.
4. Reminder to Write Christmas Lists – The elves will leave a message reminding the children to mail their Christmas lists to Santa. The elves will have blank paper, pens, and envelopes.
5. Pin the Nose on Rudolph – Place a photo of Rudolph on the wall and give the elves some red noses. The children will help the elves play pin the nose on Rudolph.
6. Toy Attack – The children’s favorite toys and stuffed animals will trap the elves under a box.
7. SKITTLES® Magic Trick – Line SKITTLES® around the inside edge of a pie dish. Pour some boiling water in the middle and watch what happens. The elves are eager to see the magic happen!  ADULT HELP REQUIRED.
8. Elf Rides to School – The children will be sad when they can not find the elves this morning but they will be excited to find the elves strapped into the car. Leave a note stating they want to visit school and see how they behave there.
9. Elf Prank – Have your elf play some sort of prank on your kids. Ours will be plastic wrapping their shoes because shoes are always an issue in the morning for us.
10. Pizza Party Invite – The elves will be dressed as pieces of pizza and will invite the house to have a pizza party this night.
11. Christmas Craft – The elves will leave a craft to complete over the weekend.
12. Find the Hidden Treat – My children love this game. We place several cups upside down on the counter and hide a treat under one (or a few) of the cups. They have to guess where the treats are.
13. Fun Christmas Sock Delivery – The elves will be on each child’s dresser and will leave a new fun pair of festive socks.
14. Pretzel Log Cabin – The elves will build themselves a log cabin out of pretzel rods. The elves will be trapped inside and need help getting free.
15. Floor is Lava – Another favorite game in our house! The elves will be put in funny positions with fake lava below them. A simple printout of a photo of lava will do here.
16. Marshmallow Toothpick Fort Building – The elves will have toothpicks and mini marshmallows to see who can build the best fort.
17. Elf Selfie – The elves will take a selfie with the sleeping child. The photo will be displayed on the tv in the morning.
18. Elf Injury – Clean Room – Wrap a bandage around an elf’s leg. Leave a notice to clean their room or else…
19. Sock Slumber Party – Find those festive socks previously given. The elves will have a sleepover in each child’s room using the Christmas socks as sleeping bags.
20. Tic-Tac-Bow – Use painter’s tape to make a tic-tac-toe board on the counter or the wall. Each player will use red or green pre-made bows to play the game.
21. Melted Snowman – In the celebration of the first day of winter, the elves will bring back a snowman from the North Pole, but unfortunately, it will have melted. Place a small bowl full of water on the counter with buttons (eyes), a small carrot (nose), chocolate chips (mouth), and small twigs (arms).
22. Snowflake Building with Q-tips® – Challenge the children to make the best snowflake using the Q-tips®.
23. Marshmallow Angels – Place a large pile of mini marshmallows on the table. Place the elf in the center and manipulate it to make an “angel” in the marshmallows similar to what a person would do in the snow.
24. Cookie Costumes – Elves will be dressed as cookies and have a variety of Christmas cookie-making supplies to bake with for the day.
25. Goodbye Letter – The elves will leave a letter saying goodbye to the children and thanking them for all of the fun this year. The letter will remind the children to make good choices all year long and will end with, “See ya next year!”