You either love them or hate them, but either way, there is a good chance that your child has an Elf on the Shelf that comes to visit them each year. If you have made it this far into the month without forgetting to move your elf, congratulations!
For the rest of us, I have 10 simple activities that your elf can do to entertain your littles in the last few days before they make that magical journey back to the North Pole:
- Movie Night with Elf: This one is too easy! I set up Wish, our elf, with a bag of popcorn, a bag of candy, and a 4-pack of Christmas classics on DVD. Pair the elf with a little note letting your kids know to get ready for a movie night by the tree and you are all set. Don’t have DVDs? No problem. Let them know in the note or pair the note with a “ticket” to one of your favorite holiday classics to stream.
- Join In The Nativity Scene: This has been my favorite so far this season. I set up our elf along beside our other nativity scene figurines, and let him worship the newborn Baby Jesus. I paired it with one of our books we have that helps me teach the boys about the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
- Snow Angel Elf: This one is great if you completely forget and need to throw something together quickly in the morning. Throw out some flour on the counter, lay your elf down, and let him/her make snow angels in the flour.
- Trapped Elf: Has your elf been naughty? Let him go into “time out” by locking him in a mason jar or box with a note about being in trouble for his behavior. Your kids will get a good laugh and reminder to be good themselves.
- Riding Your Child’s Favorite Toy: Another classic that is easy for mornings that you forget. Simply place your elf on one of your child’s toys and have them ride it in.
- Toilet Paper The Tree: Bringing back all the memories of “rolling” yards, have your elf wrap the tree in some toilet paper. Place the elf in the tree with the paper, and you are all done. This is perfect to do right before the trapped elf suggestion above.
- Bathroom Elf: This has definitely been my boys’ favorite thing Wish has done so far this year. For some reason, all kids love talking about poop, so this will definitely bring a good laugh in the morning. Simply have your elf squatting down on the counter with a small trail of Hershey Kisses or M&Ms behind him. Hopefully your child will not end up shaking your elf to get him to “poop” more candy like my 18-month-old did. HAHA.
- Hanging Out In Underwear: We are currently potty training my three-year-old. I thought it would be a great idea to incorporate that with our elf for some extra motivation. Just grab a pair of your child’s clean underwear, tape it up to the wall (or in my case I just used the hooks for our stockings), and set the elf down in them. Everyone got a good laugh that morning when they found Wish in Cooper’s underwear.
- Bedtime Story Elf: This is actually what I am setting up this morning for Cooper and Eli. Wish will be in their bedroom, under a small “elf blanket,” with a new Christmas book I picked up for them. If you do not have a new book, no worries. Just pull out a Christmas favorite you already have to set up.
- Breakfast Fun Elf: Have a kid that is picky at breakfast? This one might be for you. Have your elf spell out your child’s name with their favorite cereal on the counter or table where they normally eat breakfast. This will be a fun surprise that will also encourage them to eat what the elf has laid out.
The most important thing is to remember to have fun! Kids are amazed by the simple things the elf does. No need to feel pressured to set up some elaborate scenes or crazy stunts. Your children will love anything that your elf does each night, so keep it simple for your sanity this holiday season.
