85+ Easy & Silly Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2023

Today we have a massive list of Elf on the Shelf ideas. If Elf on the Shelf makes a visit to your house every December, you may feel the pressure of needing one great idea after another. These easy Elf on the Shelf new ideas will come to the rescue of your holiday Elf on the Shelf tradition!

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Christmas Magic

With this ever-growing list of creative ways to embrace the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon, you will never be without a good idea that can be implemented quickly to move your elf in interesting and exciting ways.

The magical Scout Elves help Santa manage his nice list by taking note of a family’s Christmas adventures and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole nightly. Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to its family and perches in a new spot, waiting for someone to spot them.

–Elf on the Shelf Christmas Tradition

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Related: Grab Elf on the Shelf with book or Elf Pets to start the family tradition

Your children will love all these awesome ideas from Elf on the Shelf games, Elf on the Shelf printables to Elf on the Shelf mischievous ideas that they will remember for years to come.

Quick ELf Ideas With FREE PRINTABLE ELF IDEAS

1. Printable Elf on the Shelf Excuses

Did your elf forget to move? Make sure you have these free printable excuses so you can grab one quickly. These elf printables are the cutest!

2. Elf on the Shelf Sized Coloring Sheets

These coloring pages are the perfect size for your elf! The set comes with a kid-sized printable and one for your elf to color.

3. Elf on the Shelf Activity Pack

Here is a huge Elf on the Shelf printable pack set including lacing cards, cutting practice, tracing and more. From 3Dinosaurs.

4. Elf on the Shelf Letter

Print this free letter from Santa and let your kids plant magic seeds (chocolate chips), wait a night or two and cookies will appear! From Living Locurto.

5. Elf Calendar

Here are a couple calendars so you won’t run out of ideas for your elf. From Mama Cheaps

6. Elf Printouts

Some great printables for some elf on the shelf fun! From 3 Dinosaurs.

7. Elf on the Shelf Number Practice

Number practice with Elf on the Shelf. From Math Four.

8. Elf Advent Clues

Elf on the Shelf advent! From Artsy Fartsy Mama

9. A Month of Printable Daily Activities for Elf on the Shelf

We have so many easy last minute Elf on the Shelf ideas calendar that you can instantly print and create elf antics:

1. Your elf can play Elf on the Shelf games with this printable bingo cards that are elf-sized.
2. Print these super cute Elf on the Shelf cookies.
3. This printable set of elf yoga poses are fun and easy!
4. Elf on the shelf snowman parts printable will have this idea implemented in a minute with just a toilet paper roll!
5. Printable Elf on the Shelf hot cocoa set.
6. Printable Elf on the Shelf treasure map.
7. Printable Elf on the Shelf superhero set.
8. Download and print Elf on the Shelf basketball set.
9. These printable Elf on the Shelf games are easy to set up.
10. The elf workout printable pages are so cute!
11. This printable mustache fits your elf perfectly.
12. A printable template for your own elf bake sale.
13. Elf race car printable for kids.
14. Elf on the Shelf ball pit idea with printable signs.
15. Elf on the shelf printable cookie recipe cards.
16. You can print your own Elf on the Shelf sleeping bag.
17. Use these cute printables to make an Elf on the Shelf classroom scene.
18. Turn your Elf in the Shelf into a scientist with this free printable set.
19. I love this printable Elf on the Shelf candy cane hunt has the cutest elf size candy canes.
20. Elf on the Shelf lemonade stand printable activity.
21. Elf on the shelf baseball idea with free printables.
22. Create an elf castle with printable foldables for elf.
23. Tic tac toe printable for elf…it is elf sized!
24. Printable Elf on the Shelf beach scene.
25. Make an Elf on the Shelf photo booth with these free printable pages.
26. Make a teeny tiny Elf on the Shelf coloring book for elf.
27. Christmas countdown chain printable for Elf on the Shelf.
28. Printable golf flags for elf.

10. Printable North Pole Report Card

This is such a fun idea! Grab these printable Elf on the Shelf behavior report cards which are bad news for naughty elf actions and encourage best behavior.

Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas

10. Elf Isolation

Make your elf self-isolation for 14 days when he/she arrives from The North Pole which is a great way to stop the madness! hahaha From Simplistically Living

11. Elf and Barbie YMCA Dance

Set your elf up to do the YMCA with three other toys like Barbies. From Clearly Candace

12. Elf Fails

Elf Fails! Here are some funny elf on the shelf moments! From The Jenny Evolution.

13. Elf on the Shelf Bathroom Edition

Bathroom Edition for your elf. From The Resourceful Mama

14. Elf Is A Damsel In Distress

Have a toy train set? Perfect! Tie him up in some strings and leave him on the track and in peril like those old movies! What a cute idea from The Train Drivers Wife

15. Elf on the Shelf Bathroom Ideas

Oops, elf missed the potty! This is such a funny idea using chocolate chips. From Clumsy Crafter.

16. Elf on the Shelf Googly Eyes

Place googly eyes on food in your fridge as well as on your elf for this funny idea. From Dirty Diaper Laundry.

17. Mischievous Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Want some mischievous ideas for your best elf? From The Jenny Evolution.

18. Elf Drinks Maple Syrup

We all know how much Elf loves the sweetness with maple syrup. I think that is what makes this one so cute and simple. But be sure to use a nearly empty bottle to avoid big sticky messes. From The Train Drivers Wife

Related: Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Cute Elf on the Shelf Adventures

19. Elf on the Shelf Sled

Go sledding! Easily make your elf a cardboard sled and ramp. From My Mommy Style.

20. Elf Goes Mountain Climbing

A little string is all you need to have your elf go mountain climbing up the kitchen cabinets! From Frugal Coupon Living

21. Elf Hosts A Concert

Let your elf host a concert for all of your tiny figurines. So cute! From Balancing Home.

22. Elf on the Shelf Nap

Have your elf take a little nap in the tissue box for a comfy rest. From Gavin Hay Photo

23. Elf on the Shelf Christmas Adventure

Elf can be rather rambunctious and this week is no different. From getting into cookies, to sitting too close to the TV, tea parties and baking, he has been busy! From Play Dr Hutch

24. Elf Drives A Train

Chew chew! Look out world here comes Elf and today he is a conductor! From The Train Drivers Wife

25. Elf on the Shelf Goes Ziplining

Make your own Elf on the Shelf zipline which takes just a little time for big impact on the kids’s faces the next day.

Related: Elf on the Shelf ideas for Kids

Easiest Elf on the Shelf Ideas

26. 15 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Here are 15 fun Elf on the Shelf ideas for when you’re stuck. From The Resourceful Mama

27. Reading Books With Elf

Get some scenery ideas from Christmas books. From Growing Book by Book

28. Hide Elf on the Shelf

Literally hide him on the bookshelf! This is not only super simple, but if you hide him on some of your child’s favorite books, or even new books, this could be a great opportunity to read together. From Play Dr Hutch

29. Mess Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Keep your house clean with these mess free ideas! From My Big Fat Happy Life.

30. More Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Even more easy elf ideas to keep your children guessing and busy. From Artsy Fartsy Mama.

31. Quick and Easy Elf Ideas

Who doesn’t love quick and easy!?! From My Bright Firefly.

32. Cute Little Elf Ideas for All

The ultimate collection of Elf on the Shelf ideas. From Mama Cheaps

33. So Many Ways to do the ELF THING

Over 139 ideas for your Elf on the Shelf. From Crystal & Co.

34. Simple Idea Ideas for Elf on the Shelf

Such easy ideas for your Elf on the Shelf! From Messy Little Monster.

35. Elf Sheers Sheep

Elf doesn’t have to be on a convoluted adventure! He can be on a rustic one where he is simply sheering sheep. From The Train Drivers Wife

Thoughtful & Kind Elf on the Shelf Ideas

36. Elf Care Package

Make a care package for your elf! From Confidence Meets Parenting

37. Elf Mail

Leave some elf mail for your children. From Growing Book by Book.

38. Teaching Kindness With Elf on the Shelf

Teaching kindness with Elf on the Shelf. From There’s Just One Mommy.

39. Nurse Elf

Is your child sick? Well, this cute Elf idea may cheer them up! Elf is playing doctor and has the medicine spoon and thermometer ready. From The Train Drivers Wife

40. Elf Nice List

This Elf on the Shelf made the nice list… How about yours? From Meaningful Mama.

41. Making Elf Memories

Make memories with your Elf on the Shelf. From Our Whimsical Days.

42. Elf Loves You

Have your elf spell out I love you in Legos! From Piggies and Paws.

43. Elf Steals Kisses

Who doesn’t love sweet kisses? Elf does too! Hershey kisses that is and the evidence is all over his face! From Play Dr Hutch

44. Elf Tea Party

You’re invited to Elf’s tea party of the year! There will be plastic cake and other fun guests like Mr. Rabbit and Ms. Sheep! From The Train Drivers Wife

Messy Elf on The Shelf Ideas

45. Elf Is An Artist

Let your child craft with Elf and create beautiful hama bead art together. From 2 Plus 1 Plus Me

46. Elf Bathes In Cereal

Sometimes you need a break from marshmallow and candy cane bath to enjoy a soak in Cocoa Pebbles! From Messy Little Monster

47. Elf Takes A Marshmallow Bubble Bath

Let your elf soak in a marshmallow bubble bath! Just place your elf in a pretend kitchen sink or bowl and fill it up with marshmallows. From Play Dr. Mom.

48. Snow Angels With Elf

Don’t have snow? No problem! You can make flour angels with Elf on the Shelf. It’s pretty much the same, right? From 2 Plus 1 Plus Me

We love the idea of making Elf on the Shelf snow angels!

Best Toddler Elf on the Shelf Ideas

50. Elf on the Shelf For Toddlers

Elf on the Shelf for toddlers! From Craftulate

51. Potty Train with Elf on the Shelf

Hey, we need to leverage Elf! Check out the Elf on the Shelf goes potty ideas.

Elf On the Shelf Alternatives

52. Olaf Funny Elf on the Shelf Alternative

Check out the Frozen Elf on the Shelf alternative that your movie loving child will enjoy. All these ideas can be used for moving Olaf!

53. Elf Alternative

An alternative to Elf on the Shelf! From Play & Learn Everyday.

54. Another Elf Alternative

Jingle Bells: An alternative to Elf on the Shelf. From Edventures with Kids. Here are the rest of the Elf on the Shelf ideas.

55. Host an Elf on the Shelf Family Night

This Festive family night pack has an Elf Pets animated special DVD, 4 show tickets, interactive kind deeds poster, 4 bingo night game cards and 2 kid-sized popcorn buckets.

56. Peep on a Perch?

This one had me giggling. How about embracing a new holiday tradition of Peep on a Perch…as in the candy, Peeps!

57. Find a Secret Elf Prize

This Elf on the Shelf secret SnowPrize is filled with a flurry of fun. You can watch a playable merry mini figurine grow out of Santa’s magical Christmas snow.

FAvorite Elf on the Shelf Products

58. Elf on the Shelf Advent Calendar

Check out the 24 days of Christmas Tree farm themed surprises with 10 Elf and Elf Pet Minis, 1 mini plastic train engine, 5 mini plastic train cars and so much more.

59. Add an Elf Pet to Your Holiday Tradition

60. Elf on the Shelf Pancake Set

This pancake skillet makes the cutest Elf on the Shelf pancakes.

61. Elf on the Shelf Elf Cakes

You can eat Elf on the Shelf cake! In fact, they are the cutest and yummiest cakebites because well, elf cakes would be more bite-sized!

62. Elf on the Shelf theme Fruit Snacks

Grab these super fun Elf on the Shelf fruit snacks which are great for anytime during the North Pole season {giggle}.

63. Firefighter Elf

This adorable holiday inspired elf on the shelf set has a fire fighter ladder and firefighter costume for Elf on the Shelf is an easy solution for a return trip from the North Pole.

Elf on the Shelf Games & Silly Fun

64. Make Elf Crafts

We love these elf craft ideas! So many fun elves to make…so little holiday season time.

65. Color Elf!

These Elf on the Shelf coloring pages are life sized! It will almost make you feel like you are at the North Pole this holiday season.

66. Play Elf on the Shelf Games

Play these fun Elf on the Shelf games together as a new family tradition:

Related: Our complete resource for Elf on the Shelf

Will you be doing Elf on the Shelf this year? What is your favorite Elf on the Shelf idea?