Mirror Tic-Tac-Toe Competition
How it's done
Draw a partially completed tic-tac-toe grid on the bathroom mirror using washable marker. Position the elf and another toy figure on opposite sides as if actively playing. Leave several empty squares to show the game is in progress. Use X's and O's to indicate moves by each player. This interactive scene suggests friendly competition between the elf and a toy opponent.
Should be fine around pets as long as you place it out of reach.
Why this works
Bathroom scenes lean into universal kid humor (toilets, toothpaste, bubbles). They're memorable, they clean up fast, and they always get a laugh. Difficulty 2 means it uses items you already own and takes about five minutes — quick but visibly intentional.
Variations
- Bigger-kid twist: For an older crowd that sees through simple scenes, step up to Cereal-Filled Toilet — same room, cleverer setup.
If it doesn't go to plan
If the elf ends up too well-hidden and the kids can't find it, nudge them with a vague hint ("Looks like our elf went somewhere cozy") — the discovery is the point.
Credit: This idea comes from Life With Tiny Humans . Visit the original post for more ideas and photos.
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