30 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Madison Mom
30 Elf on the Shelf ideas originally shared by Madison Mom. v2 crawl — 40 ideas Every idea below links back to the original post — visit their site for more parenting ideas, recipes, and crafts year-round.
Baking Project Crumbs
Leave elf with baking kit instructions, then next day show crumbs left behind.
Bananagram Message
Arrange game pieces to spell out a secret message for kids to discover.
Cheerios Bath Bowl
Place elf in bowl filled with cereal as if bathing.
Coffee Filter Parachute
DIY parachute with coffee filter and string, hang elf from ceiling.
Day One Balloon Entrance
Inflate a balloon, tape it to the elf's hand, then tape both to the wall.
Dresser Drawer Peek-a-Boo
Leave dresser drawer slightly ajar with elf peeking out.
Framed Photo Mustache
Draw moustaches and designs on family photo with elf positioned nearby.
Freezer Barbie Wrap
Tuck elf in freezer, wrap in Barbie doll clothes for extra effect.
Googly Face Enhancement
Apply googly eyes to elf for silly enhanced expression.
Hamper Cleanup Hide
Tuck elf in clothes hamper for kids to discover during cleanup.
Laundry Helper Basket
Position elf in or near laundry basket among clothing.
Locked Out Glass Door
Hang snowflakes on door with elf positioned outside as if locked out.
Mailbox Santa Letters
Position elf hanging from or near mailbox as reminder to mail Santa letters.
Marshmallow Snowmen Stack
Stack marshmallows into snowmen and draw faces with markers near elf.
Paint Brush Artist Elf
Position elf with miniature paint set or holding brush near artwork.
Pencil Case Beach
Create mini beach scene with sand in pencil case or container.
Pipe Cleaner Rose Bouquet
Twist pipe cleaners into rose flower and position with elf holding it.
Plush Circle Story Time
Arrange elf surrounded by plush toys with book for story time setup.
Shoe-In Entryway
Tuck elf inside a shoe in entryway.
Silver Dollar Pancake
Arrange elf with tiny stack of pancakes on plate.
Sprinkle Dark Surface Angels
Create snow angel imprint using edible sprinkles on dark surface.
Stand Mixer Bowl Ride
Place elf in stand mixer bowl safely.
Toilet Paper Hallway Unravel
Stick elf in toilet paper roll and let it unravel down hallway or stairs.
Toothbrush Obstacle
Place spare toothbrush near elf in bathroom as obstacle course challenge.
Toy Bin Hide-and-Seek Peek
Hide elf peeking out from toy storage container.
Yoga Mat Pose
Position elf on mat in yoga pose for flexible setup option.
Espresso Cup Cocoa
Position elf with tiny cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows.
Toothpick LED Campfire
Arrange toothpick campfire with marshmallows and elf sitting nearby.
Buddy Four Food Groups
Fill tiny bowl with the four food groups from the movie Elf for humor.
Paper Pond Goldfish
Create paper pond, scatter crackers, fashion fishing pole for elf.
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Frequently asked questions
- Who runs Madison Mom?
- Madison Mom is a parenting blog. v2 crawl — 40 ideas
- Are these ideas from a Madison Mom blog post?
- Yes — each idea on this page is credited back to a specific post on https://madisonmom.com/we-love-our-elf-on-the-shelf-creative-but-easy-ideas-for-your-elf/. Click any idea's detail page and look for the "original post" link in the image caption or the Credit section at the bottom.
- Can I use these ideas with my own family?
- Absolutely — ideas are free to use. If you'd like to share or republish any of these specific scene write-ups, please follow the original source's usage terms; visit the linked post for details.