Elf Planner

Wall Tape Spread

Pin it
Other Difficulty ●●○○○ Messiness ●●○○○ Ages 3–10

How it's done

Stick elf to wall with painter's tape across arms and legs.

You'll need

  • painter's tape

affiliate Cart icons link to Amazon search.

Pets in the house?

Should be fine around pets as long as you place it out of reach.

Why this works

This kind of scene isn't tied to one room — it works wherever the elf needs a new home tonight. 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 Military Tape Wall Capture — 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 The Foreign Mom . Visit the original post for more ideas and photos.

Need an idea for tomorrow?

Tell us about your house and kids — we'll pick 5 more ideas personalized for you.

Try the generator →

Also: See all Other ideas · Browse the full guide

More Other ideas

Other ●●○○○

Band-Aid Accident Victim

Cover elf with band-aids with "I need a hug!" note.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Other ●●○○○

Be Good Pencil Reminder

Elf with pencil and small "Be Good!" card.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Other ●●○○○

Bubble Gum Bubble Blowing

Elf posed with bubble gum bubble extended from mouth.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0

More ideas using painter's tape

Bedroom ●●●○○

Door Wrapping Paper Cover

Cover a door in festive wrapping paper using painter's tape so it looks like a giant present. Pose the elf with tape and scissors as the wrapper.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●●●○

Elf Gift Wraps the Kitchen

Cover kitchen cupboards and counters in wrapping paper secured with painter's tape. Pose the elf mid-wrap with scissors and a spare roll.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●●○○

Swing Made from a Toilet Paper Roll

Tape twine to the ends of an empty toilet paper roll to make a swing and hang it from a shelf or lamp. Strap the elf on with painter's tape.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0

See every painter's tape idea →

Other quick ideas

Bedroom ●●○○○

Abacus Climbing Adventure

Elf positioned climbing on toy abacus beads as climbing structure.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Bathroom ●●○○○

Acting Silly in Toilet Paper Rolls

Stick the elf's arms and legs through empty toilet paper tubes for a robot look. Pose him on the bathroom counter.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 3
Living Room ●●○○○

Adoption Certificate

Official elf adoption certificate displayed near elf on arrival.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0