Elf on the Shelf Ideas with Markers
83 Elf on the Shelf ideas that use markers. From simple scenes like "Elf Toilet Joke" to more elaborate ones like "Toilet Monster Face Draw", here's every idea from our catalog that calls for markers.
Elf Toilet Joke
Perch the elf on top of a fresh toilet paper roll holding an unrolled sheet with a handwritten joke. Leave a marker beside him for the reveal.
Elf Drawing for Santa
Set up a small drawing station with markers and paper showing a half-finished drawing of Santa. Pose the elf mid-stroke.
Elf Christmas Countdown
Prop a small paper calendar in the elf's hands with the days remaining X'd off. Give him a marker to make it feel live.
Cracked Egg Elf Joke
Draw a silly face on an egg and crack it in a bowl so only the decorated shell shows. Pose the elf looking at it with a surprised expression.
Fireplace Self-Portrait
Roll out a small paper banner and prop it on a paper-towel-roll easel in front of the fireplace. Pose the elf with markers mid-drawing of himself.
Elf Toilet Paper Snowmen
Stack three toilet paper rolls into a snowman shape and draw a face on the top roll. Pose the elf placing a paper carrot nose.
Elf Apple Watch
Draw a clock face on an apple with a marker and strap it to the elf's wrist with a rubber band. Add an 'Apple Watch' label.
Elf Moon Phases
Draw a row of moon phases on a paper strip and pose the elf pointing to tonight's moon. Add a small telescope prop.
Build a Marshmallow Snowman
Stack three marshmallows into a snowman and draw a face with marker. Pose the elf placing a toothpick arm.
Paper Towel Snowman
Stack paper towel rolls into a snowman with a drawn-on face and paper scarf. Pose the elf as the builder.
Sip and Play Dance Party
Elf positioned with letter board referencing popular song lyric.
Airplane Arrival
Fold a paper airplane and position elf as if arriving via North Pole Express.
Doctor's Note Rest
Humorous doctor's note explaining elf needs rest for a few days.
Coloring Sheet Delivery
Elf delivers fun holiday-themed coloring pages with markers.
Jenga Hideout
Elf hidden among Jenga game pieces.
Poinsettia Collar
Poinsettia-shaped collar from red and green paper for elf.
Grocery List
Humorous grocery list from elf requesting items for family.
Door Handle Hang
Elf hanging from door handle by hands or arms.
TP Roll Snowman Builder
Snowman from toilet paper rolls; elf with marker as if finished.
Hand Drawn Self Portrait
The elf stands next to a large hand-drawn self-portrait, showcasing its artistic side.
Marshmallow Snowmen Stack
Stack marshmallows into snowmen and draw faces with markers near elf.
Emoji Egg Faces
Draw emoji faces on eggs.
Toilet Paper Lyric Marker
Write punny song lyrics or sayings on toilet paper rolls.
Sleeping Marker Mustache
The elf holds a marker next to a sleeping child with drawn mustache.
Coloring Book Art Session
Elf is positioned with art supplies, having colored pages in red and green.
Dry-Erase Joke Board
Elf holds marker next to board displaying elf-themed jokes or puns.
Dozen Egg Silly Faces
All dozen eggs in carton display silly drawn faces created by the elf.
Red Green Coloring Book
Elf is positioned with art supplies, having colored pages in red and green.
Sweets-Only Grocery List
Elf has written shopping list on paper containing only sweets.
Sticky Note Tree Prank
Cover a wall with green sticky notes arranged in a triangular Christmas tree shape and top it with a yellow one for a star. Pose the elf with a marker finishing the last note.
Toilet Paper Snowman Chop
Stack three toilet paper rolls into a snowman shape and draw a face on the top roll. Pose the elf beside it brandishing a paper axe.
Naughty or Nice Meter
Create a poster-board meter with an arrow pointing between 'naughty' and 'nice'. Pose the elf adjusting the arrow.
Wearing Harry Potter Costume
Dress the elf in a paper Hogwarts robe, glasses, and a lightning scar marker. Add a chopstick wand.
Magic 8 Ball Fortune Teller
Elf holds a Magic 8 Ball near letter board displaying fortunes or messages.
Elf Door
Create a tiny fairy garden door on a wall suggesting elf entered through it.
Kindness Letter Arrival
Elf arrives with a Random Acts of Kindness letter.
Donut Breakfast Arrival
Festive donuts arranged around elf on arrival morning.
Elf Phone
Miniature phone prop with printable showing direct lines to Santa.
Superhero Costume
Dress elf in teeny tiny superhero costume from paper or fabric.
Magic Shrinking Machine
Cardboard "machine" with large cookies next to shrunk versions.
Secret Message From Santa
Leave encoded message from Santa that children must decode.
Rocket Ship Departure
Cardboard rocket ship with elf inside preparing to return to North Pole.
Kissing Booth
Miniature kissing booth stand with elf inside offering kisses.
Taco Stand
Miniature taco stand prop with elf as vendor.
Marshmallow Mini-Snowmen
Tiny snowmen from marshmallows near elf as if built them.
Fridge Surprise
Decorated milk containers with treat inside fridge for children to discover.
Mrs. Claus Cookies
Cookies with note indicating they came from Mrs. Claus.
Microwave Popcorn Night
Elf with microwave popcorn setup suggesting movie night.
Sweet Message in M&Ms
Spell out "Be Nice" or similar using M&Ms around elf.
Paper Bag Race
Paper sack race course with elf in or near a paper bag.
Elf Teacher
Elf positioned as classroom teacher with stuffed animals as students.
Army Men Capture
Elf surrounded by army men figurines in capture scene.
Trapped in Tape Train Tracks
Use tape to create train track patterns; elf tied along tracks.
Marshmallow Tic Tac Toe
Draw board; use marshmallows as game pieces with elf as player.
Car Race
Race course with toy cars; elf as driver or referee.
Snowflake Cutting
Paper, scissors, folding guide for children to cut snowflakes.
Clubhouse
Cardboard clubhouse structure for elf and stuffed animal friends.
Door Crepe Paper Trap
String crepe paper across doorway; elf as if caught in trap.
Vacuum Rudolph
Add markers and antlers to vacuum with elf at controls.
Bows Everywhere
Cover elf and area with gift wrapping bows in wrapping chaos.
Piggy Bank Heist
Elf raiding piggy bank with coins scattered around.
Lifting Weights
Tiny dumbbells from markers or paper; elf working out.
Hidden Treat Hunt
Hide treats under overturned cups; flip cups to find them.
Find the Ornaments
Hide four ornaments; leave clue card directing children to find them.
Shaving Routine
Elf following dad's morning routine with shaving cream props.
Time Out Corner
Elf in corner with "Time Out" sign for humorous consequences.
Frozen Solid Ice Man
Wrap elf in white fabric suggesting frozen solid icy appearance.
Sick Day Rest
Tissue box bed with towels; elf resting with illness.
K-Cup Coffee
Elf with mini coffee cup next to K-Cup machine.
Cushion Treasure Discovery
Elf surrounded by random items "found" under couch cushions.
Playing Piano
Stack books under piano keys; elf at keyboard playing songs.
Peeking at Presents
Elf peering under wrapping paper suggesting naughty behavior.
Couch Potato TV
Elf sprawled on couch with remote suggesting lazy TV watching.
Donation Request
Elf with note requesting children donate toys for generosity.
Blinds Entanglement
Wrap elf in mini blinds with cord tangled suggesting entrapment.
Hand Washing Poem
Hand washing poem near bathroom sink with elf promoting safety.
Camera Departure Gift
Elf with camera on final night as memory-capturing gift.
Silly Photo Tape Doodler
Tape silly eyes or doodles over family pictures.
Tree Monster Googly Eyes
Draw or attach a monster face to the tree with speech bubble.
Moon Phase Paper Light
Create moon phase images featuring the elf's backside.
TP Roll Snowman Twig Arms
Stack three toilet paper rolls, draw facial features, add twig arms for snowman.
Gummy Bear Rock Climbing Wall
Elf climbs a poster board wall decorated with gummy bear footholds.
Toilet Monster Face Draw
Create a monster face on the toilet bowl.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do I really need markers for these elf scenes?
- These 83 ideas use markers as a key prop. Most allow substitutions — cotton balls for snow, ribbon for string, printed paper for a themed prop. Read each idea's "You'll need" list for specifics.
- Where's the best place to get markers?
- Most households already have markers on hand. If not, the affiliate link next to each prop in an idea's "You'll need" list goes to a Amazon search for that specific item.
- Are any of these markers ideas pet safe?
- Several are — check the "Pet safe" badge on individual idea cards, or use the Pet Safe filter from the main generator to narrow the list.