Elf on the Shelf Ideas with Note

30 Elf on the Shelf ideas that use note. From simple scenes like "Make a Puzzle With Us" to more elaborate ones like "Muffin Tray Candy Display", here's every idea from our catalog that calls for note.

30 ideas Use the generator instead →
Living Room ●●○○○

Make a Puzzle With Us

Tuck the elf into the Christmas tree holding a small boxed puzzle. Leave a note inviting the kids to work on it together.

Ages 4–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Candy Breakfast

Fill a miniature frying pan with colorful cereal and candy pieces like a breakfast scramble. Pose the elf with a tiny spatula and a note calling it 'elf breakfast'.

Ages 3–10 Not pet-safe 0
Entryway ●●○○○

Snow Angel Arrival

Lay cotton or powdered sugar on a tray in a thin layer and press the elf down to make an angel imprint. Add a note announcing his return.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Help Me Underpants Elf

Tape the elf to the fridge wearing only a pair of tiny underpants. Add a 'help me' note in his hand.

Ages 4–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●○○○

Cotton Snow Angel

Spread a thin layer of cotton or powder across a tray and press the elf down to make a snow angel imprint. Add a small 'snow day' note.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Bedroom ●●○○○

Christmas Pox Elves

Dot the elf's face, arms, and legs with red marker or small round stickers as festive chickenpox. Add a thermometer and a tiny 'I caught it' note.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Bringing Breakfast for the Kids

Set out a plate of pancakes or cereal bowls at each kid's seat with a note from the elf. Pose him at the head of the table with a spatula.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Melted Snowman Water Glass

Fill a glass with water and drop in a carrot nose; draw a face on the glass with a dry-erase marker. Pose the elf beside it with a sad note.

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

Tumbler Trapped

Elf under clear glass tumbler with "Help!" note beside it.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Cat Food Sneak

Elf with cat food and note suggesting elf is eating pet food.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Bedroom ●●○○○

Aluminum Foil Shoe Shine

Wrap child school shoes in foil with a note saying the elf shined them.

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

Toy Donation Basket

Position elf in empty basket with note explaining it took old toys to North Pole for inspection.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Dog Biscuit Santa Note

Leave dog biscuits labeled as not for Santa as a prank gift.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Cheerios Ring Circle

Arrange Cheerios in a circle on paper with a cheeky caption about their shape.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Nut Pile Slang Caption

Pile nuts with a caption playing on the popular slang phrase.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Leek Under Sink Plumbing

Place a leek under the sink with a note about a plumbing leak.

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

Bra Laundry Catch

Catch the elf in a bra from the clean laundry.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Pea Spelled Message

Spell out a message using frozen peas around the elf.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Bathroom ●●○○○

Toothbrush Butt Brush Note

Position the elf using a toothbrush as a butt brush.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Bedroom ●●○○○

Blue Nail Polish Feet

The elf holds nail polish next to a child's painted blue toenails.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Entryway ●●●○○

Parachuting Elf

Tie a square of fabric to the elf's arms as a parachute and dangle him from a ceiling fixture as if floating down. Add a 'I'm back!' note.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Outdoors ●●●○○

Stuck Outside Patio Door

Spray fake snow or draw paint footprints up to the patio door with the elf pressed against the glass from outside. Add a note begging to come in.

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

Drawing Request

Note asking children to draw picture for elf to take back.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●●○○

Dog Biscuit Warning

The elf sits next to a dog bowl appearing sick from eating dog biscuits with warning note.

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

Shoebox Treats Trap

Wrap shoebox with hole cut in top, label with elf treats, place elf inside.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●●○○

Yellow Lemonade Shot

Position the elf with freshly squeezed lemonade with suggestive caption.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●●○○

Empty Box Candy Hunt

Position elf on empty candy cane box with note asking child to find hidden candy canes.

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

Helicopter Arrival Stunt

Hang a toy helicopter from a ceiling hook or doorframe with fishing line and tie the elf dangling underneath. Add a note announcing his arrival.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Bedroom ●●●●○

Cereal Shoe Breakfast

Fill child's shoes with cereal, add spoon, position elf with note claiming breakfast creation.

Ages 3–12 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●●●○

Muffin Tray Candy Display

Fill muffin tray with various candies labeled humorously with elf nearby.

Ages 3–12 Pet-safe 0

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Frequently asked questions

Do I really need note for these elf scenes?
These 30 ideas use note 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 note?
Most households already have note 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 note 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.