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    Home » Motherhood » Top 47 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for the Countdown Until Christmas

    Top 47 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for the Countdown Until Christmas

    Updated on Oct 3, 2021 by Seng Nickerson. This post may contain affiliate links, please see our policy for details.

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    Have you guys taken up the Elf on the Shelf fun? Yes, I know our kids should not have to be bribed to be good. But it is such a fun tradition! Here are some of the best ideas I rounded up that I just might try as we count down the days to Christmas!

    Make sure you introduce the Elf in a fun way too! Examples of this include any of the ideas below. This year, we are having the elf get the kids into the season by gifting them with a ginger bread house!

    The beginning of December is the best time for the return on your kids friend, the Elf on the Shelf! As the count down to Christmas comes, the Elf generally will have a great time being mischievous and bringing laughter and fun with the family.

    In This Post

    • The Ultimate Guide on Elf-ing
    • Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Kids Countdown Until Christmas
    • Summary of Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas
    • More Christmas DIY Inspiration

    The Ultimate Guide on Elf-ing

    The goal with the Elf on the Shelf is that they watch your kids for good (and bad) behavior throughout their day to day to let Santa know if they've been naughty or nice.

    • Make sure your kids give the Elf a fun name.
    • There's a book that goes with the Elf on the Shelf, make sure you read it when the Elf makes his first appearance for the season.
    • No one should be touching the elf, even to move it. It will lose it's magic.

    Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Kids Countdown Until Christmas

    Below is an ultimate guide of what other parents have done (both easy to complex) on hilarious and funny Elf on the Shelf ideas to get you a head start for the funniest annual tradition for both adults and kids to have a great time this holiday season.

    1. Elf on the Shelf taking a marshmallow bath.

     

    Bubble bath or should I say marshmallow bath??? Bien relajada ella? #Lucerito #ElfOnTheShelf #ElfOnTheShelf2016 #Christmas2016

    A post shared by Patty De Jesus❣ (@pattydejesus24) on Dec 4, 2016 at 6:40am PST

    2. Snowball Fight

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    3. Kind of like in that scene from E.T.

     

    Elf antics #elfontheshelf #elfonashelf #elfontheshelf2016 #elfontheshelf2017

    A post shared by Elfs Boutique (@elfsboutique) on Oct 1, 2017 at 5:26am PDT

    4. Hot chocolate bath.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    5. Beach in a box!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    6. Hanging from the ceiling.

     

    #elfontheshelf #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime #funnyelfontheshelf #instaelf

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 22, 2017 at 3:00am PST

    7. The "shoe shoe" train.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Parties by Peggy + Trisha (@partiesbypeggy)

    8. Riding a toy dinosaur.

     

    #elfontheshelf #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime #funnyelfontheshelf #instaelf

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 21, 2017 at 4:42am PST

    9. Another potty one!

     

    Potty training for Jingles #christmas #elfontheshelfideas #elfontheshelf #elfideas #instaelf

    A post shared by Jingles (@jingleselfontheshelf1) on Nov 20, 2017 at 5:37am PST

    10. Camping in a card tent.

     

    Only 35 more days!! I’m excited!! Are you?? #elfontheshelf #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime #funnyelfontheshelf #instaelf

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 20, 2017 at 3:42am PST

    11. Ballooning.

     

    Elf on the Shelf 2016 - Ballooning #elfontheshelf #elfontheshelfideas #elfontheshelfinspiration #elfontheshelfuk #elf #scoutelf #elfontheahelffun #elfmischief #elvesbehavingbadly #enjoyelfontheshelf

    A post shared by The adventures of Jingles (@enjoyelfontheshelf) on Nov 19, 2017 at 7:17pm PST

    12. Target practice fun.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    13. Making some breakfast!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by @natal.ismo

    14. Roasting marshmallows on the stove.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Adopt your own Elf (@adopt.an.elf.boxes)

    16. Roasting Marshmallows

     

    #elfontheshelf #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime #funnyelfontheshelf

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 17, 2017 at 3:34pm PST

    17. Coloring

     

    #elfontheshelf #elvesofinstagram #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 15, 2017 at 10:25am PST

    18. Lifting Weights

     

    Focus on your health, fitness & the holidays elf style! In this group we will have healthy holiday recipes & fitness tips to help you through the holiday parties & dinners. Support & connect each other with themes of Mistletoe Motivation & Holiday Trivia. Plus, we'll share our Elf on the Shelf ideas so you don't have to think of something at the last minute! What is required of you? Pick the workout program of your choice Follow the Portion Fix meal plan Drink Shakeology/Daily Sunshine Participate in a private online accountability group Dates are Dec 4-31 Order by Nov 20 to get your shipment by Dec 4 #discoveryourstrength #elfontheshelfideas #getfitindecember #healthyholidayschallenge #noholidayweightgain

    A post shared by Anita Hauser (@anitamhauser) on Nov 12, 2017 at 5:55pm PST

    19. Sledding with candy canes.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Adopt your own Elf (@adopt.an.elf.boxes)

    20. Gift Box

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Balloon Boutique - Manchester (@balloonboutiquemanchester)

    21. Elfing Everyone

     

    #elfontheshelf #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime #funnyelfontheshelf #instaelf

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 21, 2017 at 4:42am PST

    22. Wrapping the elf

     

    Elf on the shelf 2015 - All stuck up #elfontheshelf #elfontheshelfideas #elfontheshelfinspiration #elfontheshelfuk #elf #scoutelf #elfontheahelffun #elfmischief #elvesbehavingbadly #enjoyelfontheshelf

    A post shared by The adventures of Jingles (@enjoyelfontheshelf) on Nov 19, 2017 at 6:35pm PST

    23. Stamping

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Do It Your Elf (@_doityourelf)

    24. Laundry

     

    #elfontheshelf #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime #funnyelfontheshelf

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 17, 2017 at 3:34pm PST

    25. Reading a book

     

    #elfontheshelf #elvesofinstagram #ideas #christmas #santaclause #elves #elfontheshelfideas #simpleelfontheshelf #followme #ideas #creative #santa #christmas #elf #naughtyornice #storytime

    A post shared by Christmas Elves (@christmaself_2017) on Nov 16, 2017 at 3:55am PST

    26. All tied up!

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by KeepEmQuiet.com (@keepemquiet)

    27. Tied up by spiders.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by The Elf Prop Box (@theelfpropbox)

    29. Snow angels

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Adopt your own Elf (@adopt.an.elf.boxes)

    30. Music Maestro

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Adopt your own Elf (@adopt.an.elf.boxes)

    31. Love of maple syrup

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Elf on the Shelf | Elf Ideas (@funnyelfideas)

    32. Going down the chimney.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    33. Dump truck mess with dog food

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    34. Zip Line

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    35. Lego Tied Up

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    36. Friends with Mr. Potato Head

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    37. Duplo

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    38. Minion Bananas

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    39. Marshmallow Igloo

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    40. Elf Patrol

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    41. Bath Time

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    42. Hot Elf Balloon

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    43. Baby Shark Elf

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    44. Elf Land and Roads

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    45. Candy Cane Lane Bowling

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    46. Pajamas

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    47. Elf Car Wash

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Katherine Simpson (@elfvisandcocoa_elves)

    Summary of Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    I hope you loved these Elf on the Shelf ideas to bring in some fun and humor to the holiday season.

    More Christmas DIY Inspiration

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    • Christmas Tree Rustic Home Decor Ideas
    • Kids Handprint on Wood Craft Project
    • Handprint Christmas Tree Skirt
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    Seng is a life and style blogger for the modern mom. She is a mom of four that works outside of the home balancing the delicate balance of her career and being present for her family.
    Hi I'm Seng - a working mom, loving wife, lifestyle blogger, family photographer, and the ultimate purveyor of the "honey do list". More »

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