Elf on the Shelf Ideas for December 2024: 24 Fun and Creative Adventures

The countdown to Christmas is on, and for many parents, with it comes 24 days of Elf on the Shelf mischief to plan for! If you’re looking for inspiration to keep your Elf’s antics fresh and exciting all month long, we’ve got you covered. All you’ll need are a few props from your home and the kids’ toy boxes, and a little creative thinking.

Here are 24 creative Elf on the Shelf ideas — one for each and every day leading up to Christmas 2024!

1. A grand arrival

Welcome your mischievous elf on the shelf back with a bang! Use balloons, confetti, or a miniature Christmas banner to announce their arrival on 1^st December.

An alternative option could also be to have your elf on the shelf arrive along with your little ones’ Advent calendars too. Your Elf can bring their advent calendars for the 1^st December along with a note that says, “Let the countdown to Christmas begin!”

2. Marshmallow snowball fight

Elf on the shelf is a concept that’s designed to get the whole family excited for Christmas – and to remind your little ones to be on their best behaviour if they want Father Christmas to visit this year. So, let’s have a little fun to get us in that festive spirit and what better way to do that than with a marshmallow snowball fight of course! Position your Elf with a marshmallow in hand and pose it in the midst of a “snowball” fight against some of your child’s favourite toys. Whether it’s Spider-Man figurines, Barbies, or anything else your little one adores, this Elf on the shelf idea is sure to delight. And don’t forget to scatter marshmallows everywhere for added chaos.

3. Toilet paper tree

This cheeky elf on the shelf idea is sure to have your little ones laughing come  morning time cause – let’s face it – there aren’t many kids who can resist the delight of a little toilet humour! So, get to work. Wrap a small plant or even the Christmas tree (if you’ve put yours up yet) in toilet paper and then place the empty roll in your Elf’s hands. Don’t forget to add a cheeky sign: “I couldn’t resist!”

4. Elf selfie station

When it comes to modern tech, the popularity of selfies is almost universal. And most kids delight at the opportunity to take selfies too. So, why not jump on this trend with your elf on the shelf. Pose your Elf with a camera or phone, and stage them taking “selfies” with other toys. If you’ve got time, you could even tape tiny printed-out photos nearby for extra fun.

5. Hot chocolate bar

Set up an Elf on the Shelf hot chocolate station. Don’t forget to include marshmallows, candy canes, and cocoa packets. Front and centre of the scene, pose your Elf holding a regular sized mug (which will be extremely large in comparison to your elf) with a note that says, “cold mornings call for a cup of cocoa”.

6. Christmas carol-aoke

Get into the festive spirit with a little carolling karaoke! Create your Elf on the Shelf a mini microphone using tinfoil – or, if you have a regular sized one already, use this. Then pop them on the sofa, search for classic carols with lyrics on YouTube and position your Elf on the Shelf in situ – looking at the lyrics, mic in hand. Don’t forget to hit play on the karaoke reel in the morning before the kids make an appearance!

7. Cookie decorating disaster

Oh no, that cheeky elf has been at those kitchen cupboards again! Place your Elf next to (shop-bought or homemade) cookies. Add some messy icing and spilt sprinkles to the cookies and the surrounding area and finish with a sign confessing: “I tried my best!”

8. Elf football match

If you’ve got some serious footy fans in your household, this one is sure to bring a smile to their faces. Recreate a mini football match in your own home with your Elf and other toy figures. You can use cotton balls or scrunched-up foil for the ball, and straws to create the goalposts. You could even add a mini Premier League flag to give the entire scene a touch of authenticity!

9. Elf Olympics

Why not set up your very own elf-friendly Christmas obstacle course! Handy household items you may like to use include candy canes, LEGO bricks, and string. But this Elf on the Shelf idea has arms and legs so feel free to go all out with this one if you like! Position your mid-race and add a sign that reads “Training for the big night!” for added fun.

10. Santa surveillance

Are your children beginning to forget to be on their best behaviour? If so, why not get your Elf can set up a Santa Cam in your house. Don’t forget to add a note reminding your little lovelies that “Santa’s always watching — be good!”

11. Movie night

Turn your TV room into a movie theatre for your Elf on the Shelf. Simply pop a Christmas film on the TV (Elf or The Polar Express are both great options), arm your Elf with a bowl of popcorn, and then hit play right before the kids appear. They’ll be delighted in more ways than one. Wouldn’t you be with the promise of popcorn for breakfast and an early morning movie to give you those festive feels?

Top tip: schedule this one for a weekend treat!

12. Christmas jumper day

This year’s annual Christmas jumper day lands on 12^th December. So, make sure you’ve got one for your elf prepped and ready to wear ahead of time. And then, simply pop your Elf in their festive jumper (made out of socks, or any festive materials you have at your disposal) so that they can join in with this fun tradition.

13. Elf hide-and-seek

Most kids love hide and seek. So, imagine the delight on their faces should their very own Elf on the Shelf orchestrate an elaborate game of hide and seek first thing in the morning?! What you’ll need to do is come up with a really tricky hiding spot for your Elf. It could be anywhere from inside a jar to hanging from the ceiling, or even tucked into the Christmas tree. Then, leave your little ones a cryptic note along the lines of “The game has begun, it’s time for hide and seek fun” to get them geared up for a massive game of find the elf.

14. Festive balloon ride

Who doesn’t love the idea of a hot air balloon ride? And Elf on the Shelf time is the perfect opportunity to bring the fun of the concept to your home. Using a helium-filled balloon and a small basket (large enough for the Elf to sit in, but light enough for your helium balloon to be able to lift) to create a hot air balloon ride for your Elf. Or, if you haven’t got any helium and want to avoid forking out for some, you could always apply some double sided tape to the top of a regular balloon and stick it to your ceiling instead.

15. Mini post office

Pose your Elf in the midst of writing their letter to Santa. If you’re crafty, you could even create a mini red post-box using a cardboard box and some red paint. And don’t forget to strew some pens, glitter, and stamps around your Elf on the Shelf’s letter writing station. If your child hasn’t written their own letter to Santa, this could be a great way to encourage your child to do so and join in with this fun festive childhood tradition.

16. Gingerbread builder

Gingerbread houses are another popular Christmas tradition here in the UK. So, why not get your Elf on the Shelf involved in the action too? Pose your Elf constructing (or hilariously failing to construct) a gingerbread house. Scatter broken biscuits and icing to create a comical scene that will bring a smile of delight to the faces of your children.

17. Spa day

Finally, something that appeals to the needs and wants of the grownups. Well, sorry to burst your bubble parents, this is a spa day that’s exclusively for mischievous elves! Pose your Elf in a “bubble bath” made of marshmallows complete with a tiny towel (a face cloth is a quick and easy option) and a couple of cucumber slices on their eyes.

18. Christmas tree climber

Many kids delight in their elf getting up to mischief. And what’s more mischievous than climbing on the furniture?! Position your Elf mid-climb halfway up the Christmas tree with a string of fairy lights or tinsel trailing behind them. Or, do the same with one of your houseplants!

19. Snowman building

As Christmas draws ever closer, Great Britain becomes ever hopeful for that evasive white Christmas. But whether 2024 is the year we finally get one or not, there’s no reason you can’t create some snow-inspired fun for your little ones. Have your Elf on the Shelf “build” their very own snowman. Marshmallows, buttons (chocolate or real ones), and toothpicks will all prove handy during this funny elf scene.

20. Wrapping paper palaver

Pop your Elf on the Shelf in a position where they appear to be “wrapping presents”. Be sure to scatter the surrounding space with scraps of paper, tape everywhere, and perhaps even a gif bow stuck to their face.

21. Elf game night

Family game nights are a huge part of the Great British Christmas culture. So, why not have your elf embrace this fun part of Christmas too? Pose your Elf mid-board game with a few other toys as its competitors. You’ll need some dice, cards, or a favourite boardgame (such as Monopoly or Scrabble) to set the scene.

22. Winter wonderland train ride

Using a toy train set, you can create a fun festive scene that will make the kids smile a little wider. Pose your Elf sitting on the train, scatter some “snow” (flour or icing sugar makes great “snow”) and – for an extra touch of magic – position one or two small, wrapped presents in the carriages.

23. Letter from Santa

Have your Elf deliver a special letter from Santa, encouraging your child to get ready for the big day and reminding them to be on their best behaviour with only 2 sleeps left until Christmas day.

24. Christmas Eve goodbye

On their final night, have your Elf on the Shelf leave your children a heartfelt goodbye note alongside a special Christmas eve gift like some Christmas pyjamas, a special hot chocolate mixture, or even a personalised bauble.

Elf on the Shelf ideas: final thoughts

With these 24 ideas, your Elf on the Shelf is sure to bring joy and laughter to your household every day right up until Christmas day itself. But if you’ve already tried some of these before and are looking for some new ideas, take a peek at last year’s Elf on the Shelf ideas round up. Happy Elfing, and Merry Christmas!