20 Clever Elf On The Shelf Ideas

by Amanda Schmitt December 9, 2020

by Amanda Schmitt 705 views

Despite what your kids think, that Elf on the Shelf isn’t going to move itself. Keeping up with those Elfish antics all month long can seem like a chore when you’re busy with everything else that comes with holiday craziness. BUT, your kids love it. Seeing their reactions is always worth the work, and that’s especially true when you have a library of fun, clever ideas at your disposal.

We’re here to take the stress out of this year’s Elf on the Shelf. We’ve scoured the Internet for some of the best ideas, and we’ve mostly focused on the ones that don’t require a lot of extra work. But first, here are a few tips from expert Elf arrangers:

You don’t need to get too involved every day. When you’ve had a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend the night setting up an elaborate Elf scene. A simple hiding place will still make your kids smile.
Use what you have. You don’t need to go out and buy all those elf-sized accessories. Look around your house (especially in the toy bin) and you’ll find loads of inspiration.
Make a plan. Elf on the Shelf is a lot easier when you’re not scrambling for an idea every night. Take a few minutes at the beginning of the month to write down your ideas. Cross them off as you go and add new ideas as they come to you.
Have fun! December can be crazy, but Elf on the Shelf is meant to be fun for the entire family.

Last, but not least, feel free to find inspiration on the Internet! So, without further ado, here’s a list of great Elf on the Shelf ideas that your kids will love.