Need quick and easy Elf on the Shelf ideas you can pull together in less than five minutes? Here are 30 easy Elf ideas for busy parents who need easy ideas for staging your elf quickly. Be sure to have your Elf on the Shelf handy when December 1st rolls around!
Also, don’t forget to snag your Kid’s Holiday Activity Kit, complete with Elf on the Shelf Notes & Letter Boards, Letter to Santa, Activity Sheets, Countdown to Christmas, Christmas Scavenger Hunts & I Spy Games, and much more!
30 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Busy Parents
The first year we had an Elf on the Shelf in our home, I ran out of ideas by basically the 5th day and had to explain to the kids why our Elf (who they named Peppermint) hadn’t moved for three days straight.
I couldn’t outright say, “Mommy forgot” or the idea of the Elf would be lost forever.
This year, I have 30 of the best easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy parents to pull together in less than five minutes and with supplies you likely already have around your home.
No more explaining why your elf didn’t move, or went back to the North Pole for a few days to take a break.
Pssst.. we just released 95 New & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas if you want to load up on even more quick, easy, and funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas for December.
Before you check out all the fun and super simple Elf on the Shelf ideas…
Be sure to snag the free printable Elf “Caught You Being Good“ Notes to stick with your elf for the next morning. Use them to reinforce good behavior, praise your child and point out all their best qualities.
(You can also download a set of Elf on the Shelf notecards at the bottom of this article)
30 Easy Elf Ideas: Elf on the Shelf Ideas in 5 Minutes or Less
- Elf on the Shelf is Wrapped up in a Spider Web via Katherine Forbes Photography
- Elf Freezing in the Fridge via Source Unknown
- Elf Drawing Minions on Bananas via FancyShanty
- Elf Stuck in a Glass via Andiamo
- Be Good Written in Cheerios via The Ballard Bunch
- Elf Caught in a Bag of M&Ms via The Girl Creative
- Elf Caught Drawing Mustaches on Pictures via The Girl Creative
- Elf Making Flour Angels via Indulgy
- Elf Reading a Book to his Friends via My Mommy Style
- Army Man Take the Elf Hostage via The Girl Creative
- Elf Drinking Syrup with Barbie via Over the Big Moon
Creative & Fun Elf on the Shelf Outfits & Accessories:
- Do You Want to Make a Snowman via Frugal Coupon Living
- Elf Lifting a Marshmallow Weight via Dirty Diaper Laundry
- Elf Doodling in a Kid’s Coloring Book via First for Women
- Elf Fishing in the Sink via Melanie Stofka
- Elf Zip Lining via Rachel S Wartley
- Enjoying Leftover Pizza via Life With My Littles
- Elf Hiding With the Silverware via Over the Big Moon
- Frozen by Elsa from I Heart Naptime
- The Elf on the Shelf is no match for Darth Vader via Lisa Stout Photography
- Elf in the Jaws of T-Rex via Picklehead Soup
- Having a Super Fun Sack Race via Picklehead Soup
- Elf Playing a Game with a Doll via Little Blue Boo
- Leave a new Book for Your Kids to Read via Mrs. Pauley’s Kindergarten
- Elf Cooking up Some Yummy M&Ms via Picklehead Soup
- Little Elf Went Nuts with the Stickers via Enza’s Bargains
- Camo Elf Hiding in the Christmas Tree via Frugal Coupon Living
- Little Elf Went Crazy on the Copy Machine via t’s A Yummy Life
- He Whipped Up a Batch of Mini Elf Pancakes via Home Stories A to Z
Download 40 Elf on the Shelf “I Caught You Being Good” Notecards
More Elf on the Shelf Ideas:
- 35 Funny & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
- 48 Elf on the Shelf “Caught You Being Good” Notes
- Elf on the Shelf Printable “I Caught You Being Good” Notecards
Check Out All the (Non-Junk) Gift Guides for Parents:
- Ultimate Guide: 200+ Practical Non Toy Gifts for Kids That Aren’t Junk
- Best Board Games for Kids and Families to Play Together
- Best Gifts for Kids Who Love Arts and Crafts
- Best Outdoor Toys for Kids to Promote Active Play & Healthy Habits
- 40+ Unique Stocking Stuffers for Baby – Toddler (Ages 0 – 3)
- Non-Toy Gifts for Giving Children Experiences Not Things
- Gifts for Kids to Receive in the Mail All Year Round
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Fun ideas! Gave me some good antics to get me through Christmas! Visiting from Share Your Style party.