Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers

Inside: 24 ideas for your Christmas elf that will be perfect for toddlers

Elf on the Shelf is something that has come over from the States and has quickly become a fun way to embrace the Christmas spirit throughout December.

What is Elf on The Shelf?

We first heard of Elf on the Shelf back in 2013 and have done it every year since. In essence, an elf comes to visit you throughout December and brings a whole world of magic with it.

Now, the original Elf on the Shelf is very strict – you can’t touch the elf and they stay on a shelf during the day. I didn’t really like the idea of that so we got various elves (we have one each!) and the kids love to hold them and play with them.

What do the Christmas elves do?

Whether you keep them on a shelf or let the kids play, the main point of the elves is to sprinkle a little magic while the kids are asleep.

People take different stances on the magic that is spread. Some go with the idea that the elves cause mayhem, while others go with the idea that the elves bring craft ideas for the next day.

Having young children we wanted to do a mix of the two ideas. Showing a bit of cheekiness but using the elves to bring Christmas to life through December.

Introducing the elf in December

The elf arrives on a day of your choosing- ours arrive on December 1st so we have plenty of time to do the various activities. Elves come to life in the night, getting up to mischief or planning an activity for the next day.

Then the next morning the children come down to find out what their elves have been up to! The excitement on their faces is just so lovely to watch!

Our elves like to think of things for us to do, from baking Christmas cookies to wrapping the presents. They also, very helpfully, report back to Father Christmas each night to tell him whether the kids have been well behaved.

Toddler-friendly Elf activities

The idea is to help get the children involved in the Christmas preparations and festivities! Here is a list of activities to do with your elf – enough for 24 days.

• Have the elf arrive with a note from Father Christmas, explaining the tradition. Of course, if you have done it in previous years you can have the elf write a letter telling your children what he has been up to all year and the fun he expects to have over the season!

• Have your elf sitting in among the Christmas decorations- maybe holding a new decoration! Time to put up the tree!!!

• Have your elf sitting writing a Christmas card- get the children involved (if they are older) in writing cards to their classmates.

• Uh oh, what are all these footprints? Naughty elf has left a trail of floury footprints throughout the house- he wants to make Christmas cookies!!

• Oh, how kind- your elf has made you all-new Christmas jumpers! Maybe have him tangled in some wool!

• What has he been up to? Make a few paper chain links and leave a pile of strips ready to make the rest! Who doesn’t like paper chains?!

• Uh oh, someone has got themselves in a tangle! Wrap your elf up in sticky tape and have some gifts and wrapping paper strewn about to make it look like he has been trying to get started on the wrapping! Time to get those presents wrapped and under the tree!

• If the children have been particularly good the day before, your elf will have reported this back to Father Christmas! Reward them with the elf bringing them some Christmas themed colouring books.

• I don’t know about you but I tend to tuck into the chocolate boxes early- I like to blame it on our elf!! Have him sitting on the sofa surrounded by the wrappers!! Ha! Maybe leave a sweet each for the kids!

• Are you going to see Father Christmas? Take him with you! (if you have a cuddly version like ours).

• I love to read Christmas themed books each year. Have the elf bring a new book to add to your collection! My personal favourite is The Jolly Christmas Postman.

• Have a miniature breakfast! If you have a dolls’ tea set have the elf set it up with mini pancakes or mini bowls of cereal.

• Many people hide the elf every day. I like to do it every now and then to keep it fun- where is he today? Maybe have a family game of hide and seek!

• I love Christmas movies!! Have your elf sitting on the sofa with some popcorn and the remote with a movie on pause. What has he been watching? Who wants to watch ELF?!! Woohoo!!

• We love to make gingerbread houses, have your elf sitting prepared with all of the ingredients in the kitchen- maybe he can draw a design for ‘his house’

• Christmas birthdays – have the elf sitting among the birthday presents with a party hat on! If you don’t have a family birthday during December then why not throw your elf a birthday party?

• Naughty elf has struck again! TP the tree!!!!!

• If your kids are getting a bit excitable and starting to misbehave a little then have your elf write them a cautionary note reminding them that he is watching and reporting back to Father Christmas.

• Snowball fight! If it has snowed then mock up a fight between your elf and another toy using rolled up tissue. Invite your children to have a real snowball fight outside! (If it hasn’t snowed you could always make your own!)

• Making snowflakes is one of my favourite things to do each year, we stick them on the windows of our conservatory. Have your elf surrounded by paper cuttings and a few pre-cut snowflakes and get cutting!

• Make reindeer food! This is fun and helps keep the magic alive!

• Have a scavenger hunt! Leave clues leading to a prize at the end (chocolate money or some such) and have the elf holding the first clue.

• I love Christmas photos, have your elf sitting with the camera. Show the children some photos he has been taking through the night! If you have taken photos the past few weeks sit and look through them all together.

• Last day today! Sob! Have your elf write a thank you letter to the children reminding them to place him where Father Christmas can find him to take him back home! I am also going to start the tradition of a Christmas eve box of goodies so Edwin will deliver those to the children.

I hope this gives you a few ideas to try with your elf this year. Check out the Elf on the Shelf website for more ideas and inspiration!

Saying goodbye to your elf

On Christmas Eve, pop your elves into the children’s stockings. They then return home to the North Pole with father Christmas to prepare for next year!

Have you tried any fun activities with your elf? Please share them as I am always looking for new and exciting activities to try!