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Looking for easy and budget-friendly Dollar Tree elf ideas?
You don’t have to spend a lot to create fun Christmas elf surprises for the kids. Dollar Tree and other dollar stores are great places to look for inexpensive Christmas decorations, craft supplies, treats, activity books, and other items you can turn into simple elf activities throughout December.
Over the years, I’ve found plenty of affordable items that worked perfectly for our Christmas elf activities. Some became special treats, while others gave the kids something fun to make, decorate, or do.
Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite Dollar Tree elf ideas that I’ve used with my own kids. Use them as inspiration when you’re looking for simple ways to make your holiday elf visits fun without spending a fortune.
For even more inspiration, take a look through my 41+ Kid-Friendly Holiday Elf Ideas. I’ve gathered my personal favorite ideas that I’ve used with our own elf over the years, along with photos from many of our setups. It’s a great place to browse when you need easy, creative ideas to use throughout December.
Looking for ready-to-use ideas? Check out these Printable Elf Props featuring fun setups and printables including a popcorn setup, basketball setup, Brown-E prank, camping props, elf surveillance camera and letter, an “I’m Back” letter, and more.
Dollar Tree Elf Ideas
1. Elf Arrival Mailboxes and Candy
One year, I found these cute little mailboxes at Dollar Tree and used them for our elves’ arrival. I placed the elves inside the mailboxes under the Christmas tree and tucked candy and a special note into the third mailbox for the kids to find.
This was our “We’re Back” surprise for the year, and it was such an easy way to make their arrival feel extra special without needing an elaborate setup.
If you’re planning your elf’s return, take a look at these Elf I’m Back Ideas for even more arrival inspiration.
2. Mini Christmas Trees and Ornaments
One year, my kids really wanted Christmas trees of their own to decorate and display in their bedrooms. I found small Christmas trees and ornaments at Dollar Tree and turned it into a fun activity from our elves.
Each child got a mini tree to decorate however they wanted, and they loved having their own Christmas tree displayed in their room for the rest of the season.
This is an especially fun elf idea because the surprise doesn’t end after one morning. The kids get an activity to do, and their decorated trees become part of their Christmas decorations for the rest of December.
3. Christmas Window Clings and Decorations
Christmas window clings are an easy Dollar Tree find that can turn into a fun activity for the kids. Our kids have always loved stickers and window clings, so this was a simple way to let them help decorate the house for Christmas.
One year, my four-year-old had so much fun decorating our front door, while my older girls used their decorations on their bedroom windows and bathroom mirrors.
Set out a package of Christmas window clings with your elf and let the kids decide where they want to decorate. It’s an inexpensive setup that also gives them an activity to enjoy after they discover their elf for the day.
4. Make Your Own Christmas Ornament
Making Christmas ornaments has been a tradition in our family over the years, and it also makes an easy activity for your elf to bring to the kids.
Look for clear fillable ornaments or other DIY ornaments at Dollar Tree, then set out a few simple supplies for decorating them. Depending on what you find, kids can add faux snow, glitter, stickers, small craft supplies, or other festive decorations.
Set everything out with your elf and let each child create an ornament of their own. When they’re finished, they’ll have something special they can hang on the Christmas tree and enjoy for the rest of the season.
5. Hot Cocoa for Christmas Movie Night
Turn an ordinary Christmas movie night into an elf surprise with a simple hot cocoa setup. Dollar Tree is a great place to look for Christmas mugs, hot cocoa, candy canes, and other seasonal treats you can use to put everything together.
We used this idea for our Polar Express family movie night. Our elves helped set the stage for the evening, and then we made hot cocoa to enjoy while watching the movie together.
You could keep the setup simple with mugs and hot cocoa, or add marshmallows, peppermint treats, Christmas cookies, or another special snack. It’s an easy way to turn your elf idea into a family activity everyone can enjoy together.
Check out this fun elf movie night setup we put together for our Grinch movie night!
6. Bake Christmas Cookies
Have your elf bring a few special supplies for a Christmas cookie-baking day! Dollar Tree is a great place to look for cookie tins, oven mitts and potholders, cookie cutters, baking supplies, and other inexpensive items to add to the setup.
One year, my kids baked cookies and then divided them into their own Christmas cookie tins to enjoy during the holiday season. You could also use the tins to package cookies for friends, neighbors, teachers, or family members.
Set your elf up with a few of the baking supplies the night before, then surprise the kids with the news that it’s Christmas cookie day. It’s a simple setup that turns into a much bigger holiday activity and memory.
7. Christmas Ornament Wack-a-Packs
These Christmas ornament Wack-a-Packs were such a fun Dollar Tree find! The kids simply hit the package and wait for the surprise inside to inflate and pop out.
Our elves brought these as a quick Christmas activity for the kids. Once the ornaments finished inflating, the kids could add the string and hang them on the Christmas tree.
This is a great example of an elf idea that doesn’t require a complicated setup. Your elf can simply arrive with a Wack-a-Pack for each child and let the activity be the surprise.
8. Reindeer Headbands
Reindeer headbands are another simple Dollar Tree find that your elf can bring as a Christmas surprise. Set out a headband for each child with your elf and let everyone turn into a reindeer for the day!
The kids can wear their reindeer headbands around the house, for holiday gatherings, or while taking fun Christmas photos. This is an easy idea that requires almost no setup but still gives the kids something festive to enjoy.
9. Christmas Coloring and Activity Books
Christmas coloring and activity books are an easy Dollar Tree elf idea to keep on hand for days when you need something quick. Look for holiday coloring books, activity books, crayons, markers, or colored pencils that your elf can bring for the kids.
Set your elf beside the books and coloring supplies and the setup is done! The kids get a new Christmas activity to work on, and you don’t have to spend a lot of time putting together an elaborate scene.
This is also a great activity to save for a busy December afternoon, Christmas break, or a cozy day at home.
10. Santa Hats
Santa hats are another inexpensive Christmas item that can become an easy elf surprise. Have your elf bring a Santa hat for each child and encourage everyone to wear them for the day.
This is a fun idea to use before a Christmas party, family gathering, holiday movie night, or a day when you want to take Christmas photos of the kids. You could even have your elf wear a tiny hat of their own to join in on the fun.
Best of all, there’s almost no setup involved. Simply leave the hats with your elf the night before and your Christmas surprise is ready for the morning.
More Dollar Tree Elf Ideas to Try
Need even more inspiration? Keep an eye out for inexpensive toys, games, craft supplies, treats, and Christmas items while you’re shopping. A simple Dollar Tree find can often be turned into a fun elf surprise without requiring an elaborate setup.
Note: The ideas below can be created with items you may find at Dollar Tree and are meant to help you come up with easy Christmas elf setups of your own. Product selection and availability can vary by store and season.
Marshmallow Bubble Bath
Create a silly bubble bath for your elf using a small bowl, container, or toy bathtub filled with mini marshmallows. Tuck your elf into the middle of the “bubbles” for an easy scene the kids can discover in the morning.
This is a great last-minute idea because you only need a couple of supplies to put it together.
Indoor Snowball Fight
Use white pom-poms or cotton balls as tiny snowballs and create an indoor snowball fight. Set your elf on one side and use stuffed animals, dolls, or action figures on the other.
Scatter some of the pretend snowballs around the scene to make it look like everyone has already been playing while the kids were asleep.
Elf Fishing Trip
Send your elf on a fishing trip! Make a tiny fishing pole using a small craft stick and string, then position your elf beside a bowl or container filled with crackers or small toy fish.
This is an easy scene to put together with a combination of inexpensive Dollar Tree finds and supplies you may already have at home.
Christmas Book Surprise
Have your elf arrive with a new Christmas book for the kids. Leave the book beside your elf in the morning and save it for a special Christmas storytime later in the day.
Check the Dollar Tree book section while you’re shopping. You may find inexpensive books that are perfect for adding to your Christmas collection.
Holiday Sock Delivery
Pick up a pair of festive Christmas socks for each child and have your elf deliver them. This is an especially easy surprise to use on a December morning when you don’t have time to create a complicated scene.
The kids can put on their new socks that morning and continue wearing them throughout the Christmas season.
Candy Cane Hunt
Instead of simply having your elf deliver candy canes, turn them into a game. Hide candy canes around the house and position your elf with a note inviting the kids to find them.
You can make the hunt quick and easy for younger kids or hide the candy canes in trickier spots for older children.
Balloon Surprise
Pick up a package of balloons, blow up a handful, and place your elf in the middle. Fill a small area with balloons or surround your elf with a few for an easy morning surprise.
Keep the leftover balloons tucked away because they can come in handy when you need another quick setup later in the month.
Christmas Puzzle Challenge
Have your elf bring the kids a new puzzle and challenge them to put it together. Look for an inexpensive puzzle that matches their ages and interests.
You could leave a note from your elf challenging everyone to finish the puzzle before bedtime or turn it into a family activity for later that day.
Mini Game Night
Look for a small card game, mini game, matching game, dice game, or another inexpensive family game. Have your elf deliver it in the morning with plans for a family game night later that day.
These Etch a Sketch Mini Doodle Magnetic Drawing Boards are a fun addition!
This turns one simple Dollar Tree purchase into both an easy elf setup and an activity the whole family can enjoy together.
Toy Car Race
Use inexpensive toy cars to create a race between your elf and some of the kids’ favorite toys. Line up the cars, create a simple starting line, and position everyone as if the race is about to begin.
Leave everything out so the kids can take over the race after they discover the scene.
Stuffed Animal Party
Gather some of the kids’ stuffed animals around your elf and create a party or silly gathering while everyone is asleep.
This is an especially budget-friendly idea because you can use toys you already have at home. You could also have your elf bring a new inexpensive stuffed animal from Dollar Tree as an extra surprise.
Christmas Bow Takeover
Grab a package of Christmas gift bows and let your elf get into a little mischief. Cover a bedroom door, bathroom mirror, kitchen cabinet, or another unexpected spot with bows and leave your elf nearby.
A large package of inexpensive bows can be tucked away specifically for this setup and pulled out on a night when you need something fast.
Christmas Craft Kit
Have your elf bring a Christmas craft kit for the kids to complete. Look for a small seasonal craft kit, such as a paint-your-own ornament craft kit, that can be set beside your elf and saved for an after-school or Christmas break activity.
This is a great option for a busy day because the elf setup takes very little work, but the kids still get something fun to create afterward. When they’re finished, they can hang their painted ornament on the Christmas tree or display their completed craft with the other Christmas decorations.
Make a DIY Snow Globe
Look for a DIY snow globe and let your elf deliver the supplies the kids need to make their own Christmas creation. Check the Dollar Tree toy and Christmas sections for small characters or mini figures that will fit inside the snow globe. Kids can choose a favorite and, with an adult’s help, glue it to the inside of the lid or base before adding faux snow and other small decorations.
Once the snow globes are finished, the kids can display their creations with their other Christmas decorations.
Create an Elf-Sized Christmas Village
Miniature Christmas decorations are perfect for creating a tiny world around your elf. Look for mini bottle-brush trees, little houses, figurines, faux snow, and other small decorations.
Arrange a few pieces around your elf to create a miniature Christmas village or winter scene. Save all of the pieces afterward so you can reuse them in different elf setups throughout December.
Glow-Stick Christmas Lights Night
Have your elf bring glow sticks and announce a special evening of looking at Christmas lights. The kids can wear their glow sticks while you walk or drive around to see the decorations.
This is a fun way to make a very simple morning elf surprise lead into a family Christmas activity later that evening.
Jingle Bell Surprise
Have your elf arrive with jingle bells or a Christmas bell decoration for the kids. Hang the bells from a bedroom doorknob or another special spot and leave your elf nearby.
After the surprise, the bells can stay up as part of your Christmas decorations.
Grow-a-Friend Experiment
Keep an eye out for small grow-in-water toys or capsules in the toy section. Have your elf bring one and let the kids place it in water to see what happens.
Because the toy changes over time, the kids get something they can continue checking after the initial elf surprise.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Pick up a few inexpensive Christmas items or small treats and hide them around the house. Have your elf leave the first clue for the kids to begin their hunt. These mini gift boxes are perfect for hiding small surprises and can even be hung on a mini Christmas tree after the kids find them.
The scavenger hunt can be short and simple or include several clues depending on how much time you have and the ages of your kids.
Christmas Countdown Chain
Pick up colorful construction paper and have your elf bring the supplies to make a Christmas countdown chain. Cut the paper into strips, create one loop for each day remaining until Christmas, and let the kids remove one link each day.
Your elf can introduce the countdown, and then the finished paper chain becomes a Christmas decoration the kids can use throughout December.
Stock Up on Dollar Tree Elf Supplies Ahead of Time
One of the easiest ways to make Christmas elf activities less stressful is to plan ahead. Instead of making a trip to the store every time you need a new idea, take one Dollar Tree trip and pick up several inexpensive supplies at once.
Look through the ideas above and choose a handful that you know your kids will enjoy. You might grab balloons, gift bows, pom-poms, candy canes, a puzzle, a craft kit, glow sticks, mini Christmas decorations, or a few small toys and activities.
When you get home, put everything together in a bag, bin, or other hiding spot where the kids won’t find it. Then, when you realize at the end of a busy day that you still need an idea for your elf, you already have several easy options ready to go.
You don’t have to create an elaborate scene every night. Having a small stash of supplies ready ahead of time can make it much easier to keep the fun going throughout December.
Want Even More Elf Ideas Ready to Go?
If you’d rather have even more of the planning done for you, check out the 2026 Elf Kit. It’s filled with ready-to-use ideas and activities that can help you plan your elf fun ahead of time instead of scrambling to come up with something new each night.
Pair a few of the Dollar Tree ideas above with the activities in the kit, and you’ll have plenty of options ready for the Christmas season.
