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Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

December 9, 2021 by Mom. Wife. Busy Life. 35 Comments

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Here are 30+ Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas to enjoy this holiday season!

elf

We’ve been participating in the Elf on the Shelf for a while now!

Our elf started visiting our home in 2013 and my girls (and now son) remind me every year about our elf coming for a visit in December! We actually added a girl elf in 2019 to mix things up a bit!

Order Now: Elf on the Shelf Kits for 2022

Dollar Tree Elf on the Shelf Ideas

I have to say, hiding our elves and creating activities for the kids to enjoy is actually a lot of fun.

Finding new ways to display our elf does take a bit of time and creativity! This year, I’m planning ahead and getting things ready and in place before our elves arrive. It can be easy to forget to move the elves or come up with ideas when you are rushed or tired!

I have this printable checklist that goes with our ideas below to help you plan for your elf on the shelf this year.

>> CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST AND GET ACCESS TO THIS FREE PRINTABLE ELF ON THE SHELF LIST!

I wanted to compile a few of our favorite kid friendly Elf on the Shelf ideas for you that we have personally done, from 2013 to 2019.

If you need ideas for welcoming your elf back this year, check out these Elf on the Shelf I’m Back Ideas!

Not into planning this year? These Elf Kits below with 24 nights of activities, personalized letters, props, and more can help!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

elf on the shelf ideas

Here’s a great assortment of dolls to use for the tea party elf on the shelf idea.

Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Find KidKraft Dollhouse ideas at Amazon!

Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Check out Barbie cars on Amazon!

Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Find a variety of kids fishing poles for this idea!

Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Find the Fisher-Price Little People Musical Christmas Train at Amazon!

elf on the shelf ideas riding a reindeer

 These deer figurines are similar to the ones pictured above.

elf on the shelf ideas reading books

Use these little learning book sets for this idea.

elf on the shelf ideas coloring

Shop the Crayon selection at Amazon!

elf on the shelf ideas playing the guitar

These Disney Figurine Sets are perfect for this elf on the shelf idea!

elf on the shelf ideas walking the dog

The walking pet toys would be perfect to use for this Elf on the Shelf idea!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas christmas tree

Check out these Elf on the Shelf Ornaments to add to your Christmas tree!

elf on the shelf ideas riding horses

The horse toy options are great for this idea!

elf on the shelf ideas building with blocks

Use these foam blocks to recreate this idea above!

elf on the shelf ideas playing candy land

Shop Candyland games at Amazon and add this to your game closet!

Elf on the shelf ideas

Choose a paint set for kids!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas Playing with Playdoh

Here are great Play-doh set ideas that you can use for this idea.

Elf on the Shelf ideas making coffee

Check out this selection of Keurig coffee makers!

ornament

Here’s are ornaments to use for this idea.

band aids

You can use any bandages for this idea, but I recommend using bandages for kids! This bandage idea has been one of my kids favorite ideas of all!

cookies

Use these Christmas cookie sprinkles for baking this year!

elf-on-the-shelf-twister

Order Twister at Amazon!

Here are printable Twister boards for your elf, too!

Elf Twister Elf on the Shelf Printable Christmas Elf Prop
Elf on the Shelf Printable Twister Prop


Create a shoe-shoe train with your elf!

Here are a few of my favorites from 2018 using a Spiderman toy:

elf 2

Find 12 inch Spiderman action figure toys at Amazon!

Here are mini pool table toys for kids, too.

elf 3

Elf on the Shelf 2019

My girls were begging for a girl elf to visit this year! She was a gift under the Christmas tree as a surprise on the first day back! See the letters below. They named her Crystal! Now Crystal and Clyde are busy creating fun activities, arts, crafts, and games for the kids all month.

elf

“I’m back! I missed y’all so much and I couldn’t wait to see y’all again. I’m so proud of y’all for being good in school and doing your chores at home! GUESS WHAT?!?!? I have a COOL surprise for you – look under a tree. I think you’ll like it! Hint: DOUBLE THE FUN! Sincerely, Clyde P.S. Don’t open until parents are awake!” 

elf on the shelf

Hide candy canes around the house.

elf on the shelf

Gather supplies to make an ornament.

76901519_2510201782430943_651702364511666176_n

Make a snowman craft!

elf on the shelf

Hide tiny gifts around the house for a game of hide and seek. Then, give a surprise when they find them all!

elf on the shelf

Have a movie night and watch your favorite Christmas movie

elf on the shelf

Create snowmen donuts with packages of powdered donuts.

elf on the shelf smart

Write a letter telling your kids they are smart! Use Smarties candy canes or candy.

elf on the shelf baking

Have fun in the kitchen! Help the kids bake cookies!

IMG_3988

Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Paint crosses and display in your home.

IMG_4054

Paint ornaments to hang on the tree.

elf on the shelf hiding game

Have your elves play hide and seek. If hints are needed, have a friend or family member text a hint “from the elves.” For this one, I had my mom text us that the elves were hungry and needed a snack.

Check back for more ideas from this year! I’ll try to update as often as possible! My kids LOVE coming downstairs to figure out what the elf did over night!

Elf on the Shelf 2020

For 2020, I put together several Dollar Tree Elf on the Shelf Ideas! Check them out, too! Keep scrolling for 2021 ideas.

Elf on the Shelf 2021

Our elves came down the fireplace on their first night back! They left a “We’re Back!” letter!

Welcome Back Letter to Kids From Their Christmas Elves Have
We’re Back Letter to Kids From Their Christmas Elves


Our elves brought candy to fill the Advent calendar for the month!

Find reusable Advent calendars here.

elf on the shelf snowball fight

Find indoor snowballs for kids at Amazon!

My husband turned 40 this year! The elves had cake supplies and cards for the kids to make to celebrate!

This is a yearly tradition at my house. My 5 year old loves to put window clings on the windows in my house. Each child received their own set of Christmas window clings this year from the elves.

My kids always love finding things around the house, so this is becoming a yearly tradition where the elves hide candy canes around the house to find to add to our tree.

We took the kids to a concert to see our favorite band, For King & Country in Houston this month during their Little Drummer Boy Tour! Listen to their Christmas album here. It’s amazing!

When we came back to the house the elves set up mini gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate!

My kids love scavenger hunts! The elves set up two scavenger hunts this year so far!

Here are the scavenger hunts they used. These two scavenger hunts are FREE to print!

Scavenger Hunt #1

Scavenger Hunt #2

My kids love to paint! The elves left them three Christmas rock painting kits to work on for the weekend!

Pin to Pinterest:

Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Kid Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

This Tabletop Ceramic Lighted Green Christmas Tree could work for the idea above!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Do you have any Elf on the Shelf ideas to contribute? Leave a comment! 

elf on the shelf
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Filed Under: Activities for Kids, Christmas, Family, Holidays, Kids Crafts & Activities Tagged With: Christmas

Previous Post: « Dollar Tree Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Next Post: Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Craft »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammilee Tillison says

    December 9, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    These are such cute ideas. We love our Elf on the Shelf.

    Reply
  2. Nicole B says

    December 9, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    I’m glad your little girl got over her fear of the Elf. Your ideas are cute!

    Reply
  3. Everything Mom and Baby says

    December 9, 2013 at 4:57 pm

    Awesome!
    I’ve done the light fixture but love the colouring idea. They all are great 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jeannette says

    December 9, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    I have never really gotten into elf on the shelf but this makes me want to! Thanks for the fun ideas!

    Reply
  5. diane says

    December 9, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    What cute ideas. I am betting Elf was loving the attention of the girls during the party and car ride!

    Reply
  6. Shauna says

    December 9, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    Ha, ha, ha… love these ideas. Thank you

    Reply
  7. Emily says

    December 9, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    What fun ideas!!

    Reply
  8. Ellen Christian says

    December 9, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    What adorable ideas. He looks like he’s having fun.

    Reply
  9. Kelsey Apley says

    December 9, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I love barbies and the tea party this is very fun!! You have some fun idea’s!

    Reply
  10. Kathleen says

    December 9, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    Cute ideas! We don’t do Elf on the Shelf but it’s a cute idea. Love the fishing for goldfish!

    Reply
  11. Angela says

    December 9, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I am loving that tea party. So fun!

    Reply
  12. Stefani says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Thanks for the great ideas. We have an elf running around our house this year too!

    Reply
  13. Daisy says

    December 9, 2013 at 11:54 pm

    I love that this little elf pops up in so many places. What a fun idea for my 3 year old.

    Reply
  14. Pam says

    December 10, 2013 at 12:39 am

    These are such great ideas. I would have loved to have known about Elf on the Shelf when my kids were younger.

    Reply
  15. Jennifer Soltys says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:40 am

    Very cute ideas! Everyone gets so creative with these elves!!!

    Reply
  16. Tara says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:51 am

    Our Elf never hung out with Barbies….I almost want to get one again for that reason alone!

    Reply
  17. Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says

    December 10, 2013 at 3:18 am

    These are really cute! And I like that you said Kid-Friendly because MANY pics are not appropriate when searching out the Elf pics!

    Reply
  18. Dawn Lopez says

    December 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    Awww these are super cute ideas! Elf on the Shelf must be so fun for the little ones! Wish I had known about it when my son was smaller. I will have to get one for my nieces and nephews 😉

    Reply
  19. Debi@TheSpringMount6Pack says

    December 10, 2013 at 3:24 am

    WE do not have an Elf on the SHelf, we have an Elf Magic, but we have done several of these.

    Reply
  20. Amanda says

    December 10, 2013 at 3:49 am

    The elf seems to be popping up all over. Cute ideas!

    Reply
  21. Nancy Lustri (StyleDecor) says

    December 10, 2013 at 3:58 am

    Absolutely adorable! Love the ideas! The Elf on the Shelf is too cute. They didn’t have him around when my kids were little.

    Reply
  22. Melissa says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:03 am

    So many great ideas. I especially love the tea party.

    Reply
  23. brett says

    December 10, 2013 at 5:11 am

    our little elves also leave surprises sometimes — and they always bring us an advent calendar or 2!

    Reply
  24. Susan says

    December 10, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    Adorable~! I love the elf driving the car!

    Reply
  25. Liza @ Views From the 'Ville says

    December 10, 2013 at 5:05 am

    Fun ideas! I think my daughter would like the fishing for Goldfish Crackers one – I’m going to have to try it!

    Reply
  26. Terra Heck says

    December 19, 2013 at 11:34 am

    Those are all super cute ideas. I especially like the tea party one.

    Reply
  27. Sarah L says

    December 6, 2016 at 6:50 am

    Those are very fun places for the elf. I like him riding the tiny train.

    Reply
  28. Ashley Mitchell-Palmer says

    December 20, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Love the traveling elf w a the gf. Did that last night great ideas.

    Reply
  29. brittani adams says

    December 6, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    the tea party is so cute !! what great idesas!

    Reply
  30. Anonymous says

    November 10, 2019 at 11:30 am

    This is so cool can you do a 2019 one

    Reply

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