There are so many things we love about this time of year and that sneaky little elf is one of them!
If you’re on the hunt for Elf on the Shelf ideas that are super easy for mom to put together AND involve schinanigans your kids will love, you’ve come to the right place.
Committing to doing Elf on the Shelf does not have to be a huge undertaking. Here are fifteen ideas to make it super easy for mom using things you already have on hand or simple print and go ideas!
One thing I love about Elf on the Shelf is utilizing tools that make life easier for me. Today I am going to share with you 15 of my favorite go to ideas that take the work out of it for me.
Super Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
1. Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter– the easiest way I have found to welcome our Elf each year is with this simple letter. All I have to do is fill in the “Dear _____,” area with my kiddo’s names and then sign the bottom with our elf’s name. The letter is a rhyme the goes perfectly with the premise of the book that comes with your Elf on the Shelf.
2. Find the Letter: E is for Elf Worksheets– these are so easy to use. Just print the pages and leave them with your elf. Your young learner can use markers, do a dot dobbers, small trinkets, or whatever you have on hand to mark every /Ee/ they find on the page!
3. Grab some accessories and clothes for your Elf. These are awesome to keep on hand for days where you just don’t have anything up your sleeve. Put the Elf on the Shelf apron on your little guy and the kids will be impressed. Maybe your elf will leave some cookies too. That’s super easy to pull off.
4. Elf Handwriting Worksheets for Kids are another print and go option. These are perfect for young learners who are working on building those hand writing muscles.
5. Let your elf bring a North Pole Breakfast. Don’t over-think this. It does not have to be fancy at all. Simply print out the breakfast pack, make breakfast as you normally do, and use the printables to make the breakfast super fun. Put your child’s name on the invite. Use the labels to name the food on the table like the orange juice, donuts, etc.
If you make muffins you can use the round muffin toppers with some lollipop sticks that you grab at the craft store or on Amazon and insert them into the muffin tops to decorate them with your North Pole Christmas theme. The breakfast kit really makes the possibilities endless for a memorable breakfast.
6. Use an empty old cereal box as your Elf on the Shelf prop. Super easy and the kids will crack up!
7. Elf Reading Printable Flashcards are the perfect way to make Elf on the Shelf educational. These flashcards include Christmas vocabulary words and all you have to do is print them out and leave them sitting next to your elf. A great way to incorporate phonics and word recognition into your holiday tradition.
8. Has your little one had good behavior or bad behavior? Use these behavior reports as something fun to add when your elf moves today. These reports can be personalize with your child’s name. The reports are straight from Santa’s desk and a great way to let your little one know you are very aware of good behavior or bad behavior.
9. Got Band Aids? We loved this idea where you essentially use the Band Aids to tape your elf to the front door or the wall. Kids crack up over this one!
10. Does your young learner love counting? These Elf on the Shelf printable counting worksheets are perfect for your elf to bring. A simple, don for you idea. Just print these pages and leave them next to your elf.
11. Have Elf on the Shelf leave a ransom note. This is pretty funny, actually. Did your kiddo recently lose a toy or privilege. Make a ransom note and let your elf leave it for your child. Looks like this child lost their xbox controller. Naughty, naughty.
12. Do a Dot pages are super fun and we LOVE these that have little elves on every page. Your preschooler or kindergartner would love this six page pack and Elf on the Shelf would love to bring them on his next flight!
13. Do you have a child who fidgets a lot? Why don’t you let Elf on the Shelf bring a new fidget toy? Just order one on Amazon and have it sitting next to your elf when he arrives the next day.
14. Have Elf on the Shelf bring some hot chocolate and your favorite Christmas movie. What a special treat! These are our favorite Christmas movies for kids!
15. Let your elf bring coloring pages for kids! Easy peasy and hours of fun. Plus, coloring pages are a great way to build hand muscles as they learn to write.
16. These Free Elf on the Shelf Household Printables are perfect for keeping track of all things elf on the shelf!
How are you making Elf on the Shelf fun this year? Don’t miss out on any of the fun. Here is a bundle that will help you with your planning and make the next month of Elf on the Shelf easy!
