Studio DIY
It’s no secret that Ree Drummond and her family have plenty of Christmas traditions to go around. Matching family Christmas pajamas are a must, and the scent of Ree’s freshly baked cinnamon rolls is layered with happy holiday memories.
But for other families, a different sort of tradition has emerged over the past few years: the magical, mischievous Elf on the Shelf. These cute troublemakers are far more than just figurines, after all. In the weeks and days leading up to Christmas, they silently watch over your kids during the day and report their “naughty” or “nice” behavior to Santa himself. It’s only at night (how convenient!) that they come alive and wreak playful havoc on your home in the name of spreading Christmas spirit.
Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of funny Elf on the Shelf ideas to give you a head start on the year’s silliest game for grown-ups and kids. There are Elf coloring pages to keep both him and your children occupied, printable joke cards to help you spell out the hilarity of it all, and (of course!) an Elf on the Shelf face mask that’s perfectly relevant for 2020—plus so, so much more.
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1 Elf Phone Printable
Why, yes, that is the latest version of the iElf X Phone! Bring your Elf into the 21st century with this hilarious printable.
Get the tutorial at Living Locurto.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
2 Refrigerator Adventures
It shouldn’t be that surprising to find your Elf chilling (pun intended!) in the fridge. After all, what North Pole native isn’t a fan of colder temperatures?
3 Rainbow Experiment
“Let’s make a rainbow,” reads the note that accompanies this sweet activity. “Just add warm water.” As soon as you or your children do exactly that, you’ll see a rainbow of color appear.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Coupon Living.
SHOP DINNERWARE
4 Candy Cane Seeds
Tiny, dollhouse-sized candy canes serve as the “seeds” in this humorous idea. Give your kids instructions to plant those seeds, then have them check back the next day to find larger candy canes in their place.
SHOP CANDY CANES
5 Elf Kissing Booth
Your kids will get a kick out of this “Elf Kissing Booth,” surrounded by strewn chocolate “kisses.” It might be one of the most creative ideas on this list.
Get the tutorial at Living Locurto.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
6 Printable Kindness Cards
Place one of these “Acts of Kindness” cards next to your Elf during any of his funny shenanigans. They’ll remind your children of the importance of kindness—and give them an actionable task to take on too.
Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
7 Elf Pool Party
Since your Elf is only a few inches tall, a kitchen sink works perfectly as a swimming pool. Add a few adorable “pool floats” (in this case, mini drink holders), and he’ll be ready for a splashing good time.
SHOP DRINK HOLDERS
8 Hidden on a Bookshelf
It’s called “Elf on the Shelf” for a reason, you know! Here, your Elf takes a seat behind a children’s book and settles in for a good old-fashioned reading session.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
SHOP LITTLE REE BOOKS
9 Photocopier Fun
Any jokester knows that a photocopier is a veritable gold mine when it comes to the pranking game. Let your Elf in on the fun with this cute idea.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
10 Elf Sticky Notes
Need a little help getting into the spirit this year? These printable Elf sticky notes make it so easy to come up with daily ideas of things for your little guy (or gal) to do and say.
Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
11 Elf Coloring Pages
These printable coloring pages will provide your kids with more than just laughs. They’re also a full activity in their own right—and in 2020, that’s something all parents are sure to appreciate.
Get the tutorial at Living Locurto.
SHOP MARKERS
12 Scrabble Letters
Have your Elf spell out words like “Christmas,” “Santa,” and “wreath,” then let your kids take turns reading them aloud. It’s a reading comprehension exercise and mischievous elfish activity all in one.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
13 Printable Joke Cards
If there’s one thing elves are really, really good at, it’s telling jokes. These printable cards say things like, “Why kind of photographs do elves like taking? Elfies!”
Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
16 Elf Prescription
Give your Elf a prescription for his Reindeer Flu or “Magic Lost”—then wrap him up in something cozy (say, a wash cloth?) and hand him a box of tissues. It’s the least you can do.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Coupon Living.
SHOP TISSUES
17 ‘Toasty and Warm’ Printable
“It was cold outside,” reads this silly printable. “Now we’re warm and toasty!” Pair the small sign with actual toast, and watch the giggles roll in.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Coupon Living.
SHOP TOASTERS
18 ‘Trees for Sale’ Sign
Well, what else are you going to do with all those extra Little Debbie trees? This cute idea is perfect for snack time, and gives your Elf a little side job as a tree salesman.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Coupon Living.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
19 Taco Elf
Prepare a taco dinner spread for your family, then set aside one tortilla that’ll house your elf. Even if no one notices, at least he’ll be warm and cozy.
SHOP CUTTING BOARDS
20 Letter to Santa
Free printable stationery makes it easy to set up this sweet activity for your kids. The fill-in-the-blank-style letter is perfect for the youngest set.
Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
21 Elf on the Shelf Advent Calendar
You don’t have to help your Elf around the house every morning. Instead, he can stay put—but hold up a clue revealing a different gift each day.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
23 Special Delivery
If you’re still looking for a way to announce your Elf’s arrival, here’s an adorable idea: Package him up in a box and deliver him right to your door—then ring the doorbell and let the kids take it from there.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
24 Elf for Breakfast
Use any cereal with a cartoon mascot to mimic this fun idea. Simply punch a hole where the head was, and let your Elf figure out the rest.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
25 Quarantine Letter Board Printables
These cheeky letter board signs show that your elf is getting ready to hunker down at home—namely, your home!—for the winter season.
Get the tutorial at Living Locurto.
SHOP ELF ON THE SHELF
Rebekah Lowin Lifestyle Editor Rebekah Lowin is the Lifestyle Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering food, entertaining, home decor, crafting, gardening, and holiday.
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