Are you looking for simple elf on the shelf ideas this year? Full disclosure, When the Elf on the Shelf came out my oldest daughter was pretty young. I immediately decided I don’t need any of that nonsense in my life. There’s too much going on in December anyway, there’s no way I’ll remember to move that stupid elf. So, it was decided. But then my sister-in-law and brother got one for their daughter, who I was watching at the time. How could I explain to a five-year-old that Santa sent an elf to her cousin, but not to her? What cruelty. So, alas I gave into peer pressure.
But during that time, I couldn’t find a single normal elf on the shelf (you know the one with the red outfit, no feet, and somewhat scary plastic looking face.) But my mom was able to find a different type of elf, with a green outfit and cloth body. So, the first year, that’s what we used. Miss B did not even question it, of course there’s different types of elves at Santa’s workshop. Thus began the bane of my existence in December. It never fails, I always forget to move those pesky little things. (I mean, this year, it’s only December third and I woke up and realized, the saga continues of mommy’s forgetful brain.) This is why I’m a huge fan of stupid simple elf on the shelf ideas.
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Stupid Simple Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Moms Who Are Busy
Below you will find some of my favorite ideas, ones I use over and over again. My oldest three now know everything is pretty much a lie, Santa, the elves, frosty coming to life, etc. etc. etc. When my middle child found out all of this she told me “I can’t trust you anymore.” So, in the grand scheme of things, maybe I should’ve opted to do what my oldest brother and his wife do, and forgo all the magical lies. But I didn’t, and now she’s over it.
This year they are having fun helping me lie to their little sister about these pesky things, and to be honest, I don’t think she’s a huge fan of them. She was very upset this morning when she woke up and found them in the fridge. She asked me to please put them back in the Christmas tree where they belong. But I digress. If you are a liar like me and have committed to fooling your kids all December long but find yourself too busy to remember those stinkin’ little elves every night, take a look at the ideas below to get your somewhat creative juices flowing!
Make a Snow Angel Out of Sprinkles
Our adorable first elf, Blizzard, really got into the Christmas spirit by making snow angels out of holiday sprinkles.
Draw a Picture on a White Board or Even a Piece of Paper
This one is very easy, all you need are some markers and paper, or a white board. Draw whatever you want and stick your elf on top. All done!
Play Hide and Seek With Toilet Paper Rolls
Write a message from your elf onto one roll of toilet paper and then stick them inside. Next, place one last roll on top of the elf like she’s holding it. This took me a bit of time trying to figure out how to get the top roll to stay. Leaning against a wall helps.
Tie Your Elf up With Floss
Grab a roll of floss and wrap your elf up. Leave a little message like “this is how we use floss, right?”
Have Elsa “Freeze” Your Elf
If you happen to have an Elsa doll around, this one is a memorable one. Freeze your elf in a cup of water. then in the morning pull her out and leave a message from Elsa about freezing the sneaky elf. Of course, I did not realize (which should’ve been a given for me but I’m a busy mom of four) that freezing an elf with a cloth body will make it feel a little weird afterwards. But oh well.
Make a Snow Angel Out of Flour
This one was messy and in hindsight, I probably should have made the snow angel out of flour with my hands and just laid the elf on top of it afterwards. But I used the elf instead. Even after washing her and her little hat, she still had some flour residue that stuck, as you’ll notice in later pictures.
Encourage Donating Old Toys
Encourage your children to donate old toys by leaving a message from their elves.
Elves Love Milk and Syrup!
What elf doesn’t love to drink syrup straight from a straw?
Have Your Elf Play Around with the Copier
If you have a copier at home, this quick and easy one will delight any child.
Play “Floor is Lava!”
Play floor is lava by taping your elf to the wall.
Hide Your Elf Somewhere High Up
For the mornings you realized you forgot to move your elf, just stick it somewhere up high for your child to find, problem solved.
Play Disguise
Last year I got fancy and bought a couple elf disguises off of amazon. I just put the disguise on the elves and hid them with my other gingerbread decorations. It took a while for my kids to find them.
Draw Faces on a Family Photo
Grab a washable expo marker and draw faces on a family photo.
Use Wrapping Paper to Make Your Elf “Tall”
Stick two rolls of wrapping paper in some shoes and then place your elf inside those rolls of wrapping paper. Now she is tall!
“Draw” a Face with Toothpaste
Quick and easy, that’s my favorite type of elf activity.
Go “Fishing”
This one was a little more complex, but still didn’t take a ton of time. The kids were full of giggles that day.
Hide Candy Canes for Everyone to Find
Hide candy canes around the house for everyone to find.
Hide Your Elf in the Fridge
Wrap your elf in a towel and hide them in the fridge.
Hide Candies Under Cups for Kids to Find
Let your kids find treats under cups or bowls that the elves brought back from the North Pole!
Make a Rainbow with Skittles
A fun science activity! All you need are skittles and some warm water.
“I’m So Toasty” Stick the Elves in Toast
Toast some bread and then stick your elf inside the bread. Now they are all toasty!
Hot Tub of Marshmallows
Do you have marshmallows? Pour some into a bowl or crockpot and have your elves sitting in a hot tub of marshmallows!
Hide in the Stocking
Simple and quick, another one to use if you happen to forget.
Go for a “Ride” in Toilet Paper
Drop your elf from a high shelf in a roll of toilet paper. We used our other elf as the culprit, but toys will work too. The picture is blurry because my kid took it.
Get into the Stickers
Use stickers in this quick and easy activity!
“Help” with Groceries
Stack groceries up and then have your elves getting into a bag of groceries.
Go for a Drive
Gather your child’s toys, toy cars, and your elf and let them all go for a late-night drive!
Have Some Toys “Roll” Out Your Elf
Just like the going for a dive one, but this time on flat ground.
Make Brown “ees”
This one is a little more time consuming. But I copied E’s, colored them brown, and threw them onto our craft baking sheet, for all the messy activities my kids love to do. (Don’t tell me you don’t have one of those?)
Hide in the Dryer
Hide your elf somewhere your child will never suspect, just don’t forget they are in there!
Have a Snowball Fight with Tissues
Crumble up tissues and write a note from your elf asking your child to have a snowball fight with them.
Tape Your Elf to a Balloon
This one was an idea born out of “oh crap, I forgot those elves again.” Tape them to a balloon and see if your child can find them. We had balloons because we have birthdays in December. Don’t ask about the tape, that’s all I had on hand. And yes, it popped the balloons.
Have Your Toys “Capture” Your Elf
Tape your elf to the wall and set your child’s toys up holding the tape.
Watch a Late-Night Movie
Set your elf up on the couch with the remotes and bowl of popcorn like they were up late watching a movie. You can even put a movie on the television for extra effects!
Do you want the full Christmas Activity Pack on sale?
There are 20 pages including coloring pages, word searches, mazes, and more. 
Then get it here: Full Christmas Pack!
Are you looking for some fun activities to do with your kids? Try one of these hands-on crafts!
- Moon paper plate craft
- Rainbow paper plate craft
- Salt snow craft for kids
- Hot Chocolate mug paper plate craft
- Christmas bucket list
- Winter word scramble freebie
- Free reindeer coloring page
- Build a snowflake toddler craft
- Winter maze printable freebie
What to do next: Join the FB Group: From Chaos to Calm.
Are you looking for some more fun activities to do with your kids? Check out my shop! Here you will find hands on learning in the form of mazes, word searches, seasonal worksheets, and more!