Elf on the Shelf game ideas are a fun and festive way to keep the holiday spirit alive for kids and families throughout December. One popular idea is a daily hide-and-seek game, where the Elf appears in a new, creative spot each morning—hanging from the chandelier, hiding in the fridge, or nestled in the Christmas tree.
You can also turn it into a scavenger hunt by leaving clues with the Elf that lead to small surprises or holiday treats. Some families enjoy having their Elf play funny tricks, like drawing silly faces on family photos or “making snow angels” in spilled flour. Others get interactive by involving kids in challenges or good deed missions left by the Elf, encouraging kindness and holiday cheer. These playful activities keep kids excited each morning and help build lasting holiday memories.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
Elf on Shelf Game Ideas
Here’s a list of 100+ Elf on the Shelf game and activity ideas—ranging from funny setups and mischievous scenes to interactive challenges and acts of kindness. These ideas can bring joy, surprise, and magic to each day of December.
🎄 Classic Hide and Seek Ideas
-
Hiding in the Christmas tree
-
Peeking out of a cereal box
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Sitting on a bookshelf
-
Hanging from a ceiling fan
-
Tucked inside a stocking
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Lying in a bowl of ornaments
-
Hiding in a tissue box
-
Sitting in the fridge
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Hanging from a curtain rod
-
Sitting on top of a lampshade
-
Poking out of a sock drawer
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Sleeping in the silverware drawer
-
Hanging upside-down from a doorknob
-
Riding in a toy car
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Stuck in a boot
-
Inside a roll of toilet paper
-
Resting on a pillow in a dollhouse
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
On top of the TV remote
-
Watching from a houseplant
-
Sitting in the dog or cat’s bed
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
😆 Silly Elf Antics
-
Making snow angels in flour or sugar
-
Drawing faces on bananas with a marker
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Wrapping the toilet in wrapping paper
-
Tangled in a string of Christmas lights
-
Coloring in a coloring book
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Putting googly eyes on food items in the fridge
-
Toilet-papering the Christmas tree
-
Sipping maple syrup through a straw
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Building a marshmallow snowman
-
Pretending to shave with whipped cream
-
Sitting in a bowl of popcorn
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Hanging out with Barbie or action figures
-
Making a mess with sprinkles or cocoa powder
-
Getting caught in a candy jar
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Wearing doll clothes
-
Taking a bubble bath in a sink of marshmallows
-
Making paper snowflakes
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Hosting a tea party with other toys
-
Swinging from a candy cane trapeze
-
Using crayons to “draw” on a mirror (with dry erase marker)
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
🎮 Interactive Elf Games
-
Scavenger hunt with holiday clues
-
Christmas countdown calendar
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Puzzle pieces left for kids to finish
-
Hidden candy canes challenge
-
“Find the Elf” with a map or riddle
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Holiday trivia questions
-
DIY ornament kit left by Elf
-
Maze printed out with Elf stuck in the middle
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
“Where’s my hat?” mini search game
-
Leaving tiny letters with missions
-
Christmas charades from the Elf
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Mini crossword puzzle
-
Find the candy corn or jingle bells
-
Holiday bingo card
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
DIY snow globe activity
-
Sticker hunt
-
“Color this page” left by the Elf
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Memory card matching game
-
Holiday jokes of the day
-
Mini “Elf Olympics” for the kids to join
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
🧹 Kindness Challenge Ideas
-
“Leave a kind note for someone today”
-
“Help clean up your toys!”
-
“Donate a toy to someone in need”
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
“Draw a picture for your teacher”
-
“Give a compliment today”
-
“Help your sibling with something”
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
“Write a holiday card to a neighbor”
-
“Make a thank-you note for Santa”
-
“Do something nice without being asked”
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
“Say something kind to yourself in the mirror”
🎅 North Pole-Themed Scenes
-
Elf building a gingerbread house
-
Elf ice skating on a mirror with mini skates
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf climbing a candy cane ladder
-
Elf fishing for goldfish crackers
-
Elf making hot cocoa
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf snuggled with mini stuffed reindeer
-
Elf building a LEGO North Pole
-
Elf delivering a tiny gift from Santa
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf making toys out of craft sticks
-
Elf with a “Naughty or Nice” list
🍭 Food Fun Elf Ideas
-
Elf with spilled cereal and spoon
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf baking cookies (leave out cookie mix)
-
Elf trapped in a cookie jar
-
Elf sipping from a juice box
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf nibbling a candy cane
-
Elf next to a mini pancake stack
-
Elf “eating” chocolate chips
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf with empty candy wrappers
-
Elf using marshmallows as snowballs
-
Elf with a plate of holiday fruit
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
📸 Photo & Tech-Inspired
-
Elf taking a selfie with toy friends
-
Elf watching a Christmas movie on a tablet
-
Elf “zooming” with Santa on a printed screen
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf making a video message for the kids
-
Elf posing in front of a mini selfie backdrop
-
Elf holding a Polaroid of yesterday’s prank
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf pretending to game with a controller
-
Elf “Googling” how to be good
-
Elf printing a note from the printer
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf scanning himself on a copier
🧸 Creative Crafts & Messages
-
Elf with craft supplies (glue, scissors, paper)
-
Elf with a coloring sheet and crayons
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf building a popsicle stick sled
-
Elf making a paper chain garland
-
Elf writing in a tiny journal
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf leaving a DIY ornament kit
-
Elf leaving a recipe for Christmas cookies
-
Elf giving instructions to write a letter to Santa
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Elf folding mini origami trees
-
Elf decorating a mini felt stocking
How to play
1. Hiding in the Christmas Tree
Materials Needed: Christmas tree, small hook or branch support
Steps:
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Choose a branch midway or high up in the tree where the Elf can sit or rest securely.
-
Nestle the Elf between sturdy branches, ensuring it’s visible but not too obvious.
-
Add some tinsel or ornaments around the Elf for camouflage.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Optional: Place a mini note saying, “Just hanging out in the tree today!”
2. Peeking out of a Cereal Box
Materials Needed: Empty or partially full cereal box
Steps:
-
Open the top flap of a cereal box.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Gently insert the Elf so its head and arms are sticking out.
-
Position it to look like it’s peeking or spying.
-
Close the top flaps loosely to make it look like the Elf climbed in secretly.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Place the box back on the kitchen counter or breakfast table for the morning surprise.
3. Sitting on a Bookshelf
Materials Needed: Shelf space and a few books
Steps:
-
Clear a small section of a bookshelf where the Elf can sit comfortably.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Sit the Elf with its legs dangling or crossed.
-
Surround it with holiday-themed books or mini props like a toy mug or scroll.
-
Optional: Leave a note like “Catching up on some good reads!”
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
4. Hanging from a Ceiling Fan
Materials Needed: Ribbon, string, or a twist tie
Steps:
-
Use ribbon or a twist tie to gently attach the Elf’s hands to one of the ceiling fan blades.
-
Ensure it’s secure and won’t fall.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Position it as if it’s swinging or dangling.
-
Leave a note nearby saying, “Wheee! What a ride!”
⚠️ Safety Tip: Make sure the fan is turned off and stays off while the Elf is there.
5. Tucked Inside a Stocking
Materials Needed: Christmas stocking
Steps:
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Choose one of the hung stockings.
-
Gently place the Elf inside, with just its head and arms peeking out.
-
Adjust the stocking so the Elf doesn’t sink inside.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Leave a little treat or message in the stocking for extra fun.
6. Lying in a Bowl of Ornaments
Materials Needed: Decorative bowl and soft ornaments
Steps:
-
Fill a medium-sized bowl with soft or shatterproof ornaments.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Gently lay the Elf on top like it’s relaxing in a shiny bed.
-
Pose its arms behind its head or hands holding a candy cane.
-
Place the bowl in a visible location like the kitchen island or table.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
7. Hiding in a Tissue Box
Materials Needed: Tissue box (half full works best)
Steps:
-
Remove a few tissues to create space.
-
Carefully insert the Elf into the box, letting its head or hand poke out.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Drape a tissue over its head like a blanket.
-
Optional: Stick a note saying, “Caught a little cold!”
8. Sitting in the Fridge
Materials Needed: Open shelf space in the fridge
Steps:
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Clear a little space in the fridge on a lower shelf.
-
Sit the Elf upright next to milk or a snack.
-
Optionally wrap it in a tiny scarf or napkin to “stay warm.”
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Place a note that says, “Just chillin’!”
9. Hanging from a Curtain Rod
Materials Needed: Curtain rod and Elf with bendable limbs (or string)
Steps:
-
Bend the Elf’s arms around the curtain rod so it appears to be swinging or climbing.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Position it securely to prevent falling.
-
Adjust the curtain slightly to add effect.
-
Add a sign that says, “Look how high I climbed!”
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
10. Sitting on Top of a Lampshade
Materials Needed: Lamp with a flat or cone-shaped shade
Steps:
-
Carefully place the Elf sitting on the top edge of the lampshade.
-
Make sure it’s balanced to avoid tipping.
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area
-
Pose it as if it’s watching the room from above.
-
Turn on the lamp (if it doesn’t get too hot) for a magical glow.
⚠️ Safety Tip: Avoid leaving the light on for long if the bulb heats up.
Hi, I’m Maggie Culp, the founder of PartyVibesFun.com, based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States! With a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations, I specialize in turning any event into a fun and vibrant experience. From birthday parties to themed gatherings, I’m here to help you bring your party ideas to life with ease and excitement. Whether you’re looking for unique games, creative themes, or party planning tips, I’m dedicated to making sure every moment of your event is filled with joy. Let’s create memories together and make your next party the talk of the town!
Top Party Planners Near You in Your Area