‘Tis the season for Christmas cheer! As you shop for presents and plan festive DIY crafts, don’t forget about the holiday joy your children will experience with elf on the shelf ideas. Here are a few creative ways to get your kids in the Christmas spirit—and have a blast coming up with them! Check out these fun elf on the shelf ideas that will bring smiles and laughter to your home this season.

1. Balloon Landing

Welcome the elf back home with festive colored balloons. Make a sign from paper that reads “I’m Back”.

2. Candy Cane Heart

Make a sweet note using candy canes. You could also use other candy such as M&Ms or jelly beans for example.

3. Candy Cane Sleds

Candy canes make the perfect little sleds for your elf. The best thing is – they can be enjoyed afterwards as a delicious treat.

50 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

We have included this video tutorial from Emily Norris to show you more ideas.

4. Climbing Bow Wall

Bows aren’t just for wrapping with this super cute climbing wall idea.

5. Egg Faces

Hasn’t this elf been naughty ? Using his sharpie to make faces all over the breakfast eggs.

6. Elf in a Jar

Oh dear – looks like the elf has squeezed himself into a tight spot – at least you can open the lid to release him again.

7. Messages on the Mirror

Write a cute little poem on the mirror to encourage kids to do chores and to be nice to each other.

8. Snowball Fight

Crunch up balls of paper and make a little snowball fight!

9. Snowman

Create a melted snowman with a dish of water, carrots and some twigs.

10. Sunbathing

With a dish of play sand and a cocktail umbrella, the elf is perfectly situated on holiday. You could also make a little post card for this idea – hand written by the elf of course!

11. Wrapping Paper Stilts

Two roles of wrapping paper really prop this elf up! You could also have a little wrapped present as an extra touch.

12. Deer Feeding

Set up a little station using cardboard for the elf and rudolph – and set up little deer figures to show how they’ve been feeding the deer candy corn. Hopefully this hasn’t made Santa too mad!

13. Sticky Situation

The toilet roll must have run out – but look at what that naughty elf has replaced it with.

14. Astronaut

Wrap the elf in aluminum foil to make him into a space man.

15. Peppermint Climbing Wall

Peppermint sweets make a great climbing wall for the elf.

16. Rolling Elf

No wonder the other elf had to use sticky tape – this elf wasted all the toilet roll!

17. Rootbeer Reindeers

An adorable arrangement out of root beer – you’ll need pipe cleaners, a red pom-pom and goggly eyes.

18. Clean Your Room

Encourage kids to be tidy – poor Elf has broken his leg!

19. Christmas Trees

Put these trees out for kids to help themselves to courtesy of the Elf.

20. The Floss

Kids will enjoy this cute joke – and it might encourage them to floss their teeth.

21. Sweet Tooth

Naughty elf is eating sprinkles in the kitchen.

22. Jingles

Throw a party with elf for the last day of school by putting red and green streamers on the door.

23. Lost Change

Elf seems to have lost his pocket change down the back of the couch.

24. Famous Film Quote

One of the most popular lines from the film ‘Home Alone’ is “Keep the change ya filthy animal”, so why not make a play on this by lining up cute little plastic animals and a chalkboard for elf that says “Merry Christmas ya filthy animals”.

25. Christmas Oven S’Mores

Christmas oven s’mores! Put bottom graham cracker on baking tray. One or two Santa chocolates, the tree marshmallow. Broil until marshmallow looks slightly golden or melted. Take it and pop between another graham cracker.