Quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Here are some great Quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas!! If you are short on time then you are going to love this list of Quick elf on the Shelf ideas, that will have your elf activities done in no time! This list of fun elf on the shelf ideas will take you no more than 5 minutes of time to set up.

Doing Elf on the Shelf does not have to take long at night and it does not have to be hard. These Quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas will take you no more than 5-10 minutes at most to set up and the kids will love them!

The one thing about Elf on the Shelf that I have found over the years is that many of the easy Elf on the Shelf ideas I have done have been my kid’s favorites. The ones that took me just a few minutes to set up, have gotten the biggest giggles and smiles.

During the holiday season, things are busy, so there are many nights where setting up an extravagant elf set up is just not possible. These quick elf on the shelf ideas are all ones I have done for my kids that they enjoyed.

Plus, to make your life easier we also have the 24 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas calendar so you don’t have to worry about thinking about the planning. Just follow the calendar and have your Elf on the Shelf fun each day!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

I have made that super easy and have hundreds of Elf on the Shelf Ideas that kids love. You can use the Elf on the Shelf Planner printable I have created to get organized and make your Elf on the Shelf plan for the holiday season.

Our favorite quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas

These Quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas on simple to do and don’t take much time at all. Plus the great thing about these Quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas is they are all fun ones the kids will love!

Elf Hide N Seek

Elf hiding places are the easiest way to have fun with the elf and there are many places in the house that are easy hiding spots. Pick a new spot that the elf has yet to be and leave a quick note with hints on where the elf is hiding for the kids to find them.

In a glass in the cabinet
In the Media cabinet
In holiday decorations
In the Candy Jar
In the Cookie Jar
In the Mailbox
In the bathroom Cabinet

Toilet Paper Christmas tree

Grab a roll of toilet paper and wrap it around the tree or toss a few strips on the sides of the tree as if the elf decorated the tree with toilet paper. Then place the elf on the tree.

Snowball Fight

Use cotton balls or mini marshmallows as snowballs and create a mini snowball fight scene with the Elf and other small toys positioned around the “battlefield.”

Elf’s Christmas Countdown

Set up a mini advent calendar with the elf changing the date each day, using small cards or numbers. I also like to make a mess with this one sometimes and have the elf write it on the counter with chocolate sauce and leave the bottle out for the kids to find.

Elf’s Tissue Box Bed

Empty a tissue box and add a small blanket or tissue as a bed, with the elf lying down.

Elf Wrapping Presents

Use small gift boxes and wrapping paper to make it look like the elf is wrapping presents. If you want to make it more fun, have the elf wrap a few things for the kids. Silly things like a fork, the toothpaste, a box of pasta always got my kids laughing.

Elf Gets a Snack

There are lots of ways you can make this one quick and easy. Elves LOVE Sweets, anything sweet is the perfect snack, our favorites are candy, containers of frosting, and cookies.

Elf’s Toothpaste Message

Use toothpaste to write a message on a mirror or glass surface. Place the Elf nearby holding the toothpaste.

Elf’s Toy Car Joyride

Position the Elf in a toy car or vehicle, making it appear as if it’s taking a joyride around the house.

Elf on the shelf penguins and flamingos.

Elf’s Game Night

Have the elf surrounded by small board games or playing cards, as if they were playing with other toys.

Grab the Elf Cookie Shop printable here, or make your own and set out a plate of cookies.

Candy Cane Hunt

Hide candy canes around the house. Leave a note saying there are ___ Candy Canes hidden in the house and for the kids to go and find them. Include the number of hidden candy canes in the note so the kids know how many to look for and find.

A bathroom with a mirror with a santa elf on it.

Elf Mirror Messages

Pick a mirror (use shaving cream, toothpaste or an erasable marker) or grab a piece of paper and leave a message from the elf to the kids.

Elf’s Letter to Santa

Have the elf write a letter to Santa. Leave miniature paper and a tiny pencil nearby. This is a great one to have the kids start writing their letters to Santa. You can leave out the printable Santa letters for the kids to fill out.

Elf in the Pantry

Place the Elf inside a cereal box or sitting on a jar of cookies in the pantry, peeking out mischievously.

Candy Cane Swing

Tie a piece of string between two chairs or a door frame. Attach a candy cane securely to the string using tape or thread, creating a swing for the Elf.

Elf Takes a Shower

You can hang elf in the shower for a super simple idea. If you want to get a bit more in depth by having them washing up or sitting in a towel as if they are done taking their shower.

A yellow bathroom with a sink and mirror covered in a mess made by the elf

Elf Makes A Mess

Yes I know, us moms do not like having to clean up messes but a little bit of a mess from the elf always makes my kids laugh.

Toilet paper roll snowman

Stack 3 rolls of toilet paper, using a marker draw a face and then stick the elf in the top hole of the top roll of toilet paper.

The elf on the shelf is sitting on top of a jar drinking maple syrup with a straw from the jug of maple syrup

Elf has a sweet drink

Elves love sugar, that is no secret. Which is why this one is super easy. Get something that is drinkable and put a straw in it. My kids love it best when it is something that is kinda silly like a jug of maple syrup or a bottle of chocolate sauce.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Place the elf in a jar or container and label it as “Elf Magic – Do Not Open!

Easy Snowflakes

Use Q-Tips or toothpicks and lay them out to look like a snowflake.

Elf on the shelf ideas - elf poop with hershey's kisses

Elf goes Poop

Get a clear glass or a mason jar and a handful of Hershey’s Kisses. Unwrap the kisses, and place the elf sitting on top of the glass.

Movie Night

Set the elf up on the couch or near the TV and place some candy wrappers nearby and make them all comfy to watch the movie.

Elf on the shelf with peas on the counter.

Elf Plays with Food

Seat out some frozen peas in the shape of the message that says “I pead” or “We pead”.

Elf’s Bubble Bath

Fill a small bowl or container with bubbles (mini marshmallows work great) and place the elf inside, surrounded by mini toy rubber ducks.

Elf’s Message Board

Use a small chalkboard or paper and have the elf write a message or draw something fun for the kids to see in the morning.

An elf on the shelf with a snowman and polar bear.

Elf Builds a Snowman

Using Marshmallows have the elf build a snowman. He can also leave out supplies for the kids to build their own marshmallow snowman in the morning.

Elf Reads a Book

Grab a book and have elf read it. You can also add some extra to it by setting out other toys as if the elf is reading a book to the other toys.

Elf’s Science Experiment

Arrange simple supplies like baking soda and vinegar with the elf conducting a small science experiment.

Elf’s Toy Parade

Line up some small toys or stuffed animals in a row and have the elf leading them as if in a parade.

Elf on the shelf tangled in christmas decorations

Elf’s Decorating Mishap

Set the scene as if the elf tried to decorate with the Christmas decorations but made a mess. Use wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape scattered around with the elf tangled in ribbon.

Elf on the Shelf Plans Movie Night

Have the elf sitting ready to go with everything you need to family movie night. Put a movie and some snacks, a few bags of popcorn with the elf and a note saying this is for family movie night for everyone to enjoy.

Friendly Fruit

Get some bananas or oranges and leave the peels on them. Using a marker draw silly faces on the fruit.

Toilet Paper Shenanigans

Elf can roll toilet paper around a small area or even “decorate” a room with it.

Zip Line Adventure

Attach a string or yarn across the room and have the elf ride a small toy or container as a zip line.

Tea Party

Arrange a small tea party with other toys or stuffed animals, using miniature cups and saucers.

Elf Makes Hot Chocolate

Use the toilet and some mini marshmallows and a few scoops of hot chocolate and tada, the elf has made a large batch of hot chocolate.

Elf gets a Cold

Grab some tissues and tissue boxes and some cold meds to leave out with the elf. Once elf is better you can have them come the next day with a healthy elf certificate, you can make your own or get the printable here.

Tea Party

Arrange a small tea party with other toys or stuffed animals, using miniature cups and saucers.

Elf Fishing

Set up a bowl of water with toy fish and have the elf “fishing” using a small stick or toy rod. You can also do this with an empty bowl and some goldfish crackers.

Snow Angel

Use flour or powdered sugar to create a tiny snow angel on a surface, and place the elf in the center. Sprinkles and cereal also work well to make an angel.

Hot Cocoa Day

Set out mugs and hot cocoa for the kids to enjoy. You can do this in many ways including store bought hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, Hot Chocolate Spoons and Hot Chocolate Bombs. Have the elf set out the mugs, the hot chocolate, and toppings including mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.

Hot Chocolate Recipes

Dress-Up Extravaganza for Elf and the Toys

Use doll clothes or miniature attire to dress up the elf and other toys.

Elf on a Swing

Hang a small string and an empty toilet paper roll from a shelf, door frame, or ceiling fan and let the elf “swing” using a small toy swing. I do suggest adding a bit of tape on the bottom of the elf so they stay on the swing, tape also works to have their hands holding onto the strings.

Elf Takes a bath

You can have the elf take a nice bath. Use a sink, Barbie tub or a doll tub and fill it with marshmallows or cotton balls to be the bubbles and have Elf take a bath.

Elf’s Self-Portrait

Have the elf draw a funny self-portrait on a small piece of paper using markers or crayons. Don’t worry you don’t need a lot of artistic talent for this one, just the start of the elf face will work.

Elf on the shelf playing elf sized bingo with stuffed animals.

Elf Bingo

Head on over here and print the Elf Bingo game or use a Bingo game you already have and the elves are ready to play with their friends.

Elf on the Shelf Printables

Printables make life easier and more fun when doing Elf on the Shelf. These are some of our favorite Elf on the Shelf Printables.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas Tips

If this is the first time you are doing Elf on the Shelf and you are not sure on how to start. Check out how to get started doing Elf on the shelf. It is EASY to do and so much fun for both the parents and the kids!

Make sure you also grab the awesome Elf on the Shelf Letter or you can grab this Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter printable. It makes welcoming the elf on the shelf super easy! And you are going to need the Elf on the Shelf Rules too!

if you are stuck on Elf Names, Check out this awesome list of 101 Elf on the shelf names! We have girl elf names and boy elf names!

Make sure you also check out Reasons your Elf Did not move… it might happen sometimes.

More Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Kids

What Is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf is a fun holiday tradition in which scout elves are sent from the North Pole by Santa to add magic to the holiday season.

Each night the elf goes back to the North Pole, some parents say to report back to Santa the children’s behavior and others say it is so the scout elves can meet up and come up with ideas to share with the children.

The elf magically moves to a new spot every night, and children find their elf friends when they wake up each morning. The fun part for the kids is seeing what the elf (or elves if they have multiple) have done for the day. Sometimes the elf brings a gift, other times the elf does something silly, and sometimes something mischievous.

In our house, our Elf adds to the magic of the Christmas Season and is used to have extra fun and enjoyment. You can choose to have the elf be a watcher of good behavior if you want to, that is a personal parenting choice.

If you are new to Elf on the Shelf be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide of Everything you need to know about Elf on the Shelf.

Elf on the Shelf FAQ

When Does Elf on the Shelf Start?

The Elf on the Shelf typically starts around the beginning of December, specifically on December 1st. Sometimes the Elf’s return will be earlier and start their fun the day after Thanksgiving.

How Long Does the Elf Stay?

Elf on the Shelf elves come to visit each day through Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve Santa picks them up and brings them back to the North Pole.

Where do you get an Elf on the Shelf?

You can find the Elf on the Shelf kit in various options at retail stores, especially during the holiday season. Major retailers often have the Elf on the Shelf book kit and accessories for the Elf on the Shelf.

If you want to purchase an Elf on the Shelf Book set there are many online retailers that have them.

More Holiday Fun For the Kids

You can Facetime Santa for a fun Santa Phone Call!

There are so many tasty Christmas treats that the kids will love and they are all perfect for any kids Christmas parties that you might have. Some of our favorite Christmas treats are Santa Hat Cupcakes and Whoville Cookies !

But you can check out the full list of Kid Friendly Christmas Treats and pick out your favorites to make with the kids!

If you are looking for cookie recipes we have you covered there too! Check out our Beautiful Christmas Sugar Cookies, and Christmas Tree Desserts Recipes!