Easy Last Minute Elf On The Shelf Ideas - over 90 ideas!

UPDATED FOR 2025 WITH NEW IDEAS!

It's that time of year! I didn't understand completely what I signed up for years ago when adopting an elf. And there's been many "oh, crap" midnight jaunts out of bed because of it. Over the years, I have compiled a decent list of last minute elf on the shelf ideas...you know, besides hiding him in a vase. So, here you have the ones that were worth taking a picture for below. I do I have a few I just wish I did take a picture of...but maybe those will happen again this year so I can capture them :) 

Also, I know it's going to be questioned...no, I do not use the commercialized Elf on the Shelf. Because...why? I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, and throughout the years it has changed outfits...and apparently has changed names from Dasher to Snowflake to Candy Cane. My kids didn't realize they changed his name 3 times haha. Also...you'll notice that my kids made a dog "Peppermint" for the elf. So, she shows up at some point in the pictures :) 

HELPING DECORATE

Caught by the Tooth Fairy

For some reason, my kids lose their teeth in December. This is a normal occurance the elf being strung up by the tooth fairy. The one I didn't capture was the elf dressing up like the tooth fairy trying to steal a tooth...and then getting caught. 

JUST HANGING OUT

TRYING TO HELP WRAP 

SWINGING ON A TOILET PAPER ROLL SWING

GETTING INTO THE SPRINKLES AND COOKIES

ROLLING WITH THE TOILET PAPER ROLL

MAKING SNOWFLAKES

ROCK CLIMBING WITH BOWS

CHANGING THE ADVENT CALENDAR

HAVING STORY TIME WITH THE STUFF ANIMALS

ADDING RIBBON TO EVERYTHING

ZIPLINING WITH A CANDY CANE

MAKING A FLOUR ANGEL 

HAVING SOME SMORES

EATING THE ICING FROM THE GINGERBREAD HOUSES

PLAYING A GAME

MAKE A SKITTLE RAINBOW

DECORATING THE TREE WITH TP

ADDING SILLY THINGS AND FACES TO PICTURES

HIDING FROM FARTS

MAKING A SNOWFLAKE MESS

UNDOING THE LIGHTS ON THE TREE

BUBBLE BATH WITH THE MERMAIDS 

PLAYING HIDE IN SEEK

CREATING A ROPE COURSE

SAYING HELLO DECEMBER 1ST WITH ADVENT CALENDARS

DOING CRAFTS

PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK IN TP

HAVE KIDS WRITE LETTER FOR ELF TO ANSWER

TRYING TO CHANGE THE ADVENT CALENDAR

HIDING IN A WREATH

HANGING ON A ZIPLINE

HIDING IN A CERAMIC HOUSE

HANGING ON BALL DECOR

DOING A PUZZLE

GETTING INTO THE CANDY

HAVING A TEA PARTY

HAVING SUSHI

FIND ALL THE CANDY CANES IN THE HOUSE

MADE HIS OWN HOME OUT OF BARBIE TOYS

HAVE KIDS CREATE AN ANIMAL FOR HIM

CANDY CANE SLEDDING

HELPING WRAP PRESENTS

DRINKING ORANGE JUICE

GETTING INTO COOKIES

CHILLING IN FRIDGE

PLAYING TIC TAC TOE

CREATING CHRISTMAS STAR

MAKE CATERPILLAR ORANGE

HANGING OUT ON LIGHTS

MAKING MARSHMALLOW SNOWFLAKES

OPENING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

RIDING A HORSE OR OTHER ANIMALS

ADDING TWINKLING LIGHTS

MISLABELING TOOTH BRUSH

MAKING A CARROT FRIEND

HANGING CHRISTMAS CLOTHES AS GARLAND

HIDING IN VASES

WRAPPING SMALL PRESENTS

MELTED SNOWMAN

LEAVING A SURPRISE

TAKING NAP IN UTENSILS

HAVING FUN WITH LIGHTS

Here are some fresh updated Elf on the Shelf ideas ready for 2025 that I was took pictures of last year! This post will continue to grow so come back for more ideas!

SAYING HELLO DECEMBER 1ST! USUALLY BRINGS ADVENT CALENDARS IN THE TREE WHEN HE SHOWS UP.

HELPING MAKE CLAY ORNAMENTS

FEEDING THE DOG

TAKING A SELFIE. THIS ONE WAS FUN! TURN IT ON IN THE MORNING TO SHOW THE KIDS THE SELFIE.

TRYING TO STEAL PRESENTS. 

We celebrate Sinterklaas at December 5th, an Dutch tradition. This him trying to steal a present. 

MAKING ELF ORNAMENTS

LET'S PLAY A GAME!

JUST HANGING OUT

PLAYING DRESS UP, PRETENDING TO BE TALLER

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS ON PAPER TOWELS

GOT HUNGRY ... DON'T EAT THE PET TREATS, YUCK.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BALLOON TAPED TO WALL FOR DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

WATCHING "EYE"PAD

IF YOU KNOW KIDS ARE COMING, HAVE ELF ASK TO HIDE SOMEWHERE SAFE

CHANGE FRIDGE WATER INTO SPRINKLES

MAKE A PET PAW ORNAMENT.

ELF ON THE SHELF STEALS SCRABBLE AND MAKES WORDS

LET'S BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE!

ELF HELPS BUILD GINGERBREAD HOUSE

HIDES IN CHRISTMAS DECOR

OFFERS KIDS FAVORITE TREATS

PLAYING PEEK A "POO" 

GOES CAMPING WITH GRAHAM CRACKER TENT AND ROASTS MARSHMALLOWS

ADDS MORE LIGHTS TO WELCOME SANTA THE NEXT NIGHT!

Here are some more ideas!

Hope these easy last minute elf on the shelf ideas help you out! I try to make my life easy and hopefully it'll make your nights a little more restful as well :)

 Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”