Elf on the shelf ideas

Quick scenes for tired parents

Each of these 40 ideas uses things you probably have at home: flour, marshmallows, a roll of paper, a few toys. None needs a store run, and none takes more than five minutes. The kids find the new spot first thing in the morning, so a simple scene is almost always enough to get a smile before school.

The list covers a range of ages. For toddlers, the elf is often the star of a short, silly picture, like swinging from the curtain rod or sleeping in a shoebox. For school-age children, notes and games, like tic-tac-toe with candy, give them something to do. For teens, a joke on a sticky note or an elf with a tiny gift is enough to keep the tradition alive without being childish.

Keep the mess in mind. A flour snow angel looks great but needs a quick sweep. Cereal baths are easier. If you are tired, pick one of the simple ones and save the big scenes for weekends.

What's on this wheel

• Elf zip-lines across the room
• Elf makes a snow angel in flour
• Elf builds a tower of marshmallows
• Elf wraps the TV in paper
• Elf takes a bath in cereal
• Elf hides inside the fridge
• Elf hangs from the curtain rod
• Elf draws a face on a banana
• Elf sets a tiny breakfast table
• Elf hides in the Christmas tree
• Elf leaves a note on the mirror
• Elf slides down the stair railing
• Elf wraps a toy in toilet paper
• Elf cuddles with a stuffed animal
• Elf fishes in the sink
• Elf puts a candy cane on plates
• Elf builds a fort of pillows
• Elf spells a word with cereal
• Elf puts googly eyes on food
• Elf leaves footprints in sugar
• Elf rides a toy truck
• Elf sits in the cookie jar
• Elf plays cards with the dolls
• Elf draws on the window
• Elf sleeps in a shoebox bed
• Elf hides in the laundry basket
• Elf holds a sign from the kids
• Elf dresses the pet's toy
• Elf plays tic-tac-toe with candy
• Elf makes a path of cotton balls
• Elf plugs the tree lights in
• Elf stacks books like stairs
• Elf hangs from a closet door
• Elf decorates the bathroom
• Elf reads a bedtime story
• Elf takes a selfie with a toy
• Elf tapes a joke to the cabinet
• Elf brings a tiny gift
• Elf packs a North Pole suitcase
• Elf waits at the door

Using the wheel before bed

1. Pick a spot to keep your elf supplies, like a basket with tape, a marker and a few cotton balls.
2. After the kids are in bed, press Spin and set up the scene it lands on. If it needs something you don't have, spin once more.
3. Choose Remove from wheel after each night so you don't repeat ideas, and keep the rest for the next evening.
4. Take a quick photo of each scene. It's a nice memory for next year, and a reminder of which ideas worked.

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