Cute and Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2024

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Check out these cute and funny elf on a shelf ideas, including arrival ideas, antics, activities, and printables for at home and the classroom!

Pinterest graphic with text that reads "Clever Elf on The Shelf Ideas" and a collage of Elf on the Shelf antics.

We’re sharing the best cute and funny elf on the shelf ideas for kids, families, and classrooms!

From clever arrival ideas and activities to free printables, we’ve got everything you need to plan fun experiences this holiday season.

Table Of Contents

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
Funny and Cute Elf on the Shelf Antics and Activities
Goodbye Ideas
Other Ideas From Pinterest
Elf on the Shelf Printables
Want More
Your Turn

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas

Here are some of our favorite elf on the shelf arrival ideas to announce your elf’s return.

These first-day ideas are the perfect way to kick off your seasonal fun.

1. Arrival Letter

Introduce or re-introduce your elf with an arrival letter! You can create a simple handwritten note or use a free printable for an extra special touch.

2. Cookies and Cupcakes

Elf cookies with letters that say "I'm back" for an elf on the shelf arrival.

Bring your elf back with a box of cookies or another sweet treat from your favorite bake shop.

How cute are these welcome back cookies by @sheassweetshoppe!

We love these festive cupcakes courtesy of @jessiesbakes

Christmas decorated cupcakes with words describing the return of an elf on the shelf.

3. Balloon Parachutes

Have your elf drop in with balloons.

4. Paper Airplane

Deliver your elf on a private paper plane.

5. Note in the Window

Set your elf up in a window with a note.

6. Arrival Box

Create a cute arrival box or order one from Etsy.

7. Arrival Breakfast

Two elves sitting on a chandelier in a dining room.

A table with a red tablecloth, Christmas place settings, and donuts.

Plan a breakfast feast featuring seasonal favorites like this one from Glitter on a Dime.

Funny and Cute Elf on the Shelf Antics and Activities

We can’t get over these cute and creative elf on the shelf ideas, including mischievous antics, sweet (yet misguided) gifts, and fun activities.

1. “Sponge” Cake

An elf with a sign that says "I made you a sponge cake" and a kitchen sponge with sprinkles.

Here’s a cute idea from @marcshelkin.

This is definitely not the kind of sponge cake we’d like to try, but it’s the thought that counts!

2. Elf Yoga

Several elves doing elf yoga in front of a poster.

@craftymumofgirls shared this elf yoga idea, complete with a mini poster.

3. Q-Tip Snowflakes

Two elves on a bathroom counter with a box of q-tips and snowflakes made from q-tips.

This creative Q-tip snowflake idea, and several more below, was provided by @the_crochet_mama.

4. Sundaes

Elves with a letterboard sign and ingredients to make ice cream sundaes.

Use your elves to set up a Sunday sundae dessert party.

5. Washing Machine Roller Coaster

An elf and barbie dolls strapped to a ledge in a washing machine.

Create a washing machine roller coaster.

6. Zipline

An elf going down a zipline made from ribbon and a toilet paper roll.

Use a toilet paper roll and ribbon to create a zipline.

7. Tangled up in Christmas Lights

An elf holding Christmas lights and another elf tangled and dangling upside down in the Christmas lights.

Get tangled up with Christmas lights.

8. Christmas Bow Rock Climbing

An elf "rock climbing" a wall of Christmas bows.

Use cheap Dollar Tree bows to create an elf on the shelf rock climbing wall.

9. Skiing

Elves skiing on toilet paper draped to look like a snow-covered hill.

Create a ski slope using paper towels or toilet paper.

10. Spa Day

An elf with cucumbers on his eyes and his feet in a bowl o mini marshmallows to look like a spa day.

Give your elf a spa day, complete with a foot bath.

11. Toilet Paper Roll

Two elves playing in a toilet paper roll in front of a Christmas tree.

Get your elves dizzy with this toilet paper roll activity.

12. Melted Snowman

An elf next to a glass of water with a carrot and googly eyes and a note.

Fill a glass with water to create a melted snowman from your elf.

13. Candy Cane Hunt

Two elves with a printed sign that reads "Can you find all 12 candy canes?"

Entertain your kids with this fun candy cane hunt activity provided by Glitter on a Dime.

14. Window Cleaning

Elves cleaning a window with shaving cream on it.

This cute window cleaning elf on the shelf idea, and several more below, was shared by Mommy Evolution.

15. Who Let The Dogs Out?

Stuffed animals outside a glass door with elves and a sign that says "We let the dogs out."

Utilize your children’s stuffed animals for this cheeky elf setup.

16. Cereal

Elves pouring cereal into a bowl from a kitchen cabinet.

Sacrifice a box of cereal for these mischievous antics. Here’s a tutorial on how to get the spilled cereal look!

17. Rootbeer Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Elves on a sleigh ride made from root beer cans that look like reindeer.

Use root beer cans to create an elf sleigh ride.

18. Gone Fishing

Elves fishing for goldfish on a kitchen counter.

Snag a few goldfish from your toddler’s stash to create an elf fishing expedition.

19. Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk!

A large and small elf with a stuffed grinch and a sign that says "Shrink, shrank, shrunk."

Use a larger elf and a Grinch stuffie for a fun setup.

20. Opened Gift

An opened Christmas gift and two elves, each with a sign blaming the other.

Let your kids enjoy an early Christmas gift when your sneaky elves break one open.

Goodbye Ideas

And, here are some clever ways to bid your elf goodbye.

1. Crying Elves with Kleenex and Luggage

Elves wiping their tears with kleenex with packed luggage and a reindeer ready to go back to the North Pole.

Say goodbye to your elves as they cry with their packed luggage.

2. Plane and Letter

Send your elf off with a plane and a letter.

3. Farewell Gift

Say farewell with a parting gift to open on Christmas Eve.

4. Donuts

Use a box of donuts with this clever quote “Donut worry! I’ll be back!”

Other Ideas From Pinterest

Elf on the Shelf Printables

Here are some free elf on the shelf printables to help you devise the best experiences for your kids and family.

Find scavenger hunts, props, calendars, activities, and more!

Want More

Looking for more Christmas ideas for kids? You’ll love these!

Pinterest graphic with text and collage of fun family Christmas traditions.

Pinterest graphic with text and collage of ways to keep Christ in Christmas.

40 Family Christmas Traditions
Simple Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas
90 Non-Toy Gifts for Kids
Creative Toys for Kids

Your Turn

What did you think of these elf on a shelf ideas? Are there any ideas you think we should add? Let us know in the comments!