Editor’s note: This story may contain spoilers for prying little eyes!
Looking to get a few more laughs from your kids during the holiday season? Look no further than your trusty elf partner!
These funny Elf on the Shelf ideas will let Santa’s helper cause a little mischief and lots of giggles around the house.
Parents who are short on time can re-create some easy Elf on the Shelf ideas while others can get more elaborate in their setups, like covering the toilet in holiday wrapping paper or having the elf conduct a choir of soda cans.
These 28 ideas are sure to excite your kids when they’re searching the house for their Elf on the Shelf friend throughout the magical holiday season.
1. Foodie fun.
Elf on The Shelf (@adopt.an.elf via Instagram)
What’s funnier than faces on food? Grab some eggs (or bananas) and use a felt-tip pen to draw on some funny faces. A toothpick works as your elf’s conductor wand, or place the open pen nearby to indicate a crafty elf.
2. Special delivery!
Elf on The Shelf (Macaroni KID Cecil – NE Harford)
This overnight express delivery will surely get kids excited to kick off the holiday season.
Find a cardboard box and cut some holes for the arms, legs and head to fit through and add some postage from the north pole to seal the deal. You can even attach a letter to the side with some information of the elf’s mischief to come!
3. Going for a reindeer ride!
Elf on The Shelf (Macaroni KID Cecil – NE Harford)
Looks like your elf just found their faithful steed!
If you have any reindeer decorations around the house, this is an easy way to get a laugh while keeping the idea simple. Just use a reindeer decoration — big or small — and match up your elf with their new companion.
For some bonus points, find some chocolate or cereal that can resemble reindeer droppings … a funny treat for kids!
More about this silly little elf
4. Elf-Tac-Toe!
Elf on The Shelf (Macaroni KID Cecil – NE Harford)
Who knew that elves were this competitive!
Match your elf up with a worthy opponent — say another elf or doll — along with some strips of decorative paper and mini bows for the Xs and Os to put your elf to the test in a game of wits!
5. Shave a stuffy.
Some of the funniest Elf on the Shelf ideas are when they get a little mischievous. Coat a stuffed animal in shaving cream and wrap your elves’ hands around the can. Just make sure a razor is out of reach of tiny hands!
6. Cirque du Elf-e.
@james_meebles_2018 via Instagram
Prep some stuffed animals, a DIY tent, a mini concession stand and a homemade trapeze to make this Cirque du Soleil-inspired scene come to life.
7. An imposter among us!
Make breakfast fun with some elf imposter oats. You’ll need strawberries, an apple, blueberries, coconut, a little creativity and some patience to bring this one across the finish line and mimic the creative idea.
8. Wrap it up!
elf on the shelf on gift-wrapped toilet (Courtesy Jessica N. Turner)
It’s time to bust out the wrapping paper and make the smallest room in your house, aka the bathroom, one giant present. There is certainly a huge “wow factor” for kids. The fact that it’s the toilet is sure to get some chuckles.
9. What’s popping?
This is a mess worth making! Pop two or three bags of popcorn and use double sided tape to attach it to a long piece of wax paper. Sprinkle the rest on the floor just in time for wakeup and position the elves inside the microwave!
This example does not feature the official Elf on the Shelf, but would be a cute idea to try with your very own North Pole emissary.
10. Ugly sweater party.
It’s time for your make-believe crew to bust out their ugliest Christmas apparel. Doll clothes work well, or if you’re feeling really inspired, knitting homemade sweaters for the whole party is a possibility.
11. A special breakfast selection.
@elf_on_the_shelf_joy via Instagram
Grab some cooked pasta, syrup and a collection of sugary sweets to bring this Elf on the Shelf scene together! The only thing you need to add is a homemade sign to pull off this play on Buddy the Elf’s favorite dinner from the Christmas favorite “Elf.”
12. Pucker up, elf!
A kissing booth? For elves? We love to see it! Prep a kissing booth cut-out from cardboard (or other sturdy paper) and sprinkle chocolate Hershey’s Kisses candy once your elf is tucked inside.
13. Splish splash, it’s time for a bath
Elf on the Shelf in sink (Courtesy Jessica N. Turner)
Grab some marshmallows or blow up a couple of small white balloons and make the ultimate bubble bath for your North Pole visitors. If your elves wear clothes, make sure to put them over to the side prior to “jumping in!”
14. M-elf-e Kalikimaka!
M-elf-e Kalikimaka! (elf_on_the_shelf_joy)
Take your elves straight to Hawaii with an enviable beach set-up complete with sand, tiny chairs, umbrellas and any mini sand toys you can find. The biggest obstacle might be wishing you could also be in Hawaii this season!
15. Gone fishing!
It’s time to go ice fishing … in the toilet. Cover your toilet with plastic wrap, grab some Goldfish crackers and add some sugar to create the appearance of cracked ice. Your elf will need a fishing pole, too!
16. Not your average church choir…
Elf on The Shelf (Courtesy Helen Kent)
Get into the recycling bin to create a can choir for the kids this year. Bend each can halfway to create the look of a torso and legs, add some googly eyes and assemble an audience of elves. Want to bring it to the next level? Play some Christmas carols in the background!
17. Under … where?
If you’ve got clean laundry, you’ve got what you need to prep this silly scene. The kids will laugh out loud when they see their underwear draped all over the tree.
18. When life imitates art.
Print the funniest human (or animal) body you can find and do a little peek-a-boo elf cutout. If you attempt a human body one day, maybe try an animal later in the month. We love a multipurpose idea!
19. Where is the lie?
Elf on The Shelf (@inclevelandshonor via Instagram)
Your pets can get involved in this year’s elf games with some tape and a homemade sign. It helps if your pets want to pose beside their own hijinks for a photo!
20. This elf has us “Thinking Out Loud.”
A little “pun” never hurt anyone! Egg Sheeran needs some yarn hair, a mini guitar and, of course, a face. If stick-on eyes are too much, a marker works great too. The sign is the final touch for this refrigerator masterpiece.
21. Cuddle buddies.
Maybe the family pet thinks your elf is a toy — we will never tell. Pose them next to each other when you hear the kids coming and your daily elf work is done!
22. Pause for an elf-ie.
Elves just want to have fun — and take selfies. Have the family elf take some funny selfies on your phone to share with the kids, or prop your phone up as they’re padding down the hall in the morning as if the elf was caught in action.
23. A merry band of elves.
Elf on The Shelf (@james_meebles_2018 via Instagram)
The family elf (or elves) picked up a brand new talent! Find some prop mini candles and set up a dramatic elf concert by candlelight. If you can’t find any mini-instruments, no worries! Have the elf or elves form a holiday choir instead!
24. A little mess never hurt anyone.
Nutella, peanut butter, jelly or jam is going to be your BFF for this fun set-up. Simply get them from the cupboard and let your elves “dive” in to this slightly messy — but simple — scene.
25. Chips, anyone?
No need to wrack your brain trying to get this one right — just raid the pantry. One potato, a grater and a handful of chips is all that is needed to make this chip-per scene come to life. Extra points for parents who can make the best worried potato face using a marker.
26. All wrapped up.
Courtesy christmaself2019
If there are two elves in your home, this one is pretty simple! Grab some leftover wrapping paper, a pair of scissors and some tape. Have one elf wrap up the other for some Christmas present mischief! The kids might think they’re getting another elf for Christmas on the big day and it’s sure to spark some laughter.27. Reindeer really do fly!
It looks like the elves are testing out if all reindeer know how to fly. If you have any deer or reindeer figurines, or any animal model for that matter, have the elf/elves make a little elf mischief as they find the next Rudolph.
Courtesy christmaself2019
28. Elf revolution.
It looks like the other toys around the house have had enough running around the house causing trouble! Gather up some of the kids’ toys and tie up the family elf. It’ll get a good laugh from the kids that their toys are all fed up of elf mischief!
Courtesy christmaself2019
This article was originally published on TODAY.com