Free Elf I Spy Printable

Every December, I lean hard on easy wins like this Elf I Spy printable, especially on those mornings when I’ve forgotten to move the elf (again).

It’s one of those activities that takes no prep but still feels magical to kids.

My son used to love racing to find all the tiny elves and candy canes, and I loved that it gave me a few quiet minutes to sip coffee.

Whether you’re homeschooling, need a quick classroom filler, or just want something fun before bedtime, this printable is a simple way to sneak in some holiday fun without any extra stress.

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I Spy Elf on the Shelf

These free I Spy printables have become one of our go-to activities during the holiday season. It’s low-prep, festive, and keeps kids entertained while sneaking in some quiet learning time.

We’ve used it on lazy December mornings, rainy afternoons, and even at holiday parties, it’s always a hit.

The set includes three pages, each offering something a little different:

• Full-color I Spy sheet – Bright and cheerful, this one’s packed with elves, candy canes, gifts, Santa hats, and more. It’s perfect for when you need a ready-to-go activity that still feels special.
• Black-and-white I Spy coloring page – This one’s my personal favorite. Kids can color in the page while they search for the hidden items, which adds a creative twist and keeps them focused longer.
• Answer key (also black and white) – We often reuse this as a second coloring page. It’s helpful for younger kids who want a hint or just enjoy coloring the elf-themed images again.

It’s such a simple printable, but it always brings some extra holiday cheer, and a few peaceful minutes, too.

How to Use

There are lots of fun ways to make this worksheet work for your kids or group. Here’s how we’ve used it over the years:

• The full-color page is great for quick, no-prep fun, just print and go.
• The black and white versions add a creative twist since they double as coloring pages, which my son always loved.

You can even tie it into your Elf on the Shelf routine by saying the elf left it behind as a challenge. That little touch of “magic” always gets a big reaction!

It also works well in groups, whether it’s siblings, classmates, or friends. Watching kids help each other find and count the hidden objects is part of the fun.

And when they’re done, the coloring pages make cute little holiday decorations. Just hang them up for an easy festive display.

Educational Benefits of I Spy Activities

It might look like just a fun holiday game, but this Elf I Spy printable is quietly doing some heavy lifting when it comes to learning.

As my son counts each item, he’s practicing early math without even realizing it.

The focus it takes to find each picture helps build attention to detail, and talking through what he spots, like candy canes, sleighs, or gingerbread, naturally expands his vocabulary.

It’s playful, screen-free learning that fits right into the holiday spirit.

More Elf on the Shelf Fun

If your kids enjoyed the Elf I Spy worksheet, here are a few other Elf-themed activities we’ve loved using to mix things up during the holidays:

• If I were an Elf writing prompt – A fun and silly way to get kids thinking creatively. My son once decided he’d be a cocoa tester at the North Pole.
• Elf memory game – A holiday spin on the classic game. Great for quiet time and builds memory skills without feeling like schoolwork.
• Elf scavenger hunt clues – These ready-to-go clues add a little adventure to your day. We’ve hidden them around the house and it always ends in giggles.
• Elf on the Shelf arrival letter – Set the tone for your elf’s big return with a printable welcome note. It’s a simple way to make December 1st feel extra special.

These all pair really well with the I Spy printable if you’re looking to stretch out the Elf fun across the season without adding more to your plate.

Grab Your Free Christmas Elf I Spy Worksheet Here!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free Elf I Spy.

Last Updated on 29 July 2025 by Clare Brown