How to Have Fun With the Elf on the Shelf
Homeschool of 1 has been visited by the Elf on the Shelf for over 7 years now.
At Christmas, we have 4 Elf on the Shelf, and an Uncle Si come to visit! We also have a Halloween Elf on the Shelf that comes for a few days around Halloween!
We really are a little crazy, but we love it.
Even after our son stopped believing that they went back to Santa every night, he still absolutely believes in the magic of Christmas.
When he finally stopped believing completely (he was nearly 11 years old) I asked if he still wanted them to come, and without hesitation, he said yes.
Here you will find all the Elf on the Shelf-related posts on my site! We are constantly updating our posts, so scroll down and see what we currently have.
The Elf on the Shelf activities are broken down into the following sections:
- Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Halloween!
- Elf on the Shelf Arrival
- Elf on the Shelf Antics
- Elf on the Shelf Activities for kids
- Elf on the Shelf Goodbye
Make sure you save (and pin) this post for later, and definitely keep checking back as I am always adding new content.
**There may be affiliate links in this post. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.**
Get all of the Elf printables
If you are in a rush and are tired of searching for Elf on the Shelf printables you can purchase all of my printables for a small fee here. There are 39 pages to print out!
41 pages are included in this download including:
- North Pole Breakfast Menu (2 pages)
- Elf construction zone (2 pages)
- Snowman soup (2 pages)
- Elf Kisses (2 pages)
- Elf notes (3 pages)
- Elf scavenger hunt (3 pages)
- Elf memory game
- Elf games
- Elf hats
- Elf on the Shelf word scramble (3 pages)
- Elf names word search (2 pages)
- Elf story coloring pages (7 pages)
- Elf arrival letters (5 pages)
- Elf goodbye letters (2 pages)
- If I were an elf writing activity (1 page)
- Elf on the Shelf yearbook (2 pages)
Halloween Elf on the Shelf!
Traditionally the Elf on the Shelf doesn't make an appearance until December, however, in our home, she comes a little early!
See what mischief our Halloween elf on the shelf gets up to. Along with our favorite Halloween Elf accessories.
She is only with us for the day of Halloween and then she won't come back until Christmas.
This year I am going to treat her to a new haunted house sweater!
Elf on the Shelf Arrival
See how we prepare for the Elf on the Shelf! We start setting the scene in November!
Get the kids even more excited this year and set up an Elf construction site where the Elf on the Shelf door will go (so they can fly in and out of the house).
When the Elf actually arrives, normally with a North Pole Breakfast (see below) we always get an Elf on the Shelf arrival letter explaining what she will be doing for Santa.
If you are looking for a personalized Elf arrival letter I really like this one from Etsy.
With the arrival of the Elf on the Shelf comes a North Pole breakfast.
Normally this is full of sugar and candy, but we have over the years added more savory and healthy options which the kids absolutely love.
For even more North Pole breakfast printables I am loving these from Etsy.
If this is your first year with the Elf on the Shelf, or you are still unsure whether it is for you.
Check out our traditions and what the Elf does and means to our family.
You will find everything you could possibly need in this Elf on the Shelf 101 guide.
Elf on the Shelf Antics
Have fun with the Elf on the Shelf this year with our very quick and easy Elf antics.
Treat the kids this year with these fun Elf on the Shelf gifts that they can leave for the kids when they return from the North Pole.
Print out smaller versions of our Christmas printables for the kids and leave them with the Elf on the shelf printable games.
These are exactly the same as the kid's versions, just elf-sized!
If you are looking for a quick and easy Elf on the Shelf activity, just leave one of these Elf on the Shelf notes with the Elf.
We use these miniature wooden easels to add all of our printables on.
This Elf on the Shelf hat prank is one of my favorite Elf on the Shelf activities. It is so easy to create and the kids will go wild.
Why not leave the kids a little treat from the North Pole with these cute Elf kisses bag toppers
We love to accessorize our elves! Check out the absolute best Elf on the Shelf accessories that you and the kids are going to love this year.
If you have forgotten to move the Elf on the Shelf these antics will take 5 minutes to pull off, and the kids will love them.
Download the best free Elf on the Shelf printables found across the internet.
Elf on the Shelf Activities
December is not just about moving the Elf on the Shelf, it is about incorporating her into your family.
Have fun with our Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt clues.
There are 12 rhyming clues to hide around your home, the last clue can either be where the elf is hiding, or you can leave them a small treat.
Let's play some Elf on the Shelf inspired games, with our free Elf memory game.
Print out the images twice and see who can match the most pairs.
If you are wanting to add a bit of educational fun why not download our free Elf word search and hunt for the 16 most popular Elf on the Shelf names?
Have fun with kids of all ages with our free Elf on the Shelf Word Scramble printable. There are 13 Elf themed words to unscramble.
Get the kids writing this December with our free if I were an Elf writing activity.
These 12 reading books about elves are perfect to read to the kids in December.
Have fun with our 6 free Elf coloring pages the kids can enjoy in December when their Elf on the Shelf comes to pay them a visit.
Saying goodbye to the elf should be a special event, check out our top 10 Elf on the Shelf leaving ideas plus our free elf on the shelf yearbook covers.
Saying Goodye to the Elf
Saying goodbye is always hard, but when the Elf leaves on the 24th of December make sure the kids know that they have not done anything wrong.
Download our free Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter this year to explain to the kids what happens now the Elf has gone back to the North Pole.
If you are looking for a personalized goodbye letter I love this one from Etsy.
Last Updated on 2 June 2023 by homeschoolof1