Here’s a list of 50 fun and creative Elf on the Shelf ideas that are budget-friendly,
easy to execute, and use simple materials—keeping the total cost under $50 for 30 days.
1. Marshmallow Bubble Bath
• Items Needed: Mini marshmallows, bowl or sink.
• Pose the elf sitting in a “bath” of marshmallows.
2. Candy Cane Zip Line
• Items Needed: String, candy cane, paperclip.
• Create a zip line using the string and hang the elf holding the candy cane.
3. Toilet Paper Snowman
• Items Needed: Toilet paper rolls, markers or paper for snowman face.
• Decorate toilet paper rolls like a snowman with the elf on top.
4. Balloon Flight
• Items Needed: Balloons, string, elf.
• Attach the elf to a cluster of balloons and “float” them over a room.
5. Pancake Party
• Items Needed: Mini pancakes or frozen waffles, syrup.
• Set the elf at the table with tiny pancakes and a little syrup mess.
6. Post-it Note Prank
• Items Needed: Post-it notes.
• Cover a mirror, fridge, or wall with Post-its, and position the elf holding one.
7. Sock Hammock
• Items Needed: Long sock, thumbtacks or tape.
• Hang a sock between two points and lay the elf inside like a hammock.
8. Movie Night
• Items Needed: Tiny popcorn bowl, remote control, small screen/device.
• Pose the elf watching a movie with a tiny popcorn snack.
9. LEGO Castle
• Items Needed: LEGOs.
• Build a LEGO fort or castle and place the elf inside.
10. “Fishing” for Goldfish
• Items Needed: Plastic cup, string, toothpick, goldfish crackers.
• Create a mini fishing pole for the elf to “fish” for crackers.
11. Snow Angel in Flour
• Items Needed: Flour or powdered sugar, flat surface.
• Sprinkle flour, and position the elf in a snow angel pose.
12. Toothpaste Message
• Items Needed: Toothpaste.
• Write a silly note on the bathroom mirror with toothpaste, and pose the elf nearby.
13. Wrapped in Lights
• Items Needed: String lights.
• Wrap the elf in string lights as if they tangled themselves.
14. Elf Chef
• Items Needed: Mini baking supplies, flour, measuring spoons.
• Sprinkle flour and pose the elf “baking” cookies or cupcakes.
15. Paper Airplane Escape
• Items Needed: Paper, markers.
• Make paper airplanes and pose the elf as if they’re flying one.
16. Frozen in Ice
• Items Needed: Small container, water, freezer.
• Freeze the elf in water and leave them “stuck.”
17. Cereal Box Slide
• Items Needed: Empty cereal box, toy car.
• Create a slide from the box, and place the elf at the top.
18. Coloring Contest
• Items Needed: Coloring pages, crayons, small toys.
• Set the elf coloring alongside other toys.
19. Elf Gymnastics
• Items Needed: Drinking straws, rubber bands.
• Pose the elf doing “acrobatics” on straws taped to chairs.
20. Campfire Scene
• Items Needed: Mini marshmallows, twigs, tea light.
• Create a mini “campfire” with marshmallows roasting.
21. Christmas Countdown
• Items Needed: Countdown sign or paper, marker.
• Write how many days are left until Christmas and pose the elf holding it.
22. Superhero Elf
• Items Needed: Fabric for a cape, string.
• Dress the elf as a superhero flying or saving a toy.
23. Bathroom TP Fun
• Items Needed: Toilet paper roll.
• Wrap the elf and a toy in toilet paper, as if they’ve been “mummified.”
24. Grocery Store Chaos
• Items Needed: Cereal boxes, snack bags.
• Tip over small boxes of snacks and pose the elf in the middle of the mess.
25. Candy Wrapper Thief
• Items Needed: Candy wrappers.
• Leave wrappers everywhere with the elf holding one.
26. Selfie Elf
• Items Needed: Camera or phone.
• Pose the elf “taking a selfie” with the phone propped up.
27. Spa Day
• Items Needed: Cotton balls, cucumber slices.
• Pose the elf having a spa day with cotton ball “towels.”
28. Egg Cracking Disaster
• Items Needed: Egg carton, plastic eggs.
• Create a “mess” with eggs and position the elf as the culprit.
29. Candy Cane Prison
• Items Needed: Candy canes, rubber bands.
• Create a cage with candy canes and trap the elf inside.
30. Elf in a Shoe
• Items Needed: Parent or child’s shoe.
• Pose the elf as if they’ve made a “home” in the shoe.
31. Wrapped in Ribbon
• Items Needed: Wrapping paper, ribbon.
• Wrap the elf like a gift.
32. Mini Snowball Fight
• Items Needed: Mini marshmallows, small toys.
• Pose the elf and toys mid-snowball fight.
33. Banana Elf
• Items Needed: Banana, marker.
• Draw a face on a banana and place the elf holding it.
34. Elf DJ
• Items Needed: Device with music, small headphones.
• Pose the elf listening to Christmas tunes.
35. Toy Parade
• Items Needed: Small toys, elf.
• Line up toys in a “parade,” with the elf leading.
36. Mustache Mirror Prank
• Items Needed: Dry-erase marker.
• Draw mustaches on the mirror and pose the elf holding the marker.
37. Hot Cocoa Bar
• Items Needed: Mini marshmallows, hot cocoa packets.
• Set up the elf “making” hot cocoa.
38. Paper Snowflake Party
• Items Needed: Paper, scissors.
• Leave the elf cutting snowflakes out of paper.
39. Stuffed Animal Hide and Seek
• Items Needed: Stuffed animals.
• Hide the elf among the stuffed animals.
40. Construction Worker Elf
• Items Needed: Blocks or LEGOs.
• Build a “construction site” with the elf working.
41. Gift Wrapping Disaster
• Items Needed: Wrapping paper scraps, tape.
• Pose the elf mid-gift wrapping with tape stuck to them.
42. Balloon Party
• Items Needed: Balloons.
• Blow up balloons and surround the elf in a “party.”
43. Swinging Elf
• Items Needed: String, toilet paper roll.
• Create a swing from string and pose the elf swinging.
44. Sticky Note Name Tags
• Items Needed: Post-it notes.
• Label household items with Post-its, signed by the elf.
45. Mini Tree Decorating
• Items Needed: Mini tree, mini ornaments.
• Pose the elf decorating a small tree.
46. Ninja Training
• Items Needed: Drinking straws, rubber bands.
• Set up an obstacle course with straws.
47. Coffee Elf
• Items Needed: Coffee mug, coffee pod.
• Pose the elf with a cup and pod, ready for coffee.
48. Car Ride
• Items Needed: Toy car.
• Pose the elf “driving” a toy car.
49. Gingerbread House Builder
• Items Needed: Graham crackers, icing, candy.
• Make a mini house and position the elf “building” it.
50. Bookworm Elf
• Items Needed: Tiny book or kids’ book.
• Pose the elf reading a story.
These ideas can be done using household items or inexpensive supplies from dollar stores, keeping the overall cost low while maintaining creativity. Happy Elfing!!