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Paper Heart Family

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July 20, 2018

Easy Elf On The Shelf Ideas Because Christmas Is Busy Enough

Over the years I have learned the importance of having quick access to easy and high impact Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids <——- This post will provide you with everything you need including letters from the elf, more ideas and elf name suggestions.

The easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that you see here should all take 5 minutes or less to implement. So when you’re done, you can pour yourself a glass of wine and revel in your mom awesomeness.

Pssst- Save even more time posing your elf by making him bendable!

We can thank Pinterest for the fact that the Elf on the Shelf has strayed so much from its original purpose (you know, an Elf. On a SHELF). Now we can see awesomely elaborate and way-too-time consuming ideas like the elf wrapping the entire toilet.

I just don’t have that much time. And I’m guessing you don’t either.

So before we get started with some awesomely easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, check out my  2018 Elf on The Shelf Planner. It’s 16 printable pages of amazing organization and fun, including an Elf on the Shelf arrival and goodbye letter, letter to and from Santa, nice list certificate, lunch box jokes, elf name suggestions and more!

Okay, here we go! I would love to see your elf in action. Make sure to snap a pic and leave a comment on this pin!

This post contains affiliate links.

Quick And Easy Elf On The Shelf Ideas

It’s taco time!

Whether you have more than one elf or not, this is still a really cute idea, possibly for your elf’s arrival or any day. Just make sure to do this one on a night when you’re already doing some Christmas wrapping to save on time!

This mischievous Elf on the Shelf is wrapping her elf friend up. I wonder what he did?

How about having an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt? This takes a tiny bit more time, but it’s “easy” because I’ve done all the thinking for you! All you have to do it print, cut and place the clues where I tell you to place them. And it will pay off in the morning, because it will take your kids a while to find all the clues. You know, while you take five on the couch with your coffee cup!

Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt riddles- free printable

The Beanie Boo obsession is going strong in our house. Your kids would love it if your elf became buddies with their favorite stuffed animals.

Yeah, I'm just an Elf on the Shelf hangin' with some Beanie Boos.

Everyone of all ages will find humor in a silly elf scanning and printing his body!

Silly Elf on the Shelf is trying to scan and print himself!

I love using our elf not so much to threaten them with reminders that “Santa’s watching”, but rather to remind them to love and be kind. My Elf on the Shelf letter for arrival and Elf on the Shelf leaving gift are based around the same idea.

And what better medium to share this message than some TP.

This Elf on the Shelf is all about promoting kindness.

Did you know that your kids can get personalized texts, phone calls and videos from Santa himself? Let your elf show them how (and check out my post of 10 Ways To Communicate With Santa Through Text, Video And Phone Calls.)

The Elf on the Shelf showing your kids how to get texts from Santa.

Kids love playing dress up, and apparently so do elves! Our elf dressed up with Rapunzel in the Barbie pool of our dollhouse.

If you have an actual Barbie bathing suit that would be better, but eh, our elf forgot to bring her suit from the North Pole.

Elf clothes are boring. This Elf on the Shelf took some fashion pointers from Rapunzel.

Any kid would love waking up in the morning, going to brush their teeth and finding a message from their Scout Elf.

I used our Crayola bath markers for this, but shaving cream or lipstick would work too!

A message from the Elf on the Shelf that Santa Claus is soon coming to town.

Your elf knows that making a sprinkle angel is much more fun than making a snow angel.

This Elf on the Shelf has the right idea. Making a sprinkle angel is much more fun!

This is the idea last year that my kids loves the most by far. It makes it so much fun when you use your kid’s snow boots to show your elves heading out the door. Could be perfect for Christmas Eve!

These elves on the shelf are ready to make their departure back to the North Pole.

Brrrrr! Apparently elves acclimate to the warmer temps south of the North Pole pretty quickly!

Brrrr! Smart elves bundle up when it's cold!

Behind on the laundry? Take advantage of it and stick your elf in!

Elf on the Shelf in the dryer.

I’m sure you have some kind of toy floatation device that your elf can borrow. She’s got spring fever! (these inflatable drink holders are the CUTEST and come in a pack of 12. That’s almost 2 weeks of ideas!)

It's December but this Elf on the Shelf is thinking sun.

The Elf on the Shelf was never cuter! Would you like some marshmallows with your hot chocolate? Or maybe an elf instead!

Would you like some marshmallows in your hot chocolate? Or maybe an elf on the shelf?

I guess this cereal was a little TOO delicious! Busted! This elf thinks Chocolate Frosted Flakes are GRRR-EAT!

The Elf on the Shelf thinks that Frosted Flakes are GRRRR-EAT!

Looks like someone got into the band-aids! I seem to remember this happening with a certain 2-year old once.

Kids love bandaids, and so does the Elf on the Shelf!

The elf was trying to get down from her perch so this crafty elf decided to rappel down a rope of socks. (Inspired by a favorite children’s book Lady Pancake And Sir French Toast.)

This elf on the shelf is ready for action and has made a rope out of socks to climb.

There are lots of ways that your elf can make your kids laugh, including by telling Christmas jokes for kids.

Have your elf on the shelf type a Christmas joke to your kids.

I love this idea because it will prompt your kids to want to read a zillion books on the morning that your elf builds a book tree to perch on.

Warning: your kids will OF COURSE want to read all the the books that are occupied by the elf.

Pose your elf on the shelf with a tree made out of books!

Happy elf-ing!

An entire month of easy elf on the shelf ideas for Christmas.

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Brenda 6 Comments

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Brenda Hey mama! (Or soon-to-be mama!) Paper Heart Family was created by me to help mothers through pregnancy, the baby stage, the toddler stage (eek!) and beyond. Whether you’re simply surviving through new motherhood, or looking for kid activities and parenting advice, you’ll find the resources you need here. Click to learn more about me.
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