KidRated’s Ultimate Elf on the Shelf Survival Guide
The Elf You Always Forget… Until 11:58pm
We’ve all been there. Between Christmas plays, last-minute Amazon panics, mulled wine hangovers and trying to remember which kid you promised not to tell about Santa’s wrapping paper stash… it’s ridiculously easy to forget about Elf on the Shelf.
Every parent knows that moment: you’ve finally sat down, the house is quiet, you’re about to hit Netflix… and suddenly: “THE ELF!!!”
Cue the scramble, the torch on your phone, the slightly manic creativity.
So here are fun, fast, low-effort ideas to save your sanity – plus some genuinely magical ones if you fancy going full Pinterest this year.
Top tip from the KidRated team:
Set a reminder on your phone every night for 8pm. You’ll thank us. And if you do forget? Just say the Elf “overslept”. Kids buy that – we checked.
Helpful Elf Ideas
- Fairy Light Fail – Elf tried to help… now they’re more tangled than the lights.
- Tree Trouble – Found halfway up the tree or stuck in the bauble box. Classic.
- Wrapping Assistant – Ribbon and paper everywhere. Elf looks proud.
- Cake Chaos – Sprinkles exploded. Elf at ground zero.
- Sweet Breakfast Chef – Fried-egg sweets in a frying pan, Elf wielding a spatula.
- Elf Golf – Mini paper putting green + candy cane club + marshmallow ball.
- Balloon Bath – Sink full of mini white balloons; Elf having a spa moment.
- Mug Spa – Cotton wool “bubbles” in a mug. Elf chilling.
- Puzzle Disaster – A few edge pieces done; the rest scattered. Elf “thinking hard”.
- Storytime Circle – Soft toys gathered; Elf reading a picture book.
- Bracelet Maker – Beads everywhere; a tiny bracelet for each kid.
- Marshmallow Toasting – Skewer + marshmallow + unlit candle. Easy win.
- Frozen Elf – Elf frozen in a ziplock ice cube. Elsa to blame.
- Snowball Fight – Cotton-ball battle with another toy.
- Elf Movie Night – Tiny popcorn, Elf under a tissue “blanket”.
- Winter Olympics – Elf skiing on lolly-stick skis down a paper “mountain”.
- Elf Babysitting – Toys tucked into bed; Elf supervising.
- Elf Gym – Cotton-bud dumbbells; Elf getting hench.
- Elf Karaoke – Tin-foil microphone in hand.
- Elf Selfie Booth – Cardboard frame + silly props. (Time-consuming but adorable.)
Naughty Elf Ideas
- Ribbon Attack – Everything wrapped. Elf clutching scissors looking guilty.
- Buddy’s Breakfast – Spaghetti + syrup + cereal. Elf tucking in.
- Runway to the Tree – Fairy lights laid like landing lights. Elf at the end.
- Wrapped Packed Lunch – Every single lunch item gift-wrapped.
- Toilet Trap – Clingfilm under the seat; Elf lying across it. (Use with caution!)
- Stair Roll – Elf stuffed in a loo roll and rolled down the stairs.
- Zipline Elf – Ribbon zipline + candy cane handle.
- Flour Angel – Elf creating a “snow” angel on the kitchen counter.
- Gingerbread Thief – Icing on Elf’s face; piping bag nearby.
- TP Tree – Christmas tree covered in toilet roll. Elf delighted.
- Photo Makeover – Santa hats, red noses, silly doodles (washable pens only!).
- Fart Jar – Elf sealed in a jar labelled “Avoiding Dad’s farts”.
- Chocolate Crime Scene – Empty wrappers everywhere; Elf caught red-handed.
- Banister Sledging – Candy cane sleigh taped to bannisters.
- Gift-Bow Climbing Wall – Elf scaling a wall of stick-on bows.
- Elf Poo – Chocolate drops behind a smug-looking Elf.
- Stilt Walker – Wrapping-paper tubes in boots; Elf sitting tall.
- Elf Footprints – Tiny flour footprints across a counter.
- Popcorn Shoes – Shoes filled with popcorn. Kids lose it.
- Tied Laces – Shoes knotted together. Elf watching proudly.
- Carrot Toothbrush Swap – Toothbrushes replaced by carrots. Elf holding the brushes.
- Chair Upside Down Day – Chairs flipped; socks added to the legs. Elf supervising.
- Elf Toastie – Elf between two slices of bread with a sign: “It’s toasty!”
Creative Elf House Ideas
For those of you who want to go the extra mile!
- Mini Elf Door – Stick a tiny door between books on a shelf. Instant magic.
- Woodland Box Scene – Leaves, twigs and a cardboard box = Elf forest retreat.
- Snowy Mountain Base – Scrunched paper under a white cloth makes a perfect “mountain range” for your Elf.
- Lego Bedroom – Build a mini bed and bedside table. Super quick. * Or… Buy One Ready-Made – Søstrene Grene sells gorgeous, affordable Elf House bits if you want the Pinterest look without the graft
We’d love to see some pics of your Elf up to mischief. Don’t forget to tag us in your socials. @kidrated #kidrated-Elf-action
Check out our other Christmas Guides for helpful tips for parents over the festive period.
Quick Inspiration
