23 Fresh Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2024

Let’s face it—by the time December rolls around, most of us are running on chocolate and sheer willpower.

Last year, I’ll admit, I completely phoned it in with our Elf on the Shelf.

Day 15 saw our elf, Peppermint, just lying flat on the couch, binge-watching Netflix like he was me. The kids were like, “Why isn’t he doing anything fun?” And all I could do was shrug and mumble something about elves needing mental health days too.

But this year?

Oh, the kids are demanding a comeback.

They’re ready for Peppermint to bring his A-game, and honestly, I’m ready to redeem myself. If you’re like me—equal parts tired and determined to make some Christmas magic happen—I’ve got your back.

These 25 fresh Elf on the Shelf ideas for 2024 are quick, easy, and so good they’ll have you looking like the MVP of elf parenting.

Bonus? You won’t have to spend your precious post-bedtime hours Googling “creative Elf ideas” while wondering how glitter can possibly get everywhere.

So, grab your Elf, maybe a cup of cocoa (or wine, no judgment here), and let’s bring some new magic to this tradition without losing our sanity. After all, we’re in this together—because nothing says holiday cheer like setting an alarm to remind yourself to move a tiny doll before sunrise. Let’s do this!

Please note: all these images come from other parents like us who shared their Elf ideas in a group setting to be used as inspiration. If you would like to be sourced, please email me as I don’t have any sources or links at this time. 

 

23 Fresh Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2024: Quick, Easy, and Creative

 

  1. Combine a few candy canes to create a makeshift sled and zoom down the railings or staircase. You can use double sided tape to help make sure the Elf stays put for the morning! 

2. You likely have a few condiments in the fridge to use for this Elf target practice game. You can draw this out on a piece of paper and set it up in two minutes – quick and easy! 

3. I don’t know about your couch, but this is about what mine looks like with the kids shoving things in the cushions haphazardly all the time. Reach your hand in there and see what you can find, and then toss in your elf digging for treasure and you’ve got yourself a quick elf on the shelf set-up. Brilliant! 

4. If you’ve got clear packaging tape and powdered sugar in the house, this makes for a super cool elf on the shelf find that looks like he’s stuck in the ice when the sink froze over. 

5. Hang a little thread and quickly, you’ll have your Elf on the Shelf zip lining through the house on a candy cane (or skip the candy cane too!) 

6. It’s easy to print or use sheet music you may already have and set up a choir of fruit (or utilize toys you already have around the house) to serenade everyone with a Christmas tune. 

7. Is it Tuesday? It could be Taco Elf Tuesday. Wrap up your elf like a burrito and cut out a space for their arms and face and yummm… ready in minutes. 

8. These are one of my favorite Elf on the Shelf ideas because I know my 9 year old daughter would LOVE to find this on my phone the next morning. Sneak in your child’s room at night, snap a quick pick and have it ready to go for the morning. 

9. Elves can do magical things including turning rainbow crayons into rainbow skittles. 

10. I laughed out loud when I first saw this! You might not have googly eyes and that’s ok, because you can draw on faces onto potatoes just as easily…. and shred into chips. 

11. Definitely not sanitary to eat from, but a cool prank to try! Use ceran wrap or tape and tape the top of the toilet so you only have to add a layer of cereal to make this a laughable elf trick everyone will laugh over. 

12. Jokes are memorable and what’s more memorable than finding one with your elf the next day. Clever and super easy – just crack an egg and draw a face on the egg for a good laugh. 

13. I’ll admit, the potty humor will be a hit with my teenagers who have outgrown the elf but don’t want to give it up. Have a few balloons lying around? Make a note and blow a balloon up for an easy gag. 

14. Ok, scary movies may also be a hit with the older crowd and could be a hit with your teens. If you have craft a mask like this…. you might make a terrifying masterpiece. 

 

15. Yep, definitely inappropriate but also… teenagers. Use a few shot glasses or doll glasses if you have anything like this and create a simple lemonade sign and you’ve got one memorable and easy elf on the self set up. 

 

16. Slang terms are what’s HOT right now so this fits right in. You can use candy with nuts, peanuts or whatever you have around and create a Deez Nuts tag to go along with what fell out of the tree. 

 

17. Several parents posted this “I peed by pants” set up in various ways so I thought I’d include because it was so popular and might be an easy and big hit at your house too. 

18. Get your vacuum or broom ready for this one… Celebrate with glitter, confetti and streamers that make it look like a huge party took place while everyone was sleeping. Elves are known to be naughty after all. 

 

19. You can use sharpie or washable marker to tattoo a doll or barbie you have at your house. That elf was running a tattoo parlor under your roof while you slept. 

20. You can do this for your Elf’s arrival on December 1st or if they broke into a present under the tree one night. 

21. The theme of the elves this year must be humor and naughty, because putting underwear over the Christmas tree ticks both those boxes. 

 

22. Any slang word, GYATT for the win. Use a few buns and write out a fun saying like “Oh my GYATT” or “Suns Out Buns Out” and I bet you’ll draw a few giggles in the morning! 

23. Talk about a WOW effect! Using tape to get sprinkles to stick, this optical illusion will be make the season absolutely magical! If you pull this off with your Elf on the Shelf one morning, you’ll create something your kids won’t stop telling their friends about. 

 

More Elf on the Shelf Ideas 

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