25 Days of Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans

The holiday season is here, and that means it’s time for 25 Days of Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans!

These elf on the shelf ideas require just a little prep work but pack a big punch of fun.

From creative elf antics to new ideas that’ll have your kids giggling every morning, these elf setups are perfect for spreading the holiday spirit.

With this list, you’ll have creative ideas for your little elf every single day of December, right up until Christmas.

Collage of Elf on the Shelf scenes. Top left: elf with toast. Top right: three elves with potato chips and ketchup. Bottom left: elf in red outfit holding a roll. Bottom right: elf face in a cereal bowl. Text: "25 Days of Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans.

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Plus, don’t miss my free Elf on the Shelf planner—it’s a great resource for staying organized all season long.

And if you’re hunting for even more inspiration, I’ve got other Elf on the Shelf ideas on my site, so be sure to check them out.

Let’s add a bit of silliness to your Christmas season!

25 Days of Elf on the Shelf

1. “Elf Jenga” Challenge

Two elf dolls dressed in red and white play a game resembling Jenga with stacked wooden sticks on a white base labeled "Elf Jenga." One elf is kneeling, and the other is standing next to the stack.

It’s game night for the elves, and they’ve turned their chocolate bars into a mini Jenga set! This creative elf idea will definitely win over the hearts of children. Bonus: It’s a great way to sneak a little treat after the fun.

2. Egg-cellent Emoji Artist

A mischievous elf toy is drawing faces on a dozen white eggs in a yellow carton. The elf is holding a black marker, and each egg has a different playful expression. The scene is set on a kitchen counter.

Your little elf is channeling its inner artist with these fun egg emojis! Grab a marker and let your elf doodle some funny faces—this easy elf setup will have your kids cracking up.

3. Danger on Thin Ice

Two elf dolls are playfully posed on a bathroom sink covered with plastic wrap and fake snow, mimicking swimming in a frozen pond. A decorated paper towel roll resembling a snowman is in the background, adding a festive touch.

These shelf scout elves are taking their winter fun to the next level! Using a sink, plastic wrap, powdered sugar, and mini marshmallows, they’ve created an icy adventure. This is the fun part of a North Pole day!

4. Chip Stylists in Action

Four elf dolls in red outfits sit on a wooden surface behind a pile of potato chips. A red hair straightener lies in front, suggesting it's been used humorously to make the chips.

These clever elves are hard at work straightening potato chips! With a straightener and a couple of bags of chips, this setup is a fun and silly way to bring your elves to life

5. Mini Elf Golf

A toy elf dressed in red stands on a wooden table, using a candy cane like a golf club to play mini-golf with marshmallows. Small green paper "greens" with white balls and flagsticks are set up as holes. A Christmas tree is in the background.

Fore! Your family elf is playing a round of mini golf with mini marshmallows as balls and a candy cane for the club. This great idea is sure to bring a slice of fun to the holiday season.

Elf on the shelf printable planner free printable pdf or excel for your ideas

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Free Elf on the Shelf Planner

6. Elf Bowling Night

Two elf dolls are on a rug: one is sitting, and the other, wrapped in toilet paper, is lying down. They face a set of water bottle pins at the end of the rug, resembling a bowling game.

Strike! These elves rolled into a fun idea with a toilet roll bowling ball and water bottle pins. The kids can have fun bowling with the elves when they wake up.

7. Gummy Bear Foosball

Two elves are playing foosball with gummy bears on skewers in a makeshift table. One elf is dressed in green and white, the other in red. They are sitting on a wooden table, and there is a chair and green decor in the background.

It’s game night with a twist! This creative elf setup uses a DIY foosball table with gummy bears. It’s a little bit of prep but such an out of the box idea!

8. Leaky Pipes Under the Sink

Two elf dolls sit under a sink beside a leek with a drawn face. The surroundings include cleaning supplies and plumbing fixtures.

There’s a leek under the sink! These cheeky elves are having a laugh with their veggie friend. This idea is quick, clever, and requires almost no prep work.

9. The Christmas Pox Epidemic

Two toy elves in red outfits with colorful spots sit beside a box labeled "bronchotos." A sign above reads, "WARNING STAY BACK! We have the CHRISTMAS POX! Be careful... CONTAGIOUS.

Uh-oh, these shelf scout elves are “sick” with Christmas pox! With a little washi tape and some medicine props, this fun idea will have kids giggling.

10. Elf Sack Race

Stuffed toys dressed as elves and animals are playfully sitting in brown paper bags on a wooden floor. A small festive banner and red plastic cups are visible in the background, adding a playful, celebratory atmosphere.

Ready, set, go! The elves are hopping their way to the finish line in this adorable paper sack race with their toy friends. This creative idea adds a little wacky competition to your elfen lineup.

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11. YouTube is Boring!

Three plush characters, including a reindeer and two elves, sit around a paper scroll on a wooden table. A lightbox sign reads "THIS YOUTUBE IS BORING" with colorful letters.

These elves are not impressed with YouTube! A quick setup with a letter board and a toilet paper roll makes for a hilarious elfy scenario.

12. Candy Overload!

A small elf doll lies on a pile of assorted candies in a purple Quality Street tin. Surrounding the tin are various candy packages, including Smarties and Aero. Some pretzels are scattered around the scene.

Someone’s been sneaking treats! This fun setup shows your elf digging into the Christmas candy stash. The creator even made a fake candy-filled belly out of felt.

13. Toilet Paper Igloo

A festive scene featuring a toy elf sitting inside a pyramid made of toilet paper rolls. The rolls are topped with cotton balls. A decorated Christmas tree and snowman figurines are in the background.

Your elf has gone full-on North Pole mode with this toilet roll igloo! A few cotton balls and some TP make this another great idea.

14. The Giving Elf

A Christmas tree with red and silver ornaments. An elf toy is perched on a branch above a white sign that reads, "You got to give to get! Please fill up the basket with toys you no longer play with..." A white basket is placed below.

Your elf reminds everyone of the joy of giving. With a toy basket for donations, it’s the perfect way to instill a little generosity during the holiday season.

A collage of mischievous elf dolls in various humorous scenarios: wrapped in a marker, grating a potato, climbing canned goods, and setting up pranks on a red-and-white themed toilet. Each scene captures the playful antics of the bad elf on the shelf during the holiday season.

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Bad Elf on the Shelf Ideas

15. Toasty Elves

Two elf dolls in red outfits sit on a countertop holding plush toast slices. Behind them is a board with the message "Baby it's cold outside...but we're toasty!" A toaster is visible in the foreground.

“Baby, it’s cold outside… but we’re toasty!” These elves are turning up the heat with their toast costumes. This funny setup is perfect for warming up your holiday spirit.

16. Elf Hopscotch

A hopscotch pattern made of white tape is laid out on a wooden floor. A small doll and an elf figure stand at the start. A Christmas tree with white tree skirt is visible on the right.

A quick hopscotch setup with tape is a great way to keep your elf and your kids active! This easy elf idea requires just a little prep work.

17. Bat-Elf on the Shelf

A small elf doll dressed as a bat hangs upside down from a curtain rod. A striped curtain is partially visible beside it.

This shelf scout elf is hanging around as a bat! A simple costume made with a cut piece of black felt turns your elf into a cute bat.

18. Gift-Wrapped Elves

A festive scene with a green character in a Santa outfit sitting on a chair, surrounded by Christmas decorations and gifts. Two dolls dressed as elves are wrapped in colorful gift paper, standing near a small table with more decorations.

The Grinch strikes again! These elves are all tied up in wrapping paper and bows, ready to be returned back to the North Pole.

19. Magic Box Escape

A mischievous elf figurine dressed in red sits on a windowsill holding a small paper knife, surrounded by two red gift boxes. The boxes have elf heads popping out, creating a playful and whimsical scene.

This magician elf has mastered the art of escape! With some gift boxes and a magic wand, this elf setup is full of surprises and big laughs for you little kids .

20. Popcorn Party in the Microwave

Three toy elves sit inside a microwave filled with popcorn, with some popcorn spilling onto the stove below. The elves are wearing festive hats and appear to be in a playful scene.

These elves are having a popcorn party! 3 minutes in the microwave and done.

21. Jingles the Rockin’ Elf

An elf doll is sitting on a makeshift drum set made of colorful cans and pencils. The drum set has a sign saying "Jingles the Rockin' Elf!" with musical notes and a Christmas tree drawn on it.

Your elf is a drum prodigy! With some tin cans, colored papers, pencils, and a little creativity, this elf setup will rock your kiddos’ world.

22. Elf Breakfast Portrait

A festive bowl of oatmeal with a face design made from fruit. Strawberry and apple slices form the hat and face, blueberries as eyes, and yogurt for the smile. An elf doll sits nearby on a windowsill.

Your elf has never looked tastier! This creative idea turns breakfast into a masterpiece. The face is an apple slice, the eyes are blueberries, the hat and body are strawberries and the white is coconut shavings. Sure makse for a fun morning surprise.

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Elf on the Shelf Printables

23. Pringle Bells, Pringle Bells

Two festive Pringles cans, one with Santa and another as an elf, are on a counter with several chips. A letter board reads, "Pringle Bells Pringle Bells Pringle all the way!" A cookie jar is nearby against a tiled backsplash.

If your store has these holiday themed pringle cans, you can cut out the face of the elf and insert your own. You have to be ok with your kids munching on Pringles in the morning though.

24. Harry Potter Elf

A toy elf wearing a red suit and hat is holding a wand and sitting on a broomstick above an aquarium. Nearby, a golden object is suspended from the ceiling. The kitchen area is visible in the background.

Your elf has joined the Quidditch team! Dressed as the famous wizard, this little elf is soaring on a broomstick and chasing a golden snitch made from a Ferrero Rocher.

25. Tree-Topper Angel

A festive elf doll wearing a Santa hat and angel wings is perched on a Christmas tree. It is dressed in a red and gold outfit with a white skirt, and is surrounded by sparkling lights and ornaments, including a shiny silver bauble.

Move over, star! This little elf is taking center stage as the angel on the Christmas tree. Add wings and a bit of sparkle for a truly magical moment in your Christmas tradition. Not a bad way to end your Elf on the Shelf season.

More Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Looking for even more inspiration to keep the magic going? From creative setups to hilarious pranks, I’ve got you covered with plenty of ideas to make your elf the star of the holiday season.

Check out the posts below for all the fun!

There you have it—25 days of Elf on the Shelf shenanigans to bring joy, laughter, and a little mischief to your holiday season.

Whether your elf is playing games, spreading holiday cheer, or flying through the air, these ideas are sure to keep your family smiling all season long.

Happy Elfing!

Don’t forget to pin these 25 days of Elf on the shelf ideas.