42 Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Parents
Parents, it's time to show off your best funny Elf on the Shelf ideas!
Whether Elf on the Shelf is one of your favorite Christmas traditions or it fills you with dread, you'll still need a new idea every day! Luckily, we've created a space for parents to share easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, so you don't have to come up with them all by yourself. Elves can be mischievous, silly, outrageous or nice. You decide!
If you've come up with any easy, creative or funny Elf on the Shelf ideas over the years, show them off by adding a recommendation to our crowdsourced list! Be sure to share a photo as well!
Bonus!! If you add a new review or recommendation between 12/5/24 and 12/20/24, you'll automatically be entered in our Parent Reviews Sweepstakes (December 2024) for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Amazon or Target! See official rules for details.
Chewing Gum Elves
Emy Vega: Chewing gum can be scary but fun at the same time , did you know that Gum is for chewing and not eating? Because we didn’t.
Elf In The Freezer
Shila: The elf usually sticks around the entire month of December. If you suspect he's becoming a little homesick, be sure to check the freezer because he's likely to build a bedroom in there for one of his funny Elf on the Shelf ideas! In my freezer, he staked his claim with Twizzler candy for the North pole signage, and it stands next to an ice pack, a small Christmas wreath, and additional Arctic garnishments.
Sick Elf in Bed
Bianca Chua: This morning ✨Sparkles the elf was hospitalized. Her brother Hulkbuster was at the bedside with a puke bucket on hand ready to help anyway he can. The kids said the lesson here is to wash your hands before you eat otherwise you will be in for a not so nice treat. The kids assured her she will be OK with lots of TLC throughout the day ❤️.
Elf Goes Rock Climbing
Katie G.: Grab some holiday bows, stick them on a wall and let that little elf go. Beware you may need to add some double stick tape to the elf to help him "stick".
Elf Brings A Snowman
Kelly R: Elf can bring a "snowman," which in the morning when the kids wake up is a puddle of water in a dish with carrot, sticks, and other snowman accessories in it! This was one of my kids' favorite funny Elf on the Shelf ideas last year!
Elf Christmas Tree Makeover
Kassaundra Stivanson: Our elves redecorated the tree in 2020 theme!
Elves + Spiderman = Christmas Spirit
Emy Vega: Our elves Elvis, Connor and Chef, felt that the house needed more Christmas Spirit so they teamed up with Spider Man to make it happen.
Elf and Friends Making S’mores
Tiffany Fox: Making S’mores
Elf in a Bottle
Michelle Popp Dellascio: Putting an elf in a carry container to allow a child to do activities for one whole day together. My daughter took her elf sledding and went in search of Christmas lights. They ate dinner together and played games.
Gift Wrapping Elf
Nina Brown: Wrapped the countertop, their bar stools, napkin holder, their favorite snacks, TV and Roku remotes... with a note reading "Santa said I have to practice wrapping presents if he's going to let me back at the North Pole."
Elf Goes on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Emy Vega: Hot air balloon ride anyone? Who doesn’t enjoy a view from up high, only this time it didn’t go as planned, as one of the elves ended up trapped.
Materials: Several balloons, 4 large reusable plastic straws, tape, small box, wrapping paper, confettiElf on the Potty
Shila: Funny Elf on the Shelf ideas can include a little potty humor now and then, right? If you really want to shock the crowd, kick it up a notch and include a candy bar (I used a Twix bar) or a Hershey's Kiss as a "poop." Who knows, maybe this could help inspire toddlers to potty train if they see Elf can do it too?
I was very careful not to let my elf or the candy fall in the toilet. Make sure you line the seat with cellophane or any clear plastic wrap.
Elf Hair Studio
Michelle Kopchu: Barbie got a Christmas mullet, lol.
Selfie Elf (Elfies)
Shila: Does your son or daughter have their own phone? Have the elf take a bunch of selfies overnight - or "elfies!" They'll be surprised the next morning to see how the mischievous elf hacked their phones and bombed their camera roll.
Elf Making Fireplace S'Mores
Shila: Sit your elf alongside the fireplace roasting marshmallows on a stick! I didn't have any marshmallows at home, so I folded a wad of paper towel and added a few dots of orange and brown marker to complete the "toasty" look.
Primary photo: Upparent
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
