Quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas perfect for the last minute. Check out our easy elf ideas to do with your Elf on the Shelf! Thank you in advance for shopping through any of the affiliate links below.

Once upon a time when my family started inviting the elf on the shelf to our home every Christmas season, he didn’t really have to do very much. He just sat there on a shelf, changing locations every now and then when the kids were asleep.

As the kids grew up and started talking to their friends about what other Elves were doing…OUR elf started to seem pretty boring. My children began wanting our elf to play tricks and do silly things.

I needed quick Elf on the Shelf Ideas to save Christmas!

There are Elf on the Shelf activity kits that you can buy. However, there are tons of FREE elf on the shelf activity ideas. So let’s talk about those here.

There are endless easy elf on the shelf ideas that don’t need anything “extra” like props at all. If the idea does require some sort of props, I use random items we have on hand at home and holiday candy that I was going to be buying for my kids anyway.

So. Let’s recap our easy Elf on the Shelf ideas. This is for all the parents out there who, like me, want the quickest, easiest last minute ideas for our Elf to do.

Be sure to check out the supplies needed for these easy Elf ideas. It’s at the end of the post.

Day 1: Elf appears with Advent Calendar For Kids

Day one is December 1, so the elf shows up sitting with the candy advent calendars my kids receive every year. This is a fun Elf on the Shelf arrival idea.

This is one of the few times I have to buy the “extra” stuff for the Elf. If you have a reusable advent calendar (like this matchbox advent calendar craft) or even a printable advent calendar, you can have the Elf appear with it.

Day 2: Elf Writes a Mini Marshmallow Message

Our Elf says “Hi” to my son with a message written in marshmallows

Day 3: Elf makes Fairy Bread

To make fairy bread: Spread a thin layer of butter on a slice of bread and top with sprinkles.

For some reason, my kids love to eat fairy bread, especially when the Elf makes it.

Day 4: Elf sits on the fireplace

Our elf has the best view from the mantle in the living room. He is watching out for good behavior to tell Santa who is naughty or nice.

If you don’t have a fireplace, have the Elf sit on a good vantage point in your home where he can see what’s going on.

Day 5: Elf makes a Snow Angel in Sprinkles

Be sure to do this on a baking sheet or parchment paper to cut down on clean up time. Simply pour out a lot of sprinkles and then use the elf to create a snow angel shape.

Day 6: Elf gets covered in Christmas Stickers!

Cover the elf in Christmas stickers. If you don’t have Christmas stickers, any stickers or even Band-aids work great.

Day 7: Elf is tangled up in Christmas lights!

Day 8: The Elf on the Shelf pops out of the cereal box!
This elf idea works great for school mornings when my kids wake up to a quick cereal breakfast. In addition to the cereal, this helpful elf has already gotten out the cereal bowls and spoons.

Use scissors to cut a hole in the box big enough for the Elf to poke his upper body out.

Day 9: The elf is trapped inside a snow globe!

Make a quick and easy mason jar snow globe big enough to fit the Elf inside. You’ll need a mason jar or any clear jar big enough to put the elf inside.

Next, add some fake snow or glitter for an instant diy snow globe. Cotton balls can sub for fake snow.

Day 10: The elf is hanging out in the refrigerator (or freezer!)

Wrap the elf in a washcloth “blanket” and put the elf in the refrigerator or freezer. Ours went to the refrigerator because my kids open the refrigerator more often than the freezer. It took them awhile to find the elf. They were getting worried.

As you can see, each of these easy Elf on the Shelf ideas can be done quickly. And they can be done with basic items you probably already have at home.

Here’s the printable list of what you’ll need for each day’s activity.

QUICK ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS – SUPPLIES NEEDED

Let me know your favorite Quick Elf on the Shelf ideas! What is your Elf is up to this holiday season?