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    Design Dazzle » Celebrations » best ideas

    Published: Nov 21, 2011 · Modified: Aug 14, 2020 by Toni Roberts · This post may contain affiliate links · 45 Comments

    100 Mischievous ELF Ideas

    100 Mischievous ELF Ideas. Not sure which one is our favorite. "Elfing" the car, elf spaghetti, the special way to arrive from the North Pole. So many awesome ideas! Design Dazzle #elfontheshelf #elfideas #elfmischief #christmaself
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    100 Mischievous ELF Ideas. Not sure which one is our favorite. "Elfing" the car, elf spaghetti, the special way to arrive from the North Pole. So many awesome ideas! Design Dazzle #elfontheshelf #elfideas #elfmischief #christmaself
    Kids young and old look forward to annual holiday visits from the special elves. This is a fun tradition to start at the holidays and helps the magic of Christmas come alive.
    This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you. For further information, please see our disclosure policy.

    You have probably heard of The Elf on the Shelf or other similar elves (elf magic).

    Place the elf around your home during the weeks before Christmas. Each night, the Elf will explore his environment and find something mischievous or fun to do. Usually when the kids  are sleeping the elf appears in a new place and the kids love trying to locate the new whereabouts each day.
    100 Mischievous ELF Ideas. Not sure which one is our favorite. "Elfing" the car, elf spaghetti, the special way to arrive from the North Pole. So many awesome ideas! Design Dazzle #elfontheshelf #elfideas #elfmischief #christmaself

    Magic elf pudding and free elf printable

    100 Mischievous ELF Ideas. Not sure which one is our favorite - "Elfing" the car, elf spaghetti, the special way to arrive from the North Pole. So many awesome ideas! Design Dazzle #elfontheshelf #elfideas #elfmischief #christmaselfVisit this elf post for FREE elf stationary.

    100 Mischievous ELF Ideas. Not sure which one is our favorite - "Elfing" the car, elf spaghetti, the special way to arrive from the North Pole. So many awesome ideas! Design Dazzle #elfontheshelf #elfideas #elfmischief #christmaself

    Add your own elf ideas to our elf link up party

     If I started this tradition with my kids, I would certainly let them know that the Elf only wakes up a few times a week, not every night. Having to come up with something every evening seems a little much to me – this would certainly be a fun tradition (just not nightly). The Elf on a Shelf comes with a book so there are certain “guidelines” that might need to be followed because of how the story “reads”. You can always get your own Christmas Magic Elf  and make your own rules. When the elves are up to some mischief make sure to leave the elf next to his actions.

     

    So very clever!! Dry erase marker will erase off of glass.

     

    Elves love green milk. Who knew?

    Elves love taking photos especially of kids : )  Elf on the Shelf ideas

     So adorable. Image from here.

     

    100 mischievous Elf antics…

    1. read a favorite book

    2. use masking tape to make a path or fun words

    3. play a favorite game

    4. play in the nativity set

    5. snowball fight with cotton balls

    6. play in a bowl of spaghetti (no sauce)  : )

    7. eat some Winter Oreo Cookies w/ Red Creme  and dip in milk

    8. bake a cake for Jesus birthday

    9. play checkers or chess

    10. spin the bottle with stuffed animals

    11. make a mess in the bathroom with the toothpaste

    12. get into the shaving cream

    13. hang from a balloon bouquet

    14. paint the kids noses with lipstick or sharpie (to match Rudolph)

    15 play the Wii or Nintendo

    16. hang on the Christmas tree

    17. Elf The Car or make the car a  Reindeer Vehicle

    18. play the piano or guitar- holiday song sheet music is perfect

    19. replace family photos with elf photo

    20. elf photo appears as the screensaver on the family computer

    21. write “ho ho ho” in toothpaste in the bathroom sink

    22. hack into email or Facebook  leave a fun little message

    23. use dry erase marker to write on glass covering a family picture

    24. play Elvis Presley Christmas music and have a concert

    25. take pictures of themselves (the elves) – find the digital camera full of elf pics

    26. find the car is parked crazy or  car speakers blaring Christmas music.

    27. put together a Christmas puzzle

    28. unroll toilet paper – TP the Christmas tree or kids room

    29. make snow angels in flour/sugar on the counter

    30. empty out a drawer

    31. use masking tape to tape something up

    32. do a crossword puzzle

    33. snack on candy – empty a candy bag

    34. Christmas music is on with the CD’s everywhere

    35. be a trapeze artist on a chandelier, kitchen rack, etc…

    36. try on all the coats in the closet – leave in a pile

    37. knit or crochet

    38. write on an Etch A Sketch

    39. use a dry erase marker to write some fun words on a mirror on window

    40. use sharpie and write on mom or dad (the forehead would get a good laugh)

    41. go fishing with goldfish crackers

    42. sit atop a chandelier (make sure there is no fire hazard)

    43. go sledding

    44. sit on top of folded laundry

    45. tea party with stuffed animals/barbies

    46. love to drive a Barbie sized car or jeep

    47. color in a coloring book

    48. bake some cookies and leave the mess for the kids to clean ; )

    49. hang multi-color mini lights in the kids room

    50. leave fast food wrappers (with leftovers) scattered around

    51. get out the hair dryer and hair bows

    52. hide in snow boots or coat pockets

    53. make a cup tower with cups

    54. display the kids underwear and socks all over the bedroom or family room

    55. play with play dough and cookie cutters

    56. make a mess with the cereal – spell out the kids names with cereal

    57. make Lego figurines or sculptures

    58. gets out the exercise equipment – headband around the elf’s head is a must

    59. marshmallow fight

    60. snowball fight with cotton balls

    61. turn milk green

    62. hide something special and hide with it

    63. paint on a piece of art paper a self-portrait

    64. grab the remote for some TV viewing

    65. hide in the freezer (they miss the north pole)

    66. popcorn fight

    67. play on the computer keyboard. elf the family (elfyourself.com)

    68. do interesting things with candy canes – hang everywhere

    69. wait at the bus stop for the kids to arrive

    70. leave an elf Elf on the Shelf Ornament on the tree

    71. play with blocks

    72. get into stickers (round colored labels) and leave a mess

    73. make paper snowflakes and hang around

    74. bake some Christmas cookies

    75. check out the fish bowl

    76. ride a skateboard

    77. ride a bike

    78. hide in the mittens and place in an unusual spot

    79. playground planking

    80. hang from the rearview mirror in the car

    81. graffiti with spray snow

    82. leave a gingerbread house kit to decorate

    83. bring new socks or mittens to the kids

    84. perch atop a headboard or picture frame

    85. write out the dinner menu using wacky north pole terms for dinner

    86. leave notes about doing well in school

    87. make a mess with diapers and diaper wipes

    88. green pee in the toilet

    89. play with toys

    90. play in bath bubbles

    91. make an igloo with Sugar Cubes

    92. hang out of the Christmas stocking

    93. read the polar express book with lots of Jingle Bells scattered around

    94. make a mess with Christmas lights

    95. use scrabble tiles to leave a Christmas message

    96. paint everyones toes red

    97. sweep the kitchen

    98. pile all the couch pillows into a pile

    99. play tic-tac-toe on the bathroom mirror with lipstick or spray snow

    100. write a letter to the kids using the world’s smallest letter kit

    Want to serve up some Elf Spaghetti…

    Elf spaghetti! Enjoy a fun dinner with the family with green noodles and marinara sauce. Don't forget the Mozzarella snowballs! Design Dazzle

    If you need a clever way for your elf to arrive to your home, here is a fun idea…

     

    fun-way-to-arrive-from-NP
    Click here for more details on the elf arrival from the North Pole idea

    I love all of these 100 Mischievous ELF Ideas

     

    The World’s Smallest Post Service

     

    Happy Elfing!!!
    Image from here.
     
    Lots of ideas for Elf on the Shelf found here. Image from Rae of Light Photography

     

    Image from here. Image by Chubby Cheek Photography
     Elf on the Shelf ideas. Image by Chubby Cheek Photography
     Image from here.

    Image from here.

    How about capturing a photo of Santa in YOUR very own home with your elf? Your elf could be sitting on Santa’s shoulder or sitting next to a plate of cookies in YOUR home! Wouldn’t this be proof that Santa exists? Your family would LOVE this.
    Catch Santa in your house

     Elves going sledding
    how to make bow and arrow

    Wouldn’t this be cute in the hands of an elf. Just in case you’re wondering…the bow and “arrow” helps shoot strings of christmas lights up on the roof top

    elf on the shelf
    18-Inch Stuffed Sitting Elf Ornament, Set of 2

     

    Santas Secret Elf Boy and Girl Set 11″


    Elf on the Shelf 4-Inch Hanging Ornament

    elf on the shelf
    An Elf’s Story DVD with Elf on the Shelf Gift Set

    The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition with Blue Eyed North Pole Pixie-Elf

    Does your family have a special elf that loves to play antics? Leave a comment and share your ideas!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hillcrest Acres says

      November 21, 2011 at 6:06 am

      Oh, how funny. Thanks for the Elf ideas. The dry erase marker on a family photo is on the top of the to do list!!!

      Reply
    2. Science Worksheets says

      November 21, 2011 at 6:47 am

      Wow, Excellent post!!!Lovely pictures and awesome photography.

      Reply
    3. Kelly says

      November 21, 2011 at 11:46 am

      Oh, it wears me out just thinking of planning all that. We just move ours every night and the rule is they are not allowed to touch him or he goes back to Santa's. Here's a story about our Elfie: https://laterbetty.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-magic-of-elfie.html

      Reply
    4. A To Zebra Celebrations says

      November 21, 2011 at 5:59 pm

      wow!! these are hilarious!! love it!

      Reply
    5. LDH says

      November 22, 2011 at 3:49 am

      Fun post! It reminds me of a tradition in our family and now played along in our kids' families. I posted about it here: https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com/2009/11/hes-back.html

      Reply
    6. DesignDazzle.blogspot.com says

      November 22, 2011 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks for the kind comments! I love how creative everyone gets when it comes to helping the elves create some mischief : )
      Toni

      Reply
    7. Kristine says

      November 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm

      I'm doing this for the first time this year and I'm so excited. I decided to combine the Elf's antics with the activities I'm putting in the Advent Calendar (so yes I'm doing it every day – I even made a calendar and all planned it out in advance *nerd* :D)
      I wrote a post about it here: https://pixiephotography.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/a-christmas-elf-is-coming-to-visit/

      Reply
    8. DesignDazzle.blogspot.com says

      November 27, 2011 at 10:05 am

      Kristine – good idea to do your own elf story. I feel the same way. I like that you are combining ELF with the Advent calendar. Check out our 100 ideas for Advent calendar activities(free printables) https://designdazzle.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-countdown-calendar-including-100.html

      Reply
    9. freescia says

      February 24, 2012 at 6:29 am

      I'm bursting in tears laughing. It's February and I'm thinking back to our elf this past Christmas. Here's our story about "goldibop": https://momandbabymags.blogspot.com/search/label/Holiday

      Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      July 19, 2012 at 8:29 pm

      Such great ideas! We enjoyed our elf on the shelf but seemed to run out of ideas fast! This gives me alot of new ideas to make our elf more fun! This is probably my best pinterest post ever! I could not wait for my kids to wake up to see what Trix had done that night! Cant wait to see their faces this year! Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Anonymous says

      July 22, 2012 at 5:25 pm

      we started this tradition last year and my daughter loved it. We did do a lot of these ideas but definatly in need for more this year. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    12. Anonymous says

      August 31, 2012 at 9:51 am

      We do this with our kids but they have to trap the elf. The best way to catch an elf is with chocolate chip cookies and a pillow case. In our house, the elves (the one they caught last year and the 2 they will trap this year) will leave on the 24th to go and help Santa. Each elf comes with his or her own story, what they do for Santa and also what they do for fun. Last year, we woke up to all our daughters Barbies naked on the Christmas tree and the Christmas tree moved. It was priceless! We also let our daughters fall asleep with the elves and in the morning they would have to find them because they would slip away during the night. This year, I decided that I was going to make my own elves and they turned out great. Have fun with the ideas and thanks again for some new Ideas.

      Reply
    13. Anonymous says

      August 31, 2012 at 9:53 am

      They would sometimes find them in the morning but if they didn't, they would set up a trap and catch them.

      Reply
    14. ~Beth D. says

      September 17, 2012 at 2:16 am

      I also made my own elf doll. A lot bigger than the store bought one, so limited to what he can do. But our elf made treats for my sons class. Cut little flat mice out of felt and used a candy cane for the tail. very cute! My son was so excited to share with his class because they had one in class as well!

      Here is is arrival to our house: https://bethstherapy.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf.html

      And then some of his adventures: https://bethstherapy.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-adventures.html

      Love this list! Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
    15. Denise F. says

      October 14, 2012 at 5:30 am

      I am trying to plan an ELF Christmas party for my 6 grandchildren, ages 7 to 16. A challenge every year to enclude interesting things for all to do at the same time. We plan to "Ask for help with a mischivous elf terrorizing Grandma and Grandpa's house!!" He will have left all the messes all over the house when the kids arrive. We will take pictures of the elf doing his damage and then play the pictures the next day for moms and dads along with the videos of the kids playing Minute To Win It games. Should be a good time. Thanks for so many wonderful ideas. And, congratulations to all you wonderful parents that care about taking the time and effort to make wonderful Christmas seasons for you children.

      Reply
    16. Marlo RepurposeMyLife says

      October 29, 2012 at 6:31 pm

      Hysterical! I will have to get more creative. Maybe I will enjoy it more

      Reply
    17. Anonymous says

      October 30, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Oh My! This is a great idea! I'm laughing out loud at the idea and I'm alone at home. My Dad used to hide a little cork guy he made named CORKIE when he came over to visit. When I found him, then I had the pleasure of hiding Corkie at his house. My Dad passed away years ago and this is one of my best memories of him. Now I will start this tradition with my family. Thank you.

      Reply
    18. Karen says

      November 09, 2012 at 6:20 am

      Love all of the ideas but please don't use a sharpie to write on people. Sharpies are permanent markers. Use a washable marker instead-all of the fun with none of the embarassement later in the day. :0) Can't wait to use some of these fun ideas!

      Reply
    19. Amber Thompson says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:19 am

      Hey there! Thank you so much for this! I added a link to your page on mine for an Elf on the Shelf idea compilation that I made. Here is the link: https://kindacrunchymamalife.blogspot.com/2012/11/elf-on-shelf.html I hope that's ok?! Thanks again so much!

      Reply
    20. Amy Lanhardt says

      November 20, 2012 at 8:40 am

      Wow! So many ideas! Fantastic!
      We'd love it if you would come take a peek at our blog! More elf ideas and a free printable!

      https://makinglifewhimsical.blogspot.com/2012/11/we-believe-in-christmas-magic.html

      Have a whimsical day!

      Reply
    21. LloydSPCA says

      November 21, 2012 at 9:50 am

      Great ideas, thanks so much! This will be our first year with the elf, and our daughter is almost 6. I have a question for everyone who has been "elfing" for a while. What do you do with the elf during the day? Does he stay in that same spot, with all his mischief? Or do you clean it up and put him somewhere until you move him that night?

      Reply
      • veronica says

        December 08, 2014 at 10:34 am

        They stay put all day because they only come to life at night. The children are not allowed to touch them because they lose their elf majic.

        Reply
    22. nurse nikk says

      November 23, 2012 at 10:24 am

      Great new ideas! Our elf, Bernard, has done a lot of these. He has also dressed in cowboy clothes, boots & hat & rode Barbie's horse, brought coal (candy coal) if our son got into trouble at home or school, he caught a cold so we dressed him in hospital scrubs, had old medicine bottles w peppermint, chocolate, & marshmallows that cured him right up. He brought my son a cake & special present on his bday, Dec 21st, wrote out Happy Birthday in sprinkles. We are from the south & are a hunting family so this year he made his debut with his very own toy 8pt Buck deer, he had on his orange vest & hat but left a note to assure us it wasn't one of Santa's reindeer. My mind overflows w ideas lol.

      Reply
    23. nurse nikk says

      November 23, 2012 at 10:27 am

      We leave him in the same spot all day, kids aren't allowed to touch him or he'll lose his "magic". So if u have really little ones put him out of reach.

      Reply
    24. kellyscrafttreasures says

      November 24, 2012 at 9:48 am

      We do the same.. My kids are 3 and 7 so usually, he's somewhere they can't get to him.. This does give me some ideas of what to do for him this year 🙂

      Reply
    25. Anonymous says

      November 25, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      My friend has a boy and a girl elf and the elves are getting married at her house this yr. Can't wait to see her pics!

      Reply
    26. Anonymous says

      November 25, 2012 at 6:07 pm

      Our elf was caught in my son's toy boat fishing in the goldfish bowl. He used a fishing pole that consisted of a candy cane, strip of ribbon, & a partially opened paper clip. He also spray painted my son's hair and his stuffed dog while they were sleeping. My husband & I had a ton of fun with Sneaky Elf!

      Reply
    27. Anonymous says

      November 27, 2012 at 9:39 am

      ok when you do ideas such as make snow angels in flour/sugar on the counter do you leave the elf in that postion all day because you are not allowed to touch the elf. First time doing elf on the shelf. Thanks!

      Reply
    28. Anonymous says

      November 27, 2012 at 3:52 pm

      Our first night with "jingle" he climbed the Christmas tree! Trying to think of what to do with him tonight!

      Reply
    29. Anonymous says

      November 27, 2012 at 7:31 pm

      Our Elf has his own community Facebook where we all share pics & ideas! My girls wait anxiously for "Freslin" to arrive every year, and they talk to him on his FB page when they're missing him during the year 🙂

      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elf-On-A-Shelf-Friends/260738140640891

      Reply
    30. Stephani W says

      November 28, 2012 at 5:57 pm

      Love it! I'm always looking for more ideas, so thanks!! (I don't like to duplicate). For the other idea seekers, here's a photo collage of what we did last year (I'll add one for this year after Christmas). My boys were only 18mo, 2, and 4 last year, so we had to do a lot of "up high" stuff. https://mycdoisoutofcontrol.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-adventures-2011.html

      Reply
    31. Mimi Becky says

      November 28, 2012 at 7:58 pm

      When our elf, "Chip", makes a mess, we move the elf to the side because when the kids touch him, it takes away some of his magic. We have the kids clean up the mess. This way, THEY are taking care of him. We love our elf. Tonight, he might tape crepe paper across Chloe's doorway.

      Reply
    32. Megan says

      November 30, 2012 at 2:23 pm

      Oh Goodness! Our elves are so naughty!! We have 3 as we have 3 kids. Plus it's easier to make up scenes with more than one! Our elves arrive on 1Dec. At night, the kids put them to bed in their own special box. (a box like you'd wrap a shirt in). They leave them water (3 shotglasses) and crackers. (The dog loves that part) During the night the elves have duct taped the youngest to the wall, decorated ornaments (and the kids can make their own also), written on the bathroom mirror, undecorated the tree, decorated the tree with the kids underwear, taken down all the pictures on the walls, locked one in the bathroom cabinet, hid in cereal boxes, sat in a bowl of ice cubes in the freezer, set-up scenes with the kids' other stuffed animals (ski jump, spa time, making a mess with shaving cream on the kitchen table…) decorated a small tree for the hallway, bought small gifts for kids, made a fort with all out canned goods, Food colored the dog and cat…

      Reply
    33. Kathy Gurley says

      December 07, 2012 at 8:29 am

      How cute are these!

      Reply
    34. Rene* says

      December 08, 2012 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you! Just got our Elf today!

      Reply
    35. Kay says

      December 17, 2012 at 12:21 pm

      I love the ideas! Can’t wait to print the Elf Stationery for my daughter’s elf, Chuckie. He’s a bit mischievous around our house, but she’ll enjoy his new hiding spots!

      Reply
    36. Amy Bateman says

      December 19, 2012 at 10:37 am

      What a great round-up of ideas! We have three elves that visit our family (I post some of their antics on my blog). Sometimes they’re well-behaved, but a lot of the time they really get into mischief. It has been fun to see some of the ideas my husband or oldest daughters come up with for elf adventures.

      Reply
    37. Linda says

      December 20, 2012 at 1:34 pm

      We bought 3 canisters of white play-dough. Our elf will make an elf-sized snowman on the kitchen counter tonight!

      Reply
    38. Jaci says

      December 01, 2017 at 12:08 am

      Such a fun list of ideas!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        December 13, 2017 at 4:20 pm

        It was fun to gather all these elf ideas. I just imagine lots of happy and thrilled kids

        Reply
    39. Crystal Lopez says

      October 14, 2019 at 6:31 pm

      I am totally doing the toothpaste idea this year. My kids will love that!! Adding it to my list now!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        December 27, 2019 at 5:22 pm

        awesome! so many fun ideas!

        Reply

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