Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas (Quick & Easy Under 5 Minutes) (2024)

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas you can pull together in less than 5 minutes. Easy and funny Elf Ideas your kids will love and talk about to their friends. Be sure to have your Elf on the shelfhandy when December 1st rolls around!

And don’t forget to snag your Kid’s 99-Page Holiday Activity Kit, complete with Elf on the Shelf Notes & Letter Boards, Letter to Santa, Activity Sheets, Countdown to Christmas, Christmas Scavenger Hunts & I Spy Games, and much more!

35 Super Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas To Use This Holiday Season That’ll Have Everyone Rolling Laughing

Yes, it’s that time of year ago – Elf on the Shelf time of year! Not only do I have two Elf on the Shelf dolls (we lost one and then he miraculously reappeared after I purchased a second one), I also need double the ideas this year.

With two Elf on the Shelf dolls and kids who have proven they remember EXACTLY what each Elf did last year, I had to come up with a list of not only funny ideas for the elf, but super easy ideas I can pull together in five minutes or less on nights I jump out of bed having forgotten once again to move both Elves.

I know some have a love/hate relationship with the Elf on the Shelf. We however, don’t tell our kids the Elf is “watching them” or “reporting to Santa.” Our duo of Elf on the Shelf is are purely for fun and seeing the childlike wonder and happiness on their faces every morning they come downstairs.

Here are plenty of Funny &Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas to delight your kids.

Check Out All of Our No-Junk Gift Guides:

• Ultimate Guide: 200+ Practical Non Toy Gifts for Kids That Aren’t Junk
• Best Board Games for Kids and Families to Play Together
• Best Gifts for Kids Who Love Arts and Crafts
• 40+ Unique Stocking Stuffers for Baby – Toddler (Ages 0 – 3)
• Non-Toy Gifts for Giving Children Experiences Not Things
• Gifts for Kids to Receive in the Mail All Year Round

And Holiday Resources…

• 30 Easy Elf Ideas: Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Busy Parents
• Elf on the Shelf Printable “I Caught You Being Good” Notecards

35 Hilarious & Super Simple Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Elf toilet papered the tree! Yikes, but super simple and guaranteed you have the supplies for this one.
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

The Holiday Season not shaping up how you’d like when it comes to your children’s behavior? It might be time for Elf to go on strike!
(Source: Indulgy)

Whip up a batch of Elf-sized mini pancakes for a memorable morning!
(Source: Home Stories A to Z)

If you have some extra wrapping paper around, and a spare bathroom, this would make everyone in the house wake up with a smile on their face!
(Source: Nifty Thrifty Blogspot)

How in the world did your Elf manage to get himself stuck in a water bottle?
(Source: A Thrifty Mom)

Build snowflakes with q-tips!
(Source:Frugal Coupon Living)

Need Outfits & Accessories for your Elf on the Shelf? These are fun, creative and can work as the perfect Elf idea!

This free printable of Elf Twister will entertain the kids while theelf and other toys play!
(Source:Frugal Coupon Living)

Grab your kid’s doctor kit and send Elf to make a diagnosis.
(Source: PopSugar)

A little bedtime story for all your children’s best friends!
(Source: My Mommy Style)

Print this free coloring sheet and let your kids color in their elf, before sending it to him before they go to bed.
(Source: Living Locurto)

If you have kids, you likely have sheets of stickers in some drawer. Let your Elf on the Shelf do a little decorating in his free time!
(Source: Enza’s Bargains)

What’s easier than wrapping the Elf in a dishtowel and putting him/her in the fridge? Nothing!
(Source: New Mercies)

I put our Elves in stockings at least once a year and it never gets old!
(Source: Life with My Littles)

Jazz up your Elf hiding in the tree with a little extra camouflage.
(Source: Frugal Coupon Living)

Too much touching can make your Elf run out of magic – restore it’s magic powers with this fun trick.
(Source: Sweet C’s Designs)

If you have a printer copier, this is a fun way to shown how much mischief the Elf has been up to while your kids are sound asleep.
(Source: Its a Yummy Life)

Someone broke into the chocolate! Bad Elf!
(Source: Eclectically Vintage)

Elf has himself (or herself) in a bit of a roll.. down the stairs, that is.
(Source: A Thrifty Mom)

I love the idea of doing a scavenger hunt orchestrated by the Elf on the Shelf
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

Your Elf is caught red-handed taking from a piggy bank!
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

Making snowflakes might take you a minute or two, but this is a great Winter themed pose for your Elf.
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

Taken hostage by army men, can your kids help the Elf break free?
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

Powdered donuts are a yummy treat, but also a special delivery from the Elf on the Shelf.
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

At least they’re being helpful getting the dog food ready to go!

Elf leaves fun message for the kids! This is super easy and great fun for the kids to read the message in the morning.

Oh no, Elf got locked out!

Draw (using erasable markers) on Pictures – mustaches, funny faces and more!
(Source: Simple as that Blog)

Elf On the Shelf Makes North Pole Popcorn

Nothing to see here! Just an Elf taking a marshmallow bath and listening to music.
(Source: Artsy Fartsy Mama)

Elf is roasting marshmallows on a LED light – easy, right?
(Source: Frugal Coupon Living)

Caught red handed in a bag of M&Ms, Elf is so busted!
(Source: Rebecca Lundlin)

Switch out stockings for underwear!
(Source: She Knows)

Good Elf! She caught the Grinch and put him in time out.
(Source: The Sweatman Family)

Caught red handed in a bag of M&Ms, Elf is so busted!
(Source: Lisa Stout Photography)

Elf might need a couple days off since he’s caught a cold.
(Source: Pigskins and Pigtails)

More Elf on the Shelf Ideas:

• 30 Easy Elf Ideas: Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Busy Parents
• Elf on the Shelf Printable “I Caught You Being Good” Notecards

Be Sure to Also Check Out All of Our Gift Guides:

• Ultimate Guide: 200+ Practical Non Toy Gifts for Kids That Aren’t Junk
• Best Board Games for Kids and Families to Play Together
• Best Gifts for Kids Who Love Arts and Crafts
• 40+ Unique Stocking Stuffers for Baby – Toddler (Ages 0 – 3)
• Non-Toy Gifts for Giving Children Experiences Not Things
• Gifts for Kids to Receive in the Mail All Year Round