Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers

12/25/2022

This year we decided to try to do Elf on the Shelf. We found the book at a charity shop and got a generic plush elf to start with, as we did not know how our two-year-old would react to the elf. On November 30th, Emmett and I read Elf on the Shelf together, and although the book focuses on encouraging the child to act right during the month of December in order for the elf to make a good nightly report to Santa, I knew that a.) my toddler was probably not going to understand that concept, b.) I wanted this to just be fun, and c.) I don't want to coerce my child into being good just so that he'll get presents from Santa. I named our elf Elliott in order to stick with the "E" names (Emmett our son and Einstein our dog).

Read on to see my fun, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers.

First, a quick disclaimer. You will find nothing in here that requires a child to read a sign, as my two-year-old does not yet read. You will also find nothing in here that requires the elf to make a huge mess, because this mama wants a well-behaved elf that she does not have to clean up after.

Elf on the Shelf moonlights as a Photographer

Time for a group photo! Gather up your kid's stuffies and have your elf take a photo of them.

Elf on the Shelf plays card games

Grab a card game and have your elf play with any other stuffed character(s) you want.

(My sweet friend gifted Emmett a personalized elf for his first Christmas, so you'll see Elliott the Elf playing with Emmett the Elf in a few of the photos here.)

If Elf on the Shelf fits, he sits

...and he decorates. Grab an empty cardboard box and have your elf draw pictures and then stay seated in the box.

Elf on the Shelf builds a fort

Grab the blocks and start building! Elliott made himself a snug little fort to hang out in.

Elf on the Shelf does puzzles

Elliott the Elf loves the letter "E"!

(This Disney puzzle by Melissa and Doug is too cute.)

Elf on the Shelf loves syrup

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups - candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup." - Buddy the Elf

Elliott the Elf agrees. Syrup is delicious!

Elf on the Shelf makes a Cheerios necklace

The elf got into the Cheerios and made himself a necklace. Edible jewelry? Yum!

Elf on the Shelf has fun with stickers

Inside Amazon's holiday gift magazine they always include some holiday-themed stickers. Elliott the Elf found those stickers and jazzed himself up! But don't worry. He left some stickers for Emmett to play with.

(Although I have been trying to stress the importance of not touching the elf, Emmett insisted on taking all of Elliott's stickers...)

Elf on the Shelf loves doggies

Elliott the Elf loves petting all the good doggos and puppers.

Elf on the Shelf is very hungry

Elliott the Elf was so hungry he dove head first right into the box of Cheerios! Silly elf...

Elf on the Shelf loves to color

Print out a holiday-themed coloring page or grab a coloring book. Color part of it, leave crayons near the elf, and let your toddler finish coloring the page in the morning.

Elf on the Shelf goes for a drive

"Get in, man! We're going for a ride!" It may not be Santa's sleigh, but Elliott the Elf enjoyed taking his friend for a ride in Emmett's Little Tikes car.

Elf on the Shelf fell asleep in a slipper

I have these cute Christmas slippers that were perfect, but any slippers (or any shoe, really) would work for this. I rolled up a pair of Christmas socks for his pillow.

(These ones would be super cute!)

Elf on the Shelf hides in plain sight

It took Emmett quite some time to find Elliott in the morning, but he giggled when he saw Elliott hanging out in his stocking.

Elf on the Shelf visits the Zoo

Using Emmett's Mega Bloks and his Little People zoo animals, I built a zoo with enclosures for a lion, 2 giraffes, a seal and walrus, and a koala. Then Elliott rode in Emmett's Fisher-Price Zoo Train for his tour of the zoo.

This was definitely one of the more elaborate ones and took longer to do than some of the others, but it was worth it to see Emmett's face when he saw "the zoo."

Elf on the Shelf tries one of the dog's treats

I mean, it's mostly just peanut butter and oatmeal, but still, Elliott, stay out of Einstein's treats!

Elf on the Shelf just needs his coffee

And honestly, same, dude. Same.

This could also be done with hot chocolate.

Elf on the Shelf has an indoor "campout" with Friends

This was another one that took a little more time, but it's easily one of my favorites. Grab some of your toddler's favorite stuffies, Barbies, and/or action figures and let them have a sleepover in the family room. Use holiday socks for "sleeping bags" and "pillows." It was also one of Emmett's favorites, since he got to play in his little tent that day.

Elf on the Shelf builds a snowman

"Do you want to build a snowman?" (You know you sang it.) Yes, yes of course Elliott wants to build a snowman, especially when the snowman is made of marshmallows and love.

Elf on the Shelf is dashing through the snow

...in a one-horse open sleigh.

Elf on the Shelf reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

It seemed appropriate that on his last night with us, Elliott read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, but really any Christmas book will do.

We also did 25 Days of Christmas books and had Elliott the Elf give Emmett his new book each evening.

Did these ideas help you? I'll be looking for new ideas for next year, so share your best (easy) Elf on the Shelf ideas!