20 Fun And Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas and Printables

Santa and his elves are definitely a staple decor during the Christmas holidays. And if you want to spice up your Christmas tradition, then why not put an elf on the shelf! Santa Claus’s best friend, the elf on the shelf, usually sits on your bookshelf, looking charming.

What is the Typical Arrival and Departure Schedule for Elf on the Shelf? Generally, it is suggested that your Scout elf makes its appearance sometime between November 24th (around Thanksgiving) and December 1st. This period is often referred to as Scout Elf Return Week. It marks the time when Santa’s elves depart from the North Pole to settle into homes where they will stay for the duration of the Christmas season, concluding their visit on Christmas Eve (December 24th).

Don’t worry if you don’t have an elf on the shelf ready with you because I have here 21 fun and free elf on the shelf printables that you can make yourself and your kids will love!

21. New Elf on the Shelf Christmas Tree Sale Idea 2024!

New Elf on the Shelf idea for Christmas 2024: Don’t fret if you haven’t managed to pick up your Christmas tree yet – your Elf is here to save the day! Setting this up was a blast. We used a box of Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes, arranging them to mimic a Christmas tree display. Plus, you can access a Free Printable Christmas Tree sign from the link below.

The children absolutely loved this new Elf on the Shelf idea, and they were even more delighted when they got to eat the ‘trees’ later on.

In any case, this has quickly become one of their most cherished and effortless Elf on the Shelf activities to date, which makes me really happy. It’s always great when the simple ideas turn out to be a big hit!

20. Elf on the Shelf Makes Bagel Breakfast

Would you be interested in a delightful Elf would welcome breakfast?

This tradition has been a part of our family since 2011, and each year, my kids eagerly anticipate the start of these enjoyable antics. This particular idea is definitely a winner!

19. Elf on the Shelf Goes to Candy Cane Jail

Are you pondering your Elf’s next move tonight? Personally, I’ve got a handful of imaginative ideas left before I need to seek inspiration from bloggers and Pinterest for more Elf on the Shelf adventures. Our elves make their appearance on Thanksgiving night, so they’re with us a bit longer than usual. We have two of them, and they stick together. In retrospect, perhaps having them separate might have been a good idea, but it’s a bit late for that now. However, it’s all about the joy and fun, right? This particular printable was created following a request from Jody’s son, Lucas, who expressed a wish for an elf jail. Well, Lucas, your wish is granted! Here’s a Candy Cane Jail Elf on the Shelf printable just for you, young friend!

18. Elf Kissing Booth Printable

This delightful Printable Elf Kissing Booth is a fantastic arrival concept for your Elf on the Shelf! It’s an ideal way for the elf to make its entrance, complete with candy kisses that naughty children invariably adore.

Peter, our inventive little Christmas Elf, made a grand appearance this weekend in his very own Elf Kissing Booth! Instead of offering traditional kisses, he was distributing sweet candy kisses.

It’s amusing to think that he and his elf photo booth companions, possibly including Barbie friends, might have engaged in some playful kissing themselves before we awoke! Isn’t this elf-sized kissing booth just the epitome of fun? Our Christmas Elf never ceases to amaze with his creativity.

17. Send a Postcard from your Favorite Elf {Elf on the Shelf}

Are you preparing your Elf for the upcoming December festivities? I certainly am, gathering inspiration from all corners. Recently, I took Elfie to the shore to snap some ‘vacation’ shots, intending to create postcards for the kids. They turned out so adorable that I decided to send each child a postcard through Touchnote. This service allows you to upload a photo, and they handle the postcard mailing for you.

Enclosed here are the best of my seaside vacation images. If you’re keen to send your own Elf vacation postcard, you can find templates on TPT. The downloadable versions are free of my watermark, allowing you to customize them to your liking. Enjoy your Elf adventures!

16. Elf Airplane Welcome – North Pole Express Mail

Looking for a novel idea for your Elf on the Shelf’s grand entrance? We’ve previously explored some imaginative concepts like the mailbox and a “hot air” balloon. However, this one is my top pick. It’s straightforward yet an excellent way to kick off your Elf activities in December.

Creating an Elf Airplane: The credit for this airplane goes entirely to my husband, who crafted it.

He began by folding a large piece of poster board, adhering to basic airplane folding instructions. With permanent markers, he adorned it with “North Pole Express Mail” on both sides, added a custom-designed little Santa stamp, and inscribed “From: Santa” on one side. Then, he punched holes at the front and back, just under the wing. You’re free to decorate the Elf airplane as you wish or even keep it unadorned. My husband managed to complete it in about 10 minutes.

The trickiest part was suspending it. You could use dental floss or fishing line for this purpose. We discovered it hung most effectively from our kitchen light, achieving the perfect balance.

15. Free Printable Funny Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter

Enhance the enchantment of your elf’s return with this charming Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter from the North Pole, sure to delight your children.

This arrival letter is a delightful method to welcome back your elf for the festive season. It’s always a joy to see the excitement in your kids as they eagerly anticipate the Elf on the Shelf’s yearly return! To add to this excitement, I’ve crafted a free printable letter straight from the North Pole, designed to make the elf’s reappearance even more thrilling. This complimentary elf letter is bound to bring smiles when your elf arrives bearing it. It’s also incredibly easy to print and download, making it an excellent last-minute addition for your elf’s arrival.

14. Elf on the Shelf Dunk Tank

It’s nearly that special time of year again – the season to bring out your Elf on the Shelf and start thinking up imaginative scenarios for this delightful holiday tradition. While it’s a lot of fun and provides daily excitement for the kids, it can sometimes be a bit exhausting to come up with fresh, adorable ideas. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some easy-to-use printables that will help you create entertaining scenes for one of your favorite visitors from the North Pole. Today, we’re excited to offer you a free printable: an Elf on the Shelf Dunk Tank. All you’ll need to bring this to life is some tape, card stock, scissors, mini marshmallows, and, of course, your Scout Elf. Remember to be sneaky about it – print these out when the kids are away at school or while you’re at work. You wouldn’t want the little ones stumbling upon these surprises too early!

The dunk tank printable is incredibly straightforward to assemble, and the instructions are included. Just cut along the marked lines, fold the booth’s two sides, tape them together both inside and outside for stability, attach the bullseye to the side, and then place the ‘Dunk an Elf’ sign on top.

13. Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Saying Goodbye

Tell your Elf on the Shelf goodbye with these fun Elf on the Shelf ideas complete with an Elf on the Shelf goodbye breakfast, Elf on the Shelf party games, food ideas, and even decorations!

12. Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Planner + Elf Kit Ideas

December is near, which means a certain little festive elf will be returning to many homes and causing some havoc all in the name of Christmas magic. Of course, I am talking about the Elf on the Shelf – a modern tradition that is becoming more and more popular in households with kids.