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If you thought Elf on the Shelf was just for the little kids, think again! As kids get older, coming up with new ways to surprise them each morning can get a little trickier. The classic elf antics are fun and all, but sometimes you need to take things up a notch to get those big laughs (and maybe a few eye rolls).
There are so many silly elf setup ideas that could have made the list, but we narrowed it down to just enough ideas for you to have for every day of December leading up to Christmas morning. Whether your kids are starting to outgrow the traditional Elf on the Shelf setups or you just want to make this year’s countdown to Christmas a little more entertaining, these ideas below are sure to bring some extra laughter and pranks to the holiday season.
Below you’ll find all the silly and mischievous inspiration for your elf setups all month long.
1. Elf Car Wash
How adorable is this elf car wash? Adhere blue shimmer streamers to your dishwasher and align some toy cars going into the dishwasher. Of course, your elf has to be leading the charge in a car himself.
2. Elf Climbing a Candy Cane Ladder
Looks like your elf was up to no good last night and now he’s stuck climbing candy canes with nowhere to go.
3. Astronaut Elf
Your elf wanted to know what it was like to go to the moon, so he used his best skills to create an astronaut suit out of tin foil.
4. HELP! Your Elf Fell in a Snake Pit
Oh no! Your elf fell into a snake pit! Looks like you’ll have to eat the gummy worms to help save him.
5. Elf Looking in the Mirror
Your elf is so silly! He wanted to see what he looked like in the mirror, since that’s what you do in the morning too.
6. Elves Climbing Up Pillow Tower
LOL! Look at what your elves did last night. They made a tower of pillows and got caught climbing up them.
7. Your Elf Blocked the Door with Streamers
Sometimes elves just go a little wild with decorations too. Looks like this one blocked the door so you can’t get out. Use red and green streamers to block the door, and your elf is holding down the fort with streamers in hand.
8. Shhh! Don’t Tell Mom (Elf Taped to Back)
Looking for a last elf on the shelf idea on the days that you forget to move him or her? This is the best elf setup hack. Tape him to the back of your sweatshirt with a note that says “shhh… don’t tell Mom”.
9. Elf Hanging Out in the Car
No biggie! Your elf just wanted to take a ride to school with you and check out where you go when you leave the house every morning.
10. Your Elf is Watching You
Need a funny and simple idea? Prop your elf up on the curtain rod in a living room or bedroom with some binoculars to show that the elf is always watching and will report to Santa.
11. Coke & Mentos Gift From Elf
Give the gift of an activity this holiday season. You can be silly and give your kids a bottle of Coke and some Mentos to have a little bit of fun themselves.
12. “The Milk Has Gone Bad” Elf
Oh no! The milk went bad (literally and figuratively) and has trapped your elf inside the fridge.
13. Elves with Air Heads
This elf on the shelf idea is guaranteed to make your kids laugh. Cover your elves’ heads with a balloon and draw a face on the outside to show they ate airheads candy. However, they ate a little too much and turned into airheads themselves.
14. “6-7” Elf (For December 6th & 7th)
Earn some “cool mom” points with this elf on the shelf idea. This 67 joke will make them laugh. Just make sure to save this one for December 6th for it to work.
15. The Grinch Forgot to Flush Elf
Looks like the Grinch visited last night, and he forgot to flush. Add some green food coloring to the toilet with a bit of green glitter for some pizazz. Leave your elf on the top of the toilet with a sign warning your kids what happened.
16. Elf Sliding Paper Towels
The elves were up to no good last night. They had a ball making a sled slope of the paper towel roll in the kitchen. They even used cupcake liners as sleds to ride down the slope made of pillows.
17. Elf Escaping with Sock Rope
Your teens kids will surely appreciate this silly elf on the shelf setup. Tie some of your kids’ socks together to make a sock rope. Wrap your elf’s arms and legs around the sock rope to show that he’s trying to escape.
18. Elf Trapped in the Shower with Balloons
Looks like your elf blew up too many balloons and is trapped in the shower. Oh no!
19. Oops…Your Elf Broke the TV
This elf on the shelf idea is perfect for older kids. Have a broken-screen image displayed on the TV and pose your elves with a hammer to show they might have gone a little too far.
20. Elves Stuck in “Frozen” Sink Water
Make it look like your elves got trapped in frozen water and one is trying to help the other out. Use plastic wrap to cover the sink.
21. Mischievous Elves Sneaking Across Christmas Lights
This elf on the shelf idea is pure genius! Hang some Christmas lights along the wall and ceiling and pose your elf like they are walking along the tightrope of lights.
22. Post-It Mischief
Sometimes elves just want to have fun— even if that means getting a little wild with some Post-It notes. Just make sure they know they have to clean them up at night.
23. Legos Pinned Down Your Elf
The Legos are teaming up against the elves this Christmas, and it’s not looking too good for your elf. It looks like he’sbeen pinned down!
24. Elf “Rock Climbing” Christmas Bows
How cute is this elf on the shelf idea? Adhere some Christmas bows to the wall and pose your elf like he or she isclimbing up the bows. Styling tip to make it even more clever: You could even make it look like he’s trying to climb upthe cabinets to get food.
25. “Sunday is for Sundaes” Elf on the Shelf Setup
Have some fun with your older kids and still make them feel the magic of the season with a sundae party on Sunday.
