Looking to add some extra cheer (and laughs) to your holiday season? The ELF on the Shelf tradition is a perfect way to keep the magic of Christmas alive, especially with a little humor thrown in!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the ELF game, we’ve got you covered with over 60 hilarious ideas to keep your elf busy and your kids giggling all season long.
From playful pranks to downright silly setups, these funny ELF on the Shelf ideas will make your Christmas extra magical—and totally unforgettable! Ready to bring the fun? Let’s dive in!
How to Get Started with ELF on the Shelf
If you’re new to the ELF on the Shelf tradition, don’t worry—it’s super simple! The idea is that your ELF watches over the kids during the holiday season, reporting back to Santa each night. But the real fun? Your ELF moves to a new, often hilarious, spot every day, creating excitement (and sometimes chaos) as the kids wake up to find them in action! From mischievous pranks to funny little stunts, the possibilities are endless.
Need some inspiration? We’ve got over 60 funny and creative ideas below to keep your ELF busy and the Christmas spirit high all season long!
60+ Hilariously Ridiculous ELF on the Shelf Ideas
1. Jingle Bells, Your Poop Smells
Wrap your bathroom in toilet paper and place your ELF holding a sign with this funny twist on the classic holiday tune. Your kids will crack up at your ELF’s cheeky humor!
2. Save Him from the Sharks
Create an ocean scene in the bathtub with toy sharks circling your ELF. Make it look like your ELF is stranded, and the kids have to “save” him from becoming shark bait!
3. Elf Conducting a Fruit Choir
Set up a mini fruit orchestra with oranges, bananas, and apples as the “singers,” and position your ELF as the conductor, baton in hand. A musical masterpiece in the making!
4. Put Your Elf in Quarantine
Place your ELF in a clear jar or container and label it “quarantine” for a funny, relatable nod to current times. It’ll look like he’s taking a break from all the mischief for a few days!
5. Naughty Elf
Your ELF gets into trouble by doodling silly mustaches or glasses on framed family photos. It’s a harmless prank that will have everyone laughing!
6. Frozen Elf
Place your ELF in a bowl of fake snow or ice cubes, making it look like he’s frozen in time! This chilly setup will be sure to bring giggles.
7. A Little Tied Up
Set your ELF up as if he’s tied to a toy train tracks. Kids will love the dramatic rescue scene!
8. An Elf Kiss
Position your ELF between two chocolate kisses, as if he’s caught in a sweet moment. It’s a deliciously funny sight!
9. You’re on Thin Ice
Create a little “ice” pond using a blue tablecloth or foil, and place your ELF on a makeshift ice floe. Will he stay afloat?
10. Sprinkle faucet
Tape a piece of paper or cardboard under the faucet and sprinkle some colored sugar or sprinkles to make it look like your ELF had a fun (and messy) time decorating the kitchen!
11. Rock climbing
Attach your ELF to the side of a cabinet or wall with some string or a climbing harness, making it look like he’s scaling a rock wall. A fun twist on adventure!
12. Elf on the wall
Hang your ELF on the wall, tied up like a superhero, as if he’s about to make an epic escape. Kids will love the surprise of seeing him in a new spot!
13. Roasting marshmallows
Set up your ELF with mini marshmallows around a pretend campfire (use orange and yellow paper for flames) as he toasts his treats. It’s a cozy and cute scene!
14. Climbing on the Kitchen Counter
Create a climbing scene where your ELF is trying to reach the cookie jar or a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter. Just make sure the cookies are safe!
15. Bubble Butt
Place your ELF in a bowl of bubbles or on a bubble bath scene. Add a funny note about “bubble butt” for extra giggles!
16. Selfie ELF
Set your ELF up with a phone or camera taking a selfie with your kids while they’re sleeping. Leave the photo as a wallpaper for a fun surprise in the morning!
17. ELF in the Fridge
Hide your ELF inside the fridge with some snacks or holiday treats around him. It’s a cool way to surprise the kids when they go for a midnight snack!
18. Elf Fishing
Set up a fishing scene in the bathtub or sink with your ELF holding a fishing rod, “fishing” for candy fish or toy fish. A fun twist on an outdoor adventure!
19. SOS Elf
Place your ELF inside the washing machine, peeking out with a cute sign saying “SOS!” It’s a hilarious way to show he got caught in a spin!
20. Caught in a Toilet Roll
Set your ELF tangled in a roll of toilet paper, as if he had a little too much fun! This silly setup will have everyone laughing at his mischief!
21. HELP! The Milk Has Gone Bad
Place your ELF next to a carton of milk with a sign that reads, “HELP! The milk has gone bad!” Bonus points if you add funny faces to the milk carton!
22. Let’s Do a Magic Trick
Set up a “magic show” where your ELF has swapped eggs for chocolate overnight, leaving the kids to wonder how he pulled off the trick!
23. Breakfast in the Largest Bowl
Put your ELF sitting by the toilet with a spoon and cereal box, pretending to make a giant bowl of breakfast! It’s gross, but in the funniest way possible!
24. I Shined Your Shoes For You
Leave your ELF by the front door with a little polishing cloth and a row of shiny shoes, showing off his good deeds for the day.
25. KitKat Jenga
Stack KitKat bars like a game of Jenga and have your ELF ready to pull out a piece. A tasty, sweet twist on the classic game!
26. Mess in the Microwave
Position your ELF next to an open microwave full of popped popcorn, with a mess everywhere, as if he got a little carried away!
27. ELF Making a Comeback
Set your ELF up like a superhero returning after a long break. Maybe with a cape and a sign that says, “I’m back and ready for more fun!”
28. ELF Having a Spa Treatment
Place your ELF in a mini-spa setup, using cotton balls as towels and a cucumber slice mask on his face. It’s a relaxing day for him!
29. Toilet Roll Snowman ELF
Wrap a few toilet rolls into a snowman, and position your ELF nearby as if he helped “build” it. Add a carrot nose and some buttons for extra cuteness!
30. Ripple Chips
Show your ELF making ripple chips by placing him next to a potato slicer with a bowl of freshly cut potato chips. He’s a snack master now!
31. Coffee Making ELF
Set your ELF next to the coffee maker with a tiny cup of coffee or a note that says, “I made your morning brew!” He’s here to help you start the day!
32. Please Don’t Feed the Dinosaurs
Arrange toy dinosaurs around your ELF with a sign that says, “Please don’t feed the dinosaurs!” It’s a funny way to get the kids to follow some imaginary rules!
33. Ziplining Candy Cane ELF
Create a candy cane zipline and attach your ELF, making it look like he’s ziplining across the room. It’s an adventurous and action-packed scene!
34. Hershey’s Drops on Toilet Paper
Roll out some toilet paper and place Hershey’s Drops on it with a cheeky grin on your ELF’s face. It’s a hilarious and slightly gross joke!
35. Making Snow Angels in Flour
Sprinkle some flour on the kitchen counter and lay your ELF in the middle making tiny snow angels. A festive and messy scene that screams winter fun!
36. ELF Caught in Spiderwebs
Use some fake spiderwebs to trap your ELF in a sticky situation, like he’s been caught in a web of trouble!
37. ELF in the Cutlery Drawer
Tuck your ELF inside the cutlery drawer, peeking out between spoons and forks like he’s found a cozy spot to hide.
38. ELF Swinging from the Ceiling
Create a mini swing with string or ribbon and hang your ELF from the ceiling. He’s taking his holiday mischief to new heights!
39. Worst Cookies Ever
Set up your ELF with burnt cookies, flour everywhere, and a sign that says, “Oops… WORST COOKIES EVER!” Kids will love the baking fail!
40. Peed My Elf
Position your ELF next to a small puddle (use yellow paper or a tiny drop of water) with a guilty look. Add a sign that says, “I couldn’t hold it!” for some potty humor.
41. Elves Stirring Something Up
Place a few elves around a bowl with a whisk, “stirring up” some holiday mischief in the kitchen. What could they be up to?
42. Elf And The Holiday Card
Have your ELF “signing” a holiday card or holding a stack of cards ready to be mailed. He’s getting into the festive spirit!
43. Handyman Elves
Position your ELF with a tiny hammer and nails, fixing something around the house. He’s here to help with home repairs—sort of!
44. Elfie’s Nap Time
Tuck your ELF into a tissue box for a well-deserved nap. Use tissues as a cozy blanket for the cutest nap scene!
45. Elf And Hershey’s Bowling
Set up a mini bowling alley with Hershey’s Kisses as the pins and your ELF rolling a tiny ball for a fun and sweet game of bowling!
46. Elfie’s Back
Create a festive balloon scene with red and white balloons, welcoming your ELF back for the holiday season. It’s a fun way to announce his return!
47. Banana Swing
Hang a banana from a string and set your ELF swinging like it’s his very own jungle gym. It’s a fruity and fun setup!
48. ELF and Fruit Juice
Have your ELF “drinking” from a fruit juice box with a straw, enjoying a little refreshment during his busy holiday adventures.
49. ELF Wrapped Up
Wrap your ELF inside a chapati or tortilla, like he’s the star of his own burrito! A funny and unexpected twist on dinner!
50. ELF Frying Eggs
Place your ELF by a toy stove or pan, pretending to fry eggs. Bonus if you crack an actual egg nearby for added realism!
51. ELF and the Eggs
Your ELF gets creative by decorating eggs with funny faces inside the fridge. It’s a cute surprise when the kids open the door!
52. ELF Arrival
Set up your ELF riding in on a toy reindeer, making a grand entrance as he returns for the holiday season.
53. ELF Poop Taste Testing
Place tiny chocolate chips or candies in front of your ELF with a sign saying, “Poop taste test!” It’s gross but hilarious!
54. Brush Your Teeth
Position your ELF by the bathroom sink, holding a toothbrush and toothpaste, reminding everyone to brush their teeth! He’s keeping hygiene in check.
55. ELF Gym
Create a tiny gym scene with your ELF lifting candy cane “weights” or using string for jump ropes. It’s time for a holiday workout!
56. ELF and the Mouse
Have your ELF “catching” the computer mouse, with a little trap set up, as if he’s been hunting down this high-tech prey all night!
57. Ironing Out the Crinkles
Set your ELF next to a bag of chips with a mini iron, pretending to “iron out the crinkles” in the chips. A funny take on snack time!
58. Cheerio notes
Use Cheerios to spell out a fun message on the kitchen table or countertop, like “Good Morning!” or “I’ve been watching!” It’s a cute, cereal-ously clever way for your ELF to communicate!
59. Slightly Used Sweets
Place your ELF next to a bowl of half-eaten candy with a sign that reads, “Slightly Used Sweets” – because apparently, he couldn’t resist sampling the goodies!
60. Banana Races
Line up a few bananas as if they’re race cars, and set your ELF up as the driver. It’s a fruity, fast-paced adventure that’ll have the kids laughing!
61. Spa Day in the Dishwasher
Put your ELF inside the dishwasher with some cotton balls for bubbles and a tiny towel. It’s the perfect relaxing spa day for an overworked ELF!
62. Popcorn Fun
Place your ELF in a bowl of popcorn, with a tiny movie ticket or remote control nearby. He’s clearly ready for a movie night!
63. Magic Candy Cane Garden
Plant some candy canes in a small container with “snow” (use flour or sugar), and let your ELF act as the gardener, growing a magical candy cane garden overnight.
64. Cozy Air Fryer Naps
Tuck your ELF inside the air fryer, using some napkins or a tiny blanket to create a cozy little nap spot. Just make sure no one turns it on!
Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter
Dear [Your Kids’ Names],
Wow, what an amazing time I’ve had watching over you this Christmas season! From all the laughter to the silly moments, I’ve enjoyed every minute of my adventures in your home.
You’ve both been so kind, and I’ve been so proud to report back to Santa all the good things you’ve done. He’s really impressed! 🎅
But now, it’s time for me to head back to the North Pole. Santa needs my help to get ready for next Christmas, and I have lots of work to do. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back next year with more fun and surprises! Until then, remember to be kind, helpful, and keep spreading holiday cheer all year round.
I’ll miss you both, but I’ll be watching and cheering you on from the North Pole!
See you next Christmas! 🎄
Love,
Your ELF
(And a big hug from Santa too!)
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—60+ funny ELF on the Shelf ideas that are sure to bring joy, laughter, and a little bit of mischief to your holiday season!
Whether your ELF is pulling pranks, getting into silly situations, or just adding a touch of magic each day, these ideas will keep the excitement alive right through Christmas. The best part? You can customize each setup to fit your family’s sense of humor and traditions.
So, get creative, have fun, and let your ELF help make this holiday season one to remember! Happy ELF-ing!
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below. We’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions.
