Before we know it the Christmas countdown will be on, which means only one thing…the elves are back! Fresh from the North Pole for Christmas 2021, the official The Elf on the Shelf is back for more festive fun and frolics to help keep the magic alive.
For fun Christmas ideas these creative Elf on the Shelf ideas will inspire your scout to change things up this year, to keep little ones entertained.
What’s the Elf on the Shelf story?
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
For those that don’t know, a bit of background info. The phenomena that is The Elf on the Shelf is a children’s boxset; a fun-filled kit featuring a book that tells a tale of a secret elf sent by Santa to keep a watchful eye on children at Christmas time – reporting back to Father Christmas in the North Pole.
With over 100 tips and tricks and 15 elf-sized tools to inspire Scout Elves it’s fun for all the family. The book comes with an elf figurine that parents secretly place around the house to watch over children. This is where the fun comes in, as parents look for more and more creative ways to ‘style’ the elf each morning.
Throughout the book, a group of elves known as Santa’s Scout Elf Training Team offers advice to teach other Scout Elves how to fly, jump, hide and play in clever ways while visiting their families during the holidays. Making it easy for Scout Elves to create unforgettable moments in the family’s home, with lots of playful ideas.
You pick up The Elf on the Shelf from all good retailers.
The Elf on the Shelf: £17.99, iwantoneofthose.com
Hiding the cheeky elf provides hours of entertainment. We love the ingenious and creative photos that surface online year after year, of what the elves get up to when no one’s watching!
Elf on the Shelf ideas for 2021
All the fun and games are back to make the countdown more entertaining…
1. Making Masks for Scout Elves
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
If you know, you know! This brilliant idea recreates the fun of the TV hit show The Masked Singer. Parents can make this idea last for days, with a collection of mini masks. Simply raid the ids stash of arts and crafts paper and card to make decorative masks, themed to delight little ones.
2. Playing Elf Twister
Image credit: Becky Coyne
Fun for all. This is the elf Scout playing Elf Twister thanks to a creative parent making their own play mat with a simple sheet of white paper and some coloured felt tip pens.
3. Reporting back from Santa to set chores
Image credit: Becky Coyne
Genius! This idea is a creative way to keep the kids on their toes, with elf reporting back on the tasks that Santa would like them to complete. A great way to ensure all children make it to the good list this year.
4. Hiding in the blinds
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
Pop the cheeky Elf in between the slats of the window blinds or shutters to give the impression he’s returning through the window after a night of mischief.
5. Wrap household items in clingfilm
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
Nothing in the house is safe when your give the elf a roll of clingfilm…it might be just the thing to encourage little ones to tidy items away out of Elf’s reach.
To save wastage, you can leave the clingfilm attached to the roll and use it a few times – over the days of countdown, just using different objects.
6. Make your own Jenga game with chocolate biscuits
Image credit: Becky Coyne
Fashion a DIY Jenga game with chocolate finger biscuits; entertainment and a delicious snack at the same time. Simply stack a handful of biscuits on a plate and leave a note for
7. Float the elf with balloons
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
Recreate the scene from ‘Up’ with some left over party balloons and colourful twine, making your elf appear to be floating away. To stick the balloons to the wall with ease try the old fashioned static trick, by rubbing the balloon on a a wooly jumper.
8. A final frosty farewell from Elf
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
When it’s time for the Elf to go back to the North Pole this idea can make a fabulous final impression. Use snow spray to create a silhouette of the Elf flying off into the night, on his journey back to help Santa.
Image credit:Elf on the Shelf®
There are only two rules of Scout Elf club.
First, a Scout Elf cannot be touched; Christmas magic is very fragile and if a Scout Elf is touched it may lose its magic and be unable to fly back to the North Pole. Second, a Scout Elf cannot speak or move while anyone in the house is awake; a Scout Elf’s job is to watch and listen.
Families can officially register their Scout Elf’s name with the North Pole, to receive a free adoption certificate as well as a personalised letter from Santa. Too cute.
It’s a great Christmas tradition to start with your children when they are young and can be enjoyed by all the family. Selling millions of copies across the globe, the box set has previously been crowned number 1 bestseller by Wall Street Journal.
Image credit: Elf on the Shelf®
We wonder what other spots and shelves you may find him watching from this year, and more importantly what he’ll get up to when our backs are turned!
