A playful Elf on the Shelf with a candy cane, surrounded by festive decorations and holiday greenery.

42 Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Parents

Updated December 10, 2024

Parents, it's time to show off your best funny Elf on the Shelf ideas!

Whether Elf on the Shelf is one of your favorite Christmas traditions or it fills you with dread, you'll still need a new idea every day! Luckily, we've created a space for parents to share easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, so you don't have to come up with them all by yourself. Elves can be mischievous, silly, outrageous or nice. You decide!

If you've come up with any easy, creative or funny Elf on the Shelf ideas over the years, show them off by adding a recommendation to our crowdsourced list! Be sure to share a photo as well!

42 Recommendations

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Dawn Skinner-Hamlet

Elf Has Fun with Toilet Paper

Dawn Skinner-Hamlet said: Butters and his reindeer Cupcake stole toilet paper and Grinch is trying to get in on the crime..!

Dawn Skinner-Hamlet

E-Mailing Elf

Dawn Skinner-Hamlet said: Butters the Elf is e-mailing Santa…with Cupcake looking on!!

Shila S.

Elf on Time Out

Shila said: Did your Elf misbehave? Well, put him in timeout today with his dunce cap on in the corner! Add some leftover Halloween candy for the kids to grab. I hope the elf learns his lesson tomorrow...

Shila S.

Elf in the Printer

Shila said: Playing on the printer is one of the best last minute elf on the shelf ideas, and to tie in some creative fun for the kids, I also had the elf bring out a tub's worth of additional paper, new markers, Christmas envelopes, and shiny stickers to draw and decorate! It's nice when a little elf on the shelf scene kicks-off additional activities for kids to enjoy.

Katie G.

Elf Brings a Game and a Prize

Katie G. said: Have the elf arrive with a simple "Find the Hidden Treat" game. Set up plastic cups in the shape of a triangle on a table. Hide a "treat" under one of them (think giant Hershey kiss) and leave instructions on how to play. Kids take turns turning over one cup at a time until the treat is found. My kids loved this game and played it over and over with different treats from the pantry.

Shila S.

Elf in the Shower

Shila said: Because your elf is staying all month, don't be surprised if you find him freshening-up in the shower! Wrap his head in a shower cap (I made my shower cap out of a plastic shoe cover) and sit him on the soap rack or the shower floor. I set my elf up under the tub faucet!

Elf Ghost of Christmas Past

Mommyx3 (Monique H) said: This morning Davion Snow(Elfie) decided to give us a little scare... more like a reminder of who he is..or was lol. My children really enjoyed this one. Booooooo...

Elf on Strike

Kids need a little help getting onto the nice list? This funny Elf on the Shelf idea puts your elf on time out until there's better behavior.

marisa_anne said: When someone misbehaves…. this happens!

Elf Sack Race

Alison Brinkman Presley said: Put elf in sandwich bags with other friends like the bag race.

Shila S.

Storytime Elf

Shila said: Use one of your favorite Christmas books as a prop for Storytime Elf. Have him read in bed to an audience of dolls or stuffed animals for a funny elf on the shelf idea! Afterwards, enjoy reading aloud to the kids too.

Shila S.

"The Shining" Elf

Shila said: This funny elf on the shelf idea is inspired by the early 80's movie, "The Shining." Pop in him next to your computer and repeat "all work and no play makes elf a dull boy" on the screen.

Shila S.

Burglar Elf

Shila said: Some funny elf on the shelf ideas include playing a little game of hide and seek. So, who stole dad's wallet?? Go find it!

Dress your elf in black to help him creep unnoticed throughout the night. I used a black chair sock and a dark drink koozie. His knapsack came from the corner of a plastic Amazon bag and I included a leftover piece of Halloween candy inside it - a 100 Grand!