You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not forget that Elf on the shelf is coming! If your family is like ours, Elf on the shelf is now a staple in your household. The kids absolutely love waking up to find their elf, (they named their elf, Elfie) while we love (and some nights hate) to find clever ways for Elfie to appear the next day. Now, is the time to frantically search the Internet for creative ideas on how to get started! look no further. here is a compiled list of our favorite Elf on the shelf arrival ideas ranging from simple to complex.
All ideas brought to you by the wonderful and clever parents on Pinterest.
15 adorable Elf on the shelf Arrival Ideas!
Teasers for the Arrival of Elf on the Shelf
Here are two super cute ways to tease the arrival of your elf on the shelf if you need an extra day or two before your Elf enters the home.
1: Dashing through the snow
Is your Elf not yet ready to make an appearance? Tease your child with little footprints. The Elf is somewhere, but where? This is a cute reminder that the Elf is always watching even when he can’t be seen. check the idea out here!
Materials Needed:
White powder (either sugar or salt work great)
Something to make foot imprints (if you don’t have an Elf quite yet) Q-tips
Paintbrush
2: See you soon!
Send a postcard to your child to update them on your Elf on the Shelf’s fun adventures! A postcard will also serve as a reminder to be on their best behavior this holiday season because Elf on the shelf will be returning soon! read more about this Elf on the shelf arrival idea here!
Materials needed:
A fun location
e. Beach, theme Park, Pumpkin Patch, etc.
Camera
Access to a printer
The Arrival of Elf on the Shelf
3: Chimneys are so much easier!
Everyone knows Santa prefers entry via Chimney, so it only makes sense that his Elves do as well! but it’s okay if you don’t have a chimney! All you have to do is tape the Elf to your front door. In the absence of a chimney, there doesn’t seem to be a way inside! Without Santa’s magic, the only option seems to be waiting on the front door for someone to let them in! check it out.
Materials needed:
Sticky note and pen (Not required)
Tape
A door
4: Incoming! A Paper plane Elf on the shelf Arrival
This Elf’s preferred way to travel is via paper planes! who doesn’t love making paper planes? here are the details!
Materials needed:
Paper
Paper folding skills (See YouTube)
String
Writing Utensil
5: Elf on the shelf emergency landing Arrival!
This paper plane landing didn’t turn out so well, yikes! someone needs to take flying lessons. maybe they can get some help from Santa’s Reindeer? learn more about this idea here!
Materials needed:
Christmas Tree
Paper Plane
Writing Utensil
6: All I want for Christmas is candy, and lots of it.
Halloween might be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a gumdrop or two! Or three, or however many it took to spell “I’M BACK.” I think I’d need to purchase twice the amount of candy to make this idea happen since I’d probably eat it all. See more of this candy masterpiece!
Materials needed:
Candy
7: Scaling the walls
Although this photo takes place inside, this idea can still be used for an arrival! instead of a window, tape/stick the bows on the outside of the house where your child can easily see the Elf scaling the wall! There’s an entrance somewhere! check out this idea here.
Materials needed:
Bows
Tape
8: Melted snow, melted snow, melted snow
I think this might be my favorite Elf on the shelf Arrival idea. This is an accurate representation of what happens to snow when it meets the heat! Unless you live in a place where it’s constantly snowing and below freezing, this arrival idea is perfect for you. here are the deets!
Materials needed:
Pan
Paper and pen
Googly eyes
Twigs
Buttons
Carrot
Water
9: Intruder alert!
“Stop Elf! You’re trespassing!” -Toy Soldiers
This idea is a cute way to incorporate toys that may already be present in the home. I know I have quite a few toy soldiers lying around in a box somewhere. here are the details of this idea!
Materials Needed:
Tape
Toy Soldiers
10: Pop goes the Elf!
This Elf is super excited to return; whether to spread joy or cause some mischief, no one quite knows. Let’s hope they don’t damage anything else during their stay. Here’s the idea!
Materials needed:
Packaged Box
11: Deck the walkway with strings of light
This elf is ready to decorate the outside of this home to spread some Christmas cheer! light up your walkway! Here’s more on the idea.
Materials needed:
Strings of Light
An outside power socket
Possibly an extension cord (depends on the length of the lights and the distance to socket)
12: Santa Claus is always watching… always watching
I am 100 % guilty of snooping under thetree during Christmas time. I’m not going to lie; I still shake the boxes that have my name on them. growing up, if I believed that my snooping was being recorded, I can promise you I wouldn’t have risked being caught! My family should’ve installed a “camera.” check it out here!
Materials needed:
North pole camera Paper
Markers
A bulb that can pass as a camera
Something to clip the “camera” to the tree Binder Clip
Paper clip
Clothespin
13: The Elf has landed
This Elf has perfected the art of landing. maybe what the Elves needed was a plane made of something other than paper. This Elf should share their skills with their friends. crashes would happen a lot less. Here’s more on the idea.
Materials needed:
Toy Plane
Paper
Pen
String Lights
14: Oh, bring us some Reindeer Pudding
This Elf on the shelf idea is adorable, and I love that the pudding looks like reindeer! The family will have a sweet snack to eat when it’s time for the Elf to move elsewhere in the home. learn more about this idea.
Materials Needed:
Chocolate Pudding cups
Brown pipe Cleaners
Googly Eyes
Red pom poms
Glue
Fake snow
15: home for the Holidays
An Elf is making a home inside the walls! In this photo, we see an Elf has showcased their hideout with a door. Where does it lead? no one quite knows. One can only hope it’s where the Elf keeps the materials for all their projects! The preparation and aftermath must be hidden somewhere. check it out here!
Materials needed:
Door
Can be purchased at a craft store
A Letter (optional)
Wreath
Miniature toy Christmas lights
Now that you’ve picked an Elf arrival idea (at least I hope you have), it’s time to find more adventures your Elf on the shelf can go on to encourage your child to be on their best behavior throughout this holiday season.
Still on the hunt for Elf on the shelf Must-Haves? check out all the incredible Elf on the shelf accessories Available!
Click one of the below links for a list of fun ideas to continue your Elf’s journey in your home! From what to name your elf, arrival letters, and goodbyes:
75 unique & fun girl & boy Elf on the shelf Names
10 super fun ideas for your Elf on the shelf Return Letter
10 fun & clever Elf on the shelf Goodbye Letter Ideas
Pin for Later- 15 incredible Elf on the shelf Arrival Ideas