Is your Scout Elf a real trendsetter? They might be interested in browsing the new Elf on the Shelf ideas for 2018! Featuring fun outfits for the year designed by Mrs. Claus, innovative new elf tools and creative spins on some old favorites, this post has all the newest elf ideas for the season ahead!
Click each picture for full instructions for your Scout Elf.

Superhero Surprise
When she slips into her superhero costume, this Scout Elf can do more than jump over a building in a single bound. She can fly over an entire cityscape in a dazzling display of girl power!
Materials:
- Color printer
- Card stock
- Dry-erase markers
- Superhero Surprise printable
- Self-adhesive tape
- Claus Couture Collection® Scout Elf Superhero Girl
- Holiday Harness from Scout Elves at Play®
Instructions:
- Your Scout Elf will create a work of art on the bathroom mirror—a city scene—using dry erase markers.
- Your elf will print the Superhero Surprise printable, and cut out “Whoosh” and “Pow” to attach to the mirror with tape.
- Then, your elf will slip into the Claus Couture Collection® Scout Elf Superhero Girl, and take flight using the Holiday Harness.

Special Treat Transport
Scout Elves are known for their ingenuity! Using a special balloon and cable to pull off a remarkable engineering feat, your Scout Elf is set to transfer treats from one spot to another in the kitchen.
Materials:
- Scout Elves at Play® Peppermint Balloon Ride
- Candy Cane Cable from Scout Elves at Play®or colorful string
- Hot chocolate packs or candy canes
Instructions:
- First, your Scout Elf will construct a balloon and basket using Scout Elves at Play® Peppermint Balloon Ride.
- Next, your elf will suspend the balloon by threading Candy Cane Cable through the loop at the top of the balloon.
- Now, the fun part begins! Your elf will create a pulley by threading cable through the hot chocolate packs placed in the basket.

Elf Pets® Breakfast Party
Materials:
- Your elf’s favorite pancake batter, prepared according to package or recipe directions
- Seedless red grapes
- Raspberries
- Your elf’s favorite whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Kiwi slices
Instructions for the reindeer pancake:
- For the reindeer face, your elf will whip up one pancake about 4 inches in diameter and another about 2 inches in diameter plus two spherical shapes for the ears and six elongated shapes for the antlers.
- As shown in the picture, your elf will assemble the pancake pieces to form a reindeer head, chocolate chips for the mouth, a grape for the nose and a dollop of whipped cream topped with one chocolate chip for the eye.
- Finally, your elf will leave out the pancakes for you to enjoy with your Elf Pets® Reindeer!
Instructions for the Saint Bernard pancake:
- For the Saint Bernard face, your elf will whip up one pancake about 4 inches in diameter and another about 2 inches in diameter plus two spherical shapes for the ears.
- As shown in the picture, your elf will assemble the pancake pieces to form a Saint Bernard head, grapes for the eyes and nose, chocolate chips for the mouth and a raspberry for the tongue.
- Finally, your elf will leave out the pancakes for you to enjoy with your Elf Pets® Saint Bernard!
Optional decoration: To add a cheery touch to every plate, your elf will top kiwi slices with raspberries.

Bubblegum Fun
Anybody can walk and chew gum. But your elf has a super-size talent: they can blow a bubble that’s more than half their size!
Materials:
- Wrapped bubblegum pieces
- Pink balloon
- Tape
Instructions:
- First, your elf will pull out a few bubblegum pieces.
- Next, they will find a place to sit, and blow a big bubble using the pink balloon.

North Pole Film Fest
Your Scout Elf and North Pole pals will take a well-deserved break from seasonal duties by kicking back for holiday entertainment. That includes the thrill of watching the new Elf Pets® animated special Santa’s St. Bernards Save Christmas on an elf-size screen, which includes six interchangeable scenes.
Materials:
- Claus Couture Collection® Merry Movie Night
- Claus Couture Collection® Scout Elf Slumber Set
- Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Bernards Save Christmas DVD
Instructions:
- First, your Scout Elf will prepare for snuggly moments by setting up the mini TV screen, elf-size chair and popcorn buckets from Claus Couture Collection® Merry Movie Night.
- Next, your elf will make sure their pal gets comfy using the wraparound sleeping bag and mini felt bear from the Claus Couture Collection® Scout Elf Slumber Set.
- Finally, your elf will slip into their special Elf Pets® T-shirt and invite friends to gather around to watch the enchanting special.

North Pole Disappearing Act
Your Scout Elf invited a North Pole friend to visit your home, but where did he go? Quick—check for clues in the dish!
Materials:
- Googly eyes
- Carrot nose
- Twig arms
- Dish
Instructions:
- Your Scout Elf will leave clues to the identity of the North Pole friend who melted by arranging googly eyes, a carrot nose and twig arms in a dish.

Scout Elf Superhero
Everyone loves a parade, especially North Pole friends. Your Scout Elf and their Elf Pets® will stage a parade of their own in your family’s home.
Materials:
- Green balloon
- Scissors
- Candy Cane Cable from Scout Elves at Play®
- Brown construction paper
- White construction paper
- Painter’s tape
- Low-tack decorative tape from Scout Elves at Play® Stick Quick or other decorative sticky tape
- White balloon
- Green construction paper
- Pink construction paper
Instructions for reindeer balloon:
- First, your elf will inflate a green balloon, tie it off with a knot and then tie Candy Cane Cable around the balloon knot and secure tightly.
- Next, your elf will cut brown construction paper in a circular shape for the nose and two spherical shapes for the reindeer ears. For the eyes, your elf will cut white construction paper in two small circles and brown construction paper in two smaller circles.
- Your elf will attach each eye (small brown circle on white circle) and the nose using painter’s tape.
- Finally, your elf will attach the balloon to the wall using painter’s tape; for antlers, your elf will tear off pieces of low-tack decorative tape and attach to the wall just above the ears.
Instructions for Saint Bernard balloon:
- First, your elf will inflate a white balloon, tie it off with a knot and then tie Candy Cane Cable around the balloon knot and secure tightly.
- Next, your elf will cut brown construction paper in a circular shape for the nose; cut green construction paper in the shape of two floppy ears; and cut pink construction paper in the shape of a tongue. For the eyes, your elf will cut white construction paper in two small circles and brown construction paper in two smaller circles.
- Your elf will attach each eye (small brown circle on top of white circle), the nose and tongue using painter’s tape.
- Finally, your elf will attach the balloon to the wall using painter’s tape.

Rainbow Ball Pit
This elf escapade in a ball pit will bring your family loads of laughter!
Materials:
- Clear glass container
- Jelly beans, yarn pom-poms or gumballs
- Scout Elf Message Card and stand from Scout Elves at Play®
- Dry-erase marker
Instructions:
- First, your elf will grab a glass container and fill it with jelly beans, yarn pom-poms or gumballs to create a ball pit.
- Next, your elf will write a note on the Scout Elf Message Card and prop it on the stand.
- Finally, your elf will jump into the ball pit and strike a pose.

Growth Chart
Your Scout Elf loves to kid around. They’ll have fun creating a growth chart and “growing” taller by stacking and standing on gift boxes. Elf Pets® friends can get into the act, too, by lining up to get measured. And remember—your Scout Elf’s Christmas cheer and love are always growing!
Materials:
- Low-tack decorative tape from Scout Elves at Play® Stick Quick or other decorative sticky tape
- Small gift boxes
- Holiday Harness from Scout Elves at Play®
Instructions:
- Your Scout Elf will tear off strips of low-tack decorative tape.
- Next, they will attach the tape to the wall in even increments to make a colorful growth chart.
- Finally, they will pose on stacked gift boxes to appear as if they’ve grown taller!

Time for a Treat
Is your family ready to watch your Scout Elf rock around the clock when it comes to calling the hour for treat time? Place 12 of your family’s favorite cookies on a flat surface such as the kitchen countertop or table. When your elf returns from their nightly visit to Santa, they will strike a pose in the center of the cookie circle, mimicking the hands of a clock to indicate snack time. Repeat performances are possible—your family can vary the treats, and your elf can change the “hands” of the clock day after day!

Scout Elf Zipline
Just dropping in to say hello! With a little Candy Cane Cable, the Holiday Hook and a big bulls-eye, your Scout Elf can zip in to see you this holiday season!
Materials:
- Holiday Hook from Scout Elves at Play®
- Candy Cane Cable from Scout Elves at Play®
- White paper
- Red marker
- Tape
Instructions:
- Your elf will start by crafting a bulls-eye using white paper and a red marker and taping it down to a flat surface. Helpful hint: Your elf will likely pick a spot in between two walls or sturdy objects they can tie their zipline to.
- Next, your Scout Elf will secure a piece of Candy Cane Cable or string to two nearby objects to run their zipline above the bulls-eye.
- Your elf will grab the Holiday Hook from Scout Elves at Play, and hook it to the line to come ziplining in for a landing!

Holiday Elf-ercise
Now that your elf is back, they can stay in shape for the season ahead by including yoga in their exercise routine. Poses give them the agility to scale steep heights and keep their balance during daring stunts. The forward fold is one of your elf’s favorites; it preps them to reach for the most faraway candy bowl on the counter.
Materials:
- Color printer
- 12-minute Holiday Elf-ercise printable
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Your Scout Elf will print and cut out the 12-Minute Holiday Elf-ercise printable.
- Next, your elf will hang or prop it up for a quick workout that keeps them fit.
For other easy elf ideas, check out Scout Elves at Play®, and for daily inspiration, download the Ideas for Scout Elves app!
Before you or your elf get to work recreating any of these inspirational photos, be sure to read these safety warnings. Santa wants to make sure everyone stays safe!