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“Your Song”

“And you can tell everybody…” your Scout Elf friends love Elton John!


Materials:

  • Elf-sized piano and bench
  • Mini shag rug or piece of shag fabric

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your Scout Elf friend will find a piece of shag fabric and fashion their own retro-style rug.
  2. Next, they will set out a tiny piano or keyboard and play out the sweet melody of "Your Song" or a sweet Christmas tune!

Safety Warnings!

Moving Day

Moving Day Idea Image

“It’s time for me to move back to the North Pole. See you next year!”


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Copy paper/card stock
  • Printable
  • Small boxes or bags
  • String
  • Toy truck or car

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf helper will load all their boxes into their “vehicle”.
  2. Second, they will use string to tie things down so nothing blows away on their journey to the North Pole!
  3. Third, they will print and cut out the printable message card letting kids know that it’s time for them to go until next year!

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Safety Warnings!

French Christmas Traditions Shoes in Front of Fireplace

Fireplace Shoes Idea Image

Our Scout Elf pals who have been adopted by families in France may help them with their Christmas traditions by finding a couple pairs of children’s shoes to put in front of the fireplace or Christmas tree! Similar to hanging stockings, French families leave shoes out for the Big Man in Red.


Materials:

  • Children’s shoes

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf friend will begin by quietly borrowing a couple pairs of shoes from kids’ closets.
  2. Next, they will place the shoes in front of a fireplace or Christmas tree.
  3. Lastly, your elf will make themselves cozy inside one of the shoes for kids to find them the next morning!

Safety Warnings!

German Christmas Traditions Advent

Advent Wreath Idea Image

One famous German Christmas tradition is the Advent wreath! Families in Germany, along with their Scout Elf pal, of course, may light one flameless, battery-operated candle in their advent wreaths on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas eve. Once all four candles are lit, Christmas has officially begun!


Materials:

  • Wreath
  • 4 small flameless, battery-operated candles

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your Scout Elf will find the perfect wreath, one that could easily fit on a coffee table or countertop without taking up too much space.
  2. Next, they will check the calendar and gather one flameless, battery-operated candle for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve.
  3. Then they will light one candle each Sunday until the whole wreath is aglow representing the official start of Christmas!

Safety Warnings!

Christmas Carnival

Christmas Carnival Idea Image

So many exciting things to do and see at the Christmas Carnival!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Straws, skewers, or pipe cleaners
  • Tape
  • Marshmallows

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf friend will print and cut out each of the carnival printables.
  2. Second, they will find straws, skewers or pipe cleaners and tape them to the sides of the printables as standing devices.
  3. Third, they will anchor the standing devices into large marshmallows to stand the printables upright.
  4. Finally, they will cut out any extra toys or prize printables that they like and host an extravaganzalorious Christmas carnival to celebrate their arrival!

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Safety Warnings!

DIY Pinecone Ornaments

Pinecone Ornaments Idea Image

The prettiest pines you ever did see.


Materials:

  • Pinecones
  • Glue
  • Ribbon
  • Pom-poms, glitter, sequins, etc.

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your Scout Elf friend will gather up smaller-sized pinecones.
  2. Next, they will find pom-poms, glitter, sequins, beads, etc. and glue them to their pinecones to make them look a little more festive!
  3. Then they will take 4-5 inches of ribbon or string to glue, or tie a piece to each pinecone to make it into an ornament.

Safety Warnings!

Wrapping Paper Garland

Wrapping Paper Garland Idea Image

Scout Elf tip #315: Decorating can be easy, fun and FREE!


Materials:

  • Wrapping paper
  • Glue or glue dots
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will find some unused or left-over wrapping paper.
  2. Second, they will fold the wrapping paper as many times as they can, accordion style.
  3. Third, they will draw a shape (like a gingerbread man or star) on one end of the folded wrapping paper making sure to line their drawing up with the closest folded edge.
  4. Fourth, they will use scissors to cut out their drawing making sure not to cut through the folded edge.

Safety Warnings!

Streamers Surprise

The Elf on the Shelf sitting in a stairwell with streamers hanging down, and a boy and girl pointing and smiling.

Surprise! I decorated. Hope you like it!


Materials:

  • Streamers
  • Tape
  • Stairs, door frame or anywhere in your home that would be great for streamers!

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf friend will find the best, highest place from which to hang the streamers.
  2. Second, they will tape the streamers, let them hang to the floor and watch them sparkle before their eyes.
  3. Finally, they will find the perfect spot among the streamers to sit and wait for kids to find them!

Safety Warnings!

Scout Elf Snow Sports 

The Elf on the Shelf and friends skiing using a snow hill made of paper towels and sleds made of cupcake wrapping papers

“Tallyho-ho-ho!”


Materials:


Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will begin by taking a roll of paper towels and putting the open end at the highest point they can find (Pro tip: a couch or chair is best!).
  2. Then they will roll out a few paper towels until the bulk of the roll reaches the floor making sure to add pillows, towels or something else easily accessible for support underneath.

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Safety Warnings!

The Elf on the Shelf® Christmas Tree

The Elf on the Shelf sitting in front of a Christmas tree that they’ve decorated to look just like them

“I decorated your Christmas tree. Now we’re twins!”


Materials:

  • Christmas Tree
  • Wrapping paper
  • Glue sticks or dots
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your Scout Elf® pal will gather up some unused gift-wrapping paper and scissors.
  2. Next, they will cut a large triangle from red wrapping paper and one longer rectangular strip of white wrapping paper to create the hat.
  3. Then, they will cut two large white circles, two medium blue or brown circles and two black circles then glue or tape them together to make the eyes.
  4. After that, your elf will cut one oval shape to create the nose and one sickle shape for the mouth.
  5. Next, they will cut 5-6 white triangles and tape or glue them together on each end to create a collar.
  6. Finally, they will use glue dots or tape to stick all of this to the tree and show off their likeness!

Safety Warnings!

Scout Elf Tree House

The Elf on the Shelf sitting in a printable tree house in a Christmas tree.

“My new house is tree-mendous!”


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Double-sided tape
  • Scissors
  • Christmas tree

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your Scout Elf will print, cut and fold the printable tree house.
  2. Next, they will tape all the sides together so it will stay in place.
  3. Then they will find the perfect spot in the Christmas tree to place their tree house!
  4. Finally, they will get comfy in their tree house and wait for kids to notice their arrival!

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Safety Warnings!

Christmas Countdown Santa Printable

Let the countdown to Christmas BEGIN!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Cardstock/ copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • String

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your Scout Elf will print and cut out the Christmas countdown printable.
  2. Next, they will cut four-to-five-inch strips of white paper.
  3. Then, week by week, they will watch as kids loop one strip of paper to create Santa’s “beard” by Christmastime!

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Safety Warnings!

Elf Yourself

“You look just like me!” 


Materials:

  • Cardboard or poster board
  • Colorful construction paper
  • Adhesive
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will find a large piece of cardboard or poster board and cut a child-sized face hole in the middle.
  2. Next, they will cut red and white construction paper in their likeness and adhere it to the board.
  3. Finally, they will set up a photo station for silly Christmas pictures!

Safety Warnings!

Online Shopping Spree

“Did you see the new Claus Couture?” 


Materials:

  • Laptop computer
  • Color printer
  • Construction paper
  • Printable boxes 2.5 x 2.5
  • Scissors
  • Printable

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will print and fold together the elf-sized mailing packages.
  2. Next, the elf will place themselves in front of a laptop computer with shop.elfontheshelf.com showing on screen.
  3. They will place all the elf-sized mailing packages around them to showcase their online shopping spree!

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Safety Warnings!

The Cutest Tree Topper

“Up here!”


Materials:


Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will prepare themselves by dressing up in the angelic Snow Dreams Dress from the MagiFreez® collection.
  2. Next, they will stand at the top of the Christmas tree disguised as a tree-topper!

Learn More

Safety Warnings!

Gingerbread House for Elf Pets®

A house built almost well enough to eat!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • Markers or crayons

Instructions:

  1. The Scout Elf will print and cut the printables.
  2. Next, they will set out markers or crayons for you to color in the gingerbread Saint Bernard house.
  3. Then they will arrange the printables to make a home decorated for Christmas for the Elf Pets® Saint Bernard!

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Safety Warnings!

Scout Elf New Year’s Welcome

It’s time for Scout Elves to kick off a New Year’s celebration, including a special message from the North Pole!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Printable
  • Card stock/paper
  • Scissors
  • Party favors (noisemakers, party horns, hats, etc.)
  • Decorations (confetti, streamers, etc.)
  • Optional: any Elf Pets® plush animal
  • Elf Pets® plush animal

Instructions:

  1. Your elf will print and cut out the printable.
  2. Then, they will decorate and wait for you to join the New Year’s celebration!

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Safety Warnings!

MagiFreez® Holiday Hipster

This special MagiFreez® design gives Scout Elves super standing power to create elf scenes that rise above the rest! Look at the coolest elf on the block! This snazzy set comes with special pants and shoes that make your Scout Elf stand tall with Christmas spirit. The matching scarf and glasses provide perfectly festive fittings for the season. Standing is a snap with MagiFreez®!


Safety Warnings!

Magical Candy Portal

Your Scout Elf set up a mystical North Pole portal and out popped an array of sweets! Oh my!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Tape
  • Candy

Instructions:

  1. Your elf will print and cut out the printable.
  2. They will cut out the circle in the middle of the portal and insert an empty toilet paper roll in the hole.
  3. They will tape the circle back on the toilet paper roll.
  4. They will fill the toilet paper roll with enough candy to pour out of the center of the portal.

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Safety Warnings!

Present Pop-Up

Peek-a-boo! You’ll find your Scout Elf waiting to surprise you in a present.


Materials:

  • Present

Instructions:

  1. Your elf will hide in a present and jump out just in time for you to find them. Pop goes the Scout Elf!

Safety Warnings!

Holiday Scramble

An eggcellent surprise from your Scout Elf! Festive stickers and Christmas doodles make the morning merrier when you open the fridge.


Materials:

  • Refrigerator
  • Carton of eggs
  • Markers
  • Christmas stickers

Instructions:

  1. Your elf will gather markers and/or Christmas stickers and decorate the eggshells in the refrigerator. Scout Elves are eggs-perts at funny scenes like this!

Safety Warnings!