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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!

English Christmas Crackers

Christmas Crackers Idea Image

“Pop, snap, CRACK!” Our friends in England may celebrate Christmas festivities with a “Christmas cracker.” Christmas crackers are small gifts, usually set out on the table with a place setting, that are given to guests at a holiday gathering. Inside the “crackers” are small gifts, a joke or two and sometimes…SWEETS (which elves love)!


Materials:

  • Wrapping paper
  • Tape
  • Toilet paper or paper towel rolls
  • Pipe cleaners or string
  • Your favorite treat

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf pal will gather a few cardboard toilet paper or paper towel rolls.
  2. Second, they will find some leftover wrapping paper and wrap each piece once around the cardboard rolls with tape to hold it in place.
  3. Third, they will drop kids’ favorite sweets down inside the cardboard roll!
  4. Finally, they will tie up each end of the wrapping paper, right next to the cardboard roll, with pipe cleaners or string and wait for kids to crack open these surprise-filled treats!

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!

Merry & Bright Paperdoll Luau

Grab your grass skirts and floral shirts—it’s time for a luau!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Cardstock/ copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • Tape or glue dots
  • Optional: pineapple, sunglasses, luau decorations

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will print and cut out the gingerbread people along with their clothing and accessories.
  2. Next, they will lay them out for kids to find.
  3. Finally, they will enjoy a merry and bright luau while kids keep entertained with these paperdolls!

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Safety Warnings!

“I’m Bored” Activity Jar

For the next “I’m bored!”


Materials:

  • Empty bowl or jar
  • Scissors
  • Cardstock/copy paper
  • Marker

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will begin by cutting three-to-four-inch strips of paper.
  2. Then they will come up with several cheer-filled, enjoyable activities and write one down on each strip of paper and fold.
  3. Next, they will put all the activity papers into the jar for kids to pull out one–by-one throughout summer to fill their days with joy!

Safety Warnings!

Make Your Own Time Capsule

Scout Elf with printable and jar of treats

Remember all the good times!


Materials:

  • Container (e.g., jar or shoe box)
  • Color printer
  • Cardstock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your elf will print, cut and lay out the printable message card and activity sheet.
  2. Next, kids will gather up memorable items that they’ll want to treasure forever!
  3. Finally, kids will place their items in a container, fill out the activity sheet and place their DIY time capsule in a secret hiding spot for safe keeping until they revisit it at the end of the year!

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Safety Warnings!

Party Poppers

This party is POPPIN’!


Materials:

  • Cardboard tube
  • Leftover Christmas wrapping paper
  • Balloons
  • Tape (bonus if it’s decorative!)
  • Confetti

Instructions:

  1. To begin, your elf will lay out all the materials needed to craft the party poppers.
  2. Then, kids will tape or glue leftover wrapping paper from Christmas around the empty cardboard tube.
  3. Next, kids will go ahead and tie the mouthpiece of the balloon into a knot as if it were already blown up.
  4. Then with your help, kids will cut a tiny hole at the top of a balloon and stretch it open to insert the cardboard tube into the hole and tape the cut edges onto the cardboard tube to secure.
  5. Finally, add confetti to the tube and pull the knotted end of the balloon to POP!

Safety Warnings!

Growth Chart Wall

Materials:

  • Wall or door frame of your choosing
  • Color printer
  • Cardstock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Your elf will begin by printing and setting out the printable and cute message card!
  2. Then they will help kids pick out a wall or door frame eligible for a few pencil markings.
  3. Next, kids will back up to the wall while you help to draw a line equal with the tippy top of their head!
  4. Finally, keep the measurements going each season when your elf journeys back to your home for Christmas!

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Safety Warnings!

How to Draw an Elf Pets Arctic Fox

How to Draw an Arctic Fox

Follow along with North Pole animator Peppermint McDoodles as he explains how to draw an Elf Pets Arctic Fox!


Safety Warnings!

Family Gazette

Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable

Instructions:

  1. Your elf will print and prepare the printable.
  2. Next, they will lay out the printable sheet so you can fill in all of this year’s information and look back on it for years to come!

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Safety Warnings!

Food Bingo

BINGO!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • Your favorite Christmas candy

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will print and lay out the bingo charts.
  2. Next, they will cut out the printable bingo chips or they might leave your favorite Christmas candy to use as bingo chips—as long as you don’t eat it first!

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Safety Warnings!

Larger-Than-Life Lights

Scout Elves love all things that twinkle! 


Materials:

  • Balloons
  • Green plastic cups
  • Yarn
  • Adhesive

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will inflate the balloons and tie them off.
  2. Next, the elf will adhere plastic drinking cups to the bottoms of the balloons.
  3. Then your Scout Elf will string all the balloons together using yarn and adhesive.
  4. Finally, they will place the balloon “lights” across the Christmas tree to look larger than life!

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Safety Warnings!

Funny-Do List

Scout Elves: making chores enjoyable since 2005!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will print and set out the printable.
  2. Then, they’ll sneak back to the North Pole while your family’s face lights up at all the silly chores to complete before the Scout Elf officially arrives for the season!

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Safety Warnings!

Halloween Scavenger Hunt 

Happy Halloween from The Elf on the Shelf!


Materials:

  • Color printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • A bowl, bucket, or bag to hold Halloween candy (and your Scout Elf)
  • A cabinet

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will print the Halloween scavenger hunt clues.
  2. Next, they will place them around your home for kids to find and follow.
  3. Finally, your elf will place themselves to be found in the final hiding place—in a cabinet with Halloween goodies!

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Safety Warnings!

ABCs Breakfast

Ready to eat your ABCs? 


Materials:

  • Apples
  • Bacon
  • Cream cheese and bagels
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Your favorite fruits
  • Printer
  • Card stock/copy paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. First, your Scout Elf will print, cut, and set out the sign announcing the ABCs breakfast!
  2. Then they will wash and prepare all the ‘A’pples and ‘F’ruit for the fruit salad.
  3. Next, they will cook the ‘B’acon, toast the bagels and spread with ‘C’ream cheese, and prepare the ‘E’ggs your favorite way!
  4. Then they will set out the milk, or ‘D’airy.
  5. Finally, they’ll enjoy this tasty ABCs breakfast with kids before their first day of school!

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Safety Warnings!

Father’s Day Printables

Elf with printable crafts

For one who guides, encourages, and makes life a little more Elftastic!


Materials:

  • Printer
  • Card stock/paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors
  • Crayons, markers, or pencils

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will prepare the printable.
  2. The elf will then lay out all the materials needed for children to cut, color, and fill everything in for dad to love!
  3. Finally, kids will show dad he’s SUPER with a special card, coloring sheet, and silly caricature of his face!

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Safety Warnings!

Summer Bucket List Bingo

Scout Elves are here to celebrate the last day of school and leave kiddos with lots of summer activities!


Materials:

  • Printer
  • Card stock/paper
  • Printable
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will prepare the printable.
  2. The elf will then lay out all the materials needed for children to cut out their bingo chips.
  3. Finally, one by one, kids will paste bingo chips on each summer activity as they complete it. It won’t take long to fill the card and win the game!

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Safety Warnings!

Feeling Lucky Flapjacks

St. Patrick's Day green pancake breakfast

Feeling lucky? Scout Elves are ready to bake!


Materials:

  • Your favorite pancake mix
  • Green food coloring
  • Whipped cream
  • Sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will prepare the pancake mix according to directions and slowly stir in food coloring until the mix is the desired shade of St. Patrick’s Day green.
  2. Next, the elf will pour small scoops of batter onto a griddle and flip over each flapjack when it’s ready.
  3. Finally, your Scout Elf will top the finished flapjacks with sprinkles and whipped cream. Then they’ll wait for you to enjoy!

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Safety Warnings!

Shamrock Scavenger Hunt

St. Patricks Day scavenger hunt

Time to go a’searching. Scout Elves hide clues for young and old so soon you’ll find a pot of gold!


Materials:

  • Small pot
  • Gold wrapped chocolate coins
  • Color printer
  • Card stock/paper
  • Printable

Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will hide clues around your home where prompted.
  2. The Scout Elf will then sit in the pot of gold waiting for you to solve the clues and find them at the end of the scavenger hunt.
  3. At the end of the scavenger hunt, the pot of gold can be safely moved to a different location. Be careful not to touch the Scout Elf!

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Safety Warnings!

Scout Elf Valentine Photo Booth

Elves with printable photo booth props

Scout Elves love a good sELFie. With these photo booth props, your Scout Elf will share their silliest pose ideas so you and your Elf Pets® can have your very own Valentine’s Day photo session!


Materials:


Instructions:

  1. Your Scout Elf will print and cut out the printables.
  2. They will tape toothpicks or skewers to the backs of the printables to make props and signs that you and your Elf Pets® and plush friends can hold up in photographs.
  3. Your Scout Elf will pose, using a few props, but will leave a collection of props and signs for you and your Elf Pets® and plush friends to use as well!

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Safety Warnings!