Participating in the Elf on the Shelf Christmas tradition is fun for the whole family and a great way to get everyone involved.
But with our busy lives, sometimes we just need a few easy, fast, Elf on the Shelf ideas to get things moving along (or as a last minute idea to make sure you have the Elf in a new spot come morning!).
Either way, here are 10 easy and fast Elf on the Shelf ideas, most of which require basically no extra work or preparation. Try some of these next season!
- In shoes or boots
Need an easy, fast, Elf on the Shelf idea that will take you all of a minute and a half to pull off? Place the Elf prominently on top of your kids’ shoes or boots, or better yet, in them.
The kids won’t be able to miss the Elf, and since they can’t touch the Scout, they’ll be sure to come running for you, which will be fun for everyone.
- Elf art
Get out some pencils, crayons, or markers and set up the Elf at work on a creative scene. This can be as involved or as hands-off as you make it. Either create a sketch and stage the Elf or else print one off and position the Elf as though he or she was working on the piece.
- Hide the elf among the produce
If your counter has a bowl of fruit, hiding the Elf in there is a great way to create a little surprise for the kids, especially if the produce bowl is in a prominent location in the kitchen.
- Stick the elf in a stocking
Here’s a low-hanging fruit, never mind the pun, considering the last suggestion. Just place the Elf in the Christmas stocking of one of your family members. It might be a little while before someone spots the Elf but that just results in a bigger surprise at the end of it. Plus, this Elf on the Shelf idea will take you all of a minute to pull off.
- Somewhere in the Christmas tree
Here’s another really easy, fast, Elf on the Shelf idea that will take you a minute or less. Find a place on the Christmas tree that needs a little color, perhaps a space that doesn’t have a lot of lights or ornaments, and place the Elf right in there.
Or, alternatively, place the Elf way at the top of the tree, where it’ll be impossible to miss Santa’s Scout.
- The snacking elf
Have you ever wondered what a Scout Elf’s favorite snack is? Well, fortunately for you, you can make it basically whatever you want it to be. Finish half of a snack, scatter a few crumbs around the Elf, and position him or her to be holding what’s left.
This Elf on the Shelf idea works even better if you’ve just made cookies or other baked goods with the family. Just take a few of these and set up the Elf.
- The decorating elf
This is a good Elf on the Shelf idea to use before your family is completely done decorating for the season, and there are lots of good ways to do it.
Either have the Elf hanging up part of a light strand or an ornament, or something else along those lines. This won’t take any extra work once you already have some Christmas decorations up.
- Prop up the Elf with a book
This easy, fast, Elf on the Shelf idea is good for so many reasons. One is that it’s cute and the kids will love it, another is that it’s easy. But the best one may be that you can get the kids interested in reading whatever it was that the Elf was reading.
With that in mind, one of the best ways to get the kids involved is to pick one of their books from school and prop up the Elf with that. It will amuse the kids, get them interested in the book, and probably encourage them to talk with their friends about it at school.
- Elf in a coat pocket
Sticking the Elf in one of your kids’ coat pockets is easy, fast, and impossible to miss. Just make sure the Elf is very prominently positioned because you don’t want your child to miss the Elf and accidentally touch it.
- Messenger elf
Lastly, you could pen a quick note from the Elf to your children about how they’re doing a great job and everything has been reported back to Santa so far. It’ll only take you a few minutes, the kids will love it, and it’s a creative way to get them involved.
Love These Easy, Fast Elf on the Shelf Ideas but Want More?
If you liked these and wanted to see more like them, check out our previous post, Getting Creative with Elf on the Shelf: 20 Fun Ways to Place Santa’s Scout.
And if you’ve never enjoyed this Christmas tradition before, make this year the first year to try it!