40 Elf on the Shelf Ideas PLUS Free Printables!! (2024)

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UPDATE: Fred the Elf has had many, many more adventures at our house since this post was first written. Be sure to check out his homemade snowman, and also keep an eye out for new ideas posted here! And don’t miss the FREE PRINTABLE ELF PACK at the end of this post!

If you’ve been a longtime reader, or follower of my Facebook page, then you are likely familiar with our elf, Fred.

Fred showed up at our home in Las Vegas when J was two years old. He was a funny little guy right from the start, and certainly seemed to share our love of Christmas movies and activities! As time has gone by and we added H to the mix, Fred the elf seems to just have more and more fun each year – even SIMPLE kinds of fun. (Whew, amirite??)

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Fred has returned each year since, and I fully expect him to show up again this Friday. (He’s rather punctual.)

In case your Elf is running out of fun ideas on how to surprise the children, I’ve chronicled a few of Fred’s antics here for you!

*This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.*

40 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Welcome Letter

Our elf Fred brought this sweet letter for the boys, which I like that they will have as a keepsake!

He also decided to try some circus tricks and hang from the light fixtures, where’d he strung a pretty fun little banner. (Psst! You can snag this free printable banner below!)

The previous year, Fred raided the boys art supplies to create this “musically-inspired” display. Guess he enjoys some Eminem!

Places to Hang Out

Obviously, Fred is a busy little elf, flitting back and forth to the North Pole to fill Santa in on the boys’ behavior. Sometimes I think he just likes to find a quiet spot to chill and watch over them.

High places work well. The top of the tree was probably a little prickly on his elf tush, but great vantage point!

Hanging out with the main man, Santa.

Loops in your garland make fun elf swings, I’m told.

He really does have a thing for heights!

Guess he needed to chill out a little bit. Found him in the freezer!

Poor Fred needed some rest, it seems.

Emailing Santa some new updates.

Making Friends and Mischief

The Christmas following J’s Nemo Birthday Party, Fred decided to do a little fishing in the leftover decorations.

Nothing like a good game between friends!

. . . or a fun ride!

Looks like he’s trying to get a little Christmas cheer brewing!

A little game of solitaire?

Looks like Fred’s taco might be too warm – it is melting the snowman!

Then there was that time he pulled out our wedding china to host a dinner party with the Avengers, Spider-man, and Wolverine. Like you do.

They must have had fun, since later on they were all putting a puzzle together!

Playing trains with Elmo.

Is it narcissistic of the snowmen to want a book read to them about snowmen?

I wonder if Fred thinks he’s a cowboy?

Looks like somebody has seen Elftoo many times. I didn’t count if he got all 11 cookies crammed in the VCR…

Poor Fred. (He’s lucky he cleaned up his mess!)

You can take the elf out of the workshop, but you can’t take the workshop out of the elf!

Practicing his spelling.

Darn it, Fred, now I’ll never get that song out of my head!

How thoughtful, Fred!

Fred put together a great little basket of Christmas movies/books and an Advent Calendar for us last year.

He supplied J with a printable Letter to Santa to fill out.

He thoughtfully gifted us with two new personalized ornaments for our tree – one for H’s first Christmas, and one of the whole family.

Fred pulled protector duty and made sure the Monster Spray kept the baddies away!

What a busy little elf!

It was sweet of him to color a picture for the boys!

These #ElfontheShelf free printables helps make moving the little guy easier this #Christmas!Click To Tweet

Again? Well, we never really tire of it either!

Fred helped create a fun Christmas card hanger for us.

Um, that’s not quite making breakfast for the family, Fred.

Saying Goodbye

After his first Christmas with us, Fred left us this lovely vignette and a goodbye card for J to say farewell on Christmas Eve.

Last year, Fred left J a note – and the best gift of all was that he let J hug him! As Fred explained, he’d be hitching a ride with Santa that night, and therefore didn’t need his magic! The joy in J’s face (and H’s the next year as this new tradition continued) was overwhelming. My boys just love getting to carry Fred around with them all day!

**Note**We don’t let them take him out in public so no other kids panic at the sight of the elf being held.

I can’t wait to see what Fred does this year!

If you think your elf might enjoy having little notes and printable letters to leave out, check out myPrintable Elf Pack, available as an instant download!

INCLUDES:

45 Printable Elf Notes ~
includes notes for naughty behavior, blank notes to customize, games, good behavior notes, and even notes to help if your Elf forgets to move or gets touched on accident!