Every year, we have a special visitor in my classroom in December- Elf on the Shelf! December is a crazy month, so I want to take the time to create some extra fun for my students. Instead of having the Elf report to Santa every night, his job was to bring some fun holiday cheer into the classroom.
I'm sharing 15 easy ideas for hosting an Elf on the Shelf in your classroom. These are all fun, simple ideas to keep you from scrambling at the last minute before the kids walk through the door each morning.
Note: When I did the Elf in my classroom, I was teaching at a private Christian school that celebrated Christmas school wide. If you are teaching in a regular classroom, just make sure parents are on board with any holiday celebrations you may want to have. I sent out a survey in the past at different schools, to make sure all my parents were okay with holiday celebrations.
Planning your Elf's activities in the classroom
Having an Elf in your classroom is one EXTRA thing you have to do before you leave/arrive in the morning, but if you plan ahead, it does make it so much easier! All these ideas are either FREE and include things in your classroom or have a very minimal cost (like Target Dollar Spot pencils or a box of candy canes).
15 easy Elf on the Shelf classroom ideas
1. Camouflage the Elf
Put a big bow on the Elf and “camouflage” it in a Christmas tree. This is how our Elf arrived at our classroom this year. My students didn't find it for over an hour!
2. Christmas light decor
Have the Elf put up Christmas lights in your classroom. The Elf gets tangled up in the lights while he's putting them up!
3. Elf in the candy
The Elf gets into your candy stash! We have a Kiss Your Brain jar and the Elf must've been a little chocolate hungry. I even smeared a little chocolate on his cheeks and my students thought this was the funniest thing ever.
4. Special treat from the Elf
When your students have an awesome day and receive lots of great reports from specials, I always have a little something saved up for them. I leave it on their desk with a “Great job” type of note from Santa or the Elf. I usually find something small at the Target Dollar Spot. One year, they had Elf on the Shelf erasers, which were perfect! You could also do a piece of candy or a fun reward coupon to make it free.
5. A special note
The Elf leaves a note using magnetic letters. This is another way to announce a fun reward, or you can write a note from the Elf.
6. Repelling Elf
The Elf repels down from the ceiling! I made a paper chain, but you could also use ribbon, twine, string, yarn, or even toilet paper. Just be sure to tape him up there or else he might free fall in the middle of your lesson!
7. Do not touch
Uh-oh, someone touched the Elf! He had a rough flight back from the North Pole, hence all the band-aids and “DO NOT DISTURB” sign. This inevitably happens every year, because a curious or handsy student just has to touch the Elf. Usually, this happens once and no one else dares to touch the Elf.
8. Snow angel
Create an Elf snow angel using mini marshmallows. This one is very fun and you can use the mini marshmallows for Elf idea #9!
9. Elf hot chocolate
The Elf brings supplies for hot chocolate! This is usually what I do on our last day with the Elf. We watch The Polar Express and drink our hot chocolate that our Elf has brought us.
10. Paper snowflakes
Another great “hiding place” for the Elf! Make a big paper snowflake and hide him behind it. I've also seen teachers have the Elf decorate the classroom with paper snowflakes, so if you have time, go for that!
11. STEM and manipulative bin fun
Here's a wonderful idea from Kristen at Kissing Our Brains in K. Have the Elf play in the STEM bins! If you don't have STEM bins, you could always have the Elf playing with the math manipulative bins. Follow her on Instagram here for even more Elf on the Shelf ideas!
12. New classroom books from the Elf on the Shelf
The Elf brings a “new” book to read! It doesn't have to be new or it could even be a book you buy from your Scholastic rewards. I love having the Elf get my students excited about reading new books! (Idea from Raining Hot Coupons)
13. Bow climbing
13. The Elf scales the window, or whiteboard, or wall using stick-on bows! This is a new idea that I added to my Elf on the Shelf calendar for this year. (Idea uploaded on Pinterest here)
14. Elf on the Shelf with Play-Doh
The Elf makes Christmas decorations using Play-Doh. This is another last-minute, easy idea for the Elf. (Idea uploaded on Pinterest here)
15. Elf on the Shelf classroom scavenger hunt
The Elf has a candy cane scavenger hunt! Hide candy canes all around your classroom and have your students find them. Once they find one, they get to eat it or take it home. You could also attach a letter/word to each candy cane and have the students unscramble for a special message! (Idea from Skinny Mom)
Need more ideas for Elf on the Shelf in your classroom?
Follow my Pinterest board: “Elf on the Shelf” for even more fun ideas to try in your classroom!
I hope you found some ideas to make hosting an Elf on the Shelf in your classroom fun and exciting! What are some of your favorite Elf activities to set up?
These are SO cute and helpful. I might have to have an elf next year π