Creative Elf on the Shelf ideas for moms who’ve run out of places to hide him (2024)

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November 10, 2015 at 12:00pm EST

Plus IconMark Baylor/Flickr

The Elf on the Shelf is a fun December tradition many families look forward to all year long. But after a couple of years—or even a couple of weeks—it’s easy to run out of new places for the Elf to be found in the morning. Never fear: Here isa slew ofunique Elf on the Shelf ideas you may not have seen before to help keep your kids on their toes.

Stocking swap
Give your kids a good giggle by helping your Elf swap out the stockings for a pair of everyone’s clean undies or a sock.
Copy machine
Let’s be honest: Who doesn’t love playing with a copy machine? This super unique idea from Crystal & Co. of putting your Elf in the copier will delight everyone’s inner child.
Tumble dry
From Clearly Candace comes this simple and fun idea of tossing your Elf in the dryer so he’s discovered mid-tumble.
Thirsty?
From Raining Hot Coupons comes this cool and refreshing Elf hiding place that doubles as a gentle reminder to your children to drink more water.
A swinging good time
Some string and an empty cardboard tube are all you need to recreate this playfulElf swing from Building Our Story.
Let it snow!
Let your Elf inspire your kids to help make it a white Christmas, no matter what the weather is like outside.
Bungee jumping
This bungee-jumping Elf from Spotted Pink Potatoes is a great way to appeal to your kid’s daredevil side. It’s also a great reminder of how fun a Slinky can be!
Meet me under the mistletoe
Waiting under the mistletoe is a sweet spot for your children to find your Elfin the morning.
In the vacuum
If your vacuum is impeccably clean, this trapped-in-the-dust-cylinder Elf from Clearly Candace is a pretty nifty hiding spot.
The fairy Elf
If your child loves all things fairy, then they’ll love this whimsical Elf-with-wings idea. Make up a tale about an overnight run-in with some pixies and you’re officially the cool mom.
Super star
Most young kids are thrilled at the idea of touching the star at the top of the Christmas tree. Let them live vicariously through their Elf with this top of the tree Elf hiding spot idea from Clearly Candace.
Fans of the fan
Tryhanging your Elf from a ceiling fan, like this example fromBuilding Our Story, and watch your child’s eyes light up as they watch their Elf spin around and around.
Cocoa spa
Raining Hot Coupons has a great idea if your Elf is a smarty pants. Have your Elf set up for a warm soak in a mug of cocoa, but get caught in the act!
Let me in!
It’s never too early to start teaching kids the importance of sticking to their curfew. This playful idea from Lil Blue Booof placing your Elf outsideshows what can happen when your Elf wanders out in the middle of the night.
Snow angel
If your kid is wondering whether your Elf misses the snowy North Pole, brace yourself for a little clean up and let your Elf make a snow angel.
Hanging with friends
You can’t expect your Elf to hang around for a month without making friends with the locals! This simple Elf set up with stuffed animals from Building Our Story will have your child’s imagination in overdrive.
Doodle Elf
The fun thing about the Elf on the Shelf is that he can get away with mischief your kids can’t. Use a dry erase marker to doodle on a glass frameand give everyone a funny face.
Hiding in plain view
Sometimes the most obvious place for the Elf to be is the last place your child would think to look. Pink Spotted Potatoes shows us how to keep things simple but interesting by tucking your Elf in with the Christmas tree ornaments.
Reindeer food
A good Elf never lets his friends go hungry. Let yourElf help the kids spread a snack in the yard for Santa’s reindeer.
Making mini-Rudolphs
Delight your kids bytransforming them into their favorite red-nosed reindeer. Have your Elf paint a red dot on the bathroom mirror and leave a note explaining his trick. The reaction when your children see their reflections will be priceless!
Peek-a-boo
For a mess-free but tricky-to-spot hiding place, try putting your Elf behind a frame, like this version from Raining Hot Coupons.
Brrrrr…
The chilly freezeris the perfect temperature for your Elf, since he’s used to the cold of the North Pole, but it’s likely to be the last place your child thinks to search.
Clever spots to prop Elf on the Shelf
Can’t wait to give these a try this holiday season? Pin it!