
let’s face it, coming up with Elf on the Shelf ideas is the last thing you want to do as the parent of a toddler. You just ran around all day cleaning up messes and changing diapers and now you have to worry about moving the elf. Don’t you worry, we have 25 Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers that you can easily copy each night. Whether you are looking for Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddler boy or just need a few more ideas to get through Christmas, don’t worry we have got your back.
As the mom of a toddler and a baby, I am so excited for Christmas with my kids but I am kind of dreading trying to come up with interesting and entertaining Elf on the Shelf ideas for my toddler. I want to make sure that her Christmas is magical but after bedtime i am just exhausted. So this year, I have made it my mission to come up with 25 Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers before the holiday madness so that I can just follow the plan each night. I am here to share with you the exact ideas I will be creating for my toddler girl each night so that you can copy these ideas too.
In this blog post, we will show you Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers that will make this Christmas season easier for you, From Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids not listening or some Elf on the shelf ideas for 2 year old, we have ideas that will make your little one’s Christmas extra special this year. We will also share with you some tips, free printables, and Amazon finds that you can use for this Elf on the Shelf season.
This blog post is all about Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers.
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What are the three rules of Elf on the Shelf?
The three main rules of the elf on the shelf are:
- You can not touch it or it will lose it’s magic
- The elf can not talk while you are awake and it only talks at night to Santa
- The elf returns to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to help Santa
What are some funny Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids?
Here are some funny Elf on the Shelf of ideas that you can copy:
- Have the elf doing their everyday activities like brushing their teeth or trying to get dressed in your child’s clothes
- Make the elf play with your child’s toys
- Have the elf doing something for the first time or something incorrectly like brushing their butt with your child’s toothbrush
- Make your elf watch a movie with popcorn
BUY YOUR ELF ON THE SHELF FROM AMAZON:
This is your reminder to buy an elf from Amazon or go look for your elf before the elf festivities begin!
Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Now, let’s discover the best Elf of the Shelf ideas for toddlers that we have found on Pinterest!
1. Elf on the Shelf Arrival for Toddlers

It is day one of the Elf on the Shelf and what better way to have the elf arrive in your home than in an Amazon package. Stick your elf through a small hole of the box with a cute message, note, or toy inside of it.
Here are some ways that you can make your Elf on the Shelf arrival more magical:
- Give your child a gift from the elf
- Have the elf write a sweet note sharing their excitement
- Have the elf set up a fun game or scavenger hunt
- Include personalization in the arrival like a balloon with your child’s name on it
- Read the Elf on the Shelf book with your toddler during bedtime on night one
GET FREE ELF ON THE SHELF ARRIVAL LETTERS HERE:
2. Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Daycare
Let’s face it, doing pretty much any activity in a daycare with a bunch of toddlers is not easy, but the Elf on the Shelf is an activity worth the headache.
Here are some Elf on the Shelf ideas for daycares:
- Put the Elf up really high as much as possible to avoid anyone touching it
- Move the Elf each night before you leave so that you don’t have to scramble in the morning
- Have the elf help out in the classroom as an activity
- Make sure that your elf has interactive days like scavenger hunts, i spy, or coloring pages for the classroom
3. Easy Elf on the Shelf Idea
One of the easiest setups for the Elf on the Shelf when it comes to toddlers is having the elf play with one of their favorite toys. Be sure to remind them not to touch the elf or it will lose it’s magic.
4. Lazy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers
Some days, you are just too tired to think of an extravagant Elf on the Shelf idea for your toddler and that’s totally ok. For a day when you just can’t do it anymore, have your elf play with a sheet of stickers and accidentally get them all over themselves.
5. Lazy Elf on the Shelf Idea For Toddlers
If you are having a super lazy day and just need a quick Elf on the Shelf idea for the day, try taking out some crayons and having your elf color in your toddler’s coloring book.
6. Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Toddler Boy
Get your toddler boy excited for the Elf on the Shelf by having his elf play with some of his toys like riding a dino, driving his car, or building a Lego home.
7. Paw Patrol Elf on the Shelf Idea
If your toddler is anything like mine, then they are Paw Patrol obsessed. A fun way to get your kiddo excited for the elf is to have your elf walking the Paw Patrol dogs on leashes as if they were actually real dogs!
8. Elf on the Shelf Idea For Kids
Older toddlers and kids can be a little harder to impress than babies, which is why this funny Elf on the Shelf selfie is such a fun idea! It’s sure to get laughs from kids of all ages.
9. Elf on the Shelf Movie Night Idea
Perfect for a Friday night or weekend, have your elf set up a movie night for the family to enjoy. Simply, stick a cute note where your child can pick the movie of the night or even pick the snacks for the movie night too! Be sure to have the family get into their Christmas pajamas for the ultimate cozy night in.
10. Elf Tattoo Shop
Create an Elf on the Shelf tattoo shop for an interactive and fun Christmas activity that children of many ages will enjoy. For bonus points, dress your elf up in a super cute outfit.
GET TATTOOS FROM AMAZON:
11. Funny Elf on the Shelf Idea For Toddler
Place your elf in an unexpected and funny spot for one day of Elf on the Shelf by having them hang from the ceilings from gift bags. This will make your kiddos laugh and also wonder how on earth they got stuck up there.
12. Silly Elf On The Shelf Ideas for Toddlers
Serve a silly breakfast from the Elf on the Shelf by putting chocolate eggs on the pan with a cute sign beside it.
13. Interactive Elf on the Shelf Idea
My toddler loves baking each week which is why baking with the Elf on the Shelf will make for such a magical and fun Christmas activity.
14. Elf on the Shelf For Toddlers Note
A note is one of the easiest ways to elevate an Elf on the Shelf idea and give the elf a voice while it is doing it’s daily activities. For Day 14 of Elf on the Shelf, stick your little guy on the outside of a window with a note asking for help cause it’s too cold outside.
15. Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
To recreate this fun Elf on the Shelf idea for your toddler, place a bunch of solo cups on the floor and have your elf leave a note behind saying that there is a treat under one of the cups. Have your toddler lift the cups to reveal a cute Christmas toy, candy, or craft.
16. Quick and Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
If your toddler has a favorite snack or beverage, have their elf indulge in some of their favorites and watch how your little one’s face lights up.
17. DIY Elf on the Shelf Idea For Toddlers
Create a Christmas taste testing experience with your child’s elf as the host by laying out different snacks and candies with festive Christmas names next to them.
TIP: If your toddler thinks poop is funny, make sure that everything they are tasting is “poop”.
18. Elf Movie Night
Set your elf up right next to the IPad while it has it’s very own movie night with snacks and candy. Add some of your toddlers stuffed animals around it to make your toddler have a laugh.
19. Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Toddlers Don’t Listen
If you are a parent, you know that your toddler doesn’t always listen and what better way to correct their behavior than having the elf go on strike. Leave a note next to the elf stating that there will be no more visits unless your toddler’s behavior changes.
20. Magna Tile Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Utilize any Magna Tiles, blocks, or lego you have laying around to make a home for your elf to hide in for Day 20.
21. Naughty Elf on the Shelf Idea For Toddlers
On Day 21, make your elf draw some silly faces on the eggs in your refridgerator so that your toddler has a laugh when they open the door.
22. Potty Training Elf on the Shelf Idea For Toddlers
Encourage your toddler to ditch the diapers by having your elf and their favorite toy from your toddlers underwear.
23. Hilarious Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
A hilarious Elf on the Shelf idea for your toddler that they will actually find funny is having your elf draw cute snowmen on their string cheese. This is a great idea for snack time in the classroom during Christmas time too!
24. Elf on The Shelf Ideas For Toddler Easy Silly
If your toddler is anything like mine than poop and the word butt are hilarious to them which is why this butt brush Elf on the Shelf idea will definitely win them over.
25. Elf on the Shelf Departure Idea For Toddler
Saying goodbye to the elf is never easy for your little one so make sure that you make it sweet. To recreate this Elf on the Shelf departure, have your elf write a note in flour on the ground and maybe leave something small behind for your toddler like candy, stickers, or a small toy.
TIP: In most homes, the Elf on the Shelf leave on December 24th but each home can have their own tradition.
This blog post was all about Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers.
CHECK OUT OUR SIMILAR BLOG POSTS:
- The Secret To Elf On The Shelf Arrival Ideas
- 25 Lazy Elf on the Shelf Ideas That’ll Take 5 Minutes Or Less
- 25 Elf on the Shelf Ideas Easy Enough for Busy Parents

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