You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not forget that Elf on the Shelf is coming! If your family is like ours, Elf on the Shelf is now a household staple. Our kids absolutely love waking up to find their elf, (they named their elf, Elfie). As parents, we have more of a love hate relationship trying to find clever ways to get Elfie to show up the next day. But one thing is for sure, the arrival of your Elf on the Shelf is one of the most exciting days of the holiday season!
If you’ve been frantically searching the internet for creative ideas on how to get started, look no further! Here’s a curated list of our favorite Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas that range from simple to complex.
15 adorable ideas for the arrival of Elf on the Shelf!
We’ll kick things off with two super cute ways to tease the arrival of your Elf on the Shelf if you need an extra day or two before your Elf comes home (don’t forget to print out a cute arrival letter as well to remind you of the story and rules as well). Then we’ll move on to ideas for your elf’s grand debut!
All ideas brought to you by the wonderful and clever parents on Pinterest.
1: March through the snow
Is your elf not ready to make his appearance yet? Tease your child with small traces. The elf is somewhere, but where? This is a cute reminder that the Elf is always watching even when he can’t be seen. Check out the idea here!
MATERIALS needed:
- White powder (either sugar or salt works perfectly)
- Something to make footprints (if you don’t have an Elf yet)
2: See you soon!
Send your child a postcard to let them know about the fun adventures of Elf on the Shelf! A postcard will also serve as a reminder to be on their best behavior this holiday season because Elf on the Shelf is coming back soon! Read more about this Elf on the Shelf arrival idea here!
MATERIALS needed:
- A fun site
- m. Beach, Theme Park, Pumpkin Patch, etc.
- camera
- Access to a printer
3: Chimneys are much easier!
Everyone knows that Santa prefers to enter through a Chimney, so it only makes sense that his Elves do too! But it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a chimney! All you have to do is tape the Elf to your front door. In the absence of a chimney, there seems to be no way in! Without the magic of Santa, the only option seems to be waiting at the front door for someone to let them in! Check it out.
MATERIALS needed:
- Sticky note and pen (Not required)
- Tape-cassette
- A door
4: Inbox! A paper airplane elf on the shelf Arrival
This elf’s preferred way to travel is via paper airplanes! Who doesn’t love making paper airplanes? Here are the details!
MATERIALS needed:
- Paper
- Paper Folding Skills (Watch YouTube)
- Series
- Graphic utensil
5: Elf on the Shelf Emergency Landing Arrival!
That paper plane landing didn’t turn out so well, did it! Someone needs to take flying lessons. Maybe they can get help from Santa’s reindeer? Learn more about this idea here!
MATERIALS needed:
- Christmas tree
- Paper plane
- Graphic utensil
Shop Elf on the Shelf favorites!
6: All I want for Christmas is candy, and lots of it.
Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a drop or two! Or three, or as many as it took to write “I’m BACK”. I think I would need to buy double the amount of candy to make this idea happen since I would probably eat it all. Check out more of this candy masterpiece!
MATERIALS needed:
7: Scale on the walls
Even though this photo takes place indoors, this idea can still be used for an arrival! Instead of a window, tape/glue the bows to the outside of the house where your child can easily see the elf climbing the wall! There is an entrance somewhere! Check out this idea here.
MATERIALS needed:
8: Melted snow, melted snow, melted snow
I think this might be my favorite Elf on the Shelf Arrival idea. This is an accurate representation of what happens to snow when it meets heat! Unless you live in a place where it snows all the time and below the ice, this arrival idea is perfect for you. Here are the deets!
MATERIALS needed:
- Pan
- Paper and pen
- Googly eyes
- Branches
- Buttons
- Carrot
- Water
9: Intruder Alert!
“Stop Elf! You’re trespassing!” – Little soldiers
This idea is a cute way to incorporate toys that may already be around the house. I know I have quite a few toy soldiers sitting in a box somewhere. Here are the details of this idea!
MATERIALS needed:
10: Pop Goes the Elf!
This elf is very excited to be back. whether it will spread joy or cause some mischief, no one knows exactly. Let’s hope they don’t break anything else during their stay. Here’s the idea!
MATERIALS needed:
11: Decorate the hallway with string lights
This elf is ready to decorate the outside of this house to spread some Christmas cheer! Light your path! Here’s more on the idea.
MATERIALS needed:
- Strings of Light
- An external socket
- Possibly an extension cord (depends on length of lights and distance from outlet)
12: Santa is always watching… always watching
I am 100% guilty of flooding under the tree at Christmas time. I’m not going to lie. I still shake the boxes that have my name on them. Growing up, if I thought my spying was recorded, I can promise you I wouldn’t be in any danger of getting caught! My family should have installed a “camera”. Check it out here!
MATERIALS needed:
- North Pole Camera
- Paper
- Markers
- A lamp that can pass as a camera
- Something to clip the “camera” to the tree
- Binder clip
- Paper clip
- peg
13: The puck landed
This elf has perfected the art of landing. Perhaps what the Elves needed was an airplane made of something other than paper. This elf should share his skills with his friends. Accidents would happen much less. Here’s more on the idea.
MATERIALS needed:
- Airplane
- Paper
- Pen
- String lights
14: Oh, bring us some reindeer pudding
This Elf on the Shelf idea is adorable and I love that the pudding looks like a reindeer! The family will have a sweet snack to eat when it’s time for the Elf to move elsewhere in the house. Learn more about this idea.
MATERIALS needed:
- Chocolate pudding cups
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Googly Eyes
- Red pom poms
- Glue
- Fake snow
15: Home for the holidays
An elf makes a home inside the walls! In this photo, we see an elf showing off his hideout with a door. Which leads; No one knows exactly. One can only hope that is where the Elf keep the materials for all their projects! The preparation and the aftermath must be hidden somewhere. Check it out here!
MATERIALS needed:
- Door
- Can be purchased at a craft store
- A letter (optional)
- Crown
- Christmas lights miniature toys
Now that you’ve chosen an Elf arrival idea (at least I hope you have), it’s time to find more adventures your Elf on the Shelf can go on to encourage your child to be on their best behavior this holiday season .
Click on one of the links below for a list of fun ideas to continue your Elf’s journey in your home! From how to name your elf, arrival letters and goodbyes:
75 Unique and Fun Names for Girls and Boys on the Shelf
10 Super Fun Ideas for Your Elf on the Shelf Return Letter
10 Fun & Clever Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter Ideas
Frequent questions
What do you do about the elf on a shelf arrival?
There are so many ideas for your Elf on the Shelf arrival. I love our family elf arriving with a bang like a flying paper plane or causing some serious mischief. It’s also a good idea to include an arrival letter to remind your children of the delivery.
What does the elf bring on the first day?
Your elf on the shelf should show up on day one with an arrival letter reminding your children of the tradition and history of your elf.
When should the elf hit the shelf?
Your elf should arrive sometime between the last week of November and December 1st. This is the most popular week of the return of the Elf Scouts!
Pin for later- 15 Amazing Arrival Ideas with Elf on the Shelf
