25 quick and easy Elf on the Shelf ideas (for busy parents)

Expert Advice – 18 Dec 23 By Fiona Wright

Perfect for last-minute, late night Elf moves.

Christmas is fast-approaching and for many families, it means it’s Elf on the Shelf time of year again.

While the Elf prepares to create 24 days of mayhem and mischief in the lead up to the arrival of the big man in the red suit, we’ve done a solid for all the parents out there and created a gallery of quick and easy Elf on the Shelf ideas.

From toilet paper shenanigans to cheeky pranks with a tube of toothpaste, we’ve got your covered for all those late night, last minute ‘I almost forgot’ Elf moves.

Check out the fun but super-easy Elf set-ups in the gallery below and prepare for plenty of smiles in the lead up to Christmas.

Last minute Elf on the Shelf ideas

1/25

Apple watch for Christmas

Jules Sebastian who shares two boys, Hudson, nine, and Archie, seven, with singer Guy Sebastian, shared a brilliant Elf on the Shelf idea.

Two cheeky elves can be seen sitting next to an apple with a piece cut out of it.

On a piece of paper they’ve drawn a clock face on the apple section and added a watch band.

The note says: “We heard you might like an Apple watch for Christmas?”

Elf on the shelf Apple watch request

(Image: Instagram)

2/25

Create a climbing wall

(Source: Coffee and Cwtches)

3/25

Get toasty

(Source: Coventry Telegraph)

4/25

I Pea’d Myself

(Source: Pinterest)

5/25

Leave a TP message

(Source: Pinterest)

6/25

Elf’s ball pit

(Source: Pinterest)

7/25

Toilet roll bungee

(Source: The Mummy Bubble)

8/25

Elf sprinkle angel

(Source: Frugal Coupon Living)

9/25

On a hanger

(Source: Make The Best Of Everything)

10/25

Hide in the Christmas tree

(Source: Pinterest)

11/25

Hitch a ride in the washing machine

(via Dana Manrose)

12/25

Get your snack on

(source unknown)

13/25

Toilet paper hide-and-seek

(Source: Crystal and Comp)

14/25

Elf gets lit

(Source: little hiccups)

15/25

Marshmallow bath Elf

(Source @elfontheshelf)

16/25

Rainbow Skittles

(Source: @twinsandablog)

17/25

Egg friends

(Source: @greatscott_tt)

18/25

Naughty Elf Oreos

(Source: Pinterest)

19/25

Elf undie-drama

(Source: Clued In With Kids)

20/25

Frozen Elf

(Source: @justme_heathert)

21/25

In a tangle

(Source: Just Simply Mom)

22/25

Going bananas

(Source: Smart Party Planning)

23/25

Stuck in a jar

(Source: Just Simply Mom)

24/25

Candy cane sleighin’

(Source: Stacy Molter Photography)

25/25

Help, I’m all taped up

(Source: Frugal Coupon Living)