Have you run out of ideas for the Elf on the Shelf now that your kids are a little older?
I think there’s still plenty you can do with the Elf, even if your kids have become teens or tweens – there’s still room for Christmas magic and fun!
These ideas are a little more playful and less cutesy than the Elf having a tea party with your child’s toys.
Find more funny Elf on the Shelf ideas here and over 70 easy Elf ideas.
Elf on the Shelf ideas for teens and tweens
Try these ideas to give them plenty to laugh about in the run up to Christmas Day!
Elf vs Labubu
If your child has a Labubu then get them involved in the fun.
You could try having Elf tie up Labubu with some Christmas ribbon, and sitting with a ransom note demanding candy in exchange for the Labubu.
I also have a printable Labubu mask you can stick to your Elf’s face with a glue dot. Check out my Labubu disguise here.
KPop Demon Hunters x Elf crossover
How about taking inspiration from the biggest movie for tweens and teens of the year?
You could create a Rumi wig for your Elf – I made mine using pipe cleaners which I stuck to a tinfoil cap shaped to fit my Elf’s head.
Or you could get some empty drink cans, add googly eyes and make it look like they’re a choir singing “My Little Soda Pop”.
Elf is Steve from Minecraft
If your kids are big Minecraft fans then they will love this cool gamer-inspired idea!
I created this Steve mask by heading to this website with Minecraft faces. I then printed off the image. You can either stick the image to a paper cube that fits over Elf’s head, or use glue dots to stick the mask to Elf’s face.
I also did a Creeper face!
Elf is having spa day
This one looks cool but is simple to put together. Use tissues to wrap around the Elf’s body and head to make it look as if they are towels. Then take a small bowl – I used a dipping bowl – and fill with either mini marshmallows or cotton wool balls.
You could also add a note reading: “Elf-care > everything”.
Elf takes an elfie selfie
This is a great Elf on the Shelf idea for older kids and uses my free printable elfie selfie Instagram frame.
Simply print and cut it out, then position the Elf anywhere you like.
Harry Potter printables
If your child is a Harry Potter fan then they will love these cool free Elf Hogwarts printables.
It includes games and Potter props to create some fun Harry Potter magic this December.
Elf is a Swiftie
Check out these fun Elf Eras Tour printables! There’s a Taylor Swift hat, guitar and fun notes to add to your Elf stunts.
The Elf’s “Job Application”
Set up your elf at a laptop with a fake CV titled “Seeking New Employment: Santa’s Hours Are Terrible”.
Add job listings printed from Indeed (“Professional Napper,” “Hot Chocolate Taster”).
Elf’s TikTok Set
Set up a mini “ring light” (use a phone light or lamp), a prop phone, and a sign: “Day 1 of becoming an influencer”. You could also leave the Elf mid-dance or doing a funny “day in the life” setup.
Caught Raiding the Snack Cupboard
Leave snack wrappers or empty crisp packets around your elf. Leave a note reading: “Couldn’t resist — stress eating before the big day.”
Elf Surveillance HQ
The elf has a walkie-talkie, binoculars, and a notebook labelled “Naughty List Recon”. Bonus: leave some family members’ names with “classified notes” beside them.
Elf in Detention
Tape the elf to a chair or write a mini “school detention slip”: “Caught reindeer racing in the halls again.” Plus you could add a sarcastic comment from Santa at the bottom: “3rd offence this week.”
The Meme Board
Print a few funny Christmas memes and pin them around the elf with a sign: “Curating content for Santa memes.”
Elf’s Late-Night Gaming Session
Sit the elf at a games console with a controller in hand, crisps and a drink nearby.
Caught Wrapping Terribly
Leave the elf mid-way through wrapping a random household item (like a shoe or banana).
Add a note reading: “I tried.”
Need more Elf ideas? Check out these funniest Elf on the Shelf ideas and these top free Elf on the Shelf printables.
