Is there an Elf on the Shelf visiting your toddler for the first time this year? This post has tons of great Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers and some great advice on how to use Elf on the Shelf with your toddler as well!
Tips for Elf on the Shelf with Toddlers.
Before we get to the Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers, here are a few tips for doing Elf on the Shelf with your toddler:
Keep It Simple
First, keep expectations low and make things easy on yourself until your child is a bit older and can appreciate your elf’s silly antics. I don’t know how many parents I know started doing elaborate scenes with their family’s elf when their children were very young and now have to up the ante each year.
Guess what?
The novelty of the elf has worn off (for the parents), but they are now invested. They spend sometimes hours each night creating funny and outlandish new scenes for their children.
Toddlers are very easily amused. Keep the ideas simple and save the elaborate tableaux for when your kids are older.
Keep it Well Behaved
At this stage, your elf should probably stick to being nice, instead of naughty. The first year we had our elf, I was looking forward to playing some cute pranks to make my three year old giggle. Our elf drew funny faces on our family picture. Instead of thinking it was funny, our daughter was quite offended and was upset at the elf for playing a ‘bad trick’. At almost five, she still talks about it!
Many toddlers see things very black and white and don’t understand why it’s ok for the elf to be bad, when it’s supposed to be reporting back to Santa on good behaviour. Your mileage may vary with your own toddler, but my recommendation would be to save the hijinks for when your child is older.
Keep It Up High
Toddlers are very impulsive (I’m sure this doesn’t need to be stated, but I’m saying it anyway). The no-touching rule for Elf on the Shelf is nearly impossible for them to follow.
So don’t tempt them. The best elf ideas for toddlers are when the Elf can be seen, but not touched. This means somewhere the toddler can’t reach or get to. Hanging from the Christmas tree is perfect.
If you are setting up a scene, put it on the counter. You can lift your toddler up to see it, but they won’t be able to
Another alternative is somewhere your child won’t go unsupervised, like the laundry room or bathroom. If you have it out in the middle of the playroom, your toddler will be sure to grab it.
This is also great advice for families with younger siblings. We have an eighteen month old this Christmas and our elf will be staying high up this year!
Where to Buy Elf on the Shelf and Accessories for Elf on the Shelf
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There are so many places to buy you Elf on the Shelf, you don’t need to worry about finding one, as long as you start looking before December. Aside from local toy stores and department stores, Amazon is the easiest option, especially if you have Amazon Prime!
It’s worth noting you have some options with your elf. You can get a boy or girl elf, with blue eyes or brown eyes. That way, your elf’s appearance can reflect that of your family’s (at least a bit).
While you’re shopping, don’t forget to pick up a cute outfit for your elf. I always grab one or two as a fall back if i get really stumped (read: lazy) one night. Slap on an outfit and you’re good to go!
Or even better, get a pet for your elf! These are so adorable I can’t resist!
Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers
So without further ado, here are my favorite Elf on the Shelf Ides that are perfect for toddlers:
Set up your elf in your toddler’s play kitchen to bake some Christmas cookies.
Leave a note from your elf to your child (they may note be able to read yet, but this encourages the first steps towards reading: recognizing the letters and words tell us a message).
Dump out some icing sugar and have your elf make a snow angel.
Draw some funny faces on a family picture (use a whiteboard maker) and hang your elf from the frame.
Have your elf drive one of your toddler’s vehicle toys.
Have your elf read a story to the other stuffies in the playroom.
Have your elf nestled in a pair of boots (preferably a pair you won’t be wearing).
Hang your elf from a Christmas ornament, or even in a stocking.
Have your elf bring a small gift for your child (Christmas socks, small ornament, etc).
Have your elf deliver a gingerbread house for your child and you to make.
Open some of your toddler’s snacks and stick your elf’s head inside.
Perch your elf on the top of the Christmas tree.
Write a holiday message on your child’s art easel and have your elf hang from the top.
Stick your elf in a pile of stuffed animals.
Put your elf in a jar so your toddler can carry it around for a day.
Fill a bin with pom poms and make an “Elf Ball Pit”
Have your elf leave some peppermints with a note to plant them in snow (a bin of flour). The next night swap the peppermints for candy canes.
Have your elf leave a candy cane treasure hunt.
Have your elf ride on a plastic horse or other animal.
Make a parade with your child’s cars and trucks. Have your elf ride in the first car.
Have your elf choose tonight’s bedtime story (leave a note and the book beside the elf).
Set up your elf playing a board game with some stuffed animal friends.
Your elf got stuck in the laundry machine!
Make a tent out of a book for your elf to play in.
Your elf got a cold and needs some rest: snuggle him in a tissue box.
Stick two long rolls of wrapping paper in a pair of boots. Set your elf on top to make giant legs.
Have your elf peeking out of your toy box or a toy bin.
Tuck your elf in a baby cradle.
Having trouble getting your child to eat in the morning? Make a breakfast before your toddler wakes up. Leave your elf beside it with a note saying ‘I made you breakfast’ (for extra fun, add some green food colouring or red and green sprinkles to the breakfast).
Make a North Pole-themed sensory bin by mixing corn starch and conditioner to make ‘snow’. Leave your elf with a note that he brought you some snow back from the North Pole.
Leave an elf friend for your child to keep all year long (my toddler was so sad to know our elf wouldn’t be visiting her after Christmas. She didn’t even want Christmas to come. So on Christmas Eve, our elf left her an elf stuffy to keep all year so she wouldn’t miss him too much!).
Try these easy printable Elf on the Shelf props!
Ok, moms, so there you have my top easy and fun Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers! I hope this helps you out with your elf plans this holiday season!
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