30+ Free Elf On The Shelf Printables and Ideas

30+ ideas and printables for your Elf on the Shelf. We've included elf games, arrival and goodbye letters, movie night, baking, taco elf and more! Just print and pose for the cutest elf on the shelf set ups.

Jump to:

• Free Elf on the Shelf Printables
• How Do I Print Them?
• Free Planing Calendar and Supply List
• 1. Elf On The Shelf Welcome Letter
• 2. Arrival Breakfast
• 3. Elf on the Shelf Pizza Night
• 4. Elf on the Shelf at the Beach
• 5. Elf on the Shelf Ugly Sweater
• 6. Elf on the Shelf Movie Night
• 7.  Cookie Baking
• 8.  Elf School
• 9. Elf on the Shelf Free Printable Coloring Sheet
• 10. Elf On the Shelf Free Printable Playing Cards
• 11. Taco Night Elf
• 12. Skating Elf on the Shelf
• 13. Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Sled
• 14. Elf on the Shelf Donuts
• 15. Elf Printable Fireplace and Joke
• 16. Secret Message From Santa
• 17. Elf on the Shelf Free Spa Printables
• 18. Elf on the Shelf Tic Tac Toe
• 19. Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Computer
• 20. Elf on the Shelf S'mores
• 21. Elf Snowman
• 22. Elf Laundry
• 23. Elf Gift Wrapping
• 24. Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hunt
• 25. Elf on the Shelf Netflix "Elfix"
• 26. Elfgram Instagram Elfie
• 27. Dog Cookies
• 28. Elfbucks Elf on the Shelf Starbucks Free Printables
• 29. Super Hero Elf on the Shelf Free Printables
• 30. Elf on the Shelf Free Printable Letter to Santa Template
• 31. Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter and Suitcase
• 32. Elf on the Shelf Notes Template
• Get Printables
• More Christmas Printables
• Frequently Asked Questions

We love Elf on the Shelf, but coming up with new ideas every night can be a bit of a challenge!  So we've done all the hard work for you with our free printable elf props, pennants and notes in our free printable Elf on the Shelf kit.  

We've got over 30 fun elf ideas to choose from.  All our easy elf ideas can be set up with just the printables.  Just print, cut, and pose your elf!  Or make things extra special with some extra activities and gifts from the elf.

This is an entire matching free printable Elf on the Shelf kit with props, notes, pennants, arrival letter, good bye letter, and ideas. Use all the ideas, or just your favourites.

How Do I Print Them?

Find the link in the Free Resource Library and click on it.  Print the props, notes, pennants and more on regular copy paper, or card stock.  Use the 100%  or full size setting on your printer, since the props are sized to fit your elf perfectly.  

Print in colour, then cut out and pose your elf with them.  Don't have a colour printer at home?  Print them for a small fee at your local library or office supply store. The props can all be made with hot glue and tape.

Free Planing Calendar and Supply List

We highly recommend creating a plan for your whole elf on the shelf season.  Everything you need to create our easy ideas are included as free printables, but if you want to make things extra special and include the extra goodies as part of the set up or gifts from the elf you might find it helpful to plan ahead.  

Use our planning calendar to decide which elf on the shelf ideas to use for each night, and jot down the extra supplies you need on the free printable supply list.  

Shop ahead of time, print out the free elf printables, and cut your props so you're all set to create all the cute ideas each night of the holiday season with no panicking.

1. Elf On The Shelf Welcome Letter

Start things off with a free printable Elf on the Shelf arrival letter.  

Elf on the shelf has arrived.  Whether you have a new elf, a returning elf, or multiple elves we've  got an arrival letter that will work for you.  There's also multiple pennants in large and small sizes that would work for elf's arrival.

Extra Idea: Check out our elf arrival breakfast idea next, if you want to make the arrival extra special.

Supplies Needed:

• elf arrival letter, arrival pennant
• extra idea:  see our elf arrival breakfast

2. Arrival Breakfast

Celebrate Elf's arrival with a welcome breakfast party.  Use our printable elf on the shelf party decorations to make it extra special.  Use the centre piece, Ho Ho Ho banner, bottled water wraps, straw flags, cupcake picks, and pennants, along with the arrival letter to set up the cutest North Pole breakfast.

To make the centre piece, print on card stock, and tape the three pieces together from the back.  Cut the top in gentle curves, and decorate some of the snow with glitter.  Add faux trees and faux snow to the table to create a centrepiece.

Tape the bottled water wraps onto bottles, add flags to paper straws, and tie to the bottles with twine or ribbon.  To make the cupcake picks, print on card stock, cut, and hot glue to tooth picks.  Add some ribbon to each one and insert in the cinnamon rolls or other breakfast food.

To make the banner, print on card stock, and cut out.  Add holes to the corners and decorate some with glitter.  String onto ribbon or twine and hang.

To make the pennants, print and cut out and use hot glue to attach them to dowels, or wooden skewers.  Add ribbon, and decorate the front with glitter if you wish.

Elf Arrival Breakfast Food Ideas:

We used refrigerated cinnamon rolls from the grocery store and decorated them with Christmas sprinkles, and the cupcake picks.  

To make the Santa hat strawberries, cut a regular marshmallow in half and add a strawberry.  Top with a mini marshmallow.  To make it stick, cut a little off the bottom of the mini marshmallow.  

Another great idea is to pick up some Elf on the Shelf cereal at the grocery store.

Supplies Needed:

• printable centre piece, banner, bottled water wraps, straw flags, cupcake picks, pennants, welcome letter
• glitter, hot glue, hole punch, dowel, ribbons, tape, glitter, white glue, faux snow, mini Christmas trees, string
• cinnamon rolls, Christmas sprinkles, bottled water,  strawberries, mini marshmallows, regular marshmallows, hot chocolate, Elf on the Shelf cereal

3. Elf on the Shelf Pizza Night

Elf is bringing pizza!  Set up the 3-D pizza box, with the paper pizza inside.  You could also add extra toys with pizza slices, by cutting the whole paper pizza into slices.

Extra Idea:  make it a real pizza night with a take-out pizza menu and money, or a pizza gift card, or use our "look in the freezer" note and have some frozen pizza there ready to bake for dinner.

Supplies Needed:

• elf pizza box, pizza, and note
• "Merry Crust-mas" pennant
• Extra Idea:  take-out pizza menu and money, or a pizza gift card, or a frozen pizza and note to look in freezer

4. Elf on the Shelf at the Beach

Set up your elf on a beach made of brown sugar. Use our printables to give your elf sunglasses, a beach towel, pail, and shovel, and don't forget the elf note.

Supplies Needed:

• brown sugar
• beach printables
• tape

5. Elf on the Shelf Ugly Sweater

Print and cut out the elf ugly sweater and use some tape to attach it to your elf.

Extra Idea:  pick up an ugly sweater for your kids and leave it as a present from your elf.

Supplies Needed:

• printable sweater and elf note
• tape
• Extra Idea: ugly sweater for kids

6. Elf on the Shelf Movie Night

Elf is ready for movie night!  Set up elf with the elf sized movie ticket and popcorn box.  

Extra Idea:  print the larger movie ticket and popcorn box for the kids.  Add in some real popcorn for the kids to enjoy.  Have a family movie night and watch "Elf" or your favourite family friendly holiday movie.

Supplies Needed:

• movie night printables and elf note
• "Movie Night" pennant
• hot glue
• real popcorn
• favourite holiday movie to watch together
• Extra Idea:  print large movie ticket for kids, and large popcorn box, choose a movie for movie night (we recommend Elf).

7.  Cookie Baking

Elf is baking cookies with the 3D oven and cookie sheet.

Extra Idea:  Add in some real baking items and bake cookies with your kids.  Make it easier with some ready-made dough, or buy ready-made cookies and add decorating supplies like icing and sprinkles.  Another option is to use play dough to play cookie making with a toy rolling pin and mini cookie cutters.

Supplies Needed:

• elf baking printables and  elf note
• hot glue
• Extra Idea:  real baking items like a mixing bowl, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and sprinkles, or ready-made cookie dough, or cookies and decorating supplies, or play dough supplies and mini cookie cutters

8.  Elf School

Print the chalkboard on card stock, and use tape to create an A-frame.  Set up your elf beside it.  For extra fun add in some chalk as a prop, and other toys as students.

Supplies Needed:

• printable chalkboard and elf note
• tape
• Extra Idea: chalk as a prop, extra toys as students

9. Elf on the Shelf Free Printable Coloring Sheet

Print the mini elf colouring sheet, and put some crayons in your elf's hand and on his sheet.  Leave the full size colouringsheet for the kids.  Print one for each child.

Extra Idea:  give your kids new crayons or markers to use on their colouring sheet.

Supplies Needed:

• printable mini and large colour sheets and elf note (choose US or Can spelling)
• crayons
• Extra Idea: new crayons or markers gift

10. Elf On the Shelf Free Printable Playing Cards

Elf is playing cards.  Set him up with a game of solitaire, or use some other toys to set up a card game with others.

Extra Idea:  print regular size playing cards for your kids to use.

Supplies Needed:

• print elf sized cards, and elf note
• Extra Idea:  print a set of regular cards for your kids to play with tie with ribbon

11. Taco Night Elf

Print the taco and tape your elf inside.  Add the elf note beside.

Extra Idea: Make it a real taco Tuesday!  Add some supplies to the table like a box of taco shells, seasoning, and salsa and make tacos for dinner.

Supplies Needed:

• printable taco and elf note
• "Taco bout a party" pennant
• tape
• Extra Idea: taco night supplies

12. Skating Elf on the Shelf

Print the mini skates, cut them out and use tape to make them 3D.  Then put them on your elf's feet, and set up the elf beside your ice cubes in the freezer.  Add the note to the front of the freezer door so that your kids know to look inside.

Extra Idea:  freeze a container of water for an elf sized skating rink.

Supplies Needed:

• printable skates (in white or black) and elf note
• tape
• "Skating on thin ice" pennant
• extra idea: elf sized rink frozen container of water

13. Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Sled

Print the sled and fold in half, then glue it together. Next, roll up the front and hot glue it to form the front of the sled.  Add in some string as a handle.  Set up some white towels as a snow hill.

Extra Idea: If it's snowy where you live, place out the kids sleds, or a gift of a new one and take the kids sledding today.Note you might want to wait to schedule this day, depending on the weather.

Supplies Needed:

• printable elf sled and elf note
• Sledding pennant
• hot glue
• string
• white towels
• Extra Ideas: real sleds (that you already own or new ones. and snow!

14. Elf on the Shelf Donuts

Print the mini 3D donut box, printable donuts and elf note.

Extra Idea:  instead of using the free printable donuts, make real elf sized donuts with cheerios, icing, and sprinkles.  Add a gift card for donuts, or real donuts beside the elf to enjoy.

Supplies Needed:

• printable donut box and donuts
• "Donut you love Christmas" pennant
• hot glue
• extra idea: elf sized donuts with cherries, icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter, or a donut gift card, or real donuts

15. Elf Printable Fireplace and Joke

Print the 3D fireplace and glue.  Use Kleenex to make a pillow and blanket.  Add the elf note.

Supplies Needed:

• printable fireplace and elf note
• hot glue
• Kleenex pillow and blanket

16. Secret Message From Santa

Print the secret message from Santa and the elf note.

Extra Idea: add a Christmas pen or pencil

Supplies Needed:

• printable secret message and elf note
• Extra Idea: Christmas pen or pencil

17. Elf on the Shelf Free Spa Printables

Elf is having some me-time!  Use an empty Kleenex box as the base and wrap the printble bath tub around it to create the tub.  Cut a hole in the top for the elf to sit inside.  Wrap a Kleenex around the elf's head like a towel.  Tape the cucumbers over the elf's eyes.

Extra Idea:  make it a spa night for the kids too!  Pick up holiday scented bubble bath, or a bath bomb and leave it with the elf as a gift to use that night.

Supplies:

• spa night printables and elf note
• "Elf Care" pennant
• tape
• Kleenex box
• Kleenex towel
• Extra Idea:  holiday scented bubble bath or bath bomb

18. Elf on the Shelf Tic Tac Toe

Print the Tic Tac Toe, and elf note.  Set the elf up with another toy and red and green crayons to play tic tac toe.

Extra Idea: Use candy for the tic tac toe markers like red and green skittles that the kids can eat after the game.

Supplies Needed:

• printable  tic tac toe sheet, and elf note
• red and green crayon and extra toy
• Extra Idea: red and green candies

19. Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Computer

Print the elf sized laptop computer.  Cut out and fold in half.  Place it in the elf's lap with the elf note.

Supplies Needed:

• printable elf computer and elf note

20. Elf on the Shelf S'mores

Elf is making s'mores.  Print the campfire and glue the tops together, to make it 3D.  Use a toothpick as a marshmallow roaster and tape on printable marshmallow.  Add printable elf s'more and elf note.

Extra Idea:  make real elf sized s'mores with golden graham cereal, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.  Use a real mini marshmallow and toast over a candle.  Use the rest of the cereal, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips  to make s'more trail mix for the kids.  Or  leave the supplies for regular sized s'mores and make them indoors  with the kids using a candle, or in the oven on a tray.

Supplies Needed:

• campfire, marshmallow, s'more and elf note printable
• toothpick or skewer
• glue
• Extra Idea:  mini elf s'more supplies, and/or regular s'more supplies

21. Elf Snowman

Elf is making a toilet paper snowman!  Print the snowman face and buttons and tape to 3 stacked toilet paper rolls.

Supplies Needed:

• 3 rolls of toilet paper
• snowman printables and elf note
• "Do you wanna build a snowman?" pennant
• tape

22. Elf Laundry

Elf is doing the laundry.  If you have a front loading washer, position the elf inside at the front of the window, held in place with a little tape and towels.  Or set up the elf on top of the washer.  Place the elf sized detergent, with a stack of folded towels and the elf note on top or to the side.

Supplies Needed:

• printable 3d laundry soap  and elf note
• "We wash you a merry Christmas" pennant
• hot glue
• folded towels

23. Elf Gift Wrapping

Print the elf wrapping station sign and tape to the wall.  Add some wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and tape.  Use the tape to wrap around the elf.  Add a bow on his head.

Extra Idea: Spend some time wrapping gifts together with your kids for family and friends today.  Let them draw some cards and gift tags to go with them.

Supplies Needed:

• printable sign and elf note
• wrapping paper, ribbons, bows
• tape
• Extra Idea: wrapping supplies, gifts to wrap, paper and crayons or markers for card making

24. Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hunt

Elf has hidden a box of candy canes around your house and the kids need to find them.  Hide the candy canes and leave the empty box with the elf note and elf on the table.

Supplies Needed:

• printable elf note
• box of candy canes (if your kids don't like mint, remember they come in lots of other neat flavours too.)

25. Elf on the Shelf Netflix "Elfix"

Elflix and chill.  Elf is relaxing with a little popcorn and tv.

Extra Idea: make it tv night at home with pjs and popcorn.

Supplies Needed:

• printable tv and elf note
• hot glue
• "Elflix and chill" pennant
• popcorn

26. Elfgram Instagram Elfie

Elf is taking selfies for "Elfagram"!  Print the elfagram frame and set up your elf in the frame, with the elf note.

Extra Idea:  Take a photo of your elf and kids and share it on your Instagram account with #lifeisaparty

Supplies Needed:

• printable instagram frame, and elf note
• "Elfie time" pennant

27. Dog Cookies

For the family with a dog, this is a cute idea.  Set up the elf with the dog cookies and elf note.  Spread a few crumbs around as if the elf has been eating.

Supplies Needed:

• printable elf note
• dog cookies

28. Elfbucks Elf on the Shelf Starbucks Free Printables

Set up an elf on the shelf coffee shop. Print the coffee cup and hot glue  together to make an elf sized cup.  Top with stuffing to make foam.  Dress the elf in the printable paper apron.  Cut the loop around the neck to put it on elf and tape closed.

Extra Idea: add a gift card for the coffee shop and bring the kids there to get a treat today.

Supplies Needed:

• printable coffee cup, apron, and elf note
• tape, stuffing as foam in cup
• "Love you a Latte" pennant
• Extra Ideas: gift card

29. Super Hero Elf on the Shelf Free Printables

Print the cape and mask, cut out and use tape to attach it to your elf.  Set up the elf with some other super hero toys, if you have them and the elf note.

Extra Idea: Watch your favourite super hero movie together today.

Supplies Needed:

• printable super hero outfit and elf note
• "Santa sent me" pennant
• tape
• other super hero toys
• Extra Idea: super hero movie to watch

30. Elf on the Shelf Free Printable Letter to Santa Template

Print one letter to Santa template for each child, and the elf note.

Extra Idea: include a Christmas pen or pencil.

Supplies Needed:

• print letter to Santa and elf note
• "Team Good List" pennant
• Extra Idea: Christmas pen or pencil

31. Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter and Suitcase

On Christmas Eve, pose your elf with the free good bye letter printable and suitcase.

Extra Idea: Have elf leave some Christmas pjs for the kids, or whole family to wear to bed on Christmas eve .

Supplies Needed:

• printable good bye letter
• "Goodbye be good" pennant
• Extra Ideas: Christmas pjs.

32. Elf on the Shelf Notes Template

All our ideas come with a cute free printable note from the elf.  If you want to add some different ideas, we've also made a free note template that you can print and write any message you like from your elf.

Use our Elf on the Shelf ideas to plan your whole December.  Download the whole Elf on the Shelf kit in our Free Resource Library and print the whole thing, or just the ideas you choose to use.  All these printables are free to use for personal use.  Do not sell, or share these free printables.

With 30+ free printable Elf on the Shelf ideas, life really is a party!

More Christmas Printables

Frequently Asked Questions

If you tried these Elf on the Shelf Printables or any other ideas on my blog please let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!