Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers | AD
This is a collaboration with Design Bundles, a digital design company that provides a range of products such as printable, designs, files for crafters and business resources all at a heavily discounted price or even free! All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
It’s almost mid December and if you are doing Elf on the Shelf you are just over half way through the elf visit. Or maybe you chose this year’s get out clause and your elf is currently self isolating and with his quarantine shortly coming to an end you will be looking for some antics for your elf to get up to. Don’t panic, here is a list of Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers for you. There is a mix of fun activities for your toddler to do. Hopefully you will find them fun and engaging for your little ones. I will be doing these with Noah and intend to post what our elves have got up to on my Instagram grid and stories.
Elf & Safety Tip – Keep an alarm set on your phone as a reminder to move your elf each night in December.
Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers
Act of Kindness
Elves love to make people happy just like us and after the year we have all had we definitely need a bit of kindness from others. You can make up your own list such as donating food to a food bank, baking some cookies for a neighbour or leaving a sticky note with a nice message somewhere for someone to see. Leave the list with your elf for your toddler to find. You don’t have to do all the activities in one day but spread it over a week to make the Christmas cheer last longer.
Colouring In
Print off some colouring sheets or use a colouring book and leave with your elf along with some felt pens or crayons. Have your elf begin to colour in the picture for your little one to finish off. You could even print off some colouring sheets for yourself. I find that colouring in is the perfect way to de-stress especially with all the madness going on at this time of year.
Baking
All elves and probably most toddlers love biscuits and cakes! Why not do a bit of baking with them? It’s a fun activity for them to do plus it can be a snack for them later. They could even gift them to someone. If you don’t have all the ingredients to bake, pick up a baking kit (we used a Craft and Crumb Gingerbread Men kit) where all you need to do is add eggs, butter, etc. Add some ‘elf footprints’ on your kitchen worktops by using a little flour and a stencil for an extra touch. As the spatula says: “ Christmas calories don’t count!”
Letter to Santa
Print off a letter to Santa and leave a pen for them to either scribble write what they want from Santa. You could even be their PA and write their Wishlist for them. Be prepared for some very strange requests…three blind mice anyone?! Stick a few stickers on the envelope and post to Santa.
Scavenger Hunt
Toddlers love looking for things when out and about. Either print off a Scavenger Hunt sheet online or make up your own. You could include finding things such as berries on a tree, Christmas lights, pine cones, etc. Why not scatter some leaves and snowflakes punch outs on the floor along with the Scavenger Hunt list for a magical effect. Stick your elf’s legs in a pair of wellies or wrap up in a scarf.
Dress Up Your Elf
Since a mask is The fashion accessory of 2020 why not make him a new outfit to go along with it. You could even make a mask for one of your other elves or toys so it’s safe for them to go shopping too!
Making Christmas Decorations
Pick up some decorations that your toddler can decorate with either stickers, paint or even glitter. If you have a Cricut machine you could download some Design Bundles svgs files to make some personalised cut outs to stick on the decorations. Leave the craft items out along with a note from your elf. The decorations could even be used as gifts to grandparents, aunts, etc.
Christmas Cards
Why not make some Christmas cards for their families and friends? It will keep them occupied for those days where it’s too wet or windy to go out. Buy a few card blanks along with some stickers, glitters, pens, etc and leave next to your elf for them to do. You could even make a teeny tiny card from the elf to them!
Window Stickers
If your toddler is anything like mine they will love sticking gel clings, stickers, etc to the windows. You can pick up some gel clings from places such as Poundland, B&M or Home Bargains for £1 or less. Put up a couple of pieces and leave the remaining bits with the elf so your little ones can finish it.
Gifting
Everyone loves to receive a gift so leave a small gift such as some chocolate coins and some paper for them to draw a picture for someone. You could even leave a craft kit for your toddler to make a gift for someone.
Christmas Wrapping
It’s time to start wrapping presents and what better way to do it with a bottle of wine some popcorn and a film! Put some popcorn into a container and place your elf on the sofa, a beanbag or on a cushion along with a present to wrap. Have some wrapping paper, tape, gift tags etc too. Obviously the film to watch while wrapping is Elf!
Christmas Table
With Christmas Day soon approaching get your table ready with some place cards or napkin rings. Leave your elf with some card, pen, glue, glitter and stickers to decorate. To make place cards cut the card into rectangles and fold in half or if you want to make napkin rings cut the card into 2 inch strips, make into a circle and glue both ends together.
I hope this Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Toddlers post gave you some inspo on things to do with your elf. If you have any other ideas then let me know below. I’d love to hear them!
If you are looking for more Christmas posts:
Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
