Tis the season for the return of the our friend in the little pointy hat that is pure magic for kids and STRESS for parents. We’ve all had the moment where we shoot up in bed realizing we haven’t moved the elf. Last year I decided to make a list of ideas so I could refer to it and try to plan it out to minimize the stress. I didn’t follow a strict calendar but it was nice to have some pre-planned ideas. This year I decided I would share my list, because we are all in this together!! This year I’m also making note what materials are needed that way I can set them aside beforehand!
Day 1 “I’m back!” It’s a long month ahead so starting off easy – with a simple “I’m back” sign. You can make this however you want! I’m using a popsicle stick and a piece of cardboard.
Day 2: Apple Caterpillar – Materials: Apples (3-6), googly eyes, tooth picks, mini marshmallows
Day 3: Lego Christmas tree – Materials: various green legos, brown and yellow. small base
Day 4: Paper Towel Doodles – Materials: paper-towels, markers. This one is easy, the drawing doesn’t have to be intricate.
Day 5: Playing cards or games with superheroes, barbies, stuffies etc. – Materials: cards or game of choice and other “participants” I also like the duplo card holder here!
Day 6: Christmas countdown – Materials: paper & markers / crayons
Day 7: Letter to Santa – Materials: Paper & pencil or crayon. I’m printing out these templates! This website has lots of cute templates! https://mondaymandala.com/letter-to-santa-templates/
Day 8: Wrapped in “net” from Spidey – Materials: string, Spiderman
Day 9: Hershey’s Kiss Bowling. Materials: Hershey’s kisses, Foil ball
Day 10: Roast Marshmallow – Materials: Marshmallow, stick, fake candle
Day 11: Jenga fort – Materials: Jenga or other blocks
Day 12: Snowflakes / Paper chains – Materials: precut snowflakes – could also leave paper chain material
Day 13: Wrapped as a present – Materials: cardboard, wrapping paper, tape
Day 14: Toilet paper igloo – Materials: cotton bowls, toilet paper, led candle (optional)
Day 15: Lego climbing wall – Materials: various legos / hot glue or double sided tape
Day 16: Scrub a. dub – Materials: small washcloth, q tip
Day 17: Elf walks the dog – Materials: little dog (I used a duplo one) and pipe cleaner
Day 18: Found in fridge – Material – sharpie (draw faces on eggs)
Day 19: Elf Golf – Materials: candy cane, green felt, mini marshmallows
Day 20: Magnatile house – Materials: various magnatiles – could also use blocks or legos!
Day 22: Donut Snowmen – Mini powdered donuts, mini chocolate chips, pretzel sticks
Day 23: Star on the tree – Material: Yellow paper star
Day 24: Ball Pit – Materials: pom poms & bowl or container
Day 25: Whisk / Baking day – Materials: whisk and elf. If you plan to include your kids in holiday baking you can use this day as a way to let them in on baking. Or simply just having your elf be silly and stuck in the whisk.
Even More Ideas:
- Christmas PJ Delivery – I usually let the elf take credit for bringing new Christmas PJ’s
- Hot chocolate day – I get the little hot chocolate sticks that all you have to do is add warm milk and it makes it super easy
- Delivering a holiday puzzle
- Reading with or to stuffed animals / barbies etc
- Decorating bananas as minions with a sharpie
- If you’re going on a holiday adventure (looking at christmas lights, going on a holiday train, going to play in the snow etc) using the elf to announce what adventure you’re going on!
East Bay Mama 