Today, marks the first day of December, this means in some families, the Christmas tree is up, the carols are playing on repeat, Santa letters have been sent, the shops are busy and ‘Elf on the Shelf’ returns
The Elf on the shelf has become such a popular tradition for the count down to Christmas. Children enjoy waking up to find what their Elf has been up to and parents are frantically setting alarms to remember to move the Elf after they have found their latest idea on Pinterest.
Elf on the shelf has also become a popular game in school classrooms and childcare centres. If you have never done Elf on the Shelf, there is no better time than now to get involved.
For those that do not know how Elf on the Shelf works, the concept is each night the Elf flies home to the North Pole and reports to ‘Santa’ how the children were. Every day until Christmas Eve, the Elf finds a new place and the children must find him, often the Elf is getting up to mischief, the children seem to like when the Elf is naughty! The Elf is magic and can’t be touched or else it loses all its magic.
Positives of having an Elf
- It creates a feeling of excitement for children each day
- Siblings or classroom peers can brainstorm and create a name for the Elf together.
- The Elf can be used to encourage good behaviour by reporting daily updates to the North Pole
Kidsoft has 4 fun ideas you can use in your classroom, childcare service, or in your family home.
Covered in stickers
What you need:
- Stickers
Instructions:
- Cover the Elf the stickers (you can use any type of sticker)
- Place Elf somewhere, where it can be found
- Leave sticker sheet on the Elf.
Do you want to build a snowman?
What you need:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Black/Orange cardboard
Instructions:
- Stack toilet paper rolls
- Using the cardboard, cut out shapes for eyes, mouth & nose
- Place Elf through the top of the toilet rolls
Warm and Toasty
What you need
- 2 pieces of toast
- a plate
- a small piece of paper to create note
Instructions:
- Cook toast
- Put the Elf inbetween the toast on a plate
- Create note (see image)
How many copies?
What you need
- A photocopier
- Paper
Instructions:
- Using the photocopier, take different copies of the Elf
- Hang the photocopy pages around the house or classroom
Time to say goodbye…
The Elf becomes apart of your life for several weeks, whether this is in the classroom, childcare centre, or your family home and therefore it is always nice to do a proper send-off.
Depending on family traditions, the Elf either says goodbye on Christmas Eve, leaving room for Santa to arrive or on Christmas morning after helping Santa deliver the toys.
Although it seems most parents sigh over Elf on the Shelf, it certainly brings families lots of joy and laughter during the festive season. So, if you haven’t yet got an Elf, why don’t you join in on this tradition.
Happy Elf on the Shelfing…only 24 more sleeps to go!
