Crafty Elf on the Shelf ideas are scenes where your Scout Elf™ makes something by hand and leaves it for the family to find. Many also give kids a reason to grab the craft supplies and join in, which is perfect when it is too cold to stay outside for long.
Here are four Scout Elf ideas from The Elf on the Shelf® to inspire your elf, plus three family crafts to try afterwards. Follow each link for full materials and instructions.
1. Tiny Art Gallery
Your Scout Elf sets up a miniature art gallery using a free printable, then poses among the masterpieces. Nothing suspicious here. It is not a heist. It is a celebration of creativity.
Family follow-up: Kids can draw their own tiny artworks on sticky notes and add them to the gallery wall beside their elf.
2. I Elf-ified You!
With printable elf shapes, scissors and tape, your elf turns the family into members of Santa’s team. It is a playful way to say everyone in the house is part of the Christmas magic.
Family follow-up: Print extra shapes and let kids decorate them with markers, glitter glue or stickers.
3. Bow Adventure Course
Your Scout Elf proves they are “elfletic” by building an obstacle course from gift bows and candy canes. It needs only a few supplies and is a fun use for leftover wrapping extras.
4. Ice Fishing
Your Scout Elf turns the bathroom into a frozen pond with plastic wrap, fish-shaped crackers and a mini fishing rod or wooden skewer, plus a printable sign and fish bucket. It is a nod to a favourite winter pastime in many parts of Canada.
Three family crafts your elf might inspire
These ideas come from Scout Elf scenes shared on other The Elf on the Shelf websites. Use them as family crafts on a snow day or a chilly weekend.
Friendship bracelets
Thread colourful beads and letter beads onto elastic cord to spell names or festive words. They make thoughtful gifts for friends and teachers before the holiday break. Keep small beads away from children under three.
Snowball target practice
Cut a target from green craft paper or a paper plate, hang it in a doorway and toss cotton-ball “snowballs” through the hole. If there is fresh snow outside, you can always take the game into the backyard too, mitts on.
A yarn and pom-pom project
Leftover yarn makes simple pom-poms, a finger-knitted scarf for a teddy or a tiny toque for a stuffed animal. Imagine your elf getting a little too wrapped up in the project first.
Your Scout Elf craft box checklist
Paper
Printer paper, construction paper, card stock and sticky notes
Sticking
White glue, glue sticks, clear tape, double-sided tape and glue dots
Colour
Washable markers, crayons, pencil crayons and acrylic paint
Building
Popsicle sticks, paper towel rolls and small boxes
Extras
Pom-poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, ribbon, yarn, beads and cotton balls
Keep small pieces in labelled containers so your elf, and your kids, can always find what they need.
Tips for crafting on cold days
Plan short sessions
Twenty minutes after school or between outdoor play is often enough.
Protect the table
A plastic tablecloth makes clean-up easier, especially with paint and glitter.
Grown-ups handle the sharp bits
Adults should take care of scissors, skewers and hot glue.
Leave gifts beside the elf
Kids can place their crafts near their Scout Elf but should not touch the elf itself.
Crafty Elf on the Shelf FAQs
What are crafty Elf on the Shelf ideas?
They are Elf on the Shelf scenes where your Scout Elf makes or builds something, such as a tiny art gallery or an ice-fishing scene, and leaves it for the family to discover.
Which crafty elf ideas use the fewest supplies?
Bow Adventure Course needs only gift bows and candy canes. Tiny Art Gallery and I Elf-ified You! use free printables, paper, scissors and tape.
Can kids make crafts for their Scout Elf?
Yes. Kids can make drawings, cards or bracelets and leave them beside their elf without touching it, so its magic stays strong.
What are good indoor crafts for a snow day?
Friendship bracelets, cotton-ball snowball games and yarn pom-poms all work well indoors with basic craft supplies.
Which ideas include a family activity?
Tiny Art Gallery and I Elf-ified You! invite kids to add their own artwork, and snowball target practice becomes an easy family game.
What will your elf create next?
From a tiny gallery to a bathroom ice-fishing hole, your Scout Elf has plenty of ways to put the craft box to work. Find more inspiration in our Scout Elf Ideas gallery or try 20 Indoor Christmas Games for Kids.