Calling all elves!
It’s that magical time of year where the decorations are up, the holiday events are endless, and the Elf on the Shelf magic may be running a bit dry. Whereas the beginning might have included lavish setups, maybe you’re at the point where plopping the elf from room-to-room is the easier choice. Or maybe you forgot to move it last night (oops).
Don’t worry, we’ve consulted the elves on the best simple set-up reminders from the North Pole training handbook. Apart from remembering that you know your child best, also think about including the older siblings, who might be a little old for the magic, but still want to be involved. Here’s what our elves had to say:
Play!
Show up in a LEGO, Magnatilel or Lincoln Log set…
Be a conductor in their train set (choo choo!)…
Wage a fiersome battle with their army men, super heroes, or action figures…
Marshmallows can be used as great snowballs in a snowball fight with their stuffed animals…
Food!
Mind your etiquette, raise the pinky, and enjoy a spot of tea at a tea party…
Maybe introduce them to elf food, like in that one Elf movie. I think I remember some spaghetti, marshmallows, cereal, and maple syrup hanging out in the kitchen…
S’mores are a hit with humans, but elves make them with a tiny tea light. Tastes just as good, I’ve heard…
Like a reverse sauna, chill out in the fridge, but maybe wrap up in a towel-blanket first so you don’t get TOO cold…
Introduce them to Elf Milk, which may or may not taste like regular milk with green food coloring…
Looks like lunch duty was taken a little too seriously when an elf gift-wrapped every sandwhich, snack, and juice box…
Potty Party!
Who doesn’t love a note in toothpaste? (maybe remind them to brush!!!)…
Borrow some of that face mask goop and have yoursELF a spa day…
Show them how elves take baths – in a tiny tub filled with sprinkles or marshmallows…
Let them find your chocolate chip droppings. Extra points if something is spelled with your poo…
Rubber duckies get hungry too, try feeding them some bread…
Participate!
Slam dunk yourself into their basketball hoop…
Strike a pose in a tutu and strut your stuff (maybe borrow some Barbies for backup dancers)…
Elves can be artistic too, making a nice sELF portrait they will love…
Play a favorite card or board game with some of their stuffed animals (who will win??)…
Read!
Make a tiny blanket fort and set up a storytime with some of their favorite toys…
Surprise them with a NEW book…
Use one of their books as a tent…
Family Traditions!
Is it time to bake cookies? I heard flour-angels in the kitchen are fun…
Remind them to wrap presents by wrapping yourself! You are a gift…
Use an expo marker to draw Santa hats on photos around the house…
Help them decorate and make some cut-out paper snowflakes, you can leave them some paper and scissors, so they can join in on the fun…
Laugh!
We heard if you grate a potato, potato chips show up on the other side…
Toots are always funny to tiny humans, too. Chew some of their gum and blow a toot-balloon…
Those household items need some googley eyes…
Being in charge of an elf means making magic and memories for some special kiddos. Keep it SIMPLE, keep it SILLY, and have FUN! There is nothing more amazing than seeing excitement in their little eyes every morning.
