Get inspired with this awesome collection of over 600 super simple but fun Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers! You’ll never run out of elf ideas with this MEGA list of easy Elf on the Shelf hiding spots that any tired mom can pull off!
The Elf on the Shelf craze started several years ago and explodes every December. Parents work hard to come up with creative Elf on the Shelf ideas each night so that the kids can delight in the creativity each morning.
To say that this is a difficult task is an understatement, and I’m the first to admit I have forgotten to move our elfin friend.
Related: 21+ Inexpensive Toddler Stocking Filler Ideas
Grab your free arrival letters to welcome your elf year after year (click the image below)!
Why Tired Moms Need These Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
We have hosted an annual elf visitor in our home since 2012. The first year, we had a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 2-year-old. It was so cute…the kids would talk to him and share messages that they wanted him to pass along to Santa.
Oh, I WISH I had a video of that (Parent Pro Tip: capture ALL you can on video because those precious moments go so quickly)
Seriously, every year I struggle with ideas for where to put our elf and how to place him. I am the first to admit that I am NOT creative when it comes to our Elf on the Shelf. That’s why I need to take inspiration from other amazing moms who are far more creative than I am!
Our Elf is named Beezy (is that one of the good Elf on the Shelf names? I think it’s probably more unique 😉). I have no idea how that name came to be – one of the kids made some similar sound when we were introducing the elf, and somehow, I proclaimed that as his name!
Seriously – not creative!
And seriously tired.
I don’t have the energy to come up with fun, creative Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers – and curse the thought of forgetting to move that thing one night.
Oh, it’s happened. And I’ve woken up in the middle of the night with a mild panic attack over it. 🤦♀️
And I’ve also COMPLETELY forgotten before and had to tell my kids some lame excuse of why he didn’t move – usually something like Beezy was just too tired to go back to the North Pole that night.
#motheroftheyear
Mega Collection Of Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Busy Moms + A Tradition
Ok, I’m too darn tired to come up with creative ideas for the Elf On The Shelf. So here’s what I typically do: I just move Beezy around a little each night.
Instead of being naughty and doing clever antics, he hides. Then the kids get to find him each morning…and let me tell you, they are THRILLED to search for him every morning.
Even still to this day (except now I have my 12-year-old to help me hide him and surprise the younger two)
Cries of “where’s Beezy” can be heard upstairs and down the hall each morning…😁
But for you moms who WANT to be more creative than hiding your elf in the Christmas tree or in a light fixture, I have a way to help.
I thought it would be fun to come up with a gigantic list of Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers that you can copy or use to inspire you to come up with your own (and I might throw in a couple here and there for fun)!
There are OVER 600 ideas on this list…enough Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddler to keep you busy for YEARS – even with multiple elves!
Use these clever ideas…or you can totally just hide him around the house each night 😘
Oh! Before I forget…In addition to these ideas for elf on the shelf for toddlers, I do have a few pearls of wisdom that I recommend you read…BEFORE you stress out over moving the elfin.
How to Enjoy the Elf on the Shelf Tradition
It seems like when I talk to other moms, I sense a collective feeling of dread when it comes to participating in the Elf on the Shelf tradition. Well I have a big tip for you.
Here’s the real secret to enjoying the Elf on the Shelf: don’t try to keep up with the crazy moms on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.
Just move the elf to a new (SIMPLE) hiding spot without doing anything crazy to it. Your kids will love the mystery, and you’ll avoid having gray hair at the end of this holiday season.
Here are some additional tips to help.
First, welcome your elf in style with these cute arrival letters!
Name Your Elf
Confession time: I’m terrible at naming things. I come up with the most unimaginative names yet feel so much pressure around creating an identity. Yeah, naming my kids was HARD!
If names aren’t your strong area either, I sat down and came up with MEGA lists of Girl Elf Names and Boy Elf Names to help you out!
Don’t Tell Your Kids When (Your) Beezy is Coming
I made the serious mistake of telling my kids the first year that Beezy would be showing up the day after Thanksgiving. I DID NOT realize how many nights of work I signed up for by doing that.
Beezy makes his grand entrance and surprises my kids when I’m pumped up and ready to tackle elf duty, but it’s usually around December 1st.
Can You Touch Elf On The Shelf?
No! Touching the elf can rob him of his magic so that he returns to the North Pole but doesn’t come back.
I even went so far as to compare Beezy to the characters in Toy Story, that would talk and move around when no one was around or watching but turned into stuffed animals whenever somebody could see them.
Even if the darn elf falls from his hiding or resting spot – that’s where he stays until his nightly trip to the North Pole.
With that in mind, I don’t put our elfin on or around things that I need to use during the day. For example, he doesn’t hang off the microwave handle because I’m constantly using that thing. I don’t want to risk touching him!
Cut Yourself Some Slack
No matter how much or how little you do, your kiddos will believe in their little friendly elfin and will absolutely LOVE whatever the elf does.
Instead of stressing to create the perfect elf scene, sit back and enjoy your child(ren). It ends FAR too quickly.
Here’s The “Easy Button” For The Elf On The Shelf!
Complete your child’s Elf on the Shelf experience with the Elf on the Shelf bundle!
This bundle includes 32 Elf Notes (which are fun for kids and double as INSPIRATION for you!) to use each day AND a goodbye letter to send your elf off in style until next year! 👇
How to Find Your Own Elf On The Shelf And Accessories
Please, please, whatever you do, start simple. Then add on more exciting stuff (like accessories) later, if you want.
The benefit of that is that your kids won’t expect something super amazing EVERY SINGLE DAY. I am ALL about curbing expectation!
Plus, if you fall asleep watching tv and forget to create some elaborate scene, it’s not a big deal! Ha! 
The one accessory I would say BUY NOW isElf Flex to make positioning your elf so much easier! Trust me…it’s worth it and will make your nightly job faster. It took me WAY too long to figure that one out.
Other optional accessories include clothing and a swing!
600+ Elf On The Shelf Ideas for Toddlers That ANY Tired Mom Can ROCK
Now it’s time for the fun part! I have the biggest collection of Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers around to give you inspiration and encouragement. While there are some elaborate ideas, most of them are SUPER simple!
Don’t forget to grab your free arrival letters to welcome your elf year after year (click the image below)!
Star Wars Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
Here are 11 brilliantly simple and fun ideas for any Star Wars fan! May the force be with you!
From Nerdy Mamma
Party Time Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
Throw a party! These ideas will have you throwing the ultimate kids’ Christmas party.
10-Minute Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
I love these 24 simple but creative ideas that any busy, tired parent can pull off!
From Simplify, Create, Inspire
More Quick And Easy Ideas
11 creative ideas that won’t eat up your time trying to pull off!
From Mommyhoood Life
Genius Ideas Every Mom Needs
A treasure trove of great, easy ideas! I do #11 at least once a year!
From Mom Wife Busy Life
Letter Template Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddler
Stephanie over at Spaceships and Laserbeams is a go-to creative genius in my book when it comes to the Elf on the Shelf. Grab these Elf letter templates for any occasion!
From Spaceships and Laserbeams
Lazy Mom Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddler
This Lazy Mom’s guide to Elf on the Shelf is a hoot, and I love the ideas – quick and easy – my kind of ideas!
27 From Troubleshooting Motherhood
Another Great Collection Of Ideas
So many great ideas…so little time! I love these clever and fun ideas.
50 From Natural Beach Living
Fun Ideas For A Laugh
Some of these I’ve done myself. Others…not. This list is great – and practical!
From Elle Marie Home
Naughty And Nice Note Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
I love this idea! The point of the Elf on the Shelf is to report to Santa about your child’s behavior…with these naughty and nice notes, the job is easy!
From Crystal and Comp
The Second Biggest List Of Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
This mega list of Elf on the Shelf ideas pretty much covers everything you could think of – you’ll never get bored with this list!
From The Soccer Mom Blog
Ideas Not Seen Before
This list had some ideas that I’ve never seen before – winner!
From Get Your Holidays On
Reader Ideas You Won’t Want To Miss
This list of Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers even includes some reader suggestions for Elf on the Shelf!
From Spend With Pennies
Great Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers (And Boys!)
Elf Slime? Oh, my boys will be ALL OVER that one!
From Kids Crafts
THE List Of Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers For Busy Moms
Are you a busy mom? That’s a silly question…of course, you are! This list is FOR YOU.
From Paper Heart Family
Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Ideas
My kids love scavenger hunts! I’m TOTALLY doing this idea!!
From Mama Cheaps
Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers In The Kitchen
Where does a mom spend almost half her time? In the kitchen! These Elf on the Shelf kitchen ideas are great!
From Natural Beach Living
Super Easy Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
By now, I think you probably know how much I love EASY elf ideas – here ya go!
From Kids Are A Trip
Adorable Elf On The Shelf Ideas For Toddlers
I love the ideas here! 45 adorable ideas that truly are quick and easy to do.
Must-Have Planner
One of the most stressful things about Elf on the Shelf for me is that I’m always “winging it” and trying to come up with ideas. I love this planner to help me get my act together and eliminate my stress.
From Artsy Fartsy Mama
There ya go! 600+ ideas for elf on the shelf for toddlers – enough to keep you busy for YEARS without even doing every single idea! I hope this post helped make this fun holiday tradition a little easier!
Has your elf done something that deserves to be on the list? Tell me in the comments or load it up for us to see on our Facebook page!
Don’t forget to grab your free arrival letters to welcome your elf year after year (click the image below)!
Need More Helpful Holiday Ideas?
If you loved these Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers, I just know you’ll love these other ideas too!
- Cure Cabon Fever Kids Activity Packet
- 27 Best Subscription Boxes For Kids (that are worth the cost)
- 10 STEM Gift Ideas Kids Love
- Cheap But Thoughtful Gift Ideas
- 10 Awesome Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids
- Affordable Kitchen Gift Ideas For The Everyday Cook
- 25 Gift Ideas That Kids Who Love Animals Will Love
DON’T FORGET to complete your child’s Elf on the Shelf experience with the Elf on the Shelf bundle! This bundle includes 32 Elf Notes to use each day AND a goodbye letter to send your elf off until next year! 👇
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