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elf of the shelf
Courtesy: @vintage_frills

The most hilarious Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids

We found the coolest Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids that'll make this holiday season a little brighter

Written by
Danielle Valente
&
Time Out editors
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Santa has a lot of ground to cover and can't possibly be everywhere at once. (Except on December 24.) That's where these great Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids come in! 

The oftentimes controversial North Pole spies end up in wonky situations—a bubble bath in the sink, making snow angels in flour on the cutting board and so on. They're meant to keep a watchful eye and, in a sense, entice little ones to stay on Santa's "Nice" list. But there are no guarantees, of course. 

RECOMMENDED: Christmas for kids in New York

We have a feeling these laugh-out-loud Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids will have you feeling excited about the holiday tradition. Be sure to also check out our December events calendar, where you'll find socially distanced drive-thru Christmas attractions and other cool seasonal events. Don't forget to catch up on the best kids' Christmas movies, too! 

Elf on the Shelf ideas for kids

In true 2020 fashion, self (um, we mean "elf") isolating
Courtesy @thrillevents

1. In true 2020 fashion, self (um, we mean "elf") isolating

Indulging in a much-needed sprinkle bath
Courtesy: @jessiejanedaye

2. Indulging in a much-needed sprinkle bath

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Partaking in outdoor adventures
Courtesy: @lisarunschicago

3. Partaking in outdoor adventures

Snow globe trotting
Courtesy: @redcarpetstorunnynoses

4. Snow globe trotting

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Reading the tabloids
Courtesy: @james_meebles_2018

5. Reading the tabloids

Finding the perfect spot for that ornament
Courtesy: @bowgreave,•

6. Finding the perfect spot for that ornament

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Creating artwork to go in the Met
Photograph: Courtesy @roo_day

7. Creating artwork to go in the Met

Playing cards with pals
Photograph: Courtesy @roisin03

8. Playing cards with pals

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Getting in those eight glasses a day...sort of
Photograph: Courtesy @tisforteacher

9. Getting in those eight glasses a day...sort of

Pursuing a rock-climbing adventure in the kitchen
Photograph: Courtesy @shebesorted

10. Pursuing a rock-climbing adventure in the kitchen

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Jumping into a ball pit!
Photograph: Courtesy @shebesorted

11. Jumping into a ball pit!

Blasting off to outer space
Photograph: Courtesy @werethemillers2

12. Blasting off to outer space

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Sneaking spoonfuls of Nutella (and forgetting to wipe off the evidence)
Photograph: Courtesy @zemilie7

13. Sneaking spoonfuls of Nutella (and forgetting to wipe off the evidence)

Catching up on a midnight snack
Photograph: Courtesy @vintage_frills

14. Catching up on a midnight snack

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Designing the ultimate holiday look
Photograph: Courtesy @emma_long_x

15. Designing the ultimate holiday look

Capturing sentimental family photographs
Photograph: Courtesy @scout_ourcheekyelf

16. Capturing sentimental family photographs

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Dashing through the snow
Photograph: Courtesy @forward_planning_

17. Dashing through the snow

Exploring new heights
Photograph: Courtesy @ladylithia

18. Exploring new heights

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Rocking around the Christmas tree
Photograph: Courtesy @shan_the_elf

19. Rocking around the Christmas tree

Attempting to emerge victorious in Jenga
Photograph: Courtesy @mad_skillz_84

20. Attempting to emerge victorious in Jenga

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Being a graffiti menace
Photograph: Courtesy @mshoneysclasshive

21. Being a graffiti menace

Channeling his spidey senses
Photograph: Courtesy @sherri_davis_

22. Channeling his spidey senses

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Making meals with the Kitchen Aid
Photograph: Courtesy @billy_theelf

23. Making meals with the Kitchen Aid

Scratching some chores off the list
Photograph: Courtesy @themessybunwife

24. Scratching some chores off the list

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Ensuring that no bathroom goes without toilet paper
Photograph: Courtesy @maryannmaldonado

25. Ensuring that no bathroom goes without toilet paper

Enjoying a slice of summer
Photograph: Courtesy @lizziejim

26. Enjoying a slice of summer

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Trying to impress the judges on "The Voice"
Photograph: Courtesy @gags1972

27. Trying to impress the judges on "The Voice"

Giving the house a festive makeover
Photograph: Courtesy @justjazz93

28. Giving the house a festive makeover

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Relaxing and floating around
Photograph: Courtesy @flyby_jinglebells

29. Relaxing and floating around

Being a selfless vigilante in Batman's absence
Photograph: Courtesy @reanna211

30. Being a selfless vigilante in Batman's absence

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Parking the sleigh properly
Photograph: Courtesy @sarahdyan

31. Parking the sleigh properly

Venturing to pre-historic times
Photograph: Courtesy @reggie_tenzing

32. Venturing to pre-historic times

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Stocking up on seasonal sweets
Photograph: Courtesy @savorbakingco

33. Stocking up on seasonal sweets

Enjoying a white Christmas
Photograph: Courtesy @mrs_elkins1013

34. Enjoying a white Christmas

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Attempting (unsuccessfully) to play like Liberace
Photograph: Courtesy @ameliageika

35. Attempting (unsuccessfully) to play like Liberace

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