75+ Easy, Low-Prep Elf on the Shelf Ideas (Free Printable!)
Make Elf on the Shelf easy this year! Grab this FREE printable with 75+ simple, low-prep elf ideas perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and busy parents. Includes room-by-room setups, last-minute elf ideas, and adorable printable props to create Christmas magic without the stress.
Elf season is here… and if you’ve ever found yourself scrambling at 10:47 pm trying to remember to move the elf AND think of a new, creative idea (we’ve all been there 😅), this free printable is going to save your December.
I put together 75 EASY Elf on the Shelf ideas, all designed for real parents with real houses and real-life chaos. It’s the ultimate cheat sheet for tired, busy, overwhelmed parents who still want the magic — without the stress.
The elf should feel fun for us as parents too!
They’re all designed for:
- Minimal prep.
- Minimal supplies.
- Maximum kid joy.
And YES — it includes:
✨ Ideas for every room of the house (kitchen, bathroom, living room, entryway & more)
✨ Hilariously simple “I forgot to move the elf!” backups
✨ Super cute setups featuring the printable props from my Etsy shop (so you can make magic in under 2 minutes)
✨ ZERO crafts that require glitter, elaborate builds, or staying up past midnight
If you want an easier, more magical Elf on the Shelf season this year… you’re in the right place.
Why You’ll Love This Elf on the Shelf Idea List
Because December is busy enough already.
You deserve:
- fewer late-night elf emergencies
- fewer Pinterest-perfect expectations
- more actual holiday joy with your kids
As a mom of three, I promise: simple, low-prep elf setups can still feel magical to your kids. It’s the imagination and surprise they love, not complicated displays.
Here’s a preview of some of the ideas on the list:
- Hiding in the sock drawer
- Sleeping in doll bed or Barbie bed
- Poking out of a winter boot
- Tangled in scarves
- Sitting in a chair with a napkin bib
- Having a fancy “dinner” with toy food
- Reading a kids’ Christmas book
- Making a tiny fort with blocks
- wrapped in toilet paper like a mummy
- Sitting on the toothpaste tube
Grab Your FREE Elf on the Shelf Idea List
This printable takes the mental load OFF your plate so you can enjoy the season again. It’s perfect for parents of toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and anyone trying to survive December with their sanity intact!
Enter your email below and I’ll send you the full printable right to your inbox — instantly.
This free printable list is free for you to use, but ONLY for personal use. Enter your information below to gain access to the free download, and the printable PDF file will be sent to your email address immediately for instant download.
Want Even More Easy Holiday Fun?
After you grab your free printable, check out:
- Our Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letters
- Free Printable Elf Report Cards- Official Elf Report
- And the full library of festive activities for kids
Perfect for making December magical without losing sleep.
Let’s Make This Your Easiest, Most Magical Elf Season Yet
Pop your email in the box above to get your free printable, and let the elf shenanigans begin!
With a little planning (and this free list in your back pocket), Elf season can actually feel fun again instead of overwhelming. Let’s make this December easier, lighter and full of simple magic your kids will remember forever.
If you found this family holiday article helpful, use the image below to pin it to Pinterest to help other families find it, too!
