“Where is he hiding today?!” Kids rush in each morning, looking for their classroom elf. Elf on the Shelf classroom ideas have become wildly popular in schools worldwide.
These fun little elves bring whimsy to classrooms during December. They make kids smile and laugh every day.
Teachers love using elves as more than cute decorations. They also help with teaching.
Elves can make kids want to come to school, behave better, and enjoy their lessons more. When used well, these little visitors can turn normal school activities into fun learning times.
In this blog, we’ll see how to make your classroom elf both fun and helpful for teaching your students.
What are Elf on the Shelf activities?
Elf on the Shelf activities are fun ways teachers use the classroom elf to make learning exciting.
Teachers set up the elf in different spots each night, doing silly things like reading tiny books, writing notes to kids, or making small messes.
Some elves leave math problems, science experiments, or spelling games for students to solve. The elf might be found having a marshmallow bath, making snow angels in sugar, or zip-lining across the room on a string.
Teachers use the elf to reward good behavior by having it leave small treats or kind messages.
Sometimes, the elf brings classroom challenges or special projects that help kids learn while having fun with their magical visitor.
Fun Elf on the Shelf Classroom Activities
1. Elf’s Reading Challenge
The elf sits on your bookshelf holding a book and leaves a note asking kids to read a few pages to find his next clue.
Each student gets a turn to read out loud, making reading fun and giving everyone a chance to participate.
Kids love searching for the elf’s clue in the story and get excited about books when the magical elf picks them.
Students look forward to seeing what book the elf will choose next and eagerly volunteer to read when the elf is watching.
2. Elf’s Secret Message
Your elf leaves notes written in invisible ink for the class to find, and kids make the secret messages appear using lemon juice or baking soda.
They need heat from a hairdryer or light to see the hidden words, which feels like real magic to young students.
The whole class works together to solve the mystery, feeling like detectives when they finally reveal the hidden message!
This fun activity teaches simple science concepts while building teamwork skills and problem-solving abilities. Students get so excited when the blank paper suddenly shows the elf’s secret instructions for the day.
3. Elf’s Candy Cane Hunt
The elf hides small candy canes all around your classroom and leaves clues that help kids find them throughout the day.
Students work in teams to follow the hints and find the candy, with each team earning points when they discover candy canes in clever hiding spots.
This game gets kids moving and thinking while teaching them to work together to solve problems. They learn to share the sweet rewards at the end and enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
The activity can be adapted for any subject by adding math problems or vocabulary words to each candy cane.
4. Elf’s Reading Party
Your classroom elf sets up a cozy reading spot with pillows, blankets, and books and invites students to his special reading party.
Kids take turns reading stories out loud in this special area while the elf “listens” to their favorite books.
This makes reading feel special and fun instead of like a chore! Students look forward to their turn in the elf’s reading corner and often ask to visit it during free time.
The elf can leave little bookmarks or reading certificates as rewards for students who participate in his reading parties.
5. Elf’s Chalkboard Riddle
The elf writes funny riddles or math problems on the board each morning that students must solve to learn where the elf will hide next or what special activity is planned for the day.
Kids work on the puzzles in small groups, using their math and thinking skills to crack the code. This makes learning feel like an exciting game rather than regular schoolwork.
Students can’t wait to see what riddle the elf leaves next and rush to solve it first thing in the morning. The riddles can be adjusted to match your current learning goals or curriculum themes.
6. Elf’s Classroom Hide-and-Seek
Each day, your elf finds a new hiding spot in the classroom, and students search for him while doing their morning work or between activities.
Kids can vote on good hiding places for tomorrow or write suggestions for where the elf should appear next.
They love the surprise of finding where the elf moved overnight and checking if he followed their suggestions.
This simple game makes coming to school exciting during the holiday season and can be used to highlight different areas of the classroom.
Students rush in each morning, eager to spot their classroom friend in his new location.
7. Elf’s Science Experiment
The elf sets up a simple science test like a baking soda volcano, color mixing, or a sink-or-float station, complete with a tiny lab coat and safety glasses for extra fun.
Students help design or finish the experiment and make predictions about what will happen when it’s completed. The elf “does” the experiment overnight, and kids see the amazing results when they arrive in the morning.
This makes science concepts fun and magical. Students learn basic science facts through the elf’s experiments and get excited about scientific discovery.
The experiment can connect to your current science curriculum or introduce new concepts.
8. Elf’s Behavior Chart Challenge
Your elf watches for good behavior and adds stars to a special chart when students are kind, helpful, or working hard.
When the class earns enough stars, they are rewarded with a special treat, extra recess, or a small party.
The elf leaves notes praising specific kind acts he sees around the classroom, encouraging students to continue their good behavior.
Kids try extra hard to be good when they know the elf is watching their actions.
This helps keep the class calm and focused during the exciting holiday season and teaches the value of positive behavior in a fun way.
9. Elf’s Christmas Craft Station
The elf creates a craft area with paper, glue, scissors, and holiday items, showing students how to make simple ornaments, cards, or decorations through example projects.
Kids follow the elf’s model to make their own crafts during center time or art period. They proudly share their work with friends and take them home as gifts for family.
This lets students be creative while making meaningful holiday presents. The elf brings out their artistic skills and encourages self-expression.
Teachers can connect the crafts to current lessons, like having students write holiday poems to go with their art.
10. Elf’s Secret Code
Your classroom elf writes messages using simple codes, symbols, or number puzzles that need to be deciphered to reveal instructions or compliments.
Students work in pairs to figure out what he’s saying by matching letters to numbers or using picture clues from a key the elf provides.
When they crack the code, they find a special message, task, or classroom challenge for the day. This makes kids think critically while having fun with language and symbols.
When they solve the elf’s tricky codes, they feel proud and accomplished.
Teachers can adjust the difficulty of the codes based on grade level and incorporate spelling words or vocabulary terms.
11. Elf’s “Magic” Snow
Your classroom elf brings a special mixture of “snow” made from baking soda and shaving cream for students to explore and enjoy.
He sets up a science station with tools like magnifying glasses, spoons, and cups for experimenting with the fake snow.
Kids love touching, molding, and investigating this cool sensory material while learning about properties like texture and temperature.
The elf leaves questions for students to answer about the snow, like “What happens when you add water?” or “Can you build a tiny snowman?”
This hands-on science activity brings winter fun into the classroom even if it’s not snowing outside!
Students can record their observations in science journals and compare the fake snow to real snow they’ve experienced.
12. Elf’s Math Maze
The elf creates an exciting math challenge by setting up a maze around the classroom with math problems at each turning point.
Students must solve each problem correctly to know which way to go next in the maze. The problems can match what you’re currently studying, depending on grade level.
Kids work in small groups to solve the problems and follow the path through the classroom, getting closer to a special surprise the elf has hidden at the end.
This makes practicing math skills feel like a treasure hunt! Students stay engaged because they want to reach the end of the maze and discover what the elf has prepared for them.
13. Elf’s Mystery Box
Each morning, your elf sits beside a wrapped box with a mystery object hidden inside for students to guess. Kids take turns putting their hands through a hole in the box to feel the object without peeking inside.
They describe what they feel to the class using descriptive words like “bumpy,” “smooth,” or “round.” After everyone has had a chance to feel and guess, the elf reveals what’s in the box!
This activity builds vocabulary and observation skills while creating excitement.
The mystery objects can connect to your current lessons, like bringing in pinecones during a nature unit or small toy dinosaurs during history lessons about prehistoric times.
14. Elf’s Kindness Notes
The elf brings a special mailbox filled with kindness challenges written on colorful paper. Each student picks a note with a kind act to complete during the day, such as “Help a friend with their work” or “Say something nice to someone.”
When students complete their act of kindness, they write about it on a paper heart and add it to a classroom kindness chain.
The elf adds to the chain overnight with his own kind acts! This activity teaches empathy and the value of being nice to others during the holiday season.
By the end of December, the classroom will have a beautiful chain showing all the good deeds done by students and their elf friends.
15. Elf’s Creative Prompt
Your classroom elf leaves an exciting writing prompt on the board each morning, asking questions like “What would happen if I came to life at night?” or “Where should I go on vacation after Christmas?”
Students spend time writing stories, poems, or journal entries based on the elf’s question. The next day, the elf leaves comments and stickers on their writing, making students feel their work is truly being read and appreciated.
This motivates even reluctant writers to participate and share their ideas. Teachers can use these prompts to practice different writing skills.
16. Elf’s Toy Rescue Mission
Oh no! The classroom elf has gotten himself into trouble – he’s stuck in a homemade trap, tangled in ribbon, or caught in a classroom toy!
The elf leaves a note asking students to collaborate on creating a rescue plan using only certain materials you provide.
Kids must think critically and solve problems as a team to design a way to free their elf friend.
This engineering challenge encourages cooperation and creative thinking while letting students practice their design skills.
After they create their rescue solutions, students can write or draw instructions explaining how they saved the elf, practicing their communication and documentation skills in a meaningful way.
17. Elf’s Writing Contest
The elf announces a special holiday writing contest for the class with categories like “Best Letter to Santa,” “Most Creative Holiday Story,” or “Best Poem About Winter.” Students spend time crafting their best writing piece following the elf’s contest rules.
When they finish, the elf collects all entries and “judges” them overnight.
The next morning, students find certificates and small prizes for different categories, making sure every student feels recognized for their writing effort.
This motivates students to do their best work and practice writing skills during a time when focus can be challenging.
18. Elf’s Art Gallery
Your classroom elf transforms a corner of the room into a miniature art gallery complete with tiny frames, display cards, and even a guest book!
He invites each student to create a piece of holiday artwork to display in his special gallery. Kids use different art materials to make their masterpieces, which the elf “hangs” in the gallery overnight.
Students take turns being tour guides, explaining their artwork to classmates during gallery walks. The elf leaves positive comments about each artwork in his tiny guest book!
This activity encourages creativity while giving students practice with public speaking when they present their art to the class.
19. Elf’s Christmas Bingo
The elf brings a fun holiday bingo game with cards featuring festive pictures instead of numbers. Each day, he calls a new bingo square by leaving clues about which picture to mark.
Students must complete small tasks related to each picture, like “draw a snowman” or “write a holiday joke,” before marking that square.
The first students to complete a row earn small prizes from the elf, but everyone continues playing until the whole class fills their cards for a bigger celebration!
This activity combines fun with various learning tasks and can be customized to include vocabulary words, math problems, or reading challenges depending on your curriculum needs.
20. Elf’s Time Capsule
Your classroom elf brings a special container decorated as a time capsule and asks students to think about their hopes for the future.
Students write letters to their future selves, make predictions about next year, or share their current favorite things on special paper the elf provides.
The completed time capsule is “sealed” by the elf and saved until the end of the school year when students open it to see how much they’ve grown and changed.
This meaningful activity helps students reflect on their learning journey and personal growth. Teachers can include class photos and memorable moments from throughout the year to make the time capsule extra special.
21. Elf’s Classroom Spa Day
After a busy week of learning, the elf surprises the class with a calm, relaxing “spa day” experience! He sets up stations with hand lotion, calming music, stretching exercises, and mindfulness activities.
Students rotate through these stations after completing their work, learning important self-care skills during the hectic holiday season.
The elf leaves notes about the importance of taking breaks and managing stress, teaching valuable life lessons along with academic content.
This activity gives teachers a chance to talk about emotional well-being while providing a much-needed brain break. Students return to their studies refreshed and focused after enjoying the elf’s thoughtful spa activities.
22. Elf’s Christmas Pictionary
The elf challenges the class to a lively game of holiday Pictionary with festive words written on cards in his tiny handwriting.
Students take turns selecting a card and drawing the holiday item while classmates try to guess what it is before time runs out.
The elf keeps score on a special scorecard and leaves prizes for the winning team! This game builds vocabulary, drawing skills, and observation abilities in a fun, engaging way.
Teachers can adjust the difficulty of the words based on grade level and curriculum goals, including holiday traditions from around the world, to increase cultural awareness during the game.
23. Elf’s Puzzle Challenge
Your classroom elf brings a giant holiday puzzle that needs to be completed by the whole class working together.
He divided the puzzle pieces into several bags, giving one bag to each small group of students. Groups must work on their section before joining with others to complete the entire picture.
The elf leaves clues about what the final image will show, building excitement as pieces come together! When finished, the completed puzzle reveals a special message or picture from the elf.
This activity teaches collaboration, patience, and problem-solving while creating a sense of classroom community as everyone contributes to the finished product.
24. Elf’s Gift Exchange
The elf introduces a thoughtful classroom gift exchange where students focus on giving rather than receiving.
Instead of buying presents, students create handmade gifts or write sincere compliment cards for the classmate whose name they’ve drawn.
The elf brings special wrapping supplies and helps students prepare their gifts with care. During the exchange, students share one thing they appreciate about the person receiving their gift, creating a warm atmosphere of friendship and gratitude.
This activity teaches the true meaning of holiday giving and helps strengthen classroom relationships. The elf can leave a special thank-you note for the class afterward, praising their generosity and kindness.
25. Elf’s “Caught Being Good” Board
Your classroom elf sets up a special board where he records all the positive behaviors and kind actions he sees throughout the day.
When students don’t expect it, the elf “catches” them being good – helping others, working hard, or showing kindness.
Their names go on the board with a description of what the elf noticed. As more names appear on the board, the class earns points toward a special celebration or reward.
The elf sometimes leaves small treats or notes of encouragement for students who have been especially helpful or kind.
This positive behavior system makes students more aware of their actions and encourages them to make good choices even when they think nobody is watching.
Conclusion
Elf on the Shelf classroom activities turn ordinary school days into learning adventures. These ideas help you use your classroom elf to teach important skills while keeping students excited about coming to school during December.
Students don’t even realize they’re practicing important skills when they decode the elf’s secret messages or write creative stories about his adventures.
These activities also help manage behavior during an exciting time of year when focus can be challenging.
Take pictures of your elf activities to share with parents or save for a classroom memory book.
Choose your favorite ideas from this list and make your December in the classroom more fun than ever!
