Transform Your Elf Tradition with this Free Printable Guide of Hands-on Play and Learning Activities!

The Elf on the Shelf tradition brings so much magic to December, but let's be honest—coming up with creative ideas every single night can feel overwhelming! As a mom, I wanted Elf on the Shelf activities that weren't just cute photo ops, but actually engaged my kids in meaningful play and learning.

That's why I created this collection of 18 hands-on Elf on the Shelf activities that combine the excitement of finding your elf each morning with play-based learning. These activities use simple supplies you probably already have at home and take just minutes to set up the night before.

Whether you're looking for quick 5-minute activities or ones that will keep your little ones entertained for an hour, this free printable has you covered. Each activity includes a supply list, how to set up your elf with printable elf cards so your elf can "explain" each activity, and activity instructions. 

This post is part of my complete Elf on the Shelf series! Keep your eye out for future posts, where I'll share fun Elf on the Shelf printables, creative setup ideas, and kindness-focused elf ideas.

Traditional Elf on the Shelf often focuses on mischief and silly scenarios, which are super fun (I even have a blog in the series for those!) but don't always offer much educational enrichment. These elf on the shelf activities are different because they:

• Encourage hands-on learning through play
• Use supplies most families already have
• Take 10 minutes or less to set up
• Combine holiday magic with skill development
• Include free printables
• Appeal to all ages

The best part? Your kids will be so excited to discover what activity their elf brought each morning, and you'll feel good knowing they're learning while they play!

Check out sneak peeks of each activity below, then be sure download my FREE printable for all of the details: supply lists, detailed setup instructions and activity guides for all 18 activities!

Quick & Easy Elf on the Shelf Activities (5-Minute Setup)

When you're short on time or energy (we've all been there!), these simple elf on the shelf activities are lifesavers. They require minimal supplies and setup but still deliver maximum excitement for your kids.

Be sure to download the Free Printable guide for all of the supply lists and instructions!

• Hidden Ornament Hunt

  • Your elf hides 10 shatterproof ornaments around the house for your child to find. This activity gets kids moving, practices counting skills, and works on observation abilities—all while burning off that pre-holiday energy!

• Gift Bow Tic-Tac-Toe

  • Using gift bows in two colors, create a tic-tac-toe board with craft tape. This classic game teaches strategy and turn-taking while repurposing holiday supplies you already have.

• Elf Yourself

  • Your child cuts a hole in the provided printable to peek their face through. This quick activity practices scissor skills and sparks imaginative play as kids pretend to be elves!

Gross Motor Elf on the Shelf Activities

Get your kids moving with these active elf on the shelf activities that develop large muscle groups and coordination while burning off energy.

Be sure to download the Free Printable guide for all of the supply lists and instructions!

• Streamer Obstacle Course

  • Tape streamers across a hallway at various heights for your child to climb over and under without breaking them. This activity builds spatial awareness, problem-solving, and gross motor skills.

• Candy Cane Golf

  • Use a candy cane as a golf club to hit a balloon or ping pong ball around the house. This festive game practices hand-eye coordination and controlled movement.

• Find 30 Santa Ducks

  • Your kids will flex their gross motor skills while working with a 10-frame to find 30 hidden Santa Ducks (or any mini Christmas item)!

STEM Elf on the Shelf Activities

These elf on the shelf activities incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through hands-on experiments and building challenges that feel like pure fun!

Be sure to download the Free Printable guide for all of the supply lists and instructions!

• Skittles Science

  • Arrange Skittles in a circle on a white plate and pour warm water in the center to create a magical rainbow. This activity demonstrates solubility and diffusion while creating a beautiful, edible result.

• Sink or Float

  • Provide a bin of water and various household items for your child to predict and test whether they'll sink or float. This classic science experiment builds critical thinking and introduces basic physics concepts.

• Magna-Tile Dominoes

  • Set up magnetic tiles in a domino chain for your child to knock down. They'll learn about cause-and-effect, chain reactions, and engineering as they build their own designs.

• Snowball Launcher

  • Create a simple launcher using a craft tube and balloon to shoot pom-pom "snowballs." This engineering project explores concepts of force, trajectory, and kinetic energy.

Sensory Elf on the Shelf Activities

Sensory experiences can be soothing and enriching all at the same time! These elf on the shelf activities engage multiple senses.

Be sure to download the Free Printable guide for all of the supply lists and instructions!

• I'm Back! Snow Writing

  • Use fake snow or salt in a tray with a paintbrush for your child to practice writing letters and shapes. This sensory activity combines tactile exploration with pre-writing skills.

• Ice Painting

  • Fill a dish with ice cubes and let your child paint them with watercolors. This activity provides a unique sensory experience while exploring states of matter and color mixing.

• Countdown to Christmas

  • Glue one cotton ball per day onto the provided Santa printable, as your kids count down to Christmas. The fluffy texture of cotton balls adds a sensory element to this daily math practice.

Fine Motor & Art Elf on the Shelf Activities

These elf on the shelf activities strengthen little hands and fingers while encouraging creativity and self-expression.

Be sure to download the Free Printable guide for all of the supply lists and instructions!

• Q-Tip Snowflake Art

  • Use Q-tips and white paint on dark paper to create snowflakes using a pointillism technique. This art activity develops the pincer grasp needed for writing and practices pattern-making.

• Decorate a Christmas Craft Tree

  • Draw a large Christmas tree outline on craft paper for your child to decorate with stickers, gems, and markers. This open-ended activity allows for creative expression while strengthening fine motor skills.

• Pin the Nose on the Reindeer

  • A festive twist on a classic game using contact paper to make a red pom-pom (or "reindeer nose") stick. This activity practices coordination while adding holiday fun.

Memory & Learning Games

These elf on the shelf activities challenge cognitive skills like memory, matching, and problem-solving through engaging gameplay.

Be sure to download the Free Printable guide for all of the supply lists and instructions!

• Christmas Memory Game

  • This classic activity strengthens visual memory and concentration skills. Your child will love playing this again and again throughout the season, turning the provided Free Printable into a reusable activity!

• Find the Prize

  • Place red cups upside down with a small Christmas trinket hidden under one. Your child guesses which cup hides the treasure, working on memory and probability skills in a playful way.

Most of these activities use common household items, but here are the supplies you'll want to have on hand!

I've created a convenient Amazon shopping list with all these supplies so you can easily stock up before December begins. Having everything ready means less stress and more enjoyment of the season!

• Craft tape (appears in multiple activities)
• Cotton balls
• Pom poms (specific colors needed are listed in the printable)
• White paint
• Washable paint
• Q-tips
• Blue construction paper
• Markers or crayons 
• Stickers
• Streamers
• Balloons
• Red cups
• Shatterproof ornaments
• Gift bows
• Candy canes
• Skittles
• Ice cubes
• Magnetic tiles
• Fake snow or salt
• Contact paper
• Craft paper
• Craft tube
• Scissors
• Glue
• Mini Santa Ducks (or other small objects)
• Elf Christmas Tree outfit

The Elf on the Shelf tradition should bring joy, not stress, to your holiday season. These 18 elf on the shelf activities are designed to make your December mornings special while supporting your child's learning and development.

From quick 5-minute setups to engaging activities that can entertain your kids over and over, you'll find options for every schedule and energy level. The included printables make setup even easier, and the hands-on nature of these activities means your kids will be learning while they play.

Download your free printable today and get ready for a December filled with magic, learning, and precious memories with your little ones. Here's to a season of play, wonder, and a little less midnight elf-moving stress!

And don't forget to check out the rest of my Elf on the Shelf series for even more ideas, activities, and inspiration to make this tradition special for your family. Because you deserve support, encouragement, and practical tools that actually make your life easier during the holiday season. That's what we're all about here at Stay at Home Activity Mom!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on items I personally use and love with my own children.