‘Playing the Elf on the Shelf game involves moving the elf to a new location each night while the children are asleep. The goal is for kids to find the elf in the morning and report on its antics.’
The holidays are coming, and maybe you’ve got a little elf sitting on a shelf. You might be wondering, how do you play elf on the shelf game? It’s actually a pretty simple tradition that many families enjoy. The magic comes from the elf and its nightly escapades.
Essentially, each night after your kids go to bed, you relocate the elf to a new spot. The children find the elf each morning and get to guess what it was up to overnight. It’s a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.
How Do You Play Elf on the Shelf Game?
The Elf on the Shelf game is a beloved Christmas tradition that brings a bit of holiday magic into homes around the world. It’s more than just a decoration; it’s an interactive experience that encourages good behavior and sparks imagination. But how do you actually play the game? It’s simpler than you might think, and the fun is really in the creativity and making it your own family’s tradition. Let’s dive into the details.
The Basics: Introducing Your Elf
The first step is, of course, getting your very own Elf on the Shelf. This usually comes in a beautifully illustrated storybook that introduces the concept. The story explains that the elf is a special helper sent by Santa to keep an eye on children during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Each night, while everyone sleeps, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa about whether the children have been naughty or nice. Then, the next morning, the elf returns to a new spot in your house, ready to observe another day.
Choosing Your Elf’s Name
One of the first things you’ll do is give your elf a name. It’s a very important part of making the elf feel like a real member of the family. Many families have a fun naming ceremony and you can brainstorm together, or have each person write a name on a piece of paper and then choose one. This makes everyone feel involved and excited about the game. It’s very much about creating a personal connection to your family’s elf.
The “No Touch” Rule
Here’s a crucial rule: you can’t touch your Elf on the Shelf! The storybook explains that touching the elf will make his Christmas magic disappear, and he won’t be able to fly back to the North Pole each night to see Santa. This rule is important, and the kids will be eager to help make sure everyone in the household follows it. If your elf does get touched accidentally, some believe that you can write an apology note to the elf or leave a sprinkle of cinnamon nearby. But it’s generally best to avoid any contact to keep the magic alive!
Setting the Stage: Where Does the Elf Go?
Each morning, when your family wakes up, the elf will have moved to a new location. This is where the fun and creativity come in. The goal is to find different, often unexpected, places for your elf to appear. You can place them high up on shelves, inside toy trucks, peeking out of plants or hiding in kitchen cabinets – the possibilities are endless!
Planning Your Elf’s Adventures
Some families like to plan the elf’s moves, keeping a notebook or using a calendar to track their ideas. Other families prefer a more spontaneous approach, letting the elf’s location be a surprise each morning. Both ways are fine! The key is to make it fun and engaging for everyone. Think about what areas of your home the kids love, and what kind of things would make them laugh or think it’s clever.
Elf Arrival Ideas
The elf typically arrives at the start of the Christmas season, sometimes as early as December 1st, but the exact timing is up to you. Some elves arrive with a special letter from Santa. You can have the letter tell the children a bit about their new elf and remind them of the rules. Other elves will simply arrive in a prominent position, ready for the excitement to begin. Some fun arrival ideas include:
- The elf sitting in a Christmas stocking
- The elf perched atop the Christmas tree
- The elf hiding among wrapped presents
- The elf arriving with a small “welcome” sign
- The elf tucked into a family member’s shoe
Making it Fun and Engaging: Elf Antics
Beyond simply moving from spot to spot, many families add a bit of mischief to the elf’s daily activities. While the elf is not supposed to be “naughty” in a way that encourages bad behavior, some fun and harmless antics can add to the magic.
Examples of Elf Mischief
Your elf might be caught “reading” a book, drawing a silly picture, or making a small mess. Here are some creative ideas:
- The elf playing with toys and making a small mess
- The elf leaving a note in marker on a whiteboard
- The elf “eating” a few chocolate chips
- The elf swinging from a light fixture using candy canes
- The elf making a “snow angel” in flour
Keeping it Age-Appropriate
When planning your elf’s antics, consider the ages of your children. Very young children may be just as excited to see the elf in a new place each day, while older kids might enjoy the more elaborate set-ups. You can tailor your approach to keep the magic alive for everyone.
The Importance of Good Behavior
While the elf’s antics are fun, the main purpose of the Elf on the Shelf is to gently remind children to be on their best behavior in the lead-up to Christmas. The idea is that the elf reports back to Santa, and this may encourage positive actions.
Reinforcing Positive Actions
The Elf on the Shelf shouldn’t be used as a tool for punishment or threat. Instead, it is best to use it as a way to encourage good behavior by talking about how happy the elf will be to tell Santa about kind and helpful actions. You can even have the elf leave a small note, complimenting a child’s positive behavior. It is about positive encouragement, rather than negative enforcement.
The Elf’s Departure
As Christmas Day gets closer, the elf’s time with your family comes to an end. Usually, the elf will depart on Christmas Eve, flying back to the North Pole with Santa.
Ways to Say Goodbye
There are many fun ways to say goodbye to your elf. Some families have the elf leave a final note thanking them for the fun, and saying they will be back next Christmas. Others have the elf give a final Christmas gift to the children. The specific goodbye is up to each family.
- The elf leaving a handwritten farewell note
- The elf bringing a small Christmas gift or treat
- The elf being “packed” in a special bag or box for the trip back to the North Pole
- The elf posing for a final photograph with the family
Until Next Year
The departure doesn’t have to be sad. It’s a time for children to reflect on the good times they had with their elf and look forward to seeing them again next year. It becomes part of the fun and ritual of the entire season.
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Elf on the Shelf Experience
To ensure your Elf on the Shelf tradition is as magical as possible, here are some helpful tips and tricks.
Plan Ahead (But Be Flexible)
While some families love a very spontaneous approach, having a general idea of some of the places your elf might visit or some of the silly things he might do can make things easier. However, do leave room for flexibility. You might be inspired on the spot and come up with something completely new and fun.
Use Resources for Inspiration
If you ever find yourself running out of ideas, there are many websites and social media groups that are full of Elf on the Shelf suggestions. It is always great to see what other people are doing to get that inspiration flowing.
Keep it Simple
The best Elf on the Shelf ideas are not always the most elaborate. Sometimes, the most simple idea is the most effective, often involving things that are easily accessible, without a lot of preparation. This helps with the time commitment. Some people go all out, while others are more simple and laid back.
Involve the Kids
Ask your children what kind of things they’d like to see the elf do. They might have some brilliant ideas that you haven’t thought of! This helps them feel invested in the tradition and get even more excited.
Safety First
When choosing places for your elf to go, always keep safety in mind. Don’t place the elf in any dangerous locations or where he could be easily damaged, or be in contact with things that could be harmful.
Embrace the Tradition
The Elf on the Shelf is not just about finding the elf each morning, it’s about building family traditions and creating special memories. It’s an opportunity to bring joy and excitement into your home, and to strengthen family bonds.
The Real Magic of Elf on the Shelf
Ultimately, the Elf on the Shelf is more than just a game; it’s a way to bring some extra Christmas magic and cheer into your home during the holiday season. It’s about fostering the spirit of giving, encouraging good behavior, and spending quality time together as a family. It is about sparking the imagination and reminding everyone of the wonder and joy of Christmas. Whether you keep it simple, or go all out, the important thing is that it becomes a tradition that brings your family together and creates those lasting, happy memories.
By following these simple guidelines and incorporating your own creative touches, you can make the Elf on the Shelf tradition a truly memorable experience for your family, and one you’ll cherish for many Christmases to come.
The Elf on the Shelf® Santaverse™ Snow Battle Card Game | Michaels
Final Thoughts
The goal is simple: the elf arrives, and parents move it nightly. Children search for its new spot each morning. The elf observes behavior and reports to Santa.
Remember the golden rule: kids cannot touch the elf. That is part of how do you play elf on the shelf game. This game creates fun holiday memories for families.
