Easy Scout Elf ideas for busy families, for the nights when time is short and the elves still have plans.
Some of the Scout Elves’ best ideas are the simplest – a surprise waiting on a shelf, a note left on the fridge, a game already half-played by morning.
Others are proper North Pole adventures that take over the whole kitchen.
We’ve gathered 24 of the elves’ favourites and grouped them from the quickest surprises to the biggest adventures, so you can find one that suits the morning ahead.
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Quick & Easy Ideas
Small surprises the Scout Elves can manage in a moment – no fuss, no fanfare.
1. Getting snuggled
They may be from the North Pole, but Scout Elves like to be cosy and warm, too.
So much so, they love nothing more than getting snuggled up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows. Perhaps the kids can join them too!
2. A little yoga
To prepare for a busy festive period, the Scout Elves often practise their best yoga moves.
They’re pretty good at creating a zen environment, so don’t be afraid to join in with the downward facing dog pose.
3. Monkeying around
Scout Elves are never naughty, but they do love to fool around and hide from time to time. In a thrilling game of hide and seek, you can often find them sniggering behind curtains, on top of door frames and even in the garden!
Set the timer and see how long it takes the kids to find them.
Stuck for somewhere new? Here are 30 easy hiding places.
4. On top of the presents
Who better to guard all the presents than Santa’s Scout Elves? They’ll stack all your gifts neatly and add festive bows if you like, too!
Find them on top of the pile waiting for the rest of the family to join in the festive fun.
5. Get your boogie on
You’ll often see the Scout Elves getting down with their favourite moves at parties, so don’t be surprised to find them by the speaker doing just that this Christmas.
They might even have a few party accessories, too, so be sure to join in all the fun with your little ones.
6. Putting up the decorations
You’re putting up all your festive decorations, but in all the excitement you’ve missed a spot.
Fear not, the Scout Elves are on the job with all their expert decorating skills. Mrs Claus has taught them everything she knows, so be prepared for a nice surprise when you wake up in the morning.
7. Time for a story
In the North Pole, the Scout Elves enjoy storytime with Mrs Claus every night. To make sure they don’t miss out, they bring their favourite books with them to share with their new friends.
You can find them waiting by the fireplace with a selection of books for your little ones to choose from.
8. A treat to share
It’s no secret that Scout Elves love candy canes, but what they love more than anything is sharing.
They’ve spent all year collecting their favourite sweets and now it’s time to leave them out for the whole family to enjoy.
Be quick though… you might find them tucking into the sweets before you do.
Looking for more? Browse all Elf ideas.
A Little More Magic
A few of the elves’ favourite tricks, the kind where they make use of whatever they can find around the house.
9. Chalkboard doodles
Challenge the little ones to a doodle competition with the Scout Elves by getting them to draw on a chalkboard before they go to bed – don’t forget to leave space for the elves!
During the night, the Scout Elves will get busy drawing their masterpieces ready for you to find in the morning.
10. Noughts and crosses
Care for a game of noughts and crosses? This simple (and fun) strategy game can be spread over a few days as you each take it in turns to go.
The Scout Elves will start things off by leaving out a piece of paper, a pen and their first move. Can you beat the Scout Elves?
11. The domino effect
Before bed, ask the kids to start laying out dominoes in a line so they all fall one at a time with a little nudge.
They’ll have to wait until morning before they do though, as the Scout Elves need to finish adding their dominoes too.
Be careful though… the elves might have accidentally knocked a few down in the night. Can you spot them?
12. Leave a message
Scout Elves are clever when it comes to leaving messages around the home. They use all sorts of objects and techniques to spell things out.
From children’s letter blocks and alphabet fridge magnets to cut out words from magazines, they really are quite inventive when it comes to saying “Merry Christmas, Friend!”.
13. Receiving a Christmas card
The Scout Elves take extra special care when it comes to writing their Christmas cards, and this year will be no different.
With your little ones at the top of their list, they’ll leave a handmade card next to their pillow, signed by Santa himself.
14. Decorating the tree
Scout Elves love to help out! Especially when it comes to making your Christmas tree extra festive.
They’ll often wait until everyone’s asleep before adding the finishing touches, so don’t be surprised if your little ones catch them in the act when they wake up.
15. Play dress up
If your child loves playing dress up, then they’ll adore seeing all the Scout Elves’ different Claus Couture Collection® costumes this festive period.
They’ve got plenty of outfits to choose from, with the elves never missing an opportunity to put on a fashion show and strike a pose.
See the Claus Couture Collection
16. Introducing new friends
In the North Pole, we like to say “the more, the merrier!”, and this couldn’t be truer at Christmastime.
Elf Pets® are bursting with festive love and ready to meet their new friends. Let the Scout Elves introduce Santa’s Saint Bernard and Reindeer to the family for a little extra festive spirit this Christmas.
17. Having a kickabout
There’s always time for a kickabout – even at the North Pole.
Leave out a ping-pong ball and a few straws, and the Scout Elves will do the rest. By morning there may well be a pitch, a goal and a match already in extra time.
18. Gone fishing
Never ones to waste a moment, the Scout Elves are always busy doing something.
Leave out a sheet of blue paper or a scrap of blue fabric and a few paper fish, and the elves will set about a spot of pretend fishing – rod made from a twig and a reel of cotton, of course. The Scout Elves will be drawn in hook, line and sinker!
Ideas for When You Have More Time
Bigger North Pole adventures – the ones the children will still be talking about in July.
19. Christmas bakes
There’s nothing better than waking up to a festive treat or two, so get the ingredients in for your child’s favourite biscuits or cupcakes and leave them out ready for your Scout Elves to cook up these delicious treats. Look forward to finding a yummy surprise in the morning!
20. Wreath making
Wreath making is a popular activity in the North Pole, and the Scout Elves love getting everyone involved.
Leave out a few bits and pieces and the elves will take it from there. The kids will wake up to a morning of crafts, all arranged by the elves themselves.
21. Make a time capsule
Christmas memories should last a lifetime, and with the help of your Scout Elf they can!
Bringing with them from the North Pole a personalised time capsule, it’s the perfect way to capture all the children’s favourite festive memories.
Encourage the kids to gather objects from around the home, make little notes and even take pictures with an instant camera. Pop them all in your time capsule and set a date for when you can open it again.
22. Start a treasure hunt
‘X’ marks the spot! The Scout Elves sometimes like to leave out a treasure map with clues to finding a big surprise!
With the map hand drawn on a piece of paper and a few written clues hidden along the way, the kids will have the most exciting start to the day finding the treasure.
23. Say CHEESE!
Everyone loves a silly photo booth session, so be sure to grab an instant camera and some props for everyone to enjoy this Christmas. Don’t forget smaller props for the Scout Elves, too.
To show you how it’s done, the elves will leave a few test shots out for you all to see. Now it’s time for you and your children to start taking your own.
24. A letter to the North Pole
Scout Elves carry news home every single night, so there’s no faster post in the world.
Leave out paper and pencils and your elf will happily take a letter with them – wishes, thank-yous, or a drawing for Mrs Claus. Just don’t be surprised if they add a note of their own.
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