Elf pranks: ideas for the whole of December

In the morning the elf is somewhere new. It is one of the small things that can make December special for children, and it costs little more than a bit of imagination. But 24 mornings is a lot, and most parents run out of ideas around the 8th. Here is a collection of elf pranks you can dip into, whether your child is three or nine.

How to get off to a good start

Keep it simple. The elf does not need to create a big scene every day. What matters is that there is something for your child to discover. Make a plan in advance and write a short list, so you are not searching for an idea at 11 pm. Choose a steady rhythm too: some families move the elf every night, others only at weekends. Both are fine.

Think about who does what. If there are two adults, you can take turns being the elf's helper. And keep a few easy ideas for the days you forget: the elf simply slept in, or he has gone to visit a neighbour elf.

24 ideas for the whole of December

1. The elf arrives. He sits with a little letter introducing himself and saying how long he is staying.
2. The elf sits in a shoe or a boot in the hallway.
3. The elf hangs on a string from the lamp, as if he were on a swing.
4. The elf sits in the fridge next to the milk.
5. The elf reads a book on your child's bookshelf with a tiny bookmark.
6. The elf has made a little snow of flour on the kitchen counter and written your child's name in it.
7. The elf has tied the toy animals together with yarn, so they sit in a long line.
8. The elf has drawn in a sketchbook and left a small drawing for your child.
9. The elf sits on the loo with a roll of paper.
10. The elf has decorated your child's door with little paper stars.
11. The elf has built a tiny bed from a matchbox and a piece of fabric.
12. The elf bakes with the dolls in the doll kitchen.
13. The elf has written a task: find three red things in the living room.
14. The elf has made a treasure hunt with small notes around the house.
15. The elf sits on the windowsill and looks out at the first snow or rain.
16. The elf has taken a pair of your child's socks and made himself an elf hat.
17. The elf hangs from a branch on the Christmas tree and waves his hat.
18. The elf is hiding among the teddies. How many minutes pass before your child finds him?
19. The elf has made a gift for your child: a bookmark, a drawing or a short story.
20. The elf sits with a torch and shines it up at the ceiling.
21. The elf has read aloud to the other elves and left a note about an audio story you can listen to together.
22. The elf has made porridge in a doll's pot and is waiting for your child to taste it.
23. The elf has packed his little bag and says he will be going home soon.
24. The elf says goodbye with a small thank you letter and a little gift.

The elf moves into the toy town

One of the easiest elf pranks is for the elf to move into your child's own world. If you have a wooden toy town, he can get his own house, a place in the fire station or a spot on the road. In the morning he may have built a new road, parked a car in a new place or put up a little sign saying "Elf Street". Children love discovering that something has changed in their town.

In Crateit Town the town can be rebuilt, and the pieces click together without glue or tools. The sets arrive uncoloured, so the elf can also leave a colouring task: "Today the house must be red, so I can find it." For the colouring there are markers for woodthat go on layer by layer. So it is an idea you can use again when the elf has gone home.

You do not need a special town to do this. A shoebox, some fabric and a little paper can become an elf house, and your child can furnish it.

Good advice for parents

Here are some experiences that make it easier to keep going all month:

• Make a little box for the elf with paper, tape, yarn and pens, so you can quickly find what you need.
• Let your child join in. Some children like to come up with ideas for the elf. Write them on a note and use them over the next days.
• Have an answer ready if the elf "forgets" to move. He may be tired, or he has to help Father Christmas somewhere.
• Avoid mess that you have to clear up for days. Flour and glitter can be fun, but they also have to be removed again.
• Share the ideas. Grandparents and older siblings can be elf helpers too.

Remember that the elf should be fun, not stressful. If you cannot face a day, that is perfectly fine. Also read our ideas for Christmas activities for children at home and gift calendars for childrenif you are looking for more small joys in December.

When your child begins to doubt

Sooner or later many children start asking questions. Here you can answer with a question: "What do you think?" Let your child set the pace. Many older children enjoy becoming the elf's helper for their younger siblings. Then the elf becomes a shared secret rather than something that suddenly ends.

Frequently asked questions

How many elf pranks are needed?

As many as you can manage. Some families move the elf every night, others a few times a week. The important thing is that it is fun for you.

What do I do if I forget to move the elf?

Say that the elf slept in or has gone to visit somewhere else. The next day he can have done something extra.

Are elf pranks suitable for the youngest?

Yes, but keep it simple. The youngest like it when the elf sits somewhere new with a little letter. Older children can get tasks and treasure hunts.

Can the elf move into the toys?

Yes. A toy town, a dolls' house or a shoebox can become the elf's home, and your child can build and furnish it together with him.

Give the elf a home in a wooden town that can be rebuilt and recoloured.

See Crateit Town