25 Days of Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2022

Imagine this: your kids wake up in the morning to a video of Elf on the Shelf moving to the next location of where your kids can find him in your home. Ahhh, the magic of stop motion, the magic of Christmas and the magic of the joy your kids will have to see Elf on the Shelf animated. ✨

These funny Elf on the Shelf ideas for 2022 will have your kids excited to go to bed and wake up each day (every parents’ dream am I right?) and are both easy and fun for you to create. Yes! THEY ARE FUN!! All you need a little patience and a free stop motion app, Life Lapse, that is available on iOS and Android. We’ve got 25 days of Elf on the Shelf ideas lined up for you. Click on each video below to watch the tutorial to see how to create it in your home!

Day 1: Elf on the Shelf arrival idea

Elf on the Shelf returns idea is a video of Elf flying into your home on a sleigh. What better way to celebrate the arrival of Elf on the Shelf than a personalized video to your kiddo of Elf coming into your home? Create this video for your kids to see Elf riding a sleigh or something similar spreading Festive cheer. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 2: Elf on the Shelf spa

Click the image to watch the tutorial and catch Elf come to life in your home while enjoying a much deserved spa day.

Day 3: Elf on the Shelf climbing up a desk

Want to give your kids a hint on where Elf on the Shelf is hiding? Create this video of Elf climbing up a desk in your home and hiding inside. Click on the image to get the step by step tutorial on creating this fun stop motion video of Elf on the Shelf!

Day 4: Elf on the Shelf red carpet rollout

Need an idea to make a grand entrance during Elf Return Week? Elf just might roll out the red carpet inside your home. Click on the image below to see how you can animate this with stop motion!

Day 5: Elf on the Shelf snow angel

Click the image below for a step by step tutorial on how to make this easy Elf on the Shelf snow angel animation using a few supplies and a free stop motion app, Life Lapse.

Day 6: Elf on the Shelf hot chocolate idea

Elf needs a hot chocolate break. Here’s a fun Elf on the Shelf food idea with Elf drinking hot chocolate on your kitchen counter. Click the image below to get the tutorial on how to create a video where Elf finishes his hot chocolate!

Day 7: Elf on the Shelf zip lining on garland

What’s more fun than Elf on the Shelf hanging on garland? Elf zip lining on garland across your room! Click on the image below for a tutorial on creating this using a free app.

Day 8: Elf on the Shelf hiding ideas: under a beanie!

How cute is this Elf on the Shelf idea! Perfect for cold days where Elf just needs a warm place to hide. Click the image below to watch how you can bring this to life for your kiddo.

Day 9: Naughty Elf on the Shelf idea with toilet paper

Click on the image below to catch naughty Elf on the Shelf playing with the toilet paper in your bathroom! Who made the mess when your child wakes up in the morning? Elf did it!!

Day 10: Elf on the Shelf bubble bath

Create this Elf on the Shelf bubble bath idea using marshmallows and animate it to really set the mood for Elf. Click the image below for the tutorial!

Day 11: Elf on the Shelf on the shower curtain

Here’s an Elf on the Shelf hiding spot to try: on the shower curtain! Create this stop motion video of Elf on the Shelf as a hint to show your kids where Elf is hiding. Click the image below for a tutorial.

Day 12: Elf on the Shelf brings gifts

Sneaky Elf on the Shelf bringing gifts for the Christmas tree! Click the image below for a free tutorial on how to recreate a video where it shows Elf moving gifts to the tree this year.

Day 13: Elf on the Shelf sleigh ride

How’s Elf arriving for Elf Return Week 2022? Here’s an idea to create for your kids showing Elf arriving on a sleigh ride landing in your home. Click the image below to watch the free tutorial.

Day 14: Naughty Elf on the Shelf pooping

Naughty Elf on the Shelf playing with food by pooping little chocolates onto the cookies! Yuck! Will the kids want to eat the cookies afterwards? Who knows! Watch the tutorial by clicking the image below.

Day 15: Elf on the Shelf hiding places: inside a mailbox

The hardest of Elf on the Shelf hiding places that your kids will never think to look! Inside the mailbox. Maybe they’ll go out and grab the mail more often if they know they’re in for a fun surprise? Here’s a tutorial to create for your kids as a hint of where he could be. Click the image to watch!

Day 16: Elf on the Shelf on my laptop

Sneaky Elf on the Shelf playing some Christmas tunes on Spotify and it looks like their favorite is a classic. Click the image to create this stop motion animation video!

Day 17: Elf on the Shelf food ideas: caught stealing candy and chocolate

Has your holiday treats been disappearing fast? Busted! Elf on the Shelf has been caught stealing candy from the pantry! Click the image to watch the tutorial on creating this fun Elf on the Shelf video for your kids.

Day 18: Elf on the Shelf hanging from garland

Elf on the Shelf is hanging from garland but how did Elf get there? Create this video for your kids to see how Elf moves down the garland in your home. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 19: Elf on the Shelf blowing a pinwheel

Elf on the Shelf has a moving pinwheel, but how is that possible with no wind inside? Create this video for your kids to show Elf blowing a pinwheel. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 20: Elf on the Shelf riding a sleigh dropping chocolate kisses

Elf on the Shelf riding a sleigh and dropping lovely treats! Create this video for your kids to see Elf riding a sleigh and leaving behind delicious treats for the kids. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 21: Elf on the Shelf reading a book

Elf on the Shelf spending time reading! Create this video for your kids to see what Elf likes to do when no one is around. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 22: Elf on the Shelf all tangled up

Elf on the Shelf seems to have gotten themselves into a spot of bother! Create this video for your kids to see Elf get themselves out of this situation. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 23: Elf on the Shelf making friends

Elf on the Shelf is making friends, which is great to see! Create this video for your kids to see Elf hanging out with the locals and making friends with their favorite stuffie. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 24: Elf on the Shelf sliding across cereal boxes

Elf on the Shelf sliding across cereal boxes, how fun! Create this video for your kids to see Elf sliding across some cereal boxes or something similar. This would be a great idea if you have the Elf on the Shelf cereal. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Day 25: Elf on the Shelf riding a sleigh doing an obstacle course with Christmas gifts

On Christmas morning, Elf on the Shelf riding a sleigh and racing around some presents sounds fun before helping Santa drop off your children’s gifts! This Elf on the Shelf idea for Christmas Day will build the excitement when they wake up to this video. Create this video for your kids to see Elf riding a sleigh and racing around some fun festive obstacles. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial. Congrats! You made it to 25 days!!

Not ready for it to end? Surprise! Here’s more Elf on the Shelf ideas for you to try.

Elf on the Shelf movie night

Elf on the Shelf enjoying some popcorn and catching a flick on your couch! Click on the image to see the tutorial to catch Elf move.

Elf on the Shelf tic tac toe game

Elf on the Shelf is ready to play tic tac toe! Create this video for your kids to see Elf waiting to play tic tac toe with them, are they up for the challenge? Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Elf on the Shelf bringing homemade cards

Elf on the Shelf has brought some lovely homemade cards! Create this video for your kids to see the cards Elf has brought and written a message in one. It would be great for Elf to receive a message back. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Elf on the Shelf riding a sleigh dropping chocolate cookies

Elf on the Shelf riding a sleigh and dropping lovely treats! Create this video for your kids to see Elf riding a sleigh and leaving behind delicious treats for the kids. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.

Elf on the Shelf has found elf cam

Elf on the Shelf has found the elf cam, oh no! Create this video for your kids to see Elf has found your homemade elf cam, might be time to find a better hiding spot for it. Click the image below for the step by step tutorial.