Crafty Elf on the Shelf ideas are scenes where your Scout Elf™ makes something by hand. Each one leaves a little creation for the family to discover, and often an invitation to join in. They are perfect for an Australian December, when the hottest part of the day is a good time to stay inside with the craft box.
Here are six ideas from The Elf on the Shelf® that use simple supplies, plus a few family crafts your elf might inspire. Follow each link for the full materials list and instructions.
1. Christmas Card Wreath
All those cards arriving in the letterbox deserve to be seen. In Christmas Card Wreath, your Scout Elf pegs the family’s Christmas cards around a wreath, then leaves a note asking everyone to write cards of their own.
Family follow-up: Set up a card-making station with folded card, textas and stickers. Kids can make cards for grandparents, neighbours or their teachers before school breaks up.
2. Crafty Christmas “Lights”
Your elf turns small balloons and green paper or plastic cups into a string of pretend Christmas lights, then tapes it across the mantel or a shelf. It is bright, cheerful and needs no power point.
Supplies: small balloons, green cups, ribbon or string, scissors and tape or glue dots.
3. Crafty Stick Ornaments
Using craft sticks, pom-poms and ribbon, your elf makes little Christmas tree ornaments ready to hang on the tree. Paddle pop sticks work just as well.
Family follow-up: Leave out extra sticks and pom-poms so kids can make their own ornaments. They make lovely handmade gifts too.
4. Balloon Art Wreath
Red and green balloons become a festive wreath in this colourful scene. It is a bold way to brighten a doorway for a Christmas get-together.
Grown-up tip: The instructions use a needle and fishing line, so this one is best prepared by adults. Keep balloon pieces away from young children.
5. Surf’s Up
Your Scout Elf brings a little Aussie summer indoors with a brown-sugar “beach”, an elf-sized sign and a pair of tiny sunglasses. It is a cheerful nod to Christmas holidays at the beach, no sunscreen required.
6. Frost Pips Story Time
Your Scout Elf settles in to read with the Frost Pips®, Santa’s smallest helpers. Kids can join in by making a tiny bookmark or a mini book from folded paper for the next story time.
Two more family crafts your elf might inspire
These activities come from Scout Elf ideas shared on other The Elf on the Shelf websites. Use them as family crafts after your elf’s discovery.
Friendship bracelets
Thread colourful beads and letter beads onto elastic cord to spell names or festive words. Bracelets make a sweet gift for a best friend before the holidays. Keep small beads away from children under three.
Painted pebble friends
Paint a smooth pebble to look like a Scout Elf, a Christmas beetle or a bright red Santa hat. Use acrylic paint and let each layer dry. Pebbles from your own garden or a craft shop work well.
Your Scout Elf summer craft box
Paper and card
Coloured card, A4 paper, paper plates and sticky notes
Sticking
PVA glue, glue sticks, sticky tape, double-sided tape and glue dots
Colour
Textas, crayons, pencils, acrylic paint and brushes
Building
Craft sticks or paddle pop sticks, cardboard tubes and small boxes
Extras
Pom-poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, ribbon, washi tape and elastic cord
Summer storage tip: Keep crayons, glue sticks and anything chocolate-based out of hot cars and sunny spots. They soften quickly in an Australian summer.
Crafting tips for hot December days
Craft early or late
Mornings and evenings are cooler for messy projects. Save the middle of the day for colouring and quiet crafts inside.
Let paint dry inside
In very hot weather, paint and glue can dry unevenly outdoors in direct sun.
Grown-ups handle the sharp bits
Adults should look after scissors, needles and any hot glue.
Leave gifts beside the elf
Children can place their crafts near their Scout Elf, but should never touch the elf itself.
Crafty Elf on the Shelf FAQs
What are crafty Elf on the Shelf ideas?
They are Elf on the Shelf scenes where your Scout Elf makes something by hand, such as ornaments, a wreath or pretend Christmas lights, and leaves it for the family to discover.
Which crafty elf ideas need the fewest supplies?
Christmas Card Wreath uses cards you already have and a few pegs. Surf’s Up needs only brown sugar, a small sign and tiny sunglasses.
Are these ideas suitable for a summer Christmas?
Yes. Most are indoor scenes and crafts that work well on hot days. Surf’s Up even celebrates the beach-holiday season.
Can kids make crafts for their Scout Elf?
Yes. Children can make cards, ornaments or drawings and leave them beside their elf without touching it, so its magic stays strong.
Which ideas include an activity for the family?
Christmas Card Wreath invites the family to write cards, and Crafty Stick Ornaments is easy for kids to copy with extra sticks and pom-poms.
What will your elf make next?
From a card wreath to a brown-sugar beach, your Scout Elf has plenty of ways to put the craft box to work this summer. Browse more Elf on the Shelf Ideas or see our 5 Polar Props® Sets for Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas.