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How to Do Elf on the Shelf with Older Kids

November 11, 2017 by Sherry Boswell

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. You know what that means? The Elf on the Shelf has probably landed at your home.  Our elf first made an appearance in 2008, but things have changed a lot in the past 10 years. Here’s how we’ve kept the Elf on the Shelf tradition going in our family with older kids.

Elf on the shelf for older kids means creativity and not stressing out about the elf's shenanigans: have your elf help with decorating and making reindeer food.

My kids have had Peter the Elf since he first came November 30, 2008. Yep, we were early in the Elf on the Shelf craze. I bought the book and elf at a boutique in Savannah, Georgia on a girls’ trip. My kids were 7 and 3.

I loved the concept as a tool to encourage my kiddos to behave or Peter would have to report their antics to Santa. Nope, I didn’t find the elf creepy because my kids were loving the scavenger hunt for the elf each day. And there was no pressure to have an over-performing elf who staged elaborate scenes each day.

My kids meeting our elf on the shelf for the first time; that was 10 years ago!
Meeting our elf for the first time.

My how times have changed in 10 years! Everywhere you look, there are creative elf ideas. The makers of Elf on the Shelf came out with Claus Couture (elf clothes and accessories), Elf Pets, a Scout Elves ideas app, and even a guide called Scout Elves at Play (which IMHO is way overpriced at $23). SIv’e got a better idea: save the $23 and grab some of these ideas to make Elf on the Shelf a long-lasting tradition that is NOT stressful or a burden.

Honestly, I’m kind of surprised the fascination with the elf on the shelf has lasted this long with my kids, but it’s a holiday tradition that my 13 year old especially looks forward to. My 17 year old joins in on the fun and plays along. So we continue with the Elf on the Shelf and see it as a challenge, not a burden to still follow this tradition.

Our family is proof that the Elf on the Shelf tradition can keep going, even with older kids. Here’s how we make it work at our house.

This post contains affiliate links.

How to Do Elf on the Shelf with Older Kids

Incorporate the kids’ interests and what is happening in your family.

I love introducing some holiday elements to the kids through our elf. He often presents our gingerbread house and Christmas lights, and helps make reindeer food.

Elf on the shelf for older kids works really well when he brings gifts like our gingerbread house kit.

Last year, my son had just seen Mission Impossible. So naturally our elf had to pull an Ethan Hunt hanging over the kitchen table and trying to snag a few cookies. Tip: Purchase an Elf Flex kit to make the elf bend, hang and grip like a pro. This would have come in handy for many of our elf’s shenanigans.

Making the elf try daredevil things is easier with wire and velcro; just one of the tricks that will make elf on the shelf last for older kids

When our beloved golden retriever passed away, our elf grieved with us and read The Rainbow Bridge poem.

Making elf on the shelf work for older kids sometime works out naturally, like having the elf grieve with us when our golden retriever died.

Accessories Galore

We also bought elf accessories to make ours look more snazzy. A tuxedo makes our elf Peter look ready for playing the piano like my son loves to do.

Now there are male and female elves, so it doesn’t have to be a boy (sorry Peter!) I’ve also known families that have two elves for their kids. They now make all kinds of clothing and accessories, like skirts, T-shirts, and pajamas.

 

For Marvel and DC fans, a super hero set might be just the ticket. And even sets containing multiple outfits and holiday costumes are available. My daughter would have loved the Peppermint Princess gown when she was into ballet.

Elf on the Shelf outfits and accessories may keep older kids interested with the elf like these holiday skirts and slumber party pack.
Photo by Elf on the Shelf.

Encourage them to communicate with your elf.

A few years ago, my son started writing our elf during the year. Mostly with questions about the North Pole and what Peter was up to. But sometimes he would ask Peter to come back for a visit or stop by for his birthday.(Naturally, there’s an Elf on the Shelf birthday tradition book that includes a birthday outfit for the elf.)

While I wouldn’t advise turning the holiday elf into a year round thing (shudder), writing notes back and forth is an engaging way to continue the elfin fun.

Don’t stress about being creative–borrow ideas instead.

Families are having fun with their elves. From pooping in toilets to fishing for goldfish to making snow angels on the counter, Elf on the Shelf gets to be an goofy, naughty or playful as you’d like. Ours decided to impersonate a leprechaun from the Lucky Charms cereal box.

Our Elf on the Shelf for older kids ideas include him channeling his inner leprechaun and checking out the Lucky Charms box.

He crashed the nativity set.

Nativity poses are one of many of our go to Elf on the Shelf ideas for older kids.

He took a bubble bath.

The bathtub pose is easy and hilarious as one of our best Elf on the shelf for older kids ideas.

He set up a hot cocoa station.

The point is for it not to be a burden, but make it fun. And not to do the comparison thing with others. Our elf sometimes is tired from all the traveling back and forth to the North Pole, so he doesn’t do elaborate ideas all the time. Sometimes he simply takes a nap!

Let the older sibling(s) get in on the fun

My daughter has been the best Elf on the Shelf helper/brainstormer. For example, she came up with the idea that our elf would drive to school with us–and by drive to school, it meant drive her Barbie Jeep! Older siblings love to be “in” on the surprises and are very proud of their contributions.

Even the Elf on the Shelf loves a Barbie Jeep! Incorporating the older kids' ideas for the elf keeps them involved and in on the fun.

Set a reminder on your phone.

Its is SO easy to forget about the elf at the end of the day. The phone reminder has saved us from the awkwardness of Peter staying in the same spot for two days. However, we haven’t always remembered, so when that happens…

If you forget, then have a story to go with it.

Instead of stammering with “Ummm” and looking shocked, be ready for when the inevitable forgetting to move the elf happens. Becky with Your Modern Family has a great list of plausible excuses why the elf didn’t move from the same spot.

Relax the rules a bit.

The one thing I don’t like about the elf is that you can’t touch him. (Hint: tongs come in handy if you need to move the little fella.) So we ended up buying the Elf Pet reindeer a few years ago because unlike the elf rule, kids are encouraged to play with elf pets! None of this don’t touch or the magic will be lost backstory. Those Elf on the Shelf marketers know how to keep a good thing going!

Naturally the Elf on the Shelf loves the movie Elf; this keeps the elf on the shelf interesting as kids get older.
My son named his reindeer Jingle. It’s a BIG deal when Peter and Jingle appear after almost a whole year.

So let’s share, shall we? I’ll share some Elf on the Shelf links if you will share some of your elf ideas (or tell me why you don’t do elf on the shelf).

We're sharing our Elf on the Shelf ideas for older kids to keep the magic going. After 10 years, my kids are still eager to see Peter the Elf (and now Jingle the reindeer). So instead of breaking with this holiday tradition, we've decided to embrace the challenge at least for another year. Includes tips that will engage both boys and girls and links to products that will make Elf on the Shelf easier. #elfontheshelf #olderkids #elfontheshelfideas

Great Links for Elf on the Shelf

Facts about Elf on the Shelf

Five Clever Ways to Introduce Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the Shelf Road Trip ideas 

4 Tips on Traveling with Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the Shelf-I Felt Naughty Today Cocktail

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. It enables me to make a little $ and plan more posts like this one!

Sherry Boswell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

 

 

You Might Also Like:

Holiday Recipes: Rudolph Snickerdoodle Cookies and Reindeer Food

 

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12 Holiday Events in Greenville, South Carolina (2017)

 

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays and Special Occasions, Parenting Tagged With: Christmas, Elf, elf on the shelf, elf on the shelf ideas, holidays, traditions

Hi there! I’m Sherry Boswell, an Independent Travel Advisor

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