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‘Tis the season for elf on the shelf. Now while we are a few weeks in, you may be looking for ideas to survive your entire month of bringing magic to the young ones. If you’re not entirely sure what elf on the shelf is, check out this really good article that also has some great ideas for you.
And if for some reason you don’t have your elf on the shelf yet, head on over to Amazon to get one quickly delivered. Just say that he was busy or if the kids were giving you problems this year, that he was debating whether to visit or not.
As a reminder, no one can touch the elf otherwise the magic is ruined! So make sure that where you choose to put him it’s out of high traffic areas from yourself, the kids and any pets!
All books the elf engaged in can be used them to read together with your child and the elf to continue to encourage the love of reading.
So with all the ideas out there, here are a few bookish ideas to give your elf some reading spirit!
1. Bookshelf Mess
Have your little elf in the middle of pulling a book out on the shelf and have a few of the other books all over the place. You can be sure to have your child help tidy up a bit and in the morning of the following day, the bookshelf will be all fixed.
2. Dress-up as a book character
If you are blessed with sewing and creative abilities, grab your kids favorite book and make a little costume (as much as you can manage but enough to get the point across) for your elf and have them put it on while propped up reading the book.
3. Write a note asking to read!
For some, you may find it challenging to get your child to practice reading so place the elf in a safe spot with a hand written note from the elf, asking your child to read their favorite book to it! We can’t not do what the elf asks, now can we?
4. Place him with food books or books with food.
If you enjoy food and have child themed books that have food in them, a great idea is to make one of the foods from the book (or go buy something close) and have the elf with the book, and the piece of food. Maybe it can be partially eating too!
5. Felt to make items.
There are many books where there are things being made, or items that look cool. You can use pieces of felt to have the elf try and re-create something in the book. In the morning your child can find the elf with the finished project or, if you aren’t as talented at crafts, just give it a good go and you can use the “he ran out of time” excuse!
6. A magical stack of book gifts.
Now this could be great for kids who have birthdays in December, or if you feel giving a few gifts early could work. Having your elf with a wrapped stack of gifts and have it as a gift that came from the elf could be exciting. Of course keep in mind other parents may not be giving gifts with their elf so don’t go too overboard.
7. Favorite book friends!
If your child has a book that is very important to them, or their absolute favorite, have the elf be found sitting reading the book or with it. It could have left a note stating how much they loved it. Get creative here but it’s a great way to have them bond a little bit through christmas magic.
8. Have him reading to stuffed animals or toys.
Have the elf sitting in front of all the toys, or some of your kids favorites, reading to them one of their favorite books. Of course be careful where you place the elf to avoid hands touching so maybe the elf higher up and the toys on the ground.
9. Have them practice words to give the elf magic.
This idea came from SheSaved as I was out and about reading up on elf on the shelf, and I love this one! There’s a good chance your kid is learning new words so have them written on cards and set a rule maybe a few days to practice these words because they need to to recharge the elf’s magic! A great way to encourage the practicing but feed into the magic of the holidays!
For some other ideas, check out posts here as well that are more book specific!
