Elf on the Shelf Ideas Boys Will Love

Can I let you in on a little secret? I’m the worst at remembering to move the dang elf, but I am also equally bad at coming up with new elf ideas, which is why I’m thankful for the internet – and blog posts like this one!

I am not expecting to win any parenting awards for having the most inventive Elf on the Shelf ideas, but I will continue to do my best, year after year – and isn’t that all anyone can hope for?! If you have also been elf’ing for the better part of your kid’s childhood and feel like you are running out of ideas, continue to read because I may just save your elf’ing day.

These elf ideas won’t only be a huge hit with boys. Girls will love them too. But considering I am the mother of four boys, I am confident that these Elf on the Shelf ideas will work perfectly to keep your kids happy and feeling festive this holiday season.

*** Updated and republished November 2025 ***

Elf on the Shelf Ideas Boys Will Love

These are just a few cute ideas, and they might spark some other ones into that tired mom (or dad) brain of yours.

• Have the Christmas tree eat the Elf. Cut mouth and eyes out of cardstock paper. 
  • This was a huge hit with our older kids. It is terrifyingly adorable.

• Elf in little boy’s underwear drawer with a cute sign encouraging kids to put on clean underwear.
  • Is it possible to keep this going all year long? I love this idea for so many reasons. 

• “Come floss with me” sign while the Elf is wrapped in dental floss.
  • Just be prepared to watch your kids do “the floss dance” over and over, but hopefully, it will also make them take care of their teeth – one can hope!

• The Elf riding dinosaurs, or any other collection of animal figurines you have lying around. The longer the parade, the better.
  • We’ve also done this using super-hero dolls sitting in a long line of the kids’ shoes. 

• Spell something cute with LEGO bricks. 
  • It’s a super fun way to give the kids a new box of LEGO, too, (as if you don’t have enough LEGO!)

• “Thank you for not being stinking” sign with the elf while he gives the kids bath salts or bath bombs.
  • I’m starting to like this elf…hygiene matters.

• Skittles science experiment. Set up the Skittles, elf, and written instructions on how to make this cool experiment.
  • This is a super fun way to combine STEM learning with all the Elf on the Shelf fun.

• An elf sitting on a copy machine, taking a picture of his butt. (Because butts are funny, always!)
  • Just draw a picture of an elf butt and put it in the printer. So. Cute. 

• Elf with a pile of a large pile of marshmallows, with the “DJ Marshmello” face drawn on them.
  • This one might be my favorite. Fast and fun – and your kids will think you are cool for knowing DJ Marshmello, even if you don’t! 

• Spell something super silly with alphabet cookies. The sillier the better! 
  • Then let the kids gobble them up to have cookies for breakfast. (because you’re a cool parent and that’s what we do!)