If you've been doing the Elf on the Shelf for a few years like us, your kids may be getting older and closer to the tween/teen age where simple, or even funny elf pranks might not cut it any more. My oldest daughter is nearly 11 and she's still super excited for Elfie to visit, but it's definitely getting harder to come up with ideas that entertain her.
If you're looking to keep the magic alive, or just continue on your fun family traditions, you may need to adjust your elf ideas to something a bit more interactive, or outrageous {FYI toilet humour usually goes down a treat too}.
Tweens and teens can be very picky about the things they like and if you want them to remain enthused about the elf visiting it's best to work with what they love, so my biggest tip for older kids is to get the elf to do ideas that relate to their current interests.
Whether it's their favourite game, Netflix show, a trending Tik Tok, or YouTube prank, we all know kids this age want to be cool and theirs elves will need to keep up! So I've put together a list of 47 elf ideas for older kids that are based on popular culture and current trends.
47 ELF IDEAS FOR TWEENS & TEENAGERS
Your older kids will get a kick out of these fun elf ideas. Will your elf be acting sus in Among Us, building their dreamhouse is Brookhaven, battling creepers in Minecraft or winning Pokémon battles with their very own Pokémon cards?
Maybe they'll get confused trying to Tik Tok and floss and guess if things are cake or not. Phew after all this they'll probably want to veg out and order Elf Eats or Taco Bell! Lucky I've got all these scenarios and more covered in this list.
Fortnite
If your kids love Fortnite the elves returning in a drop box is the perfect way to welcome them back. To create a super easy drop box, use a paper loot bag and this drop box printable then attach a yellow balloon with yellow ribbon. If you have more than one elf, or want to add in other toys as Fortnite characters, use these printable Fortnite character faces as masks. You can also get the chug jug labels here.
Dress the elf up in Fortnite skins like Peely and Fishsticks and have them parachute into the tree. This is the perfect one to do 2 weeks before Christmas with the sign it's a fortnite til Christmas.
The elves can select some of their favourite mini items and set up their own Fortnite shop. They'll need lots of v-bucks to make sure they stand out as Fortnite characters.
Among Us
Hmmm something looks a bit sus! Elves can have fun playing Among Us with all the other toys using this free among us printable. You can also get among us themed elf sweaters here, or proper Among Us elf outfits here. Better keep an eye on the elf though, I hear they're pretty good at venting from one spot to another.
If you have floor heating vents in your home the elves can actually try to vent for real while playing with other toys or printed characters.
Roblox
If your kids spend hours playing Adopt Me, Rainbow Friends, Brookhaven, Bloxburg etc, I can relate! The elf can now have fun playing their own game of Roblox with their very own TV and controller. You can get an elf Roblox sweater to complete their gamer look.
99 Nights in the Forest
99 nights in the forest was one of the hottest new Roblox games released in 2025, even I love playing it as an adult. To recreate 99 nights with the elves you'll need a camp fire, trees, logs and don't forget to draw a circle for the edge of the base around the camp fire.
You can also add in wolves, bunnies, carrots, berries and chests if you have them. If you have baby elves, use them as the children that need to be rescued. And don't forget the deer. How many nights will your elves survive?
Pokémon
Are your kids obsessed with Pokémon and Pokémon cards too? Your elf can create their very own Pokémon card with special powers so they can join other toys in a real battle {this works even better if you have a mini elf that can be the "Pokémon elf" for the battle}. Follow these steps to make your own elf Pokémon card. You can also use the same steps to create Pokémon cards for your kids or the other toys.
Minecraft
The elf can play Minecraft too with these printable Minecraft heads. You can also get premade Minecraft elf costumes so they can completely dress up as their favourite Minecraft character. My girls are obsessed with Minecraft, see how we made a DIY Zack Zombie head here.
If the elf is a master craftsman they can log into your child's Minecraft world and build a life size version of themselves out of blocks for the kids to discover. Of they can build other Christmas designs like Santa, a reindeer, present etc.
Super Mario
Super Mario has been a popular game for years and it's popularity has been renewed this year with the release of The Super Mario Bros Movie. Transform your elf into Mario or Luigi by adding a moustache, blue overalls and a hat, or you can get elf Super Mario costumes here.
Cover some toilet paper or paper towel rolls in green paper to create the pipes for them to pop out of. You can also print out 3D Super Mario blocks to add to your set up.
Tik Tok
Most tweens and teens are aware of Tik Tok even if they don't have their own account, so it makes sense the elf has heard of it too. They might be a little confused as to what it is though...
Glow Stick Dance
A fun trend that's been around for a few years now is glow stick dancing. You tape glows sticks to your clothes to make a stick man outline then turn off the lights and make dance videos so it looks like a neon stickman is dancing. There's a funny one here if you want a laugh. Elves can get in on this trend too, just tape some activated glow sticks to them.
I Came in like a Wrecking Ball!
If your kids know the Miley Cyrus song I came in like a wrecking ball where she swings around on a wrecking ball they'll think it's hilarious if the elf swings around on their own wrecking ball. To make an elf wrecking ball you can either make a big alfoil ball and hang it from the ceiling, or use a jumbo Christmas bauble or disco ball ornament.
Duck Song
Hey! {bum bum bum} Got any grapes?
Chances are if you have school aged children then you've heard the duck song approximately 400 000 times and it gets stuck in your head for hours. I feel your pain!
The kids will love it if you recreate the viral YouTube video with the elf and it's super easy to make a DIY lemonade stand like the one featured in the video. Follow our instructions to make the duck song lemonade stand. Be prepared to have the song stuck in your head for days after.
It's Corn
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| Image: Cocoa and Sprinkles Elves |
Another viral YouTube song is It's corn! It's corn! A big lump with knobs, it has the juice! If you want to see the full song you can watch it here. You can even dress the elf up in a corn costume or an It's Corn sweater and add some real corn cobs.
Skibidi Toilet
Don't even ask my why this is popular with kids, but according to my girls it's hilarious even though it makes no sense to me! Skibidi toilet first became popular with the catchy song Skibidi dop dop dop yes yes and there's now a full YouTube series {the series is definitely not for younger kids}. And yes it's literally weird, creepy AI heads that pop out of toilets.
To create an easy and elf appropriate Skibidi toilet set up, .make a bathroom out of a cardboard box and decorate it with Christmas wrapping paper then add a heap of Skibidi toilet stickers to the walls.
Blind Box Challenge
If your kids watch YouTube chances are they've watched a blind box or mystery box challenge. The idea is something is hiding in a box and you need to put your hands in and feel around to guess what it is. Usually it's something slimy, hairy or gross!
You can recreate a blind box challenge with the elves by using the free printable backdrop from FabYULEus Elf Duo, a small box and any tiny items you like. If you want to make your elf's hand posable so they can grab the item you can use special gloves from Holly Jolly Fun Crafts.
Mystery Drink Challenge
Similar to the blind box challenge, your elf can set up a mystery drink challenge with a number of drinks hidden inside a box with only the straws sticking out. Will your kids be brave enough to take a sip? If they do will they guess correctly?
Is It Cake?
You can set up your own Is it Cake? set by printing out small images of Is it Cake posters, or even better the Is it Cake holiday edition and using a mix of cake and fake items that look the same.
Squid Games
If your kids have watched Squid Games, played the Roblox version or seen the Mr Beast video, you can set up the elf and other toys playing different games from the movie. The most popular game, especially amongst children is red light/green light. Dress the elf in a red jumpsuit to make them look like a real squid game player.
The second most popular game from the show is the cookie cutting challenge. You can recreate it using this squid games cookie cutter set to make the four shape cookies in the tin and have the pins ready for the kids to do the challenge. Will they be able to remove the shape from the cookie without breaking it?
Stranger Things
In 2016 Stranger Things started streaming on Netflix and soon became a popular show amongst teenagers. It's a sci fi/ horror drama series based around a group of tween and teen friends who fight mysterious and dangerous forces in their small town Hawkins.
One of the most iconic scenes in the series is the wall of lights with the alphabet which is used to contact the Upside Down. The Upside Down is an alternate dimension in Stranger Things that mimics Hawkins and the real world, however it's full of monsters such as Demogorgons.
It's easy to bring Stranger Things to life by writing the alphabet and adding some Christmas lights. You can also get a Stranger Things elf printable pack here. You can also get the Stranger Things elf sweater shown above.
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| Image: @elfontheshelf_sahmstyle |
You can also incorporate Stranger Things into the elves arrival by adding we r back to the end of the alphabet lights. I also love the addition of the Demogorgon/Santa sign.
Five Nights At Freddy's
To set up a FNAF elf scene you can use a toy retro television or vcr screen and an image of the security cameras. You can find lots of different FNAF security camera images on Google and just resize them to the screen. If you want to go all out you can get the FNAF 2023 Holiday Funko Pop set that includes Christmas themed Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy and the animatronics can come alive with the elf. We added an image of Markiplier because he's made so many FNAF YouTube videos playing the game.
Freddy Fazbear
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| Image: @shessomewhatcrafty |
If you're handy with felt, you can make your own Freddy Fazbear costume for the elf like @shessomewhatcrafty did. You can also make a stage out of cardboard and some sparkly fabric so he can perform his animatronics show.
K Pop Demon Hunters
K Pop Demon Hunters has been the biggest new Netflix movie for tweens in 2025, so it makes sense the elves would want to reference it. They can pretend to be in the Saja Boys song My Little Soda Pop by hiding in a soda bottle and bringing mini soda cans. You can also get lots of K Pop Demon Hunters elf props here.
The elf can also perform with Huntrix themselves if you have some Huntrix dolls. Cut out an image to use as the stage background and get a Barbie doll sized microphone stand for the elf or the MagiFreez Pop Star set.
Elf Lafufu
Labubu's have been the hottest craze of 2025, so much so there's even accessories you can get for them like a Rumi outfit and McDonald's uniforms. There's also a lot of fake labubu's known as lafufu's. This year the elves might be a little jeally of the labubu's and turn themselves into elfufu's.
IT
If your kids are old enough to have watched IT, you can turn the elf into Georgie and recreate the iconic movie using a yellow raincoat and a red balloon. It's even more effective if you have have floor vents that can act as a drain.
Tiger King
Just as we were all stuck inside with nothing to do but Netflix and chill, Netflix came out with the biggest hit of 2020, the Tiger King documentary. The stranger than fiction true story documentary about Joe Exotic and his exotic animal park and his feud with animal rights activist Carole Baskin. Suddenly the internet was alive with Tiger King memes. If you haven't watched it you really should.
Recreate Tiger King with your elf by using some tiger animal figurines and dressing the elf in jeans and an animal print or bright shirt. Don't forget to add Joe's signature blonde mullet and handle bar moustache.
Home Alone
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| Image: @elves_rudykrysti |
Home Alone is always a popular movie around Christmas time and the elf can bring the movie to life by transforming into Kevin to protect your house from the wet bandits! Don't worry he has a battle plan. You can also get the wet bandits sign here. Make sure you watch out for booby traps around the house.
Smells like balls
Everyone knows tweens and teens are big fans of dirty jokes, especially as they're going through puberty. The elves can easily play on this by hiding in a jar of balls {cheese balls, candy balls, cotton balls or even bouncy balls} with a sign that says help it smells like balls in here.
Deez Nuts
The deez nuts joke never seems to get old for kids. Set up the elves with nuts, either real ones, or nuts and bolts and a sign that says want some of deez nuts.
Gyatt
Gyatt was one of the most popular slang words amongst teens in 2024 and 2025. Give the elf a big gyatt {big butt} by half blowing up 2 balloons and putting them inside a pair of shorts with the elf.
Beans on Toast
Mr Bean and baked beans fart humour never gets old, so combine the two and make the kids Beans on toast. Download an image of Mr Beans head and print heaps of them to spread on the toast.
Uber Eats
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| Image: @tastefultoppers |
We all love using Uber Eats when we couldn't be bothered cooking dinner and my kids ask me for it every other night {they definitely don't get it that often though}. Now the elf can order out too with Elf Eats! Get the printable Elf Eats bags here and fill them in with what food is inside. What will your elf be eating tonight?
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has a reputation for having a certain ummm effect on people are they eat it, if you've ever had it you'll know what I mean. You might not play Fortnite after, but you will be playing fartnite!
Chicken Wing Song
Chicken wing, chicken wing, hot dog and boloney, chicken and macaroni, chillin with my homies! If you haven't heard this song yet your kids will certainly know it. It went viral in 2022 and was on repeat in our house for weeks and they still very much love it.
I did a really simple version using this poster with the song pictures and words and I got a bucket of fried chicken erasers which include little chicken wings for Elfie to hold. If you want to go even bigger, set it up with real food in the fridge.
DJ Marshmallow
Most tweens and teens are familiar with DJ Marshmallow thanks to his fabulous light up marshmallow head and the fact he's been featured in Fortnite and Roblox. Turn your elf into DJ Marshmallow for the night and put on a show. You can even go all out and get a miniature DJ booth with turntables, mixers, speakers and records.
Elf Slim Shady
The elves and other toys can pretend to be Eminem by setting up the slim shady song with some chicken costumes and a packet of slim jims. Chika, chika, Slim Shady!
Da Dip Song
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| Image | @elves_in_the_house |
The elf can recreate the super popular dip song "when I dip you dip, we dip" that's gone viral as a dance trend on Tik Tok and YouTube. The elf can be dipping with some Fun Dip.
The Floss
The floss dance became popular in viral YouTube videos and has been featured in many games, movies and TV shows since then including Fortnite and Bluey. The elves look like they're as confused as most adults when they try doing the dance.
Elf Rick Roll
Rick Astley's song Never Gonna Give You Up has been around since the late 80's, but it's massively resurged in popularity in recent years due to the rick rolling trend. The elf can rick roll the kids with this fun opposites game.
Apple iPad
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| Image: @kt_elder |
Have the kids been begging for a new iPad for Christmas? The elf can bring them their very own apple eye pads! As an added bonus the period humour will go down a treat and completely freak out your kids if you have boys.
Starbucks
Set up an elf Starbucks shop by printing out some mini Starbucks signs and setting up a stand. Add some miniature Starbucks coffee and printable Starbucks bags for your elf. You can also add paper stars with a buck attached. Cut out paper stars and attach your countries version of a buck {one dollar note, $1 coin, pound etc}.
Kids think they're so grown up when they get to drink Starbucks like adults so it's a great one to do for teens, plus what teenager doesn't love free money!
Prime Energy Drink
Prime was the biggest, and most elusive fad of 2023, especially amongst teenagers. There were so many viral videos of people queuing up to buy the energy drink and stores selling out of stock 5 minutes after they open.
Now the elf can come dressed as a Prime drink saying I finally found you some Prime! Get elf Prime costumes from Stitches of Green, you can also add Prime keyrings and give the elves googly eyes so the kids know what happens if you drink too much Prime.
MORE ELF IDEAS
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