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At 2 years old, kids might be a little young to understand the concept of why an Elf on the Shelf is watching over them to sure they’re behaving for this mysterious Santa guy, but they are young enough to love arts and crafts, a morning routine and seasonal activities! To make the Elf on the Shelf tradition fun for you as a parent, and not a chore, consider downloading this free Elf on the Shelf printable that includes ideas to hide the elf or to create a simple activity for your 2 year old.
Use the printable as a guide and cross off the ideas as you complete them! No need to go in order or to even complete everything on the sheet! Use it as a guide of ideas in case you need that last minute idea when you have mommy brain late at night!
Click the image above to download your free printable Elf on the Shelf schedule and see below for a bigger description or link to what we did back in 2015 when my oldest daughter who was a then curious 2 year old!
And if you’re looking for gift ideas for this 2 year old this holiday season, make sure to check out the list of our favorites at this age!
- FIND THE ELF! Elf arrives with his book! We’ll read the story together and introduce her to the elf. This book will be added to the pile of those read nightly to reiterate the story/concept.
- ACTIVITY! Make a paper chain garland. I purchased a little pink tree for Brielle’s room two years ago but it was decorated with little breakable ornaments. This year I’ll have her color a piece of paper with red and green crayons and we’ll cut it into strips and make a paper chain to decorate the mini tree together! UPDATE: She loved it! Here’s the result!
- FIND THE ELF! “Snow” angel in flour on the kitchen counter. A great day to bake!
- ACTIVITY! Go on a Color Hunt! All you need is a piece of red and green construction paper. See what she found
- FIND THE ELF! Hanging on the wall clock.
- ACTIVITY! Christmas themed pom pom drop! I’ve been collecting paper tubes for a few months now and plan to put them into good use with this activity that I’m sure will be up for a while! UPDATE: She was in awe of this activity! See it here!
- FIND THE ELF! Popping out of a stocking.
- FIND THE ELF! Amongst picture frames on a shelf. Temporary adhesive will be perfect to add red Santa hats on those in the frames.
- ACTIVITY! Coloring holiday printables. There are tons of them online but I personally know of some cute ones from my days working with Alex Brands
- ACTIVITY! Build a Snowman on our basement door. Elf will be sitting with a pile of precut construction paper shapes and we’ll build a snowman on the door together. Update: This was a HUGE hit
- FIND THE ELF! Holding onto the laundry detergent.
- FIND THE ELF! Riding in a toy car.
- FIND THE ELF! Reading books in the bedroom. Will probably read a small book on the bookshelf in her room
- ACTIVITY! Make Rice Krispies treats decorated with Christmas sprinkles. Elf will be holding a bottle of sprinkles with all the supplies on the counter.
- FIND THE ELF! Hiding in the fridge. I’ve seen cute ideas where he’s holding on a juice box or some sort of special snack in the fridge so I’ll figure out a cute way to prop him up when I know what groceries will be stocked in there!
- FIND THE ELF! Holding the remote. An extra remote that we don’t normally use, of course!
- FIND THE ELF! In the office writing your child a note at the desk!
- ACTIVITY! Tissue paper sun catcher craft. We love us some contact paper crafts! UPDATE: Here’s what we made!
- FIND THE ELF! Toilet paper snowman.
- ACTIVITY! Painting with corks. Create gift wrap with this activity!
- FIND THE ELF! In the pantry, holding a pack of fruit snacks. Because she’s allowed to have a special treat!
- ACTIVITY! Create ornaments by threading cereal loops on a pipe cleaner. If I think of it in time, she’ll get Fruit Loops or Apple Jacks. Otherwise there are always Cheerios in our house!
- FIND THE ELF! On the key rack. Holding a set of keys we won’t be using that day (since we’re not allowed to touch the elf!
- FIND THE ELF! Gifting new Christmas pajamas as a goodbye gift. The elf will be found in her room holding a new pair of Christmas PJs that we’ll bring with us to Grandma and Grandpa’s house that evening! We’ll also explain how he will be going away tonight!
Decorate your own Ugly Sweaters with this free printable
Easter Egg hunt or bubble bath activity with free printable
Discover more of my Elf on the Shelf ideas and free printable schedules below. Remember these all contain more hiding places that are not age specific, and activities that can be adapted for every age!
Make sure to tag me or use the hashtag #SOTDElfOnTheShelf if you’re using my printables!
- Elf on the Shelf ideas for a 6 year old
- Elf on the Shelf ideas for a 5 year old
- Elf on the Shelf ideas for a 4 year old
- Elf on the Shelf ideas for a 3 year old
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Hi. I love these ideas! But, I don’t fully understand how the activity days go. She wakes up and finds the elf with a pile of materials? And then you just explain what to do?
Yep! For example, this year for a printmaking painting activity, the elf was sitting on the shelf with a bottle of paint and a paintbrush. Mom (me!) put two and two together and helped explain the elf’s activity to my daughter. She actually gets disappointed on days when the elf doesn’t bring an activity! :)