Elf on the Shelf® holiday classroom activities for a fun and festive season

Most parents and teachers have heard of Elf on the Shelf®. My classroom was one of the lucky ones to receive an elf this school year, and she came with kindness and STEM challenges galore!

Students were curious day after day about what the elf would be up to and would challenge them to do. This unique spin on holiday activities kept students incredibly engaged, also giving us perfect attendance during the wildest weeks of the school year.

Here are a six Elf on the Shelf® activities we chose to create a fun and festive holiday season in our classroom.

• Kindness chain: Our elf challenged the students to go out of their way and participate in a random act of kindness. They would then write down the act on a strip of paper that would connect into a chain. Our chain was incredibly long by the end, AND students chose to continue adding to it even after the day ended.
• Santa’s sleigh STEM activity: Students were asked by the elf to work in teams to create a sleigh for Santa. The elf provided them with pipe cleaners, tape, popsicle sticks and other craft supplies. At the end, each group presented their sleighs and described their thinking processes. 
• Create paper snowflakes: Using recycled classroom paper, the elf tasked the students with creating paper snowflakes. This was tricky for some, but they collaborated and had a huge pile completed for the elf.
• Gingerbread house / Santa’s workshop STEM activity: The elf arrived one morning with toothpicks and mini marshmallows, asking students to create either a gingerbread house or Santa’s workshop. They were to complete this in pairs or individually. 
• Persuasive writing: Elf for hire: Santa is in need of more elves! Students were asked to write a persuasive essay convincing Santa that they are the perfect match for the job. 
• Candy canes spill estimating activity: Our tub of small, reward candy canes in the classroom was tipped over by the elf one night! Students were asked to make an estimate of how many were in the tub to begin with. The winning student came back to a prize the next day.

These are just a few of the engaging and interactive learning activities our elf got us into right before the holiday break, and there are many more Elf on the Shelf® activities and free teacher resources to engage young learners.

What other activities do you think an elf could ask students to do? Share your Elf on the Shelf® challenges or other holiday-themed activities with us at Arizona PBS Kids on Facebook.

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About the author

Marissa Will is the mother of two, Olivia (6) and Logan (4). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent the past nine years educating third grade with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.