Elf on the Shelf Learning Activities

December 9, 2024 by Sarah White Leave a Comment

It seems like a lot of elementary classrooms have an Elf on the Shelf, but even if you don’t, talking and writing about elves can be a lot of fun this time of year.

Primary Theme Park has a set of free printable pages where students can write about what they would do if they were an elf (as well as drawing what they would look like). There are also pages for drawing and writing about how Santa got his elves and a dairy of an elf, which is great for older kids, too.

A Grace Filled Classroom has another take on the “if I were an elf” writing prompt that makes it a little craftier, as well as other writing prompts and ideas you can use in the classroom. Another one I love here is having a daily journal that kids pass around, with each child taking a turn writing about what the elf did that day.

Monday Mandala has a fun set of Elf on the Shelf coloring pages that you can use in the art area or have kids write a story based on what they see in the picture. I love this one of the elves playing Twister!

PJs and Paint has a whole page of printable “build your own” templates, including one for an elf. You can search for elf on the page and it will come right up for you; the printables are free so grab some more while you’re there for easy winter activities.

Simply STEAM has some writing prompt ideas you can use with older kids to get them thinking about what elves do. The bonus of these is they are no prep — just ask the kids to write for a while and see what happens. Or you can combine it with the blank elf journaling page from The Moffatt Girls, where kids can write the question at the top then answer it on the lines.

If you need more ideas for incorporating the elf into learning activities in the classroom, check out this post from Rainbow Sky Creations, which has writing, math, reading and STEM challenges that involve the elf.

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Beach Crafts Kids Can Make — No Vacation Required

Last month I shared a collection of beach crafts that used items from the beach like seashells and sand. This month’s collection is all about beach animals and things you might see at the beach that don’t require beachy materials to make. In fact you’ve probably got what you need to make most of these beach crafts in your house already.

How about paper plates? With a paper plate you can make this cute watercolor seashell from The Educator’s Spin on It, or an adorable seagull like this one from Glued to My Crafts.

Add some white beans and you can make paper plate sand dollars like Crafts by Amanda. Or use a paper plate as a frame for a sweet beach scene like this crab and turtle one from Artsy Craftsy Mom, which includes a downloadable template and instructions to make it super easy.

Or grab a paper plate and some bubble wrap to make a jellyfish like this one from Happy Toddler Playtime. If you have paper bowls instead of plates, you can also make a jellyfish from one of those, like Natural Beach Living did.

Use your stash of craft sticks and googly eyes to make crabs, fish, sharks and more with this craft idea from The Keeper of the Cheerios.

I love this little crab made with a cardboard tube from Hunny I’m Home. With this same idea I’ll bet you could make lots of different creatures.

Grab some construction paper to make the loopy tentacles on this watercolor jellyfish from Craftsy Hacks. Or make a stained glass jellyfish like this one from Life Anchored.

Make easy puffy paint to make these fun fluffy starfish from I Heart Crafty Things, or use cupcake liners to make cute little crabs (also from I Heart Crafty Things).

Turn an old pool noodle into some super cute fish with this tutorial from Happy Toddler Playtime.

And if you’ve got some leftover yarn lying around, make pompoms and turn them into turtles like these from Craftsy Hacks. (And check out my post on different ways to make pompoms if you need a refresher!)

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