Love the Elf on the Shelf? Want to make this fun Christmastime trend a little more meaningful? Here are ideas you can use to adapt this popular idea for your ministry.

Pick an Elf on the Shelf Character

Use the Elf with the following weekly ideas, or replace the Elf with:

• a stuffed felt star (use a permanent marker to make a happy face)
• an angel
• three wise men

Weekly Prompts

Once you’ve decided which character you’ll use, try these fun ideas with your ministry kids each week to help them discover the miracle of Jesus’ birth through new eyes. Begin by reminding kids that their goal each week is to find the character as they move closer and closer to baby Jesus or a nativity scene each week.

Week 1

Place the Elf on the Shelf in a wagon or car ‘on the way to Bethlehem.”

Say: Elf is on the trail that Mary and Joseph took when they traveled for the census!

Read aloud Luke 2:1-5.

Week 2

Find or make simple, Elf-sized props that look like a suitcase, pillow, and blanket. (Borrow from dolls’ accessories, if possible). Place the props around the Elf on the Shelf.

Say: There’s no room at the inn and Elf is sleepy!

Read aloud Luke 2:7.

Week 3

Cover the Elf on the Shelf head to toe in cotton balls.

Say: The Elf has been helping the shepherds take care of their sheep. Look at all that sheep fluff!

Read aloud Luke 2:8-12.

Week 4

Place the Elf on the Shelf near a manger scene with baby Jesus.

Say: Elf gets to join with the world in celebrating the birth of God’s Son!

Read aloud Luke 2:13-20

Check out these other Christmas ideas to bring hope, joy, and fun to the season! And for even more ideas and daily posts of inspiration, follow us on Facebook!