Kindness Elf on the Shelf Ideas: Meaningful Christmas Acts for Kids
Welcome! I’m glad you’re joining us this year – I’ve always wanted to make a cute kit to make moving and propping your elf easy, simple, but magical for the kids. I hope your family enjoys these as much as mine!
What is Elf on the Shelf?
If this is your first year doing Elf on the shelf, you may be wondering what it’s all about. There is a book that you can get to start the tradition if that’s easiest for your kids. How does Santa know if you’ve been nice or naughty? Well, the Elf tells him.
Each night the Elf using magic to fly and tell Santa all the things you’ve done that day. Each morning before you wake, your Elf comes back. At night he may get bored and explore, hence why somethings he/she gets caught doing funny, naughty, or silly things. But once you spot the Elf, it will stay in that spot until you fall asleep again, then he flies off to Santa to keep him updated.
When Does Elf on the Shelf Start?
Your families Elf can arrive on different dates depending on when you’d like to start. The most common time to start is December 1st. However, some families start on the weekend of Thanksgiving, and some start once the tree goes up.
That’s the great thing about the Elf tradition, YOU get to decide what you want to do for your family. Your Elf can have a theme, i.e. funny, kindness, silly, etc, or it can be totally random!
Where to get Elf on the Shelf?
There are several places you are able to get an Elf, but I recommend getting a kit if this is your first year doing it. We got ours from Barnes and Noble for around $40. It comes with a boy or girl elf, and it comes with the book that explains Elf on the shelf to your kids.
The book talks about how the Elf watches how good you are for Santa and reports to him each night. It also goes over the rules with the elf.
What are the rules for Elf on the Shelf?
You can make your own rules if you want, but the standard rule is that you cannot touch the elf. The Elf must stay where it was put. If you touch the Elf, it may lose its magic and won’t be able to report to Santa.
Elf on the Shelf Ideas by Theme
✨ This year, our family is bringing the true spirit of Christmas to life! ✨
Instead of focusing on gifts or mischief, our Elf on the Shelf will be joining us as a Kindness Elf, encouraging us to do something kind for one another (and for others) each day. After a year that’s been tough for so many financially, we want to spread a little extra light and teach our toddler that the real magic of Christmas is in giving, not getting.
To make it easy for you to join in, I’ve included FREE printable at the end of this article, perfect for planning your own Kindness Elf adventures! Make sure you take photos so your family can reflect on this year and the kindness you spread.
Kindness Elf
Day 1: Candy Cane Kindness
Hand a candy cane to people we see at the store and tell them, ‘Merry Christmas!’
Day 2: Donate a Toy
Encourage your child to pick one (or more!) gently used toy to give to another child or to a local toy swap, library, or shelter. If you’re in Utah County, we are hosting a toy swap! You can get more info by checking out our Facebook event page!
Day 3: Decorate Happy Rocks
Paint or color small rocks with hearts and smiles, then leave them on a walking path or by neighbors’ mailboxes.
Day 4: Leave Happy Notes
Write positive messages (“You are amazing!” “Have a great day!”) and place them in neighbors’ mailboxes or on parked cars.
Day 5: Bake for a Neighbor or Friend
Bake cookies or brownies and drop them off with a simple “Merry Christmas” note.
Day 6: Give a Compliment Day
Challenge everyone in the house to give at least three genuine compliments.
Day 7: Feed the Birds
Your elf can bring birdseed or peanut butter and pinecones to make simple bird feeders.
Day 8: Pick Up Litter
Head to a local park or walking trail and spend 10 minutes cleaning up together.
Day 9: Make Hot Cocoa Kits
Package a few marshmallows and a cocoa packet in a baggie with a note: “Warm wishes from our family!” and hand-deliver to neighbors.
Day 10: Donate Outgrown Clothes
Let your toddler help fold and bag clothes that no longer fit for donation. Great way to clear your space, but help another family in need. Instead of taking to a donation center, try posting online and see if you can give the clothes to a family directly so they won’t need to pay for them.
Day 11: Make Cards for Seniors / Bring flowers to the Seniors
Create handmade holiday cards to deliver to a nursing home or senior center. Or, we will be buying a dozen roses and my toddler will be handing them out at the senior center.
Day 12: Donate Pet Supplies
Gather a few items for your local animal rescue (like towels, food, or toys).
Day 13: Family Hug Day
Your elf reminds everyone to stop what they’re doing and give a big family hug.
Day 14: Pay It Forward
Bring a few dollars to pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru or leave some change at a vending machine.
Day 15: Kindness Storytime
Read books about kindness or generosity together before bed (like The Mitten Tree or How Full Is Your Bucket?).
Day 16: Help Around the House
Your elf assigns everyone one small job that helps someone else (e.g., “Do your sibling’s chore today!”).
Day 17: Make or buy a Treat for Community Helpers
Drop off homemade treats or a thank-you card to firefighters, police officers, or city workers.
Day 18: Share Warmth
Collect extra hats, gloves, or blankets to donate to a local shelter. If you don’t have any of your own, you can ask neighbors and collect some to donate.
Day 19: Make a Blanket Fort Family Night
Your elf brings a cozy blanket with a note saying, “Let’s snuggle and watch a Christmas movie together.”
Day 20: Angel Tree Helper or Donate to Toy Drive
Pick a child off an Angel tree and have your kid/s help decide what toys/outfits you purchase. If that is too expensive for your family, consider going to the dollar store and getting some brand new toys to donate to your local toy drive (typically they have to be new, but that doesn’t mean they have to be expensive!)
Day 21: Grocery Store Kindness
Hide sticky notes with kind words (“You’re doing great!” “You are loved!”) on random grocery items.
Day 22: Donate Books
Have your kids pick a few books to donate to a Little Free Library or classroom.
Day 23: Volunteer at a local animal rescue
Find your local animal rescue and see how you can help. They may need help cleaning, they may need supplies, do what you can to show kindness to the animals in your community.
Day 24: Soup Kitchen Help
If your local food kitchen takes donations, your toddler can help pack nonperishables into a box and decorate it with holiday stickers.
Day 25: Write a Family Gratitude List
Have everyone list five things they’re grateful for. Read them together at dinner.
Day 26: Volunteer at a local non-profit
Non-profits are always needing support, pick one as a family and go see what you can do to help! Here are a few of my favorites in Utah County – Friends in Need, Best Friends, Birthday Box, Tabitha’s Way, just to name a few.
Day 27: Donate Food
Collect canned goods from your pantry (or buy a few extras) and take them to a local food bank/pantry.
Day 28: Try a local ma & pop shop and leave a positive review
For small businesses, your business and review means the world to them and helps them more than you realize. Get something from a local business and support them by leaving a positive google review.
Day 29: Gift Card Kindness
Buy a small ($5–$10) gift card from a local shop and have your toddler deliver it to someone who could use a pick-me-up (teacher, neighbor, friend).
Day 30: Reflect on the Kindness and how it made you feel
Your elf leaves a note asking everyone what their favorite act of kindness was — and how they felt doing it.
Free Printables for Your Elf
If you’d like to do the Kindness Elf this year, we’d love to share our printables! Click here if you’d like to download your free copy.
More Christmas Family Fun
https://thefamilyadventurelist.com/50-family-traditions-to-start/
Summary
I hope your family has a wonderful holiday with lots of Joy. I’m glad you joined us. Feel free to follow us on social media to see more budget family friendly adventures!
