24 elf pranks for the whole family: fun & creative elf missions your kids will love

Make the countdown to Christmas extra exciting with playful elf antics that get the whole family giggling. Here you'll find 24 creative, mischievous and easy-to-set-up elf missions that work for little kids and big kids alike. Perfect for when your imagination runs dry and you want to make Christmas even more magical.

The elf door has opened and excitement is running high. But what will the elf get up to tonight? For many families with little ones, elf pranks are a much-loved tradition that brings Christmas spirit, laughter and memories for life. At the same time, coming up with fresh ideas every single day in December can be tough. So we've gathered 24 elf pranks for the whole family: simple, creative and cheeky missions you can set up in minutes, even when time is short. Whether you're after a laugh-out-loud prank, a crafty prank or a properly silly surprise, you'll find inspiration here to keep the magic alive all December long.

24 elf pranks for big & little kids

1. The elf has left a letter with a short introduction about himself. Now he wants you to write back and tell him all about your family!

2. The elf has built a fort by draping a blanket over the living room or kitchen table. He's tucked a few cushions and blankets underneath to make it extra cosy.

3. The elf has been up to mischief and cut patterns or drawn little figures on the toilet paper.

4. The elf has been playing in the flour or icing sugar and left footprints all over the kitchen counter.

5. The elf has left a note with a simple mission: "Help me sort the toy box / clear away breakfast / make dinner."

6. The elf has heard that some children don't get Christmas presents. He's put out a box and wonders if there's anything the kids might like to give away.

7. The elf has started building a tower out of blocks, Lego or Duplo and wonders if you can help him finish it.

8. The elf has snuck into the fridge and swapped all the eggs for chocolate eggs!

9. The elf has swapped the candles in the Advent candleholder for carrots or sausages.

10. The elf has hung (Bammies) diapers and/or underwear in the Christmas tree.

11. The elf has drawn a self-portrait and stuck it on the fridge. Can you draw a self-portrait and leave it outside the elf's door?

12. The elf has laid out clothes on the floor in the shape of a little person. Now he wants to see if the kids can get dressed all by themselves!

13. The stuffed animals and dolls are having a Lucia procession with glitter in their hair.

14. The elf asks for help finding his lost elf hat (hide it anywhere you like).

15. Set out paper and pens along with a note from the elf: "Today it's time to write your wish list. I'll make sure Santa gets it in time!"

16. The elf has decorated the kids' bike or stroller for Christmas with big bows or tinsel.

17. Tape a few stuffed animals to strings hanging from the ceiling light. Hang them upside down so it looks like they've been swinging from the lamp all night.

18. An evening elf prank! The elf is having trouble sleeping, so he's put out a book and piled up cushions and blankets on the floor near his door. Maybe you could read aloud so the elf can listen too and, hopefully, drift off?

19. The elf has made a hopscotch grid in the living room out of tape. Fill in numbers or letters and ask the kids to hop through them in the right order. Educational and fun!

20. The elf has been out skiing or making a snow angel and left tracks behind in the snow (flour or icing sugar).

21. The elf has been up to mischief in the fridge again and stuck googly eyes on the milk carton and the juice.

22. There's string and wrapping paper outside the elf's door. Have you wrapped all your Christmas presents yet?

23. The elf has had a disco in the bathroom and used the sink as his bubble bath!

24. A goodbye letter with a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve, the elf leaves a little letter thanking the kids for their time together, along with a present as one last surprise. (Tip: tie a long piece of string to the present so the kids can follow it all the way to their gift!)

You can, of course, adapt the elf pranks to suit your kids' ages. The main thing is finding 24 elf missions that work for your family. Hopefully we've given you a little head start!