Two decorative Christmas elves with red and gray caps and long white beards.

Elf pranks 2026 – 50+ fun & easy ideas for children

Elf pranks are little tricks that a Christmas elf plays around the home during December, often from an elf door. The children wake up and discover what the elf has been up to during the night. Here you will find a ready-made calendar with 24 pranks, quick pranks for busy mornings, pranks without an elf door and tricky challenges for older children. Most can be done with things you already have at home.

Last updated: October 2026

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24 elf pranks leading up to Christmas Eve

Want a ready-made list of pranks without having to choose? Follow the calendar day by day until 24 December. The pranks get a little bigger towards the end of the month.

  1. The elf moves in. Tiny icing-sugar footprints lead from the elf door, with a note: "Hello! I'm staying here until Christmas."
    Preparations: 2 min.
  2. The milk is green. The elf has added drops of food colouring to the carton.
    Preparations: 1 min. 
  3. All the shoes in the hallway are stacked into a tall tower.
    Preparations: 3 min.
  4. The elf has hung his washing on a string with tiny clothes pegs.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  5. The cuddly toys have had a film night. Popcorn is scattered in front of the TV.
    Preparations: 3 min.
  6. The Advent candles have been replaced with carrots.
    Preparations: 2 min.
  7. The elf has drawn a self-portrait on the bathroom mirror with a washable marker.
    Preparations: 2 min.
  8. The elf has decorated the Christmas tree with socks and mittens.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  9. The elf leaves a challenge: "Help me bake gingerbread biscuits today!"
    Preparations: 1 min.
  10. The elf has taped toys to the ceiling.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  11. Craft day. The elf has put out paper, glue and beads and would like Christmas decorations for his door.
    Preparations: 3 min.
  12. The elf has hidden the sweets. A picture treasure map leads to the bowl.
    Preparations: 10 min.
  13. Lucia Day! The cuddly toys form a Lucia procession, led by an LED tealight.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  14. The elf has wrapped breakfast up as Christmas presents.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  15. The elf has left a coded note for the children to decipher.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  16. Vegetables in the shoes. A clementine in each slipper.
    Preparations: 1 min.
  17. A laser maze in the hallway. Yarn is stretched criss-cross between the door frames.  
    Preparations: 10 min. 
  18. The elf has decorated the pet's bed with Christmas baubles.
    Preparations: 3 min.
  19. The elf has left a torch and a note: "Look for my tracks in the dark!"
    Preparations: 5 min. 
  20. The elf has frozen his little hat in an ice cube in the freezer: "I slipped up!"
    Preparations: 2 min.
  21. Christmas disco. "Put on some music and dance with me for three minutes!"
    Preparations: 1 min. 
  22. The elf has written his Christmas wish list to Santa and would like help with the spelling.
    Preparations: 3 min. 
  23. Christmas bath. The elf has bathed in the sink before Christmas Eve: dirty water, tiny swimming trunks and a towel on the floor.
    Preparations: 5 min.
  24. The elf moves out. A farewell letter and a small Christmas present are waiting in front of the door.
    Preparations: 5 min.

 

Elf pranks for the youngest children (1–4 years)

For the youngest children, simple, visible surprises feel the most magical. Avoid small parts and pranks that could cause trips.

  1. Coloured milk: Add drops of food colouring to the breakfast milk.
  2. Snow angel in flour: Sprinkle flour on the worktop and make tiny angels with your finger.
  3. Icing-sugar footprints: Sift footprints from the elf door to the breakfast table.
  4. Happy breakfast: Pieces of fruit form a face on the plate.
  5. Hidden socks: The elf hides the child's socks and leaves a clue.
  6. Sparkle in the bedtime book: Put a little tinsel and a note in the book: "I want to hear the story too!"
  7. Surprise in the shoes: A clementine or a small present in each shoe.
  8. Snowflake bubbles: A bottle of bubble solution and a note: "Blow snowflakes with me!"
  9. Balloon party: The elf has blown up balloons and drawn hearts on them.
  10. The elf's laundry day: Tiny clothes hang on a string with clothes pegs.

 

Fun pranks and challenges (ages 5–7)

At this age, children enjoy short challenges, humour and surprises.

  1. Wrap in the doorway: Cover the door with cling film or Christmas wrapping paper.
  2. Clothes in the tree: The elf has decorated the Christmas tree with the children's clothes.
  3. Knotted sleeves: The pyjama sleeves are tied together in a knot.
  4. Celery toothbrush: The toothbrush has been replaced with a piece of celery, just for fun.
  5. Food for the elf: The children put out porridge or biscuits for the evening.
  6. Tool tree: The elf has decorated the Christmas tree with forks or torque wrenches.
  7. Toy art: Favourite toys are displayed on the wall like an exhibition.
  8. Missing Advent candle: Replaced with a carrot or an asparagus spear.

Trickier pranks for older children (ages 8 and up)

Older children enjoy logic, challenges and helping with the planning. Let them play pranks for their younger siblings.

  1. Treasure hunt with rebus puzzles: Clues lead to an Advent gift.
  2. Tape over the mouse: A quick prank for the gamer in the family.
  3. Gift-wrapped schoolbooks: School supplies look like Christmas presents.
  4. Chocolate on the toothbrush: A "mistake" by the elf.
  5. Coded message: A letter with symbols to decipher using a key.
  6. Spy mission: "Keep an eye out for reindeer in the garden and report back to me."
  7. Elf TV: The children record a news report about the night's pranks.
  8. Miniature escape room: Three riddles in different rooms unlock a padlocked box.
  9. Frozen underpants: Did the elf miss out on porridge yesterday? Now the underwear is frozen on the breakfast table.
  10. Swap roles: The children plan and carry out a prank on their parents, with the elf taking the blame.

 

Quick elf pranks – ready in 5 minutes

There isn't time for big projects every morning. You can get these ready in the evening while brushing your teeth.

  1. Move something: The salt shaker is in the fridge and the remote control is in a shoe.
  2. Write Merry Christmas: Use a washable marker on the fridge or mirror.
  3. Knotted shoelaces: All the shoes in the hallway are tied together.
  4. Cinnamon in the coffee: Blame the elf.
  5. Toilet roll art: The elf has drawn Christmas pictures on the toilet paper.
  6. Pudding rice in the boots: A surprise when the children are getting ready to go outside.
  7. Moustache: Draw a moustache on a sleeping child using a washable marker.
  8. Sleepy elf: "I overslept today! What do you think I was dreaming about?"

 

Elf pranks without an elf door – when the elf is invisible

You don't need an elf door or an elf figure to play. An invisible elf is only noticed through what he leaves behind.

  1. Just traces: Tiny footprints, crumbs and a little glittery imprint on the table.
  2. Letters under the pillow: The elf communicates only through notes.
  3. Morning elf pranks: The milk has turned blue or the clementines in the bowl have little faces drawn on them.
  4. Light in the dark: An LED tealight suddenly lights up in the window.
  5. The elf appears in the app: With an elf app, children can see the elf sneaking past on a mobile phone.

 

Elf experiments – a little magic and a little science

Experiments are great for curious children aged around five and up. The elf leaves the instructions in a letter.

  1. Magic milk: Milk, food colouring and a drop of washing-up liquid make the colours swirl.
  2. Growing snow: Bicarbonate of soda and a little water turn into snow you can shape.
  3. Dancing raisins: Raisins in sparkling water dance up and down.
  4. Magnetic elf: With a magnet under the table, a little metal elf moves all by himself.
  5. Invisible ink: Lemon juice on paper only becomes visible when an adult gently warms it.

Elf pranks for adults and at work

The elf also feels at home in the office and workshop. Keep the pranks kind and easy to clean up.

  1. Decorated workspace: A colleague's desk is covered in Christmas baubles.
  2. Gift-wrapped chair: The office chair is wrapped in Christmas paper.
  3. The elf in the break room: Gingerbread biscuits and a note: "From the elf, help yourself!"
  4. Festive tool: An adjustable spanner with a bow on its handle in the workshop.
  5. Car decorations: Decorate a colleague's car with string lights, and remove them before driving.

Elf letters – little words with lots of magic

A short letter brings the prank to life. Use tiny handwriting and sign it with the elf's name.

  • "I needed extra energy today, so I borrowed some clothes for the tree."
  • "I'm so hungry. Could I have some porridge tonight?"
  • "I've lost my favourite thing. Can you solve my riddle and find it?"
  • "Sorry, I accidentally ate the last gingerbread biscuit."
  • "Today I took the day off and went for a walk on the roof!"

Tip: Let the children reply to the letters. It makes the game even more fun.

When you're running out of energy – it's fine to keep it simple

Elf pranks should never feel stressful. Many people do 5–10 pranks during December rather than one every day. Some days, a note is enough. On other days, the children can come up with a prank for the elf themselves.

Safety first

Pranks should be fun, never frightening. Adapt each prank to the child's age and avoid small parts for the youngest children. If a child becomes worried, calmly explain that the elf's pranks are only pretend and that it's all a game.

Make your own elf door with Biltema

An elf door makes the elf's presence clear. We built our own using materials from the store and pieces from our craft box.

Here's what we made:

  • An elf door with reinforcement and a handle
  • A sledge and a trunk
  • An elf outfit and hat
  • Candy canes on a little ladder
  • A fireplace, lantern and candle holders
  • A broom

Paint the door and add a nameplate so the children know the elf's name.

Festive elf scene with a ladder, a wooden gate, and a small, glowing fire in front of a wooden door.

What you need in addition to the craft box

Frequently asked questions about elf pranks

What are elf pranks?

Elf pranks are little, kind tricks that a Christmas elf plays around the home during December. Parents prepare the prank in the evening and children discover it in the morning. The elf often lives behind a little elf door.

Why aren't you allowed to touch the elf?

According to the game, the elf loses his magic if anyone touches him. The rule keeps the figure in place and makes the game a little more exciting.

When do you put up the elf door?

Most people put up the elf door in late November so the elf can move in on 1 December. It is usually taken down after Christmas Eve.

What makes a good elf letter?

Short, personal letters work best. Mention something the child has done, ask for help with a challenge or apologise for a prank. See the examples in the section on elf letters.

How many pranks should you do during December?

That's up to you. Many people do 5–10 pranks during the month. Use the 24-day calendar if you want a prank every day.

Can you do elf pranks without an elf door?

Yes. An invisible elf is only noticed through traces, notes and sounds. See the section on elf pranks without an elf door.

What should I do if the children get scared?

Calmly explain that the elf's pranks are only pretend and that it's all a game. Choose simpler, more straightforward pranks in future.

Can older children join in?

Yes. Older children can solve trickier challenges or help plan pranks for younger siblings.

Christmas at Biltema

Do you love Christmas as much as we do here at Biltema—along with wonderful Christmas gifts and beautiful holiday decorations? If so, we’ve gathered plenty of Christmas inspiration and much more in our Christmas section on our website.

Find everything you need for Christmas here

Merry Christmas from all of us at Biltem!