The holiday season is all about spreading joy, and this year, Elf is taking that spirit a step further by going green! From teaching kids about sustainability to reducing waste and being more eco-conscious, Elf is here to spread cheer and help the planet, one small step at a time. If you’re looking to add some fun, eco-friendly activities to your Elf on the Shelf tradition, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Elf is all about sustainable lunch packing this year. Instead of using plastic wrap, wrap Elf in beeswax wraps as he “helps” prepare lunches. These wraps are a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic, and they’re reusable, so they make the perfect teaching tool for kids. Add a few snacks to Elf’s scene, and include a personal note from him to make it extra special. Not only will this remind your kids to avoid single-use plastics, but it’s also a fun way to start the day with a green twist!
In another festive move, Elf decides to start a DIY bird feeder ornament with a pinecone, peanut butter, and birdseed. Set up the supplies for your kids to make their own bird feeders with natural or recycled materials. It’s a great way to show kids how to reuse what they already have and create something beautiful for wildlife. Watching birds flock to your homemade feeder will be a great reminder of how small actions can have a big impact on nature.
Whoops, Elf made a mistake! He accidentally put Christmas gifts in the recycling bin. This presents the perfect opportunity for you and your kids to teach Elf about the importance of sorting recyclables properly. Set up a little lesson on what belongs in recycling and what doesn’t. It’s a great way to engage your kids and teach them valuable skills for keeping their community clean.
Elf gets creative with art supplies to make some eco-friendly wrapping paper. Place out paper bags and markers so Elf can “decorate” them, and encourage your kids to join in! Using repurposed materials for wrapping gifts is a simple way to reduce waste during the holidays. Plus, it’s fun to see how each family member personalizes their wrapping creations!
Elf is lighting the way with energy-efficient choices! Set him up with a programmable LED bulb and place an incandescent bulb next to it. You can even set the LED to glow green for some mischievous fun. This is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about how switching to LED lights can save energy and reduce your carbon footprint during the holiday season—and all year long.
Elf is putting his recycling skills to the test by replacing old Christmas light strands with new, energy-efficient LED lights. You can even help your family find a coupon at holidayleds.com to make the transition more affordable. This is a fun way to encourage your kids to recycle old decorations and think about how they can upgrade their holiday lights for a greener future.
Elf is getting into gardening this season, and he’s creating a small indoor herb garden with a candy cane “growing” out of it. Set up seeds for your kids to plant, and teach them how growing their own herbs can reduce food waste and help the planet. This is an excellent hands-on way to show kids how easy it is to be more sustainable, even in the kitchen!
Elf knows the value of giving, so he’s set next to a box of gently used goods and toys. Use this as an opportunity to talk to your kids about donating to those in need. Challenge them to add a few toys or clothes they no longer use to the box. Not only will they help others, but they’ll also learn the importance of reusing and recycling gently used items.
Elf has a quirky way of encouraging sustainability this year—he’s wrapped in tree-free toilet paper! This is a great way to start a conversation about eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo toilet paper. You can also throw in a little branch for comic relief. By switching to more sustainable everyday products, we can reduce deforestation and minimize waste.
For a bit of techy fun, set Elf up near a smart speaker and programmable outlet connected to your Christmas tree. Program it to play Christmas music to wake up your kids, or just for a little holiday cheer. This is a
fun way to teach your kids about energy-saving technology and the benefits of smart devices that help reduce power consumption.
Elf is busy in the kitchen with a bubbly science experiment using baking soda and vinegar. It’s a fun, non-toxic way to clean up, and you can use it to teach your kids about eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. Not only does this experiment provide some holiday mischief, but it’s also an opportunity to discuss why non-toxic cleaners are better for both your health and the environment
Elf is tackling home maintenance with a caulking gun—but things don’t go quite as planned! Set him up in the bathroom with a mess of baking soda paste, and let the kids clean up while learning about eco-friendly repairs. This is a great way to turn a common household chore into a lesson about reducing waste and using sustainable materials.
This holiday season, let your Elf on the Shelf spread more than just cheer—let him inspire eco-friendly habits that can last long after the holidays. Whether it’s teaching kids to recycle, reuse, or rethink their everyday products, these small steps can make a big difference. Which green habit will your Elf try first? Share your favorite eco-friendly Elf antics with us, and tag us in your photos—we can’t wait to see how your Elf is spreading holiday cheer and helping the planet!
Happy holidays, and here’s to a greener, more sustainable future! 🌍✨
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