Math Missions: The elf can “write” math problems on a mini chalkboard or hold a card with a riddle. For instance: “If I have 12 candy canes and give away 4, how many do I have left?” Students can work individually or in groups to solve it.
Word Hunts: Hide letters or words around the classroom, with the elf leaving a note like, “Can you find all the letters to spell 'SNOWMAN'?” Students search for the pieces and unscramble them as a class.
Geography Adventures: Position the elf near a world map with clues like, “I visited a place where the Eiffel Tower is!” Students use their geography knowledge to identify the location (France) and learn a fact about it.
Observation Notes: The elf can leave daily messages recognizing specific good behaviors, like “I saw how well everyone shared markers during art time!”
Elf Behavior Tracker: Use the elf to introduce a classroom reward system. For example, every time the class demonstrates excellent behavior, the elf can add a star to a chart. Once the chart is full, the class earns a treat or extra playtime.
Helper Elf: The elf can display a list of classroom helper roles, such as organizing supplies or helping a classmate. Highlight how the elf “loves teamwork” and challenge students to be helpers too.
Reading Challenges: The elf could leave a note with a goal like, “Can the class read 50 pages by Friday? Let’s work together!” Track progress with a festive chart.
Book Recommendations: Place the elf near the classroom library with a book in hand and a note: “This is my favorite story! Who wants to read it next?” Rotate books daily to introduce new stories.
Story Starters: Use the elf to create creative writing prompts. For instance, if the elf is sitting inside a stack of blocks, leave a note saying, “What do you think happened to me last night? Write a story about my adventure!”
Elf Adventures: Position the elf in a silly situation, like trapped inside a jar of candy canes, with a note saying, “Can you write about how I ended up here?” Students can craft their own versions of the story.
Mystery Notes: The elf could leave cryptic messages like, “I found a secret treasure in the classroom. Can you guess what it is?” Students write short stories based on their guesses.
Daily Journals: Encourage students to document the elf’s antics in a journal. Each day, they can write what they saw, what they think the elf did overnight, and what might happen next.
Elf Engineering: The elf could leave a half-built structure made of blocks or craft sticks, with a note saying, “Can you help me finish my house?” Students collaborate to complete or improve the design.
Transportation Challenge: The elf might need help getting “home” to the North Pole. Students can design and build a sleigh, rocket ship, or other mode of transport using classroom materials like cardboard, straws, and glue.
Simple Science Experiments: Set up an experiment, like making a baking soda volcano, and position the elf as the “scientist” who needs the class’s help. Leave a note explaining the steps or the science concept behind it.
Ornament Making: Have the elf display supplies like paper, markers, and string, along with a sample ornament. Leave a note saying, “Can you make ornaments to decorate our classroom tree?”
DIY Elf Hats: The elf could wear a paper elf hat and sit near a stack of colorful paper and scissors, inviting students to design their own hats to wear during class.
Snowflake Creations: Place the elf near folded paper and scissors with a note: “I made this snowflake last night. Can you make even better ones to hang around the room?”
Gift Tags: The elf could introduce a project where students create personalized gift tags to take home for their families.
Escape Room Challenge: Set up a simple escape room scenario with clues and riddles around the classroom. The elf can “lock” itself in a box with a note like, “Help me get out by solving the puzzles!”
Hidden Treasure: The elf can leave a map or riddle leading to a hidden “treasure” in the classroom, such as a small prize or a fun activity.
Logic Puzzles: The elf could present a logic problem, such as, “If I need to visit five friends in one night, and it takes me 10 minutes per stop, how long will it take? Can you figure it out?”
Elf Exercise Cards: The elf could display cards with simple exercises like jumping jacks, stretches, or “reindeer gallops,” challenging the class to complete them as a group.
Dance Party: The elf could sit next to a speaker with a note saying, “Let’s have a holiday dance party!” Play a festive song and let students dance to release energy.
Scavenger Hunt: Set up a scavenger hunt where students search for hidden holiday items around the classroom. The elf can provide the first clue.
Daily Kindness Goals: The elf can leave a daily challenge, such as, “Say something kind to three classmates today,” or “Help a friend with their project.”
Holiday Cards: Encourage students to create holiday cards for family, friends, or local community members (like residents of a nearby nursing home). The elf can model an example.
Class Giving Project: The elf could inspire a class-wide project, like collecting donations for a food bank or creating care packages for those in need. Leave a note saying, “The best gift is helping others—what can we do to spread joy this season?”
World Holiday Tour: The elf could “visit” a different country each day and share a fun fact about how they celebrate the holidays. For instance, “In Mexico, people celebrate with Las Posadas. Can you learn what it means?”
Holiday Foods: The elf could “bring” a photo or description of traditional holiday foods from another culture, like Stollen from Germany or Latkes from Jewish Hanukkah traditions.
Classroom Celebration: Use the elf to inspire a class-wide celebration where students share their own family holiday traditions or create decorations inspired by global customs.