Toilet Paper Tree: The Elf has "wrapped" a door, the Christmas tree, or even a child's bedroom door with toilet paper.

Banana Minions: Draw Minion faces (or simple smiles/mustaches) on a few bananas and have the Elf posing next to them with the marker.

Googly Eye Takeover: Stick googly eyes on everything in the fridge (milk carton, ketchup bottle, eggs) or on family photos.

Lipstick Message: Use a washable marker or lipstick to write a silly message ("I'm Back!" or "I Love Ottawa!") on the bathroom mirror.

Cereal Box Ride: Cut a small hole in the bottom of a cereal box and poke the Elf's legs through, making it look like the Elf is getting a "box full" of breakfast.

"Frozen" in Ice: Place the Elf in a zip-top bag with water and freeze it. Pose a doll nearby, making it look like she worked her "icy magic."

Spoon Drummer: Give the Elf two spoons and pose them "drumming" on upside-down kitchen pots and pans.

Taped to the Wall: Gently tape the Elf to a cabinet door or the refrigerator with masking tape and a sign that reads: "I was naughty! Trapped me!"

Stuck in a Jar: Place the Elf upside down inside a large glass jar, trying to "climb out."

Shoe Train: Line up the family's shoes and place the Elf in the front one, "driving" a long shoe train across the floor.

Marshmallow Bath: The Elf is sitting in a mug or small bowl filled with mini-marshmallows (a "bubble bath").

Doughnut Swing: Loop a ribbon through a chocolate donut and hang it from a kitchen cabinet handle for a simple swing.

Hot Cocoa Dive: Have the Elf "diving" headfirst into a packet or container of hot cocoa mix.

Fishing for Goldfish: Use a string and a pretzel stick to make a fishing rod. Have the Elf "fishing" for Goldfish crackers in a sink or bowl.

KitKat Jenga: Pose the Elf next to a small tower built out of KitKat bars (or other small snack boxes).

Snowflake Cutouts: The Elf is surrounded by paper scraps and a few simple paper snowflake cutouts they "made" overnight.

Tucked in Bread: Gently place the Elf inside a loaf of sliced bread with only the face poking out, like they've made a cozy bed.

Pancake Stack: Pose the Elf next to a high stack of small pancakes or waffles, maybe with a tiny dollop of syrup.

Candy Cane Sledding: Glue a few candy canes together to make a tiny sled and pose the Elf riding it down a banister or a stack of books.

Marshmallow Snowman: Make a tiny snowman out of three stacked mini-marshmallows and have the Elf posing next to it.

Reading to Toys: Pose the Elf sitting with a small book reading to a circle of stuffed animals. Note: "Shhh! Story time! Don't interrupt!"

Movie Night Prep: Prop the Elf up next to the TV remote and a small bowl of popcorn (a bottle cap works well). Note: "Movie night starts now!"

Brushing Reminder: The Elf is sitting on the bathroom counter next to a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. Note: "Brush, brush, brush! Gotta stay clean!"

Coloring Buddy: Place the Elf with an open coloring book and a few crayons, having "helped" to color a festive picture. Note: "I started this, can you finish it?"

"Elfie" Time: Set the Elf up at a laptop or tablet, looking at a "selfie" picture you pre-loaded. Note: "But first, let me take an elfie!"

Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge: Set up a mini-game of Tic-Tac-Toe using small treats (like M&Ms) on a napkin. Note: "I'm ready for the next game! I bet I'll win!"

Simple Gift: Have the Elf sitting next to a wrapped book or a new ornament. Note: "A little gift from the North Pole."

Laundry Basket Ride: Place the Elf inside a laundry basket (or toy car) with a stuffed animal as a passenger. Note: "Need a ride to the North Pole?"

Wrapped in Ribbon: Wrap the Elf (and maybe a friendly stuffed animal) loosely in kitchen twine or yarn. Note: "I got tangled in ribbon! Help!"

Hiding in the Tree: This is the easiest: simply hide the Elf deep within the branches of the Christmas tree. Note: "Can you find me today?"