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For this Elf on the Shelf activity, the kids participate in a Skittles Rainbow Experiment. New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

We are back, so is the Elf on the Shelf! If you have been with us a long time, you know we have brought you a new Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily (in the months of November and December) for the past six years. You can view our Elf on the Shelf Master List for a full list of ideas including every idea we have ever done.

For many of these Elf on the Shelf ideas, make sure you have an elf that can bend. You can do that easily with our Bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial.  You also can shop our collection of Elf Printables for ideas to cover the entire season!

Shop Elf Printables + Digital Downloads

Is there a Rainbow Elf?

If you are on the hunt for a rainbow Elf on the Shelf doll only, I have terrible news… there isn’t a rainbow Elf. As a reminder, Elf dolls only come in red and white. There are knock off versions in different colors, but the classic doll has a red hat and white collar.

However, if tasting the rainbow is fun for you, take a look at this cool Skittles Elf on the Shelf rainbow experiment.

Skittles Rainbow Experiment

Have you seen our five minute science experiments for kids? There are many ideas you can incorporate into your December Elf on the Shelf ideas. We did not pull this activity from that list, but we have a Skittles Rainbow Experiment your kids will love to do with their red elves.

Ashley…. so…

How do you do the Skittles trick?

Don’t worry. I have the answers. First gather these supplies you likely have at home.

Skittles Rainbow Supplies

• The Elf on the Shelf doll
• Skittles package
• 1/4 Cup Warm Water
• White plate (white shows the background)

Skittles Rainbow Experiment Directions

Elf can leave these written directions, though we will provide you with more detailed directions below.

“Let’s make a rainbow. Just add warm water.”

First, arrange your Skittles in a circular pattern around the edge of the plate. One skittle, side by side, until your skittles form a circle radius of the plate. (You can do this for your kids/Elf or you can just layout a box of Skittles for your kid to do when they wake.)

When your skittles are in place, pour over enough warm water to cover all the Skittles and the plate itself.

Watch and wait as a Skittles rainbow appears. You will watch the colors bleed toward the center/middle of the plate.

Now that you know how to do the Elf on the Shelf skittles experiment, let’s explain!

Skittles Rainbow Explanation

Skittle candy is full of dye. The combination of dye and sugar dissolves quickly in warm water. When placed in a shallow plate of warm water, the dye quickly dissolves in the water making a colorful rainbow. The reason the colors do not mix naturally (unless stirred, shaken, or sit awhile) is because each food color has the same amount of sugar dissolved from each Skittle. As the sugar dissolved, it pushed outwards into the color beside it building almost a wall against the neighboring solution

Printables for Elf on the Shelf

Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!

Shop Elf Printables + Digital DownloadsWe also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. One you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!

Free Printables Step by Step Directions

1.) Enter your email address here.

2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.

3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.

4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”

5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.

Elf on the Shelf on Social Media

Save these ideas because you will want to stay up to date on these ideas each Christmas season. We do our best to mix up easy and hard Elf on the Shelf Ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Facebook Page

Multiple ideas are added each day to our Elf on the Shelf Ideas Facebook page. This is a great way for you to share your own Elf on the Shelf Ideas and share our ideas to your page. There are some good ones! Be sure to like the page!

Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Boards

We also are in charge of a Elf on the Shelf Ideas Pinterest board. On this board, we have invited other bloggers to share their ideas and free Elf on the Shelf Printables too! Be sure to follow the board!

Our goal, to make Elf easy for you!

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. The tradition has a book and a elf doll. The book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits. The Elf visits each Thanksgiving. He/She goes and returns from the North Pole each evening. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. The Elf has been found in the refrigerator, fishing in the toilet, writing messages on the mirror or hanging from the lights. It is VERY IMPORTANT, the Elf is not touch each evening or his Christmas magic will be lost! Each family is able to name their special elf. The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve. An Elf’s Story can also be found on DVD.

Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your Christmas and Elf Boards.

We have been doing Elf on the Shelf forever. See our Elf on the Shelf Master List. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.