Give your holiday elf a creative twist with this fun idea for The Elf on the Shelf! Watch your festive scout draw a sELF-portrait on a miniature canvas with a paintbrush and watercolors. Learn how to set up this easy, artistic scene to surprise your kids and add some extra holiday magic to your elf’s daily antics! New creative, funny, and original Ideas for the Christmas Elf daily.
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Looking for a clever and artistic way to surprise your kids with The Elf on the Shelf this season? This unique elf idea, shared with Frugal Coupon Living by Elf enthusiast Clare S., brings out the creative side of your little holiday helper! In this setup, Scout Elf is drawing a self-portrait on a miniature canvas, complete with a paintbrush and watercolor set. Clare added an extra touch by drawing the picture herself and then coloring it with Sharpies. To give the canvas a bit more dimension, you can even paint over the Sharpie colors for a beautiful, layered effect!
How to Set Up The Elf on the Shelf Self-Portrait Scene
You might remember our Elf Portrait in the preschool classroom. This painting for The Elf on the Shelf was done over 10 years ago in my daughter’s classroom. She is now in high school. Let’s take a look at a new idea for staging a Christmas Elf portrait idea.
In this fun and creative idea, your little guy is transformed into an artist, busily painting a self-portrait. Imagine your kids’ reactions when they find their tiny scout sitting next to an adorable miniature canvas, brush in hand, as if he’s been hard at work on his masterpiece! This scene is easy to put together and allows you to bring an extra personal touch to your family elf’s antics by customizing the portrait on the canvas.
Whether your holiday mischief-maker is sitting at a desk, next to a window, or on the mantle, this fun and creative scene will bring plenty of smiles and excitement!
Add Some Extra Flair to Your Holiday Helper’s Art Scene
To take this idea to the next level, consider adding dimension to the portrait! After coloring the picture with Sharpies, you can carefully paint over it with watercolors. The added texture and dimension will make the scene even more fun for your kids to discover. Plus, this playful scene can be set up in different places around the house, giving your kids a chance to see their Jolly sprite’s artistic talents unfold!
Supplies Needed for Your Festive Scout’s Art Project
- The Elf on the Shelf Doll
- Miniature canvas and easel
- Paintbrush
- Watercolors or Sharpie markers (or both!)
- Pencil
- Paper towel or napkin for extra realism
Instructions for Staging This Artistic Elf Idea
- Prepare the canvas: Start by setting up your miniature canvas on the easel. You can either draw a small picture of The Elf on the Shelf on the canvas yourself or let the kids discover a blank canvas, suggesting that the tiny elf is still in the process of creating his masterpiece.
- Draw and color: If you’re drawing the portrait, use a pencil and Sharpie to outline the red guy’s image on the canvas. Then, color it in with markers, or take it up a notch by painting over the colored areas for added depth.
- Set up the scene: Position your Christmas companion next to the canvas, holding a small paintbrush as though he’s been painting his self-portrait. Add a watercolor set nearby to make it look like your family elf has all his artist’s supplies handy.
- Add finishing touches: Scatter a few drops of “paint” on the easel or napkin to add to the realism of your tiny scout’s artistic setup. You could even place the scene on a small desk or near some holiday decor to complete the look!
This fun and simple idea is the perfect way to add a creative touch to your elf’s holiday antics. Your kids will love seeing their cheerful companion busy at work, crafting a festive masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing, Clare!
Also, check out our other Elf Portrait and S-ELF-IE ideas.
- The Elf on the Shelf Portrait for Wall Art
- The Elf on the Shelf S-ELF-IE
- The Elf on the Shelf Painted Portrait
- The Elf on the Shelf Perler Bead Tutorial
Christmas Printables Ideas
Discover the ultimate fun in our digital download wonderland! These Christmas printables can be used alone or you can create really fun ideas for a North Pole Visitor. Check out the Frugal Coupon Living shop for the hottest ideas, featuring holiday activities, games, kid-friendly jokes, letters, notes, and a whole lot more!
Free Christmas Elf Ideas Printables
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Christmas Resources for The Elf on the Shelf
Here at Frugal Coupon Living, our mission is to make the holiday season a breeze. We’re no newcomers to the Scout Elf game, boasting over a decade of experience. With a dedicated fan club spanning these ten years, we’ve curated a treasure trove of delightful ideas for your holiday season. Our collection of holiday elf resources are your one-stop-shop for crafting the most memorable Scout Elf moments for your family as well. Join us in making this Christmas truly magical!
What is The Elf on the Shelf?
Embrace the cherished Christmas tradition of Scout Elf, which revolves around a captivating storybook and an adorable Scout Elf doll. This enchanting book, filled with poetic rhymes, unveils the purpose behind the Scout Elf’s visits.
Like clockwork, the little red visitor graces our homes each Thanksgiving and embarks on a nightly journey to and from the North Pole. Every morning, the thrill lies in discovering the Scout Elf in a brand-new, imaginative hiding spot within the house. From peeking out of the refrigerator to fishing in the sink, leaving mirror messages, or swinging from the lights, the North Pole Visitor’s antics never cease to amuse. But remember, there’s a cardinal rule to uphold: never touch the Scout Elf, for it’s the key to preserving their Christmas magic! Each family has the privilege of christening their very own Scout Elf with a special name. Finally, as Christmas Eve dawns, these loyal Scout Elves bid us farewell, returning to their North Pole workshop alongside Santa, awaiting their next wondrous adventure
More Helpful Elf Ideas Links
Frugal Coupon Living has earned its reputation as the ultimate destination for Chrsitmas Elf ideas. We take pride in our ability to consistently bring joy by relocating our beloved North Pole visitor year after year. With an extensive collection of printable concepts, essential resources, delightful Scout Elf shenanigans, and much more, consider us your go-to resource for maintaining your holiday spirit and sanity throughout the entire Christmas season.
Explore the handy The Elf on the Shelf links to unleash your creativity, access free printables, and find answers to your Scout Elf inquiries.
- The Elf on the Shelf Ideas – A comprehensive starter guide encompassing all things Scout Elf, featuring some of our top posts and downloadable content.
- Largest List of Elf Ideas – Boasting over 1,000 imaginative holiday elf concepts, this ever-expanding list receives daily additions throughout November and December.
- Questions and Answers for The Elf on the Shelf – Whether you’re a novice with a Scout Elf or need a refresher on Elf Rules, peruse our frequently asked questions to become an instant Scout Elf expert.
- Free Christmas Elf Ideas Printables – Sign up for our emails and seize the opportunity to obtain these complimentary Christmas Elf digital downloads, aiding your ideas for the elf-repositioning season. These include a calendar, notes, coloring pages, inspiring ideas, and more.
- DIY Bendable Elf – Transform your Scout Elf into a versatile poser with this simple, no-sew tutorial on creating a bendable Scout Elf.
- Christmas Elf Ideas Shop with Digital Downloads – Explore one of the finest shops brimming with printable resources to elevate your holiday season.
- Ideas Emails – Receive daily emails featuring fresh ideas to enhance your Elf Moving Committee ideas and holiday experience.
Join the holiday fun on social media! Dive into the Pinterest Board of Ideas for Elves for inspiration and share your own festive adventures. Got a fresh Scout Elf idea we haven’t explored yet? Curious about some Scout Elf secrets? Don’t be shy – drop a comment here or on Pinterest! Let’s keep The Elf on the Shelf excitement alive together!
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.
