What do kids love more than balloons at Christmas time? Their Christmas Elf! But how about we combine the two just in time for the holidays. Here are 20 Elf Ideas with balloons that kids will love to find on December mornings.
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Whether you have a funny elf or a mischievous elf, the little guy or gal will be even more fun in the morning when balloons are involved. Some of these easy ideas will be fun to create in just a few minutes with little prep.
A few others, like this fun idea of the elf arriving INSIDE a balloon may take a little more work, but the video below will show you just how to pull it off.
Whether you use balloons as a fun arrival idea for your elf – like them arriving in a hot air balloon ride – or just a great way to showcase a creative elf one morning – like blowing bubbles out of bubble gum… your kids will get a kick out of these fun ideas!
An elf inside a balloon – or in a hot air balloon – would not only make a great elf arrival, but could be a fun way for the elf to head back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve! Check out these other great Elf goodbye ideas.
And if you’re looking for even more Elf ideas, visit this post where I share my super easy list with you. I started on out on our own elf tradition as a super lazy elf Mom and still usually stick to that.
But I do like to do some fun magical Christmas traditions like an Elf Breakfast or even this fun Elf Candy Cane Hunt with my girls.
20 Elf on the Shelf Ideas with Balloons
This has to be the BEST Elf on the Shelf ideas with balloons - to have the elf trapped inside one! Here's a great tutorial on just how to get your elf into a balloon.
This is a cute setup for the holiday season - an elf selling balloons! These are mini balloons taped to bamboo skewers to make them more elf sized. What a fun idea for kids who have often seen balloons sold at theme parks!
This is quite the elf arrival! Real helium balloons are holding this elf on the shelf where he flew all the way from the North Pole! I love that this blog offers a free printable banner to help with the idea!
Need Christmas balloons for a last minute idea? Places like Party City and Amazon have you covered if you can't find any in stores. Just using festive holiday colors with an elf balloon scene can make it more fun.
If your kids love bubblegum, they'll recognize this balloon idea real fast. How cute are these elves with their bubblegum?
This one looks like an elaborate idea, but it's really just a few supplies: balloon, cup and some straws to make an Elf on the Shelf hot air balloon!
This has to be one of the most epic Elf on the shelf arrival ideas - not only is the elf stuffed into one of the balloons, but there's actually a column of balloons for the kids to pop! This is definitely more on the elaborate side, but I loved it!
Everyone loves a bubble bath, even elves! This is a cute and simple idea to do with white or clear balloons and fill up a bathtub for an elf bubble bath!
Here's an inexpensive elf on the shelf idea - your elf can make balloon animals! It's a fun idea to setup an area where the elf has been making balloons all night. You can get these at dollar stores or order online for less than $10, plus it doubles as a gift!
Speaking of gifts, this elf is doing the fun bubblegum blowing contest, but he brought gifts to the kids so they can blow their own bubbles too! You can print the free note here too.
Here's another tutorial on how to stuff an elf into a ballon - this time it's a video if you need some extra help.
Who says the balloons have to be blown up? These balloons are cut up and used as cool masks for apples that are turned into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
I don't know why, but this picture is just TOO cute! I love the idea of the balloons actually looking like they are floating, but they're simply taped to the wall. And that elf flying? Too cute!
Like the bubble bath idea, but with a twist. This is a little mischievous elf that blew up all the balloons and stashed them in the tub! You could do this anywhere in the house, really.
If your have an elf that loves mischief, balloons are a great thing to use because they really cause no mess and are inexpensive. Check out this balloon door prank - when the child opens their door, there will be an avalanche of balloons!
Kinda obsessed with how cute these balloons are turned into a string of Christmas lights! Again, looks elaborate, but all you need is some string, green plastic cups and balloons!
Sticking with that bit of a naughty elf theme, check out this elf. He made a hot air balloon with a pair of the kids underwear!
Who knew?! They actually make Elf on the Shelf balloons. I found these at Etsy.
If you like having everything ready to go for your Elf on the Shelf, you'll love this "I'm Back" balloon kit. It comes with everything you need for the full arrival setup!
If you have kiddos that love to watch parades, they'll recognize this setup immediately! What better elf on the shelf ideas with balloons than a Macy's Parade setup!?
Need more elf balloon ideas? You can purchase this official Elf on the Shelf "hot air balloon" accessory on Amazon.
Alison Langley
Thursday 15th of December 2022
Such cute ideas!! Thanks for sharing!!!