Elf on the Shelf Rules Printable for Kids

This Elf on the Shelf rules printable for kids is a great way for your kids to understand your Elf tradition. Print this free rules list, and your kids will know exactly what they can and cannot do with their special holiday elf doll.

printable elf on the shelf rules for kids

Table Of Contents

WHY DO I NEED RULES FOR MY ELF ON THE SHELF?
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR ELF ON THE SHELF? {Top 5 Important Rules for Elf on the Shelf}
HOW TO USE THE PRINTABLE ELF ON THE SHELF RULES
ELF ON THE SHELF RULES PRINTABLE FOR KIDS (Free Download)

WHY DO I NEED RULES FOR MY ELF ON THE SHELF?

Elf on the Shelf has been a fun tradition done by lots of families. It’s a cute way to encourage your kids to behave themselves while Santa’s elf is visiting them for the holiday. The little elf symbolizes Santa’s helper.

The Elf is supposed to watch the children by day, which encourages good behavior. If you find this a bit creepy (some people find the whole elf concept creepy, although I personally think it’s all in good fun), you can downplay this and just focus on the elf’s antics.

During the night, the elf returns home to the North Pole to report whether the kids were either naughty or nice. Click here for simple ideas for what your elf can do each day.

These simple rules for Elf on the Shelf will ensure that your kids stay on Santa’s nice list. This list gives your kids guidelines of what to do and what not to do.

Elf gets into marshmallows. — Elf gets into a bag of marshmallows.

Elf on the Shelf is about tradition, as well. Having an Elf on the Shelf at home gives some great memories to you and your kids.

Our family has been doing Elf on the Shelf for years. Now our kids have mostly outgrown it, but we still get the Elf out each season and move him around. For a few years I even posted the photos every day on my Facebook page, and people got such a kick out of it. These days, I send pictures to my adult kids so they can still enjoy the elf experience.

I wonder if I’ll still be moving the elf around when we are empty nesters?

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR ELF ON THE SHELF? {Top 5 Important Rules for Elf on the Shelf}

This Elf on the Shelf rules printable has 5 things that the kids should follow.

1. Don’t touch the Elf

When the elf is touched by the kids, it will lose its powers. Therefore, the elf won’t be able to return to the North Pole and tell Santa about how the kids behaved. (In other words, the elf doesn’t move for the night if kids touch it.)

2. The Elf won’t answer back

Kids can talk to the elf during day visits. They can tell the elf anything they want – like, what they want to receive for Christmas, or if they have a message for Santa. The elf will listen. However, it will not answer back.

3. The Elf will collect Santa letters

Children can write letters to give to Santa, and the elf will personally deliver the letters to Santa at night.

4. The Elf will be Santa’s eyes

Since Santa Claus is busy and there are a lot of kids all over the world, he asked his little helpers to watch over them first.

5. Nice list

With this little elf, Santa will know who was nice or naughty. So be good, for goodness sake!

HOW TO USE THE PRINTABLE ELF ON THE SHELF RULES

This Elf on the Shelf rules printable is easy to use. Just print it off and you are ready to go. Here are a couple of ideas for where you should put your rules:

Beside the elf
On top of the fireplace
Stick it on the fridge
Front door (inside)
Bathroom mirror

You can print as many as you need, so you can place the rules around a couple of areas in the house. Just make sure the kids are able to see it.