
If you’re new to the parenting game, you’ve probably wondered, “What the heck is Elf on the Shelf?”
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition where a special scout is sent to your home from the North Pole to encourage kids to behave themselves. The idea is that Santa’s little helper watches the children by day, and each night, it returns to the North Pole to report on whether they were naughty or nice.
The Christmas tradition has just two rules. First, children are not allowed to touch the elf or it will lose its magic. If an elf is touched by mistake, the official Elf on the Shelf website advises children write a letter to Santa to apologize and sprinkle a little cinnamon beside the elf before bed.
“Cinnamon is like vitamins for scout elves, and it helps them get back to the North Pole,” the website reads. “Once they arrive, the North Pole doctors will check them out.”
The second rule of Elf on the Shelf is that the elf will not speak or move while the kids are awake. The elf only moves at night when it makes its trip back to the North Pole. Once it returns home, it then assumes a new position in the house.
In the past, we’ve seen the elf get up to all sorts of crazy antics, from playing poker to taking selfies to sunbathing on the kitchen counter.
Welcome Back!

When your elf returns for another December of fun, have him arrive with a sweet message.
Source: Tumblr
Snowball Fight With A Buddy

Set up some Lego forts and arm your elf with mini marshmallows for a friendly snowball fight with your child's favourite toy.
Source: Nelly Cole Photography
Harry Potter Elf

If you can find or fashion some tiny glasses, this set-up will be a winner for a little Harry Potter fan (or fun for a big Harry Potter fan).
Source: Shelf the Elf
Stocking Switcheroo

Are your stockings hung by the chimney with care? Have your elf switch them out with your silliest pairs of underwear of each family member.
Source: She Knows
Cookie Tease

Poor Cookie Monster! Your elf could enjoy some cookies just out of his reach if he's feeling naughty, or invite him in to share if he wants to stay on Santa's nice list.
Source: Blogspot
Wrap Up The Toilet

If you're a fan of putting cling wrap over the toilet seat on April Fool’s Day, then you'll probably enjoy wrapping your toilet to help your elf play a trick.
Source: Blogspot
Playing With An Abacus

Elves have to learn too -- and they can do it with your child's abacus, or another favourite educational toy.
Source: Craftulate
Helping With Morning Coffee

Put your elf to work by getting her to have your coffee pod ready and waiting in the morning.
Source: Raining Hot Coupons
Play A Game

Have your elf hide a few Christmas treats -- how quickly can your kids find them?
Source: Skinny Mom
TP The Tree

Sometimes those elves are kind of naughty -- for example, by adding some uncalled-for decorations to your Christmas tree.
Source: My Crazy Good Life
Movie Night

Set up your elf with some pillows (so she can see the TV) and a popcorn snack. Then, pop a favourite holiday movie in the DVD player.
Source: Indulgy
Fun With The Photocopier

Your elf decided that one of him just isn't enough, so he made a copy overnight.
Source: Pinterest
Spa Day!

Your elf has been working hard all month! Give her a break with a fluffy towel and a hot shower.
Source: Pinterest
Scrabble

Overnight your elf broke out the Scrabble set and spelled out his favourite holiday words.
Source: Rocking My 365 Project
Elf On Strike

Are your kids vying for a spot on the naughty list? A striking elf and a little note might be a good reminder to focus on great behaviour.
Source: Over the Big Moon
Getting Into The Syrup

If you've seen Elf, then you know that elves love syrup!
Source: Pinterest
Meet The Dinosaurs

Have some dinosaurs left over from Dinovember? Set them up on a play date with your elf.
Source: Media Cache
Making Snowflakes

Help your elf cut up some tiny snowflakes. And maybe you can put hooks on them and hang them on the tree once you've put him away for the day.
Source: Pretty Providence
Read A Book

Pick out a holiday-themed book, have your elf present it in the morning, and start the day by reading a story together.
Source: Blogspot
Let's Build A Snowman

Has it snowed in your town? Then put together a few snowballs and have them chill out with your elf in the freezer overnight.
Source: Blogspot
Colour A Picture

Elves have an artistic side and sometimes they need to let it out. For example, with your child's colouring book and crayons.
Source: Blogspot
Snow Angels

A little bit of spilled flour or sugar is a delight for the elf who wants to make snow angels.
Source: Skinny Mom
Reindeer Noses

Are your kids heavy sleepers? Break out some washable paint and give them reindeer noses overnight, courtesy of the elf.
Source: Rae of Light Photography
Sack Race

With a few paper bags, you can set your elf up on a race with the household toys.
Source: Blogspot
Bath In The Sink

Elves love sweets, which means they love marshmallows -- so much that they bathe in them!
Source: Bombshell Bling
Breakfast For The Family

Have your elf ready and waiting with family breakfast -- including syrup, of course. Make sure there are some tiny pancakes for her too!
Source: Home Stories A to Z
Help The Needy

Set up your elf with some non-perishable goods and a note suggesting you all make a trip to drop them off at the food bank. You could also do this with gifts to donate to a toy drive.
Source: Blogspot
Ready For A Nap

Sometimes elves miss the chill of the North Pole. A nap in the butter compartment seems cozy to a homesick elf.
Source: Media Cache
Encourage Potty Training

Are you working on getting your child to use the potty? A little bit of encouragement from the elf -- complete with a chocolate-chip potty deposit -- might do the trick.
Source: Clumsy Crafter
Say Goodbye

Give your elf a great send-off after Christmas with a sweet letter on Christmas Eve, just before your friend heads back to the North Pole for another year.
Source: Pretty Providence
The world was first introduced to the Elf on the Shelf in 2005. That year, Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell published a children’s book called The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. They teamed up with Aebersold’s other daughter, Christa Pitts, to market the book to kids.
The story was based on the family’s own holiday tradition that started in the 1970s. In their household, an elf would appear every year after Thanksgiving to keep an eye on the children and prevent them from misbehaving.
In 2008, the book won a number of awards, including the Best Toy Award by Learning Express and Book of the Year Award from Creative Child Awards.
Phenomenon continues
Today, the book has become a bestseller and inspired an animated TV movie called “An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf.” The phenomenon has become so strong that the Elf on the Shelf is also now a regular at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
Kids can adopt an elf and register it online. They can even receive a personalized adoption certificate and letter from Santa.
Usually, the Elf on the Shelf arrives at the end of November or beginning of December.
Also on HuffPost: The hottest toys for the kids on your list. On mobile? Click on the gallery to bring the photos up full-size.
Ms. Monopoly

KidKraft Maker's Space Project Station

Baby Shark Song Puppet with Tempo Control

Mukikim Rock and Roll It - Piano Rainbow

Marvel Legends Series Avengers: Endgame Power Gauntlet Articulated Electronic Fist

LUSTIGT 7-piece weaving loom set

FurReal - Disney The Lion King Mighty Roar Simba Interactive Plush

Little Live Rainglow Unicorn Vet Set

Osmo - Detective Agency: A Search & Find Mystery Game

Play-Doh Stamp 'n Top Pizza Oven Toy

Sharon, Lois And Bram's "Skinnamarink"

LEGO Friends Heartlake City Amusement Pier

L.O.L. Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper

Wow! Stuff Deluxe Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak

Spin Master Boxer Robot

Sesame Street Love to Hug Elmo

CIRKUSTÄLT Children's tent

Treasure X: Aliens Single Pack

"Guts" by Raina Telgemeier

Pictionary Air Drawing Family Game

Eco Recycled Plastic Rocket Ship Toy

Casdon Dyson Cord-free Vacuum

Baby Alive Happy Hungry Baby

Disney Frozen 2 Plush Olaf, 24-in

Melissa and Doug Folding Princess Castle

furReal Cubby, the Curious Bear, Interactive Plush Toy

Osmo Little Genius Kit

DUKTIG 24-piece pizza set

Sharper Image Fun Classic Lightweight Launch Pad Portable Tabletop Basketball Game

Owleez Interactive Baby Owl Toy

Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tabletop Vehicle Set Town

LeapFrog RockIt Twist

PAW Patrol, Super Paws, 2-in-1 Transforming Mighty Pups Jet Command Center with Lights and Sounds

LEGO Star War Millennium Falcon

LUSTIGT Tag game with vest and balls

RELATED
Cheeky Elf On The Shelf Ideas That Will Get Your Kids Laughing
Elf On The Shelf Ideas: 24 Naughty Photos Adults Will Love
When Does Elf On The Shelf Leave?
Stocking Stuffers Under $20 That Every Kid Will Love
Also on HuffPost
Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.