Frozen Solid Ice Man

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Living Room Difficulty ●●●○○ Messiness ●●○○○ Ages 3–10

How it's done

Your elf has been caught in a sudden arctic chill, frozen completely solid while trying to cross the living room. Wrap your scout in a piece of white fabric or a scrap of fleece, then use markers to draw a shivering face on the exterior of the wrap. Secure the edges with clear tape so the elf looks stiff and encased in ice. This setup is great for younger children who enjoy dramatic storytelling, and cleanup is nearly nonexistent. This freezing act was Inspired by What Moms Love.

You'll need

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Pets in the house?

Should be fine around pets as long as you place it out of reach.

Why this works

Living-room scenes are the most photogenic. The Christmas tree, the couch, the mantel all frame the elf beautifully for the family photo you'll actually take (and maybe post). This mid-difficulty scene trades a little more setup time for a bigger 'wow' moment when your kids walk in.

Variations

  • Bigger-kid twist: For an older crowd that sees through simple scenes, step up to Canvas Self Portrait Art , same room, cleverer setup.

If it doesn't go to plan

If the elf ends up too well-hidden and the kids can't find it, nudge them with a vague hint ("Looks like our elf went somewhere cozy"), the discovery is the point.

Inspired by What Moms Love . Visit the original post for more photos and the full backstory.

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