M&M Paint Setup
How it's done
Your elf sits at the kitchen table surrounded by a few stray M&Ms and an open paint set. It appears they have been busy meticulously painting festive designs or colors onto the individual candies. You will need a small paintbrush and a plate to contain the project, but the cleanup is minimal since the candy stays in one spot. This setup works best for children who are patient enough to admire the fine detail. It is a time-intensive project for parents to prep, but it creates a great visual for the morning. Inspired by Another Mommy Blogger.
Should be fine around pets as long as you place it out of reach.
Why this works
The kitchen is the first room most kids visit in the morning, for cereal, for milk, for the toaster. An elf scene staged here has the highest odds of being the first thing your child spots and shouts about. Difficulty 4 is an ambitious scene that rewards the extra effort, the kind of moment kids remember years later.
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 Another Mommy Blogger . Visit the original post for more photos and the full backstory.
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