Reindeer Poop

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

How it's done

Your elf is found sitting on the living room rug with a pile of chocolate candies scattered nearby. A small printable sign next to the elf explains that these are reindeer droppings left behind during a midnight snack. This setup is incredibly easy to arrange in five minutes before bed. Since chocolate is toxic to pets, be sure to place the candies on a high surface or ensure your dog cannot reach the area. This silly scene is a hit with kids ages three to ten. Inspired by What Moms Love.

You'll need

  • chocolate candy
  • printable sign

affiliate Cart icons link to Amazon search.

Pets in the house?

Chocolate is toxic to dogs, keep out of pet 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). Difficulty 2 means it uses items you already own and takes about five minutes, quick but visibly intentional.

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.

Need an idea for tomorrow?

Tell us about your house and kids, we'll pick 5 more ideas personalized for you.

Try the generator →

Also: See all Living Room ideas · Browse the full guide

More Living Room ideas

Other quick ideas

Related guides from Elf Planner

More ideas, templates, and rescue plays from our writing.