Toilet Bowl Goldfish Fishing
How it's done
Your elf sits perched on the closed toilet lid, holding a makeshift fishing pole fashioned from a twig or a straw. A piece of yarn dangles into the bowl, where a small handful of Goldfish crackers floats to create the illusion of a successful catch. This scene is perfect for younger kids who appreciate a silly morning surprise without any real cleanup required afterward. Simply flush the crackers and toss the yarn when you are ready to reset. It is a quick setup that works for any bathroom, and this idea was Inspired by The Soccer Mom Blog.
Should be fine around pets as long as you place it out of reach.
Why this works
Bathroom scenes lean into universal kid humor (toilets, toothpaste, bubbles). They're memorable, they clean up fast, and they always get a laugh. 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 Cereal-Filled Toilet , 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 The Soccer Mom Blog . Visit the original post for more photos and the full backstory.
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