Get ready for one of the most magical and merry traditions of the season—Christmas Elf Week! This year, the Virtual Book Club for Kids is sprinkling extra holiday fun into our weekly planner with the featured book How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace.
This playful, laugh-out-loud story sets the perfect stage for a week filled with hands-on Christmas activities, early learning fun, and festive sensory play your kids will absolutely love.
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Find Your Activity Plan Here
Christmas Elf Activities Inspired by How to Catch an Elf
Inspired by the mischievous adventures of Santa’s quick-footed helper, we’ve gathered a collection of Christmas Elf–themed activities designed to keep little hands busy and little minds learning all week long. From sensory play and pretend baking to alphabet games, math challenges, crafts, and even a tasty holiday snack, this week is packed with ways to extend the joy of the story into meaningful play.
You can start things off with your adorable Kindness Elves.
How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
How to Catch an Elf follows a quick, clever Christmas elf who teams up with Santa on Christmas Eve. As they visit homes around the world, the elf must dodge a series of creative and silly traps that children have set—each one designed to try and catch him! With playful rhymes, bright illustrations, and plenty of holiday humor, the story shows how the elf stays one step ahead, spreading Christmas cheer while outsmarting every trap along the way.
It’s a fun, festive read that invites kids to imagine the magic and mischief of Christmas night.
Don’t have the book? You can listen to a Read Aloud of How to Catch an Elf on YouTube
Want to get next week’s activity plan to do with your preschooler straight to your inbox? Then don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter. You’ll also receive a list of the books and themes for our online book club all the way through May so you can plan ahead.
Christmas Songs for Preschoolers
Get ready to add some musical magic to your Christmas Elf Week with a joyful collection of elf-themed songs perfect for preschoolers! These cheerful tunes bring the spirit of the season to life with catchy melodies, easy-to-learn lyrics, and playful beats that are perfect for dancing, singing, and learning.
From classic holiday favorites to silly elf adventures, this playlist keeps little ones entertained while reinforcing rhythm, counting, and movement. Turn up the music and let your preschoolers celebrate with elves in song!
The Night Before Christmas Song | The Elf on the Shelf
Five Little Elves | Super Simple Songs
Elf in My Pocket | The Learning Station
Ten Little Elves | Super Simple Songs
We Three Elves | The Wiggles
Christmas Elf Themed Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Each week we provide a simple plan of activities for you and your preschoolers to do together. Although we don’t have a strict schedule the one shown below works really well if you are planning a full week.
If not you can always carry out the activities on a single day or across a couple.
Christmas Elf Weekly Planner for Preschoolers
Christmas Elf Themed Sensory Play
Christmas Tree Playdough – Enjoy this open ended play activity with play dough! It is a great way to activate their sense of sight, smell, and touch.
You can also set up this fun Christmas Tree Sensory Bin.
Christmas Elf Themed Alphabet Activity
Elf ABC Activity – Your preschoolers can help Santa’s elves build lowercase letters with this hands-on alphabet activity.
You can also try this Elf Letter Matching Activity.
Elf Themed Math Activity
Elf Roll and Dot Number Game – A fun printable Christmas Elf Roll and Dot Number Game with three levels of difficulty – numeral recognition, simple addition and using doubles.
Want more? Try these this Elf Shape Activity.
Elf Snack Activity
Buddy the Elf Snack Mix – This Elf Snack Mix is a sweet-and-salty holiday treat packed with crunchy cereal, popcorn, pretzels, and festive candies—all tossed in a quick candy coating.
Add a little STEM fun with the Jumping Paper Cup Elf Craft.
Elf Craft Activity
Paper Plate Elf Craft – Craft a paper plate elf with your kids! This fun and creative Christmas DIY project is perfect for little hands and adds festive cheer to holiday crafting.
You can also make this adorable Elf Hat Craft or a Popsicle Stick Elf Craft.
Elf Books for Preschoolers
If you’re looking to fill your Christmas Elf Week with even more magic, these delightful elf-themed picture books are perfect for preschoolers and early readers. Each story brings a different kind of holiday fun—from tiny elves finding their place at the North Pole to silly interactive adventures, festive chases, and even a Hanukkah twist!
Whether you’re reading at home or in the classroom, these charming books are sure to spark imagination and get kids giggling as they explore the festive world of hardworking, mischievous, and heartwarming elves.
- The Littlest Elf by Brandi Dougherty
- Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe
- Santa’s Lost Elves by Rachel Hilz
- There’s an Elf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
- There’s No Such Thing as… Elves by Lucy Rowland
- We’re Going On An Elf Chase by Martha Mumford
Looking for more elf books? Explore our collection of our favorite elf books for kids!
Here are some additional weekly planners that you may also enjoy as you explore Christmas with your child this holiday season.
As you wrap up Christmas Elf Week, I hope these playful activities, festive crafts, cheerful songs, and magical books bring plenty of laughter and learning to your home or classroom. Whether your little ones were busy building letters like Santa’s helpers, mixing up tasty elf snacks, or dancing along to elf-themed songs, each moment helps make the season brighter and more meaningful.
Keep the holiday magic going by revisiting your favorite activities or trying new ones throughout the month. And remember—simple, joyful moments of connection are the true gifts we share with children this time of year.
Wishing you a week full of wonder, creativity, and a little extra elf mischief.
If you loved these activities, be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get free weekly planners all school year long—each one filled with book-inspired activities, songs, and playful learning ideas for your preschooler.
Join us and make story time the highlight of your preschool week!
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