This chilled-out Christmas elf is taking a break from mischief to focus on his wellbeing! Set up with a printable yoga pose chart beside him, a mini mat and even a tiny towel, he’s ready for some festive stretching. It’s one of those easy elf ideas that looks great, takes minutes to set up, and always gets a smile.
You can use this elf yoga chart image for inspiration (opens an external image), or make your own simple chart with stick figures. If you want to take it a step further, pose a few dolls or toys nearby like they’re joining his class – bonus points if they look less flexible than the elf!
What you’ll need:
- One official Elf on the Shelf doll (paid link)
- A printable elf yoga chart or poster
- A small mat cut from spare fabric or craft foam, or a sheet of craft felt (paid link)
- A tiny towel or strip of paper
- Optional: dolls or toys for fellow yoga students
- Optional posing upgrade: The ELF Flex bendy-elf upgrade kit (paid link) for an adult to fit following the manufacturer’s instructions
Setup:
Lay down the elf’s yoga mat and place the printable beside him. Position your elf in a stretching or seated pose, and if you’ve added toy friends, have them copy (badly!). This simple funny elf idea is quick to make and works beautifully on a shelf, table or windowsill.
For another festive setup, try elf takes a day off or making a cosy elf bed.
An adult can fit the wire posing kit if you want the arms and legs to hold a particular bend. It involves opening and resewing seams, so follow the kit instructions. It does not guarantee that the elf will stand unaided; a seated stretch or a supported pose is still the easiest setup.
Make it cheaply:
Use a folded tea towel as the mat and a seated pose supported by a toy or a rolled cloth. Draw a couple of stick-figure stretches on scrap paper. You can make the whole scene without altering the doll.
