Our elf has been practising a magic trick. A coin is sitting beside his cup, but apparently it is about to disappear. 🪄
The red cloth is ready, the note says “Where did it go?” and the magician looks unusually confident.
This easy elf idea uses a little paper cover to hide a coin in plain sight. It is a simple illusion for an adult to demonstrate in the morning.
What you’ll need:
- One official Elf on the Shelf doll (paid link)
- A clear plastic cup or a tumbler handled by an adult
- Two matching sheets of plain white paper
- One coin
- A small cloth, tape and scissors
- A folded cloth to support your elf
- A paper note
Setup:
Trace the cup’s rim onto one white sheet and cut out the circle. Tape that circle neatly across the open mouth, then turn the cup upside down on the second white sheet. The closed base should now be at the top, with the paper-covered mouth against the mat. Place the coin beside the cup, leave a small red cloth nearby and sit your elf behind the trick with his note. In the morning, cover the cup with the cloth before moving it over the coin. Lift away the cloth while leaving the cup down: the matching white circle hides the coin underneath. Cover the cup again before moving it aside, then reveal the coin in its original place. Practise once yourself so the paper edge blends into the mat and the move stays secret. The elf is setting up a little performance, rather than hiding a coin inside the cup.
Use what you have:
A clean, clear plastic cup works well, and the plain reverse of wrapping paper can provide both matching pieces. Use a small paper coin for pretend play if preferred. A napkin or clean sock can be the magician’s cloth, so there is no need for a magic set.
Try the three-cup guessing game or the wax-resist secret message for another elf scene.
