Our elf has built a snack vending machine. The price is one smile, which seems unusually reasonable for Christmas! 🍪
Little popcorn, crisp and biscuit packets sit behind the window. He’s already found the biscuit button and appears to be testing it more often than strictly necessary.
This funny elf idea makes a pretend machine from packaging. It can hold a small wrapped treat, or you can make every snack from paper.
What you’ll need:
- One official Elf on the Shelf doll (paid link)
- A small cardboard box
- A piece of clear packaging for the front window
- Scrap card for two shelves
- Paper for three little snack packets
- A pen, tape and scissors
- One optional small wrapped biscuit
- A paper coin marked “1 smile”
- Optional plain white card (paid link) for the homemade props
Setup:
Cut a window in the front of the box and tape clear packaging behind it. Add two little folded-card shelves inside, then stand three pretend snack packets on them. Draw a simple button panel down the side and cut a small collection opening near the bottom. Put the wrapped biscuit in that opening if you’re including one. Sit your elf beside the machine against a low support, resting one mitten near the biscuit button. Leave the paper coin in front and write “Elf snacks” above the window. The shelves and button panel are just for the display; you can lift out the treat by hand when the children have paid their very cheerful fee.
Make it cheaply:
Draw the entire machine on one folded card, including the snacks behind a pretend window. Make the paper coin from a scrap envelope and leave a handwritten voucher where the treat would appear. A cereal box supplies almost everything for the fuller version. You don’t need a toy till, working buttons or miniature branded food.
Try the tiny breakfast café or the North Pole post office for another elf scene.
