13 adorable Elf on the Shelf accessories to help you surprise your kids this holiday season

Among the most popular Christmas traditions in households with children is the interactive Elf on the Shelf. The adults tell the kids that these plush toys are secret scouts for Santa and that they report to him each night on whether the kids are naughty or nice. The adults then hide the elf in a new location each day for the kids to find. But finding the same elf over and over can get a little boring. That’s when you break out the Elf on the Shelf accessories.

In this article: Elf On The Shelf Starter Set, Elf On The Shelf Scout Elves At Play Set and Elf On The Shelf Letters To Santa Kit.

Elf on the Shelf rules

If you’ve never used an Elf on the Shelf before, there are a few rules you need to know.

• First, your Elf on the Shelf cannot arrive any sooner than Nov. 24 and cannot leave any later than Christmas Eve.
• Secondly, an Elf on the Shelf cannot talk, only listen and observe.
• Finally, no one can touch the Elf on a Shelf or it loses its magic. If it must be moved for any reason, an adult can do so as long as their skin doesn’t touch it. Oven mitts are a common protection. If the elf is touched, there are some methods to help it get its magic back. Having whoever touched it write a letter of apology to Santa is a good start.

Elf on the Shelf accessory types

There are four types of Elf on the Shelf accessories.

• Clothing: These consist of new threads for your Elf on the Shelf to put on. These can lead to stories to tell your children about where the elf has been recently. Many clothing accessories come in sets.
• Play: These are toys and other items your elf and your children can play with. Some are more extravagant, and in turn more expensive, than others.
• Pet: These are stuffed animals that keep your elf company or that your children can play with.
• Other: Accessories that don’t easily fall into the main three categories get rounded up here, including books and decorations.

Cost

The Elf on the Shelf starter set costs $30. Elf on the Shelf accessories typically cost $10-$30.

Best Elves on the Shelf

Elf On The Shelf Starter Set

This is what you need to begin your new tradition. It includes the Elf on the Shelf (available in boy or girl options and two skin tones), a storybook, an adoption certificate and a keepsake box.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Plushee Pals Huggable Girl (27 Inches)

This extra-large Plushee Pal is a whopping 27 inches tall. It’s meant to be hugged and played with, unlike the standard and ever-watchful Elf on the Shelf. It is available in boy and girl options and two skin tones.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Plushee Pals Girl (17 Inches)  

This Plushee Pal is 17 inches tall, though it’s still meant to be played with. It is available in boy and girl options and two skin tones.

Sold by Amazon

Elf on the Shelf Plushee Pal Boy (17 Inches)

This Plushee Pal is also 17 inches tall, but it has a different design, as the hair fluffs out from the head rather than being flat. It is available in boy and girl options and two skin tones.

Sold by Amazon

Best Elf on the Shelf clothing accessories

Elf On The Shelf Claus Couture Snowflake Skirt and Scarf Set

This clothing set is perfect for the fashion-minded Elf on the Shelf in your home. Both items are simple but have a splash of cuteness, thanks to the skirt’s snowflakes and the polka dots of the scarf.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Sweater Set

This sweater set gives you six looks in one with five decals that stick to the front of the sweater. The designs include a candy cane, a gingerbread house and a Christmas tree.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Party Skirt Set

This clothing set includes two skirts, so you can either change things up on one elf or dress a second elf if you have one. Both skirts have an eye-catching shine.

Sold by Amazon

Best Elf on the Shelf play accessories

Elf On The Shelf Scout Elves At Play Set 

This set includes a large range of accessories that allow your elf to communicate with various signs or go on exciting adventures. There’s also a book full of ideas for situations your elf can get into.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Cabin Playset

This playset is meant to be used with an Elf on the Shelf pet accessory. It includes a cabin to protect the pet, a playpen to let it roam and little accessories, including a teddy bear and food bowl.

Sold by Amazon

Best Elf on the Shelf pet accessories

Elf On The Shelf Elf Pets: An Arctic Fox Tradition

This set includes a plush arctic fox with a glow-in-the-dark snow globe for a collar tag. It also includes a storybook about the fox, so you and your children can learn about its history.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Elf Pets Figures Multi-Pack

This multipack contains little plastic versions of all three of the main plush animals: a dog, a cat and a reindeer. Their heads can turn so they can be posed with your Elf on the Shelf.

Sold by Amazon

Other best Elf on the Shelf accessories

Elf On The Shelf Letters To Santa Kit

This letter-writing kit is the perfect way to get your children to tell you exactly what they want for Christmas. It comes with a storybook to help pass the days as they wait for Christmas morning.

Sold by Amazon

Elf On The Shelf Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale DVD

This 28-minute animated musical short film is based on the storybook included in the arctic fox pet accessory. It has a sing-along version packed in and a filmmaker’s commentary.

Sold by Amazon

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. 

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. 

Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.