If your elf needs a bit of inspiration, these cheeky elf tricks might be just the thing. All you need to do is set up the trick and leave an instruction card out for children to solve the puzzle!
The challenge cards are free to save and print!
Easy Cheeky Elf Tricks
- Spin eggs to try and spot the boiled one!
- Clean up tissue paper mess with a balloon charged with static electricity.
- Use water to switch the direction of signs pointing to the North Pole.
- Make a jumping bean with a marble and kitchen foil!
- Make a coin disappear using just a glass and water.
- Use vinegar to remove the shell from an egg!
- Create a water and oil jar.
- Make a bubbly lava lamp!
Cheeky Elf Challenge Cards
Print, choose your favourite, and start experimenting.
Which egg is boiled?
Leave a mixture of boiled and unboiled eggs with the elf…the challenge is to work out which eggs are which!
The difference is how they spin. The unboiled egg wobbles rather than spins!
Clean it up
Place small pieces of tissue paper on the floor with a balloon nearby.
The idea is to charge the balloon with static electricity to pick up the tissue paper pieces.
Which way?
For this activity, you need to create some small paper signs. If you place a glass of water in front of them, the arrow will reverse!
We’ve made reversing arrows before with an Alice in Wonderland theme.
Elf bouncy eggs
Use vinegar to dissolve the shell of an egg and then place it in coloured water!
You should be able to bounce the eggs too, but be careful as they can break!
Elf Jumping Bean
Make an elf jumping bean! You’ll be amazed by how it jumps and bounces around.
Magic Disappearing Coins
Place a glass over a coin and fill it with water. The coin seems to disappear! This clever trick of light will amaze your friends and family.
Magic Water
Pour a layer of cooking oil over coloured water, seal the jar, shake and watch the colours separate!
As an extension task try to find a small object that will flor on water, but not oil
Elf Lava Lamp
To make a festive lava lamp, you’ll need coloured water, a jar, oil and an effervescent vitamin tablet. Place the tablet in the jar and watch the fizz.
The great thing about these is that if you keep adding effervescent vitamin tablets, they’ll keep bubbling away.
Can you think of any more cheeky elf tricks for us?
Last Updated on December 12, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
