Where did your elf land this morning? These 24 free pages bring Santa’s Scout Elves to life in all their mischievous glory. Little hands will love the big bold shapes and thick easy lines on friendly elf faces, while older kids can dive into busy North Pole scenes with workshop tools, tangled lights, and flying reindeer. You’ll find both boy and girl elves, classic shelf-sitting poses, and plenty of silly trouble. Fun fact: The whole tradition started in the 1970s when a family named their elf “Fisbee”—and it became a picture book in 2005!
What’s Inside This Collection?
For Little Hands: Start with the Boy Elf Face Portrait Coloring Page—big shapes, thick lines, and that classic pointy hat make it easy to stay inside the lines.
For Young Artists: Try the Elf Tangled in Christmas Lights Coloring Page—loops of wire and tiny bulbs give more spots to color, plus that surprised elf face is too funny!
For a Challenge: Go for the Elf in Santa Workshop Coloring Page—tools, toys, and workbenches make a full North Pole scene to bring to life.
Fan Favorite: Don’t miss the Boy Elf with Reindeer Friend Coloring Page—it captures the sweet friendship between a Scout Elf and a cuddly Elf Pets Reindeer!
Boy Elf Face Portrait Coloring Page
A close-up portrait of the Boy Elf with his pointy hat and smile.
Girl Elf Face Portrait Coloring Page
A close-up of the Girl Elf with eyelashes and festive hat.
Elf Sitting on Shelf Coloring Page
A classic Elf sitting on a shelf with legs dangling down.
Elf Hiding in Gift Box Coloring Page
An Elf peeking out from inside a wrapped gift box.
Elf Waving Hello Coloring Page
A friendly elf standing and waving with a big cheerful smile.
Boy Elf Holding Candy Cane Coloring Page
A playful boy elf proudly holding a large striped candy cane.
Girl Elf Standing with Skirt Coloring Page
A cute girl elf standing in her festive skirt outfit.
Boy Elf Climbing Christmas Tree Coloring Page
A mischievous boy elf climbing up a decorated Christmas tree.
Girl Elf with Gift Box Coloring Page
A cheerful girl elf carrying a wrapped gift box with bow.
Two Elves Sitting Together Coloring Page
A boy elf and girl elf sitting side by side on a shelf.
Elf Tangled in Christmas Lights Coloring Page
A funny elf wrapped up in a string of Christmas lights.
Elf Drawing on Wall Mischief Coloring Page
A naughty elf caught drawing on the wall with markers.
Girl Elf Reading Book on Shelf Coloring Page
A girl elf quietly reading a storybook on her cozy shelf.
Elf Peeking from Christmas Tree Coloring Page
A sneaky elf hiding among the ornaments of a Christmas tree.
Elf Holding Christmas Stocking Coloring Page
An elf holding a big stocking overflowing with toys and candy.
Elf Watching Family from Shelf Coloring Page
A scout elf watching over a cozy family Christmas scene.
Boy Elf with Reindeer Friend Coloring Page
A boy elf hugging a cute small reindeer friend.
Elf in Santa Workshop Coloring Page
A busy elf working at a toy-making bench in Santa's workshop.
Elf Flying with Reindeer Coloring Page
An adventurous elf riding a flying reindeer through the sky.
Elf Decorating Gingerbread House Coloring Page
A creative elf decorating a sweet gingerbread house with icing.
Elf Delivering Letters to North Pole Coloring Page
An elf carrying a sack of letters to the North Pole mailbox.
Elf and Santa Claus Together Coloring Page
A cheerful elf standing beside Santa Claus with gift sacks.
Girl Elf Sledding Down Hill Coloring Page
A joyful girl elf sledding down a snowy winter hill.
Elf Writing Letter to Santa Coloring Page
An elf at a tiny desk writing a report letter to Santa.
Tips for Coloring These Elf on the Shelf Pages
These pages mix bold outlines with detailed holiday scenes. Crayons or washable markers work great for the simple portraits, while colored pencils or fine-tip markers help with the workshop, reindeer flights, and gingerbread details.
Pro Tip: Want the elf’s outfit to really pop? Add darker shades in the folds of hats, skirts, and collars—it makes the fabric look real. For that bright “Santa Red” suit, layer two reds (dark then light) and keep the white collar crisp!
Creative Ideas & Fun Facts
Did You Know?
- Scout Elves fly to the North Pole every single night to give Santa a full report—then hide in a new spot by morning!
- The number one rule: don’t touch the elf, or it might lose its Christmas magic.
- If someone accidentally touches your elf, sprinkle cinnamon nearby—it works like vitamins for elves and helps restore the magic!
- An elf only gets its magic after you adopt it and give it a name.
Make Your Pages Even Cooler
- Magic Recovery Kit – Color the Elf Sitting on Shelf Coloring Page. If someone touches your real elf, place this colored page next to it with a sprinkle of cinnamon to help restore its magic overnight!
- Naming Certificate – Use the Boy Elf Face Portrait Coloring Page or Girl Elf Face Portrait Coloring Page. Write your elf’s name in big fancy letters at the bottom to make an official adoption certificate.
- Hide and Seek Game – Color and cut out the Elf Hiding in Gift Box Coloring Page, then hide your paper elf around the house for family to find each morning—just like the real thing!
- Letter to Santa ⭐ INTERACTIVE – On the Elf Writing Letter to Santa Coloring Page, write a short wish list on the paper the elf is holding FIRST, then color the rest of the scene.
- Candy-Cane Stripes – On the Boy Elf Holding Candy Cane Coloring Page, alternate two reds (dark and light) for curved stripes. Outline each stripe lightly first for crisp lines.
- Lights That Glow ⭐ INTERACTIVE – Look at a photo of real holiday lights, THEN color the Elf Tangled in Christmas Lights Coloring Page with bright centers fading to lighter edges for a glowing effect.
- Reindeer Heart Magic – On the Boy Elf with Reindeer Friend Coloring Page, color the reindeer’s heart charm with gold glitter glue (or yellow crayon pressed hard) to show it’s full of Christmas spirit!
- Mischief Evidence – Color the Elf Drawing on Wall Mischief Coloring Page, then tape it to your wall with removable tape to make it look like your elf has been decorating!
- Workshop Wood Tones – For the Elf in Santa Workshop Coloring Page, layer brown and orange pencil for warm wood, then add tiny lines for wood grain texture.
- Gingerbread Icing Art – On the Elf Decorating Gingerbread House Coloring Page, dot white pencil or gel pen to mimic sugary sprinkles and icing swirls. No gel pen? White crayon works too!
- North Pole Post Office – On the Elf Delivering Letters to North Pole Coloring Page, draw extra envelopes in the elf’s bag and address them to your friends or family.
- Sky Trails – On the Elf Flying with Reindeer Coloring Page, draw faint arcing trails behind the hooves and add tiny stars for a magical night flight scene.
The Elf on the Shelf Tradition Marks 20th Anniversary Milestone
