How Old Should Your Kids Be to Start the Elf on the Shelf Tradition?

November 30th, 2012 · No Comments

Continuing my Elf on the Shelf Busy Parents Survival Guide, today I’m sharing thoughts on how old your kids should be when you start the Elf on the Shelf hide ‘n seek tradition. From my experience and from other Moms I have talked to, at 2-years-old, kids like and can participate in the hide ‘n seek game but it isn’t until they are 3 or 4-years-old that they understand the motivation behind it all.

But as for when to start, that depends on you. Let’s face it, the “hider” can get just as much joy out of this Holiday tradition as the kids. If you want to start when you first child is still a baby, go for it. If you want to create funny little scenes for just you and your spouse, have at it. Maybe don’t hide it every night but have it sitting out in the house somewhere as a decoration.

I wish I had my Elf on the Shelf when my kids were infants because then I could take pictures of the Elf with each baby and show them how the Elf was there for them from their very first Christmas.

One thing I do know is that at my online retail store, ChocolateCakeClub.com we have sold a lot of Elf on the Shelf as baby shower gifts. People were giving them as gifts to start a tradition for their new family. What a cool gift to give someone – a lifetime of fun and memories.

On the flip side, I remember how exhausted I was all the time after each of my children were born. If you are in that stage of mommyhood where you have a new baby or your toddlers are a handful and you just look forward to going to sleep, then skip it and wait until the kids are older and you feel more able to enjoy the tradition. It doesn’t take that much time but you do need to think about and remember to do it at a point in the day when you are most exhausted. If Elf on the Shelf is stressful for you, then it’s not worth it.

What do you think? How old should your kids be when you start Elf on the Shelf?

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When to Start the Elf on the Shelf Tradition

Elf on the Shelf Busy Parents Survival Guide