ELF ON THE SHELF COUNTDOWN

Who else is excited for Elf on the Shelf to come? Make a countdown until the big day he/she arrives!

We are Elf on the Shelf crazy at our house. The anticipation of him coming has my daughter full of excitement. Instead of her continuing to ask me everyday how long until he comes, we made a countdown. Its fun, educational, and interactive!

Materials:

• Countdown Templates
• printer
• scissors
• cardstock
• crayons/colored pencils/markers
• black marker
• green & red construction paper
• stapler
• Optional: tape, Post-it Notes, laminate sheets or laminator

Steps:

1.) Printing Templates: Depending on which elf you have (girl or boy), print that template. Then decide if your child/children are going to write out the numbers on the stars or use the already written out numbered stars. Print a total of 2 pages (countdown & stars)

2.) Elf Name: Next to “until” write your Elf’s name in a dark color so it shows up after coloring (we used a black sharpie).

3.) Color! Choose what medium from the list above you want to use. Then color in the countdown & stars. Label stars with numbers if you chose the unlabeled template.

4.) Cut out & laminate! Cut out the countdown template and then laminate. The purpose of the lamination is so your child/children can write the number of days left on the chain (above line) every day after they pull one piece of the chain off. If you don’t want to laminate, simple use post it notes or tape a sheet of paper with the number on there.

If you don’t want to make a chain, you can use the stars and tape a star everyday where the number goes, instead of writing it.

5.) Make the chain. Cut the red construction paper horizontally. See image below. Repeat with the green. You will need one strip for each day on the countdown. Putting the chain together: make an AB pattern with the red and green paper. Start by stapling the first circle (link) together, then place the next circle inside of it and repeat until done. You need one link for each day on the countdown.

6.) Add stars. This is optional. I added this part to help review/write numbers and to be more decorative. On top of the staples, with double side tape I attached the stars. Make sure the stars are going in the right direction (not upside down). Start at the top of the chain with #1 and work your way down.

7.) Attach together. Attach the chain to the countdown base with a staple. You can put it anywhere on the rectangle below the elf.

8.) Let the countdown begin! Pull off a piece of the chain. Then write how many days are left above (see options in step #4).