Start a new Christmas tradition with your family this year with the Kindness Elves–a refreshing variation on the Elf on the Shelf that can be used to encourage acts of kindness during the holidays. Children love these cute little Christmas Elves, and you will too!
Start a new Christmas tradition with the Kindness Elves. The Kindness Elves are a popular Christmas tradition for kids that can help encourage children to be kind to others. These adorable little elves love to visit your home during the holidays and share the Christmas spirit with your children. But, unlike the elf on the shelf, these Christmas Elves can help encourage children to commit small acts of kindness all year long!
And that’s just one of the many reasons my husband and I chose the Kindness Elves Christmas tradition instead of the Elf on the Shelf in our home. Read on to learn more about each of these Christmas Traditions, and discover several more reasons to choose kind elves over naughty ones. You might also enjoy these other Fun Family Christmas Traditions.
The “Elf on the Shelf” Versus the “Kindness Elves:”
The Elf on the Shelf and the Kindness Elves are both popular holiday traditions that add a touch of fun and whimsy to the season. However, they emphasize very different messages and approaches, especially for children. The Elf on the Shelf tradition features a scout elf who “watches” children and reports back to Santa each night about their behavior.
Every morning, the elf appears in a new spot, creating excitement as kids search for where it’s landed next. And people have invented several creative ways to display the elf in the morning. While this is a fun and playful way to build anticipation for Christmas, it’s based on the idea of monitoring behavior — rewarding good choices and discouraging naughty ones.
The Kindness Elves, on the other hand, turn that idea on its head. Instead of spying or reporting, these little elves encourage children to spread kindness and joy. Each day, the elves arrive with a small note or activity suggestion, such as baking cookies for a neighbor, writing a thank-you card, or helping clean a shared space. The focus is on generosity, empathy, kindness, and community spirit, rather than behavior tracking or “being good” for Santa.
For teachers and parents, the Kindness Elves can be a wonderful classroom or home activity that combines creativity with social-emotional learning. Kids still enjoy discovering where the elves are each day, but the excitement encourages thoughtful actions. The goal is to help children understand that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact. This transforms the holiday season into a time of giving, connection, and compassion, as it was meant to be.
Why I Choose the Kindness Elves Instead of the Elf on the Shelf:
The Kindness Elves are magical little friends who love to encourage children to perform small acts of kindness. My family appreciates this refreshing variation of the Elf on the Shelf nightmare. Sorry, no offense, but I am not a fan.
Tell me, what do The Elf and his mission have to do with the true meaning of Christmas? And, how can the antics of the Elf help my child develop into a well-rounded human being?
I know they are funny, but the Elf on the Shelf is nothing but bad news. I really don’t appreciate anyone calling my child naughty. There aren’t any bad children, or adults for that matter. There are only good children (and people) who make bad choices.
It’s up to us, as parents, to help our children make better choices. Not only can the kindness elves help children learn to share and make kind choices, but they can also guide them in choosing compassion over judgment.
No offense to those who love the adventures of The Elf on the Shelf
, but he’s not for my family. The messages that the Kindness Elves share with our children, on the other hand, are the type of life lessons I can get behind! You might also enjoy these Growth Mindset Books That Teach Kids Important Life Lessons.
The Magic of the Kindness Christmas Elves:
These kind little elves are magical friends that love to sprinkle kindness and joy wherever they go. They love to visit your home at Christmastime and other special times of the year to share happiness and spread joy with children.
They encourage children to perform small, random acts of kindness for others, rather than focusing on what’s in it for themselves. I’m sorry, but as I see it, the Elf on the Shelf
breeds nothing but shame and entitlement.
Have you ever seen a child throw a fit when The Elf was not moved or did not provide a new morning activity, gift, or treat? I have, and the reaction wasn’t very kind at all. I’d personally rather have these adorable Christmas elves and a simple stone advent calendar, or a spiral advent countdown calendar available for my kids to check on in the morning.
10 Reasons to Choose Kindness this Christmas:
There are several reasons our family decided to adopt the Kindness Elves Christmas tradition in our home, rather than the Elf on the Shelf. You might also enjoy reading about simple ways you can use the Elves to encourage kindness all year.
Here are the top 10 reasons to choose the Kindness Elves over the Elf on the Shelf:
- The Kindness Elves focus on positive character-building activities.
- They encourage kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness.
- Kindness Christmas Elves help motivate kids to serve others and perform random acts of kindness.
- The Elves model, direct, and prompt easy ways to be kind and helpful.
- There is no shame, blame, or naughtiness associated with Kindness Elves.
- Children can learn that it feels good to do things for others, as opposed to expecting others to do everything for them.
- They only share ideas and notice lovely things, as opposed to pointing out bad behavior.
- Treats and gifts are given ONLY as a way to thank children for their kindness.
- The mission of these cute little Elves is in line with the true spirit of Christmas. The holidays are about sharing kindness and encouraging our children to get involved, rather than shaming them by telling them they have been naughty or nice.
- Unlike the Elf on the Shelf, they can help encourage kindness and teach empathy throughout the year!
Related: Something to Read: Book Gift Ideas for Kids
Related: Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make Your Family Will LOVE!
Christmas Kindness Activities for Kids: How to Use the Elves
Encourage children to experience the joy of doing something nice for someone else and witness the positive effects of kindness with the Kindness Elves activity instructions below:
- The Kindness Elves leave an act of kindness suggestion with a mission for your children to find and follow.
- Invite children to look for the latest kindness suggestion from the elves and encourage them to accomplish the mission from the Kindness Elves.
- Once children have completed their gesture of kindness as suggested, the elves will leave the children a little postcard congratulating them on their act of kindness that your children can record in their Little Book of Big Kindnesses.
- Children wait enthusiastically for the next act of kindness suggestion from their favorite little Elves. Get your own set HERE!
Related: Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
Where to Buy Kindness Elves:
The Kindness Christmas Elves are currently only available for purchase on their website. There are several different Elf activity sets available that make it possible to go on kindness adventures with the elves year-round. Get your own set of these adorable little Christmas elves with our affiliate link HERE!
Related: 15 Ways to Raise a Helper
Different Kind of Elves for Christmas
Start a new Christmas tradition with your family this year with the Kindness Elves. The Kindness Elves are the elves that carry the spirit of Christmas into your home.
Experience the remarkable impact the Kindness Elves have in the home by encouraging kids to carry out daily Acts of Kindness for their siblings, friends, and neighbors. Children love the Kindness Elves, and you will too!
Try making and passing Rainbow Sprinkle Star Kindness Cookies as an act of kindness with the kids!
You may also enjoy this list of Fun Family Christmas Traditions and the Ultimate Family Gift Guide, featuring both readymade and homemade gift ideas for the whole family.
Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author and photographer of “10 Reasons to Choose the Kindness Elves over the Elf on the Shelf,” HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!
Fun Ideas for the Elves:
- How to Encourage Kindness to Nature with the Elves
- Year-Round Ideas for the Kindness Elves
- Camp Kindness
Christmas Ideas for Kids
- Christmas Traditions for a Magical Holiday
- Homemade Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make
- Gifts Kids Can Make
- Christmas Wreath Fingerprint Art Christmas Card
- Best Christmas Art Projects
- Christmas Handprint, Footprint, and Fingerprint Crafts for Cards
- DIY Elf Ornaments
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