Does Santa bring Elf pets?

Yes, Santa brings Elf Pets, which are magical companions like Reindeer, Arctic Foxes, and Saint Bernards, to help gather Christmas magic, but unlike Scout Elves, Elf Pets usually stay with a family year-round to collect joy and cheer, becoming beloved, cuddly pets that don't return to the North Pole nightly. They come with a storybook explaining their special role in helping Santa's mission, teaching kids about faith, love, and kindness.

Do Elf Pets leave with Santa?

Year-Round Pals

Everyone knows that Santa's Scout Elves return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, but what about their furry counterparts, the Elf Pets®? Luckily, these cuddly helpers have different missions for Santa—ones that allow them to stay with you all year!

What are the rules for Elf Pets?

Elf Pets have different rules than Scout Elves: they can be touched, hugged, and played with by kids, as cuddling them builds Christmas magic for Santa's sleigh. They stay with the family all season and often all year, acting as cuddly companions, unlike Scout Elves who return to the North Pole nightly, though families can choose to tuck them away after Christmas. Their main duty is to absorb love and kindness to power Santa's Christmas Eve flight.
 

Do elf on the shelf have pets?

Yes, The Elf on the Shelf brand includes magical companions called Elf Pets, which are plush animals like Reindeer, Saint Bernard pups, and Arctic Fox cubs that help Santa and encourage kids to show kindness and belief. Unlike the Scout Elves, kids can hug, love, and play with their Elf Pets all year, making them interactive pets that add to the holiday magic.
 

What to do with elf on the shelf pet?

With Elf Pets, you can cuddle them for magic, play games, create mini scenes like pet washes or picnics, make treats, and include them in your Scout Elf's antics for fun holiday activities, as they are meant to be held and loved all season to help Santa's sleigh fly.
 

Elf Pets Special Edition Bloopers | Official Video | Elf Pets & The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse

Where do Elf Pets go after Christmas?

Do Elf Pets return to the North Pole after Christmas? From family to family, each Elf Pets can differ, but most live with their families year round. Then, children can continue to hug and play with their Elf Pets as often as they want for as long as they want.

Can kids touch elf on shelf pets?

Yes, kids absolutely can and are encouraged to touch, cuddle, and play with Elf Pets, unlike the traditional Scout Elves; touching them actually helps them collect Christmas magic for Santa's sleigh. Their whole purpose is to receive love and hugs from children throughout the holiday season, and they don't have to fly back to the North Pole like the elves.
 

Why is my elf pet not moving?

Your Elf Pet might not be moving because it's resting, was startled and froze, got stuck, or is just too comfy, but you can help it regain magic with a sprinkle of cinnamon/sugar, a special note, or a small blanket, as they only move at night when unseen. Common reasons include taking a "sick day," needing a break after a big sugar rush, conserving energy, or even just a preference for a favorite spot.
 

Can elf on the shelf pet move?

No, Elf Pets (Reindeer, Saint Bernard, Arctic Fox) don't move on their own nightly like Scout Elves; their magic comes from being cuddled and played with by children, helping Santa, so they stay with kids, travel with them, or are positioned with the elf's activities, rather than hiding in new spots daily. You move them, and they gain magic from cuddles to assist Santa, often staying year-round.
 

Does the elf leave on the 24th or 25th?

The Elf on the Shelf typically leaves on Christmas Eve (December 24th), flying back to the North Pole with Santa after their job of reporting to him is done, but some families allow them to stay longer for cuddles or have them leave on Christmas Day, making it a flexible tradition. The official story says they leave the night of the 24th, but many parents adapt it so kids can hold their elf or have a final goodbye moment.
 

Do Elf Pets move every night?

No, Elf Pets (like the Reindeer, Saint Bernard, or Arctic Fox) do not move every night like the Scout Elves; their job is to stay close to children, soaking up love and cuddles to bring to Santa, so they stay put, often with their family, unless the family decides to move them for play. While Scout Elves fly to the North Pole nightly, Elf Pets remain behind to collect Christmas spirit and can be held and played with all day, sometimes even participating in the Scout Elf's antics before settling back in.
 

Can an 18 year old touch an elf?

According to Santa, no one in the family, not even the grown-ups, should touch a Scout Elf. Their magic allows them to fly back to the North Pole each night and report on your family's Christmas cheer. If they're touched by human hands, that magic can weaken. However, Santa understands that accidents sometimes happen.

How long do Elf Pets stay all year?

We've got the answer below! These fuzzy, friendly pals, the Elf Pets® Reindeer, Saint Bernard and Arctic Fox, are able to live with their families all year! They help Santa complete important Christmas duties such as flying his sleigh around the world, and they need your help!

Can Santa bring you a puppy?

Santa can't actually bring a puppy in a box because living animals aren't good surprise gifts due to the huge, long-term responsibility, but parents often use Santa as a way to promise a puppy arriving after the holidays, giving time for the family to prepare and choose the right dog from a shelter or breeder, often presenting a toy or collar as the initial "gift" to build excitement.
 

Can you touch elf babies?

You generally cannot touch the main "Scout Elf" in The Elf on the Shelf tradition, as it makes them lose their magic and ability to report to Santa, but the Elf Babies (Frost Pips) are designed for hands-on interaction, needing love and care to grow, so kids can touch them; the key is to follow your family's rules, with some allowing touching the babies, while others adapt the lore to allow gentle interaction with any elf.
 

What is the 3-3-3 rule for pets?

The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.

What are you supposed to do with elf pets?

Elf Pets® love to play, and there are endless ways they like to have fun! Gather toys from around the house (and maybe even a game board), and ask your kids to reinvent the rules. They can give their new game a fun name and play it with friends and your family's North Pole pet in tow!

What if you accidentally touch the elf?

If you accidentally touch your Elf on the Shelf, don't panic; its magic isn't gone forever, but it needs help to get back, usually by writing a note to Santa apologizing, sprinkling cinnamon (elf "vitamins") nearby, or singing Christmas carols to help it regain its magic to fly back to the North Pole.
 

Do kids keep elf pets?

Yes, kids can keep Elf Pets (like Saint Bernards, Reindeer, Arctic Foxes) all year, and many do, cuddling and playing with them to collect Christmas magic, even though the Scout Elves usually fly back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Families often decide together if the pet stays year-round for comfort and continued play or goes back with the elf, as the pets' purpose is to gather joy for Santa's mission. 

Are you supposed to touch elf pets?

Yes, you are supposed to touch and snuggle Elf Pets (Reindeer, Saint Bernard, Arctic Fox) to help build their Christmas magic, unlike the Scout Elves which shouldn't be touched; Elf Pets need cuddles and love to store energy for Santa's sleigh, making them companions for holiday adventures, not spies.
 

What happens if your elf dies?

When an elf dies in Tolkien's world, their immortal spirit (fëa) leaves the body and is summoned to the Halls of Mandos in Valinor for judgment and rest, after which they can be re-embodied in a new body, though some refuse or become wandering spirits; unlike mortals who leave the world, elves are tied to it, but can fade in Middle-earth as their bodies decay or choose to sail West to Aman. 

What if I forgot to move the elf?

If you forget to move the Elf on the Shelf, you can quickly place him in a fun, new spot with a note from Santa or the elf explaining he was too tired, sick, stuck, or just taking a break, or use a creative excuse like bad weather or a late night at the North Pole to cover the missed move, giving you a day to recover and plan for the next morning.
 

Is elf ok for a 7 year old?

Yes, the movie Elf is generally okay for a 7-year-old, but parental guidance is recommended due to some mild rude humor, language (like "crap," "damn"), and a few slightly intense/violent (slapstick) scenes, especially the "death by machine gun" fantasy, which sensitive kids might find scary, so parents might want to fast-forward those parts. The main things to be aware of are mature themes like adoption/absent parents and the questioning of Santa's existence, which some 7-year-olds might not grasp or might need help discussing, according to parents on Common Sense Media.
 

Can you hug your elf goodbye on Christmas Eve?

Every year our elves bring a bottle of magic dust (aka glitter) and a note saying that the kids are able to hug them goodbye on their last night. After hugs and thank you's, they set them by the tree on Christmas Eve and sprinkle them with magic dust for safe travels back to the North Pole.

Can my mom touch my Elf on the Shelf?

Yes, your mom can touch your Elf on the Shelf, but only in specific, urgent situations using tools like tongs or gloves, as touching generally removes the elf's Christmas magic; otherwise, the main rule is no one touches the elf so it can fly to the North Pole, but parents can make exceptions or even move it themselves to manage the tradition.