Top 10 Reasons Why Your Elf on the Shelf Did Not Move

Ever wondered why your Elf on the Shelf did not move? Here are 10 facts for parents to read to kids to explain why the elf didn’t move.

Why Your Elf on the Shelf Did Not Move

Wonder why your Elf didn’t move? Here are some reasons why!

Since our Elf on the Shelf Peter did not move a few nights ago, I’ve been getting many questions from my daughter as to why he didn’t move.

I had no idea why he would do this, because he’s usually so active, something must be wrong!

After doing some researching on the internet, I found a few articles for parents, but none were facts for kids as to what might be wrong.

I did even more research and found many articles by North Pole elves themselves with reasoning why they might not move from their spot!

Since I found so many, I condensed them down to the top 10 reasons your elf didn’t move for my kids.

Now when your Elf on the Shelf doesn’t move, you can send your kids to this article to read!

I’m sure they will pick one that was the reason their elf didn’t move.

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Elf on the Shelf Did Not Move

1. Too much movement in the home.

Sleepwalking or people getting out of bed to use the restroom or get drinks can scare them from leaving their spot.

2. It’s too warm in your house.

Elves live in the North Pole where the temperature is very cold. Often an elf will lose their magic over night when the temperature gets too warm or they use up too much energy making something for you.

Solution:

To make sure the elf has enough magic to leave the next night, gently pick him up with kitchen tongs and place him in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes. This should restore your elf’s magic.

You can see our elf is very active at night making things like an Elf Kissing Booth! No wonder they get hot.

3. An elf does not want to report a child’s bad behavior to Santa.

Instead of reporting naughty behavior, they will stay in their spot for a few days until there is something nice to report to Santa. If you want your elf to move, you better be good!

4. Someone touched your Elf.

In this case it’s usually a sibling or pet that touches the elf. Placing an elf in the cold helps restore their magic. See reason #2.

If this does not restore Elf magic fully, order some Elf Magic Dust.

5. Your elf was not allowed to leave your home.

There are specific days at the North Pole that Santa requests no elves are allowed.

These are the days Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are decorating for the Elf Appreciation Party. They always want this to be a surprise for all elves, requiring they stay in your home on these evenings.

6. Bad Weather

The weather could prevent your elf to travel to the North Pole. If it is too cloudy, raining, snowing or the moon is not bright enough to see well, Santa will not allow elves to travel as it can be very unsafe.

7. Your Elf is Tired

Sometimes an elf gets very tired depending on what they did the night before. If your elf did not move, they could have been resting to gear up for something big another night.

8. Your Elf is Sick

Sometimes an elf does not feel well and will stay in one spot for a while. They will move when they feel well enough.

Place any kind of sweet treat such as cookies, candy or marshmallows next to him to help him feel better. Maple syrup is also a great medicine for elves.

9. It’s a Trick

Your elf might have moved and then come back to the same spot to trick you. Kids often don’t think to look in the same spot. This is a well known trick that elves like to do.

10. Your Elf Fell Asleep

Often an elf will fall asleep waiting for children to go to bed. Children must go to bed on time to insure an Elf can leave for the North Pole on time.

Now that the mystery is solved of why your elf didn’t move, please share this article with your friends to let them know! 

Find our favorite elf ideas in The North Pole Elf Shop!

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Originally published on December 21, 2014. Last Updated on May 15, 2021 by Amy Locurto

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