Parents: Here's How to Explain the Science Behind Elf on the Shelf

By Ana-Marija Dolaskie — Dec 01, 2025
If you're a parent of young children, chances are the Elf on the Shelf comes to your home during the holiday season. You give it a name, prop it on a shelf, and instantly you have Santa’s personal surveillance drone watching your family's every move. But how exactly does the little tyrant do it-- watch our every move and report back to Santa, that is? We'll help you explain the fun, light-hearted science to your curious kids.

It’s December 1st, and somewhere in your house a small, felt-clad dictator with an unblinking smile and suspiciously limber limbs has just been unpacked from last year’s Christmas box. You gave it a name (something “cute” like Jingle McSparkles or Missy), propped it on a shelf, and told the kids it's Santa’s personal surveillance drone.

By day it’s frozen in cheerful innocence. By night it zip-lines across the kitchen on dental floss, pouring flour all over the counters for making snow angels, photobombs the nativity scene, or stages elaborate crime scenes with Barbie as the victim. Children love it. Pets despise it. Parents, perhaps, are on the fence.

But how exactly does the little tyrant do it-- watch our every move and report back to Santa, that is? We'll help you explain the fun, light-hearted science to your curious kids.

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