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Best The Elf On The Shelf Apps & Games

89+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
20 free apps & games
Updated August 2026

If you already know Scout Elf® Ideas, this is the deeper bench. 89+ the elf on the shelf apps and games for iPhone, all reviewed and ranked by user rating, recency, and download trend as of August 2026.

Compare top The Elf On The Shelf Apps & Games (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Scout Elf® IdeasScout Elf® IdeasFree4.6★ (3.6K)NoNoAug 2026
2Elf StudioElf StudioFree4.7★ (3.7K)NoYesAug 2026
3Elf Cam - Santa's elf trackerElf Cam - Santa's elf trackerFree4.5★ (7K)YesYesAug 2026
4Elf Alert: Elf & Santa CameraElf Alert: Elf & Santa CameraFree4.0★ (692)NoYesAug 2026
5Elf Pets® Feeding FrenzyElf Pets® Feeding FrenzyFree4.5★ (21)NoNoMay 2026
6Christmas Elf Call 2022Christmas Elf Call 2022Free4.5★ (996)NoNoAug 2026
7ElfYourself®ElfYourself®Free4.8★ (28K)YesYesAug 2026
8Speak to Santa™ Christmas CallSpeak to Santa™ Christmas CallFree4.5★ (101K)YesYesAug 2026

Top Picks for The Elf On The Shelf

Scout Elf® Ideas#1

Scout Elf® Ideas by The Elf on the Shelf CCA & B LLC.

The Elf on the Shelf® App
Editor's Choice
🎬 Entertainment
4.6😊(3.6K ratings)
Free
Scout Elf® Ideas screenshot 1
Scout Elf® Ideas screenshot 2
Scout Elf® Ideas screenshot 3
Scout Elf® Ideas screenshot 4
Scout Elf® Ideas screenshot 5
Scout Elf® Ideas screenshot 6

This app provides daily photo inspiration and creative ideas for Scout Elves during the Christmas season. Discover crafts, clothes, and instructions to recreate scenes and enhance your holiday traditions. Get alerts from the North Pole to prepare for elf arrivals and departures.

What We Love

  • 🎅 Fun and creative elf ideas
  • 👍 Helpful for keeping Christmas traditions alive
  • 🎨 Inspires family creativity and bonding
  • 🕰️ Useful reminder for elf activities

Room to Improve

  • 🔒 Concerns about app access for children
  • 🤔 Some ideas too complex or require extra purchases
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches with app functionality
Elf Studio#2

Elf Studio by North Pole Command Centre Limited

Find Santa and his elves in AR
Strong Contender
🎬 Entertainment
4.7😞(3.7K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Elf Studio screenshot 1
Elf Studio screenshot 2
Elf Studio screenshot 3
Elf Studio screenshot 4
Elf Studio screenshot 5
Elf Studio screenshot 6

Create magical videos and photos of Santa and his elves visiting your home using augmented reality. Place characters in any environment, customize their appearance and animations, and record your own festive scenes.

What We Love

  • 🎅 Elf-themed game
  • 👍 Fun for kids
  • 💡 Ability to create elf scenes

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Many features locked behind paywall
  • 🐛 Glitchy performance
  • 🚫 Limited free functionality
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker#3

Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker by Scibble LLC

Catch a naughty Elf on camera
Worth Considering
🎬 Entertainment
4.5😞(7K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker screenshot 1
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker screenshot 2
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker screenshot 3
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker screenshot 4
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker screenshot 5
Elf Cam - Santa's elf tracker screenshot 6

Capture magical moments with a virtual elf in your home. Design your own unique elf, set it in motion, and record videos with fun filters. Share the festive fun with your children and create lasting holiday memories.

What We Love

  • 🎄 Brings Christmas magic to life
  • 🤩 Fun and engaging for kids
  • 👍 Easy to use app

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Subscription required to use app
  • 🙅‍♀️ Limited customization options
  • 🤖 Unrealistic elf animations

More The Elf On The Shelf apps to explore

4
Elf Alert: Elf & Santa Camera
Elf Alert: Elf & Santa Camera
Elf Alert: Elf & Santa Camera
AI Motion Video Maker & Ideas
Free

Create magical "security footage" of a holiday elf coming to life. Secretly film your elf, schedule surprise alerts for your kids, and record their reactions. Make your elf talk with custom messages for an unforgettable tradition.

Elf comes to life from a photoTimed surprise alertsBuilt-in reaction recorder
📷 Photo & Video
(692)
free with in-app purchases
5
Elf Pets® Feeding Frenzy
Elf Pets® Feeding Frenzy
Elf Pets® Feeding Frenzy
Help feed Santa’s Elf Pets®!
Free

Help feed Santa's Elf Pets by launching their favorite treats. Toss the correct food to each animal to earn points and beat your high score. It's a fun, fast-paced game for all ages.

Launch treats for different Elf PetsFeed Saint Bernard pups dog biscuitsFeed reindeer carrots
🎮 Games
(21)
free
6
Christmas Elf Call 2022
Christmas Elf Call 2022
Christmas Elf Call 2022
Elf Christmas Call
Free

Simulate calls from a Christmas elf to surprise friends and family. Schedule incoming calls or initiate outgoing ones with realistic elf calling screens. A fun way to add festive cheer during the holidays.

Schedule incoming elf callsInitiate outgoing elf callsRealistic elf calling screens
🎬 Entertainment
(996)
free
7
ElfYourself®
ElfYourself®
ElfYourself®
Create Your Elf Dance Video!
Free

Personalize holiday videos by adding your face to dancing elves. Create custom videos with up to five faces and choose from various dances. Share your festive creations as greetings or on social media.

Personalized elf dance videosAdd up to 5 facesDozens of dance options
🎬 Entertainment
(28K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Speak to Santa™ Christmas Call
Speak to Santa™ Christmas Call
Speak to Santa™ Christmas Call
Claus Tracker, Video & Calls!
Free

Experience a magical Christmas with interactive calls and messages from Santa Claus. Track his journey on Christmas Eve and even add Santa to your photos. Features personalized conversations and a countdown to the big day.

Video call SantaVoice call SantaMessage Santa
🎬 Entertainment
(101K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Christmas Elf Tracker
Christmas Elf Tracker
Christmas Elf Tracker
Elf Christmas Tracker
Free

This app lets you pretend to track Santa's elves on Christmas Eve. It offers realistic animations and multiple tracking modes to surprise friends and family. Enjoy a fun, interactive holiday experience with this free tool.

Pretend Christmas elf trackingNorth Pole phone simulationRealistic animations
🎬 Entertainment
(473)
free with in-app purchases
10
The Elf Chronicles
The Elf Chronicles
The Elf Chronicles
Tales From The North Pole
Free

This interactive storybook brings the magic of the North Pole to life with animated videos and well-told tales about Santa's elves and reindeer. It's designed for children aged 2-12, offering a safe and engaging way to experience Christmas joy year-round.

Interactive movie book formatAnimated video story scenesFeatures over 31 unique elves
📚 Books
(3)
free with in-app purchases
11
Elf dance maker on the shelf
Elf dance maker on the shelf
Elf dance maker on the shelf
Christmas Dances Face App
Free

Transform yourself into a dancing Christmas character by placing your face on a 3D model. Create personalized, funny holiday videos with Santa, elves, and other festive figures to share with friends and family.

Place face on 3D Christmas charactersCreate personalized dance videosDance with Santa, elves, and snowman
📷 Photo & Video
(0)
free with in-app purchases
12
The Elf Hunter
The Elf Hunter
The Elf Hunter
They're hiding everywhere
Free

Explore your home in augmented reality to find and capture playful elves. Use stealth to sneak up on them before they vanish. Collect rewards and enjoy family fun, especially during the holidays.

Augmented reality elf placementStealth-based gameplay8 unique elf characters
🎮 Games
(6)
free with in-app purchases
13
Shelf for an Elf
Shelf for an Elf
Shelf for an Elf
by JOEL A FRIEDMAN
Free
🎬 Entertainment
(0)
14
Elfie Spot Finder
Elfie Spot Finder
Elfie Spot Finder
Stress Free Elf Hiding Ideas
Free

Instantly discover clever hiding spots for your holiday elf in any room. Simply take a photo, and the app reveals ingenious locations your children won't expect, saving you late-night stress and ensuring a magical December.

Instant hiding spot suggestionsAI-powered room analysisDaily fresh ideas
🌟 Lifestyle
(2)
free with in-app purchases
15
Elf Watch: Christmas Magic
Elf Watch: Christmas Magic
Elf Watch: Christmas Magic
Funny Elf Videos in Your Room
Free

Create fun videos of a Christmas elf appearing to be caught in mischievous acts around your home. This app allows you to personalize videos with your own room photos and a selection of festive prompts, adding magic to holiday traditions.

Create elf mischief videosPersonalize with room photos40+ fun prompts
🎬 Entertainment
(1)
free with in-app purchases
16
Move It
Move It
Move It
Elf Ideas & Move it Reminders
Free

This app helps parents manage the Elf on the Shelf tradition with daily reminders and creative placement ideas. It offers a user-friendly interface to ensure the holiday magic continues without added stress.

Daily elf movement remindersCreative elf placement ideasUses common household items
📊 Productivity
(3)
free
17
Ask My Elf
Ask My Elf
Ask My Elf
Talk to Your Christmas Elf
Free
🎬 Entertainment
(0)
18
Santa Tracker - Track Santa
Santa Tracker - Track Santa
Santa Tracker - Track Santa
Where is Santa Claus?
Free

Follow Santa's journey on Christmas Eve with real-time updates on his location and activities. Discover what Santa is doing, see your house on the map, and count down the minutes until he arrives.

Track Santa's current locationSee Santa's current activitiesLocate your house on the map
🎬 Entertainment
(106K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Santa Tracker: Where is Santa?
Santa Tracker: Where is Santa?
Santa Tracker: Where is Santa?
Norad Tracks Santa Claus
Free

Follow Santa's journey live on a map and discover when he'll deliver gifts to your home. Engage kids with fun daily tasks, games, and inspirational messages from Santa. Features include a gift delivery countdown and a "Naughty or Nice" questionnaire.

Live Santa tracking on a mapGift delivery countdownInteractive daily tasks for kids
🌟 Lifestyle
(576)
free with in-app purchases
20
Coloring Book Christmas
Coloring Book Christmas
Coloring Book Christmas
Xmas fun color by number pages
Free
📚 Education
(0)

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FAQ about The Elf On The Shelf

What are the best the elf on the shelf apps & games for iPhone?
Scout Elf® Ideas tops our the elf on the shelf apps & games ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.6-star average from 3.6K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top the elf on the shelf apps & games we rank are free to download, including Scout Elf® Ideas and Elf Studio.
Scout Elf® Ideas has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 89+ the elf on the shelf apps & games on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app provides daily photo inspiration and creative ideas for Scout Elves during the Christmas season. It helps families find fun activities, crafts, and scenes to recreate with their elves, enhancing the holiday spirit.
Key features include a daily photo feed with new inspiration, an Idea Spinner for random suggestions, filters to narrow down ideas, materials and instructions for crafts, North Pole alerts for elf arrivals and departures, and a Kids Mode with additional activities.