Secret Message from Santa – Elf on the Shelf Activity

We are getting close to Christmas, which means Elf on the Shelf time! One of our favorite Elf on the Shelf activities is deciphering a Secret Message from Santa. Your kids will love this free printable which includes a special decoder to discover a secret message directly from Santa himself.

Elf on the Shelf – Secret Message From Santa

For the past 6 years, the Elf on the Shelf has been our family’s favorite Christmas tradition.

Even as my children have gotten older, they still wake up every morning excited to discover where the elf has hidden after returning from his nightly trip to the North Pole to report to Santa regarding their behavior.

Now that my children are old enough to read, it’s time to get creative and make this tradition even more fun with Christmas secret messages from Santa.

We use the messages as an Elf on the Shelf activity, but you could definitely just print them without including the elf at all.

Either way, your kids are going to have so much fun deciphering the code to discover what Santa has to say. 

How to Use the Elf on the Shelf Decoder Printable

There are so many ways to use these fun messages from Santa:

• Have your Elf on the Shelf bring it after returning from the North Pole
• Mail it to your child directly from Santa
• Include one as a stocking stuffer on Christmas Morning
• Use one this year and save the rest for the years to come

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find the link to instantly download and print the entire Santa’s Secret Message Printable Pack.

The pack includes a decoder tool along with twelve secret messages.

All you have to do is print out the pack and cut apart the messages.

We have found that heavy paper like cardstock works best, but if you don’t have any on hand regular printer paper will work too.

You can choose to assemble the decoder tool ahead of time, using a paper fastener, or allow your kids to do that as part of the fun.

The secret message is made from a series of images and all you have to do to crack the code is find the image on the decoder and enter the letter onto the sheet.

You can choose the specific message you want your child to receive, or use them all spreading them out a few days apart.

What Do the Messages Say?

One of the main goals I had when creating these messages was to encourage Christmas Kindness and positive behavior.

You’ll find messages from Santa encouraging children to be nicer, share their toys, help out around the house, and more.

Here’s a sneak peek at just a few of the messages included in the pack:

• Remember to pick up your toys!
• There’s still room on the nice list.
• Do one act of kindness today.
• Plus 9 more!

Grab Your Free Elf on the Shelf Secret Message Printable Pack

Your kids will absolutely love receiving these surprise messages from Santa Claus.

They’re only little for such a short amount of time and it’s so much fun seeing them experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child.

That’s why Elf on the Shelf is such a staple in our household. I take every opportunity I can to make Christmas fun and create special holiday memories that our entire family can cherish for years to come.

Twenty years from now, I’m pretty sure my kids won’t remember what they received for Christmas this year, but I know they will remember our Elf on the Shelf and the fun secret messages they would look forward to receiving.

And, with these secret messages from Santa, you can keep that magic going this year too!

It’s FREE! Just click here to get instant access:
Elf on the Shelf – Secret Message from Santa Printable Pack

Then, be sure to come back and tell me all about it in the comments below!