The school gates have shut, the uniform’s stuffed in a drawer until September, and somewhere around the second week of the summer holidays you’ll hear the words every parent knows by heart: “I’m booooored.”  

Here’s the good news, your Elf Mates® aren’t just for Christmas. These kind-hearted helpers spread cheer and good deeds all year round, which makes them the perfect partners in crime for those famously long six weeks (rain or shine and let’s be honest, it’ll be a bit of both). 

Here’s how to turn your Elf Mates into the ultimate summer holiday boredom buster, from the back garden to the seaside. 

Can Elf Mates come out in the summer holidays? 

Absolutely, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets of the whole Santaverse.  

Unlike your Scout Elf from The Elf on the Shelf®, who reports back to Santa each night and heads home for the season, the Elf Mates are Santa’s cheerful crew of toy makers, cobblers and chefs who encourage kindness, generosity and good deeds throughout the year. Kindness, after all, doesn’t break up for summer. 

Even better, Elf Mates are huggable and made to be played with.

So while the Scout Elf has that famous no-touching rule, your Elf Mates can come along for the ride, riding shotgun on the drive to Cornwall, helping build a sandcastle, or supervising a very ambitious Lego project on a rainy Tuesday.  

That hands-on freedom is exactly what makes them brilliant summer companions for children who need something to do. 

So to summarise for all the busy grown-ups: 

• Yes, Elf Mates work in summer, they’re year-round kindness helpers, not just a Christmas tradition. 

• Yes, children can touch and play with them, perfect for adventures big and small. 

• Each Elf Mate sparks a different kind of play, the Chef, the Toy Maker and the Cobbler each inspire their own summer fun. 

Summer adventures with the Elf Mates Chef 

The Elf Mates Chef are the sweet-treat specialists, reminding children to ‘stir up’ both delicious bakes and a bit of generosity by sharing food with those who might need it. 

Summer hands you a whole menu of ways to play along. 

• Hold a bake sale for a good cause. Whip up some fairy cakes or flapjacks and donate the takings to a local charity, a proper Great British Bake Off moment in your own kitchen. 

• Plan a no-waste picnic. Get the children planning a picnic for the park or the back garden, using up what’s already in the fridge. Bonus points for a Victoria sponge. 

• Pick your own. A trip to a PYO farm for strawberries is peak British summer, and the Chef loves teaching children where food comes from and how to share the harvest with a neighbour. 

Summer adventures with the Elf Mates Toy Maker 

The Elf Mates Toy Maker are the original artisans of toy design, reminding children to ‘craft up’ kindness and donate toys and games they no longer need.  

• Build a den or a fort. Sofa cushions and a bedsheet on a soggy afternoon, or sticks and leaves on a woodland walk, the Toy Maker is all about imagination. 

• Hold a toy sort-out. The long holidays are the perfect time to go through the toy box and choose gently-used toys to donate before the birthday-and-Christmas haul rolls around again. 

• Make a handmade gift. Friendship bracelets, painted pebbles, or a homemade card for the grandparents, the Toy Maker loves a present made from scratch. 

Summer adventures with the Elf Mates Cobbler 

The Elf Mates Cobbler are the shoe crafters by trade, reminding children to ‘step into’ good deeds by giving away clothes or shoes before getting new ones. Summer is a lovely season to put that into practice. 

• Pack an adventure kit. Have the children put together a “ready for anything” bag, sun cream, a water bottle, a sun hat and (for our classic british summers) a raincoat, and chat about helping others stay comfy on a day out. 

• Go on a gratitude ramble. On your next walk, have the children name one thing they’re thankful for at each stile or signpost. The Cobbler is all about noticing the good around us. 

• Have a wardrobe clear-out. As you swap winter coats for summer kit, set aside outgrown wellies or trainers to donate, a perfect match for the Cobbler’s mission of kindness and comfort. 

How do I bring my Elf Mates on a day out or holiday? 

Easy, just pack them like a favourite cuddly toy. Elf Mates are made for hands-on play, there’s no special ritual required.  

Pop them in the car for the journey, prop them on the picnic blanket, or let them “lead” a nature scavenger hunt around the campsite. Snap a photo of their adventures and you’ve got an instant summer keepsake. 

And you can also keep the creativity flowing with the Elf Mates Good Sportsmanship Challenge if there’s a bit of friendly back-garden competition on the cards. 

Keep the magic going all summer long

Here’s the real secret: Elf Mates aren’t really about beating boredom at all.  

They’re about turning a long, lazy holiday into a summer of creativity, kindness and connection, whether that’s a Cornish beach, a Lake District campsite, or a caravan in Wales. The boredom-busting is just a happy side effect. 

So before the next chorus of “I’m bored” kicks in, dust off your Elf Mates and let the summer adventures begin.

Ready to add a kind-hearted companion to your family’s summer? Discover the Elf Mates at elfontheshelf.co.uk. 

Frequently asked questions 

Can Elf Mates be used outside of Christmas? Yes. Elf Mates are designed to encourage kindness, generosity and good deeds all year round, which makes them ideal companions for the summer holidays. 

Can children touch and play with Elf Mates? Yes. Unlike Scout Elves, Elf Mates are huggable and made for hands-on, imaginative play, so they’re perfect for days out and adventures. 

What’s the difference between Elf Mates and the Scout Elf? The Scout Elf reports back to Santa each night during the Christmas season, while Elf Mates stay and play all year, focusing on kindness and good deeds. 

What summer activities can you do with Elf Mates? Baking and sharing treats, donating toys, crafting handmade gifts, dens, nature walks, wardrobe clear-outs for charity, and plenty more.