Everything you need to know about Elf in the Shelf

Whether it's putting up the Christmas tree or hanging a wreath on your front door, every family has their own Christmas traditions they celebrate in the lead up to Christmas.

WATCH: How to make your own Aussie Christmas tree

Have you spotted the Elf on the Shelf at the shops and always wondered what it was? The skinny Elf, donning a red Christmas suit, has become a classic Christmas tradition for many families, especially with young children.

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Scout Elves help Santa take care of his Naughty or Nice List by watching over families in their homes to ensure that everyone is on their best behaviour! Every night, the Elf reports back to the North Pole to keep Santa updated - and each morning, the Elf returns to the family home that they're monitoring, hiding in a new spot and awaiting the kids to find them.

Where the tradition came from?

Originally, the Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that started from a book of the same name back in 2005. Like an Advent calendar, the Elf on the Shelf usually begins on December 1.

How do you play Elf on the Shelf?

If you're starting Elf on the Shelf for the first time, you can either read the book or explain the concept to your children. Once you've introduced your Elf to the family, the hide and seek begins. Pick a new place to "hide" the Elf every day. Each morning, the games reset and kids will look around the house to find your Elf - but it's important that they leave the Elf where he is without disturbing him because he's hard at work spying on Santa's behalf.

Depending on the age of your children, the Elf doesn't have to be well concealed in high bookshelves or places that will be hard to spot. The older your children are, the more you can make it more of a challenge.

25 ideas on where to hide your Elf:

Hanging off a branch on your Christmas Tree
On top of your fireplace near your other Christmas decor
Camouflaged in a glass cabinet or cupboard
Concealed within your Christmas wreath, or hanging upside down performing as a gymnast
On top of a dresser, or in a drawer that your kids frequently open
Wrapped in a toilet roll and rolling down the stairs
Fill your bathroom sink with cotton balls for Elf to have a little bath
Have a spare phone? Get Elf taking some selfies
Up to mischief and wedged in between the blinds
When you set up your breakfast table, have Elf armed with a knife and fork ready to tuck in
Take the labels off some cans and have Elf playing a makeshift drum set
To tempt your kids to eat their lunch, have Elf hanging out of their lunchbox
Keep Elf warm and toasty by wedging Elf in between two pieces of toast
Gather dolls and plushies and have Elf busking in your home
Have Elf walking the dogs by making a few yarn leashes around your favourite paw patrol figurines
Open a few books and have Elf reading to the kids
Build a play pen with Lego and throw in some plastic balls for Elf's own ball pit
Give your Elf a job as a mechanic. Using a toy car that's around Elf's size, have Elf take a look under the car
Set up a few bowl of popcorn, chips and lollies and have Elf hosting a movie night
Throw some flour onto your kitchen counter and have Elf making a snow angel
Set up a mini beach scene with a towel, sunscreen and sunnies
Pop elf between the juice and milk in your fridge to surprise the kids at breakfast
A cutlery drawer is the perfect size for Elf to lie down in
Utilise the shower curtains in the bathroom and have Elf hooked onto the top
Who doesn't love a cuppa? Have Elf enjoying a cup of tea through a straw