Do the elves on the shelves move on their own?

No It does not but it is really good for kids like you buy stockings and tell kids that elf on the shelf gave it to them and you buy little stocking stuffer and but them in there wile there asleep and you get the elf on the shelf and hide him and when you child gets up you show them the stocking and say elf on the shelf gave it to you now where is he they find him you could put him on the sealing fan or in there bed or in the bathroom or on the tv