My boys LOVE this thing!  My 9, 7 and 2 and a half year old sons love seeing what our elf has been up to while they are in bed or at school, (the older ones.). This last December was our second Christmas with "peanut" and they can't get enough of his antics.  I think it was a good purchase even if he is a lot of work.  My family is happy with our elf on a shelf.