Christmas
DIY, Christmas, Party Crafts
33 DIY Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids to Countdown Until Christmas
Christmas, especially for kiddos is about the best thing in the world. There’s special songs and foods. But most of all there’s presents! Big, colorful surprises are waiting for them. But when is the big day? When can they f.i.n.a.l.l.y open those presents??? These advent calendar ideas for kids give your little ones a tangible way to count down to Christmas day.
There are so many great ideas for making your own DIY advent calendar! The creative minds of the internet have published countless different ways to make everything from wooden advent calendars to countdowns with books and everything in between.
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When your kids have their own advent calendar, each day, from December 1st to the 24th, is more exciting.
And if your family observes Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ, advent calendars are a wonderful way of keeping Christ in Christmas and infusing more meaning into each day. Speaking of the original roots of Christmas, let’s talk about the origin of advent calendars.
History of Advent Calendars
The tradition of advent calendars doesn’t date as far back as you might expect. In the mid-19th century, German Protestants regularly marked down the days to Christmas with chalk or candles.
While some form of the advent calendar might have been a part of a normal family tradition for a lot longer, the first printed versions of advent calendars came about in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There is some speculation regarding when advent calendars really became widely used.
We can say pretty confidently, however, that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was largely responsible for making advent calendars part of Christmas traditions in the United States. Adorable photos of three generations of Eisenhowers opening an advent calendar in 1946 helped make sure of that.
How to Choose Your Own Advent Calendar
My list of countdown calendars offers a great option for every creative skill level, budget, and type of calendar.
I’ve organized the options into three categories. The first, simple Christmas countdown calendars, is just as the title suggests. If you’re looking for a simple way to count down the advent season with your littles, you’ll find something here.
The second category includes activities like acts of kindness and special activities for the family.
The third category is where the small toys, little sweet treats, and gift cards come in.
Let’s jump into these 33 advent calendar ideas for kids.
Simple Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids
This Christmas advent calendar category offers everything you need for simple, yet fun kid’s advent calendars. Most of them use common items you have at home, like paper, makers, and cotton balls.
Santa’s Beard Calendar by Press Print Party
Your kids will love this simple advent calendar. The free printable design is available in color or black and white for an extra coloring activity.
Printable Snowman Countdown by Red Ted Art
This friendly little snowman is such a fun way to keep track of the days until Christmas. Make one with each child for their own special advent.
Printable Dot Christmas Countdown by Fox Farm Home
This idea is easy, and best of all, it’s FREE! Print one off and let the kids dot a dot with bingo markers, everyday until the holiday!
Paper Chain Advent by Barley and Birch
Paper chains are so festive and classic. Make one to keep track of the days and add a colorful decoration.
Felt Advent Calendar by Sustain My Craft Habit
Make a felt advent calendar to offer your kids a sweet treat-free way to countdown while adding the cutest decorations to your space.
3D Paper Advent Tree With Paper Ornaments by Barley and Birch
Older kids will especially love this countdown to Christmas! Don’t let the initial designs overwhelm you. A hole punch, straws, paper, and coloring utensils are all you need to make this great tree.
Advent Coloring Page by Picklebums
This printable coloring page is one I’d like to do myself! By Christmas day, your kids will have a colorful advent calendar. Make it a fun tradition, and watch your children’s coloring skills improve each year.
Christmas Tree Coloring Countdown by The Printables Fairy
Mark the days with pom-poms, dots, stickers, and more with this printable tree. Let your kids get creative with it!
Countdown Blocks by Artsy Fartsy Mama
Keep track of the days until the holiday with this DIY wooden block calendar. It is easy to make, adorable and will be very handy in your quest to keep track of how close Christmas is!
Activities Calendars to Countdown Until Christmas
These calendars can easily become part of your family’s fun Christmas traditions. Ready to fill the month of December with fun moments that turn into your kids’ favorite memories?
Christmas Advent Storybook Calendar by Parties with a Cause
Fill your kids’ Christmas with new stories! They’ll love opening a new book each day of the advent season.
Advent Calendar Activities by A Hundred Affections
This printable advent has a variety of options; use it as a guide for bible reading, or select a printable pack that is filled with fun family activities. Plus, it is so cute!
Christmas Kindness Advent Calendar by Dear Jane Paper
Make a countdown to Christmas that encourages kids to spread cheer and kindness. With activities like “take cocoa to a friend,” “hold open a door for someone else,” and more, kids will get to practice caring for others while keeping track of how many days ‘til Christmas.
Printable Advent Envelopes by Cutefetti
Tuck a special little surprise, or a seasonal activity suggestion inside these colorful and cute envelopes. Your family will love the added cheer this countdown to Christmas offers!
Kindness Activities Advent by Down Redbud Drive
Fill little boxes with ideas for spreading kindness to let the kids spread cheer throughout the season, as they keep track of how many more days ‘til Santa comes.
Printable Advent Activity Cards by Picklebums
A festive activity a day keeps boredom away! This idea is filled with sweet things to do that will make the season extra festive. And the boxes are big enough to also hold something sweet.
Scratch Off Advent Calendar by Happiness is Homemade
This countdown uses scratch-off boxes to keep the spirit of Christmas growing in your home as the days get closer. This activity is filled with seasonal ideas like singing carols, wrapping gifts, and of course, tracking Santa’s location!
Printable Advent House by The Printables Fairy
Look how cute this little house is! Behind each window and door you will find a festive activity to complete together, keeping the kids engaged without the candy!
Photo Advent Calendar by Red Ted Art
This idea lets your family revisit the best times from this year, as they count down to the holidays. I know your kids are going to love seeing which photo makes an appearance the next day.
Christmas Book Countdown by Persia Lou
Here is another countdown that includes books! This idea offers two ways to track the days: first, opening a book; second hanging the number labels up to see how many days have passed.
Envelope Advent Calendar by Crafts by Amanda
Make an advent out of envelopes for an easy and budget-friendly way to share a message, a bible verse, or even a small surprise every day leading to Christmas.
Advent Calendar for an Artist by Kitchen Table Classroom
These printable cards offer your little artist an activity a day as they count down to the holiday. You are going to love seeing all of the creativity that comes from this!
Dream Catcher Kindness Activity Cards by Lovely Indeed
This gorgeous advent wreath offers an exercise in kindness everyday up to Christmas. Be sure to check out some of Lovely Indeed’s other Christmas ideas while you are there. They are so cute!
Christmas Book Advent by Picklebums
Encourage your kids to get a book a day in as they patiently await the arrival of Santa. This is a great way to get through all of their seasonal picture books.
Christmas Countdown Calendars with Gifts
With these fun ideas, your kids will open little doors or small pockets to find tiny treats every day of December. You’ll also find suggestions for the perfect advent calendar filler to help you pull off your creative advent calendars.
Magnetic Advent Calendar Wreath by Artsy Fartsy Mama
Add a magnetic countdown wreath to your holiday festivities, so you can display this on a door or the fridge and keep an eye on how many days there are until Christmas!
DIY Advent Calendar Drawers by DIY Danielle
These little drawers hold the magic of Christmas for kids. You can make these with simple supplies for an unforgettable holiday countdown. You can fill them with folded papers for activities or little gifts or candy.
Punch Pinata Advent Calendar by Made with Happy
This punch pinata is so much fun for kids as Christmas gets closer. Who could resist punching out an ornament to find a surprise inside?
Paper Bag Advent Calendar by Mom Hacks 101
This idea is so simple, yet so much fun! Use paper bags to tuck treats away so the kids can count down to the big day.
Punch Out Advent Calendar by Play Party Plan
Use empty paper rolls and some tissue paper to make this adorable and affordable advent. The kids will love finding a surprise in each tube as they build anticipation for the fun holiday!
Wall Hanging Advent Calendar by Made with Happy
Make a modern wall hanging advent calendar that is cute, colorful and offers just enough space to hide a surprise!
Fabric Pocket Advent Calendar by Artsy Fartsy Mama
Make a homemade advent calendar to stash toys and trinkets that will get the kids excited as they count down to the big day!
Muffin Tin Advent by Down Redbud Drive
This idea uses a muffin tin, paper, and candy to make a perfect homemade advent! Add favorite treats and little tokens that your kids will be so excited to discover as they count down to Christmas.
Kiss A Day Advent by Homan at Home
This easy idea offers a chocolate kiss a day until the holiday! You will love how easily this advent comes together and how budget-friendly this idea is. Make one for the entire family!
Doggie Advent by Homan at Home
Don’t forget the pups this holiday season! This cute and easy idea lets Christmas go to the dogs.
I hope you found some awesome ideas for your family. Let me know in the comment section how your family liked your special advent calendar!
Don’t forget to pin these DIY Christmas advent calendar ideas for kids:
