60 Advent Calendar Activities
I think the lead up to Christmas might just be as magical as the day itself.
The twinkly lights, the rushing around, the Snowball fuelled late nights spent frantically wrapping gifts. I’ve always really loved that.
This year, although things will be different (2020!) I feel really lucky that our youngest two children are the perfect age to fully immerse themselves in Christmas magic. After all, we don’t need to see Father Christmas to know that he is there, right?
24 Days of Activities
Last year we started a little tradition of filling the advent calendars with very simple little activities each day.
It was a big hit with the boys, and with us too, as it forced us to carve out some Christmas magic each and every day. often the simplest little things that would fit around work and school but nevertheless something to look forward to.
I’ve been working on some ideas this evening so I thought I’d share them here should you fancy doing the same and need a place to start.
It is December 2020, a lot has been cancelled for the safety of our loved ones, so I’ve tried to include plenty of things that we’ll be able to do this year, no matter the restrictions.
A few little things I learned last year…
Do what’s best for you and your children of course, but I thought I’d share a few things I learned in doing this last year, just in case your little tribe are anything like mine.
I found it better to leave the calendar empty and fill the drawers for the next day the night before while they were asleep. Our youngest has zero will power and would definitely open every drawer on 1st December.
I’m going to fill my personal calendar with the ideas in pencil to allow plenty of space for movement should things change at the last minute (which inevitably they do in family life). This really shouldn’t be stressful so keep it simple and achievable.
We do pop a little sweetie or chocolate in every drawer too, you might not want to do that of course, but I think sweets are to them what Crémant is to me and there’s no way I’m giving that up in December.
I found it better to keep the bigger treats towards the end of the calendar so the excitement builds as we get closer and closer to the big day.
60 Ideas for an Activity calendar, in no particular order.
Sleepover in Mummy & Daddy’s room tonight (Tipi, fairy lights and mattresses on the floor)
Let's make and decorate a box to take our donation to the food bank.
Make cranberry sauce for Christmas Day.
Let's decorate the Christmas Tree.
Write Letters to Santa.
Post our Letters To Santa.
Breakfast in bed this morning!
It’s ‘Ice Cream Factory Night’! (Decorate your own ice cream for pudding with sauces, sweets, sprinkles, cream)
Family Cinema at home with hotdogs and treats.
Make Christmas cards for our neighbours.
Sort through your toys and donate any that you no longer play with to charity or church.
Do a big food shop for the food bank.
Paint some Christmas Pebbles to leave for other children to find on our next walk.
Decorate gingerbread cookies ( this is a great child friendly recipe. You can store the dough in the fridge for up to 2 weeks)
Family Board Games next to the tree
Make Christmas Dinner for the birds ( try this recipe )
Make Reindeer food ( try this recipe )
Decorate gingerbread house.
Eat pudding before our dinner tonight!
Build a blanket fort.
Make a voucher for a hug to give to someone we love.
Face time party with our friends tonight!
Take supplies to your local dog rescue shelter.
Make a picture scrapbook and decorate.
Make a paper chain garland for your bedroom.
Today is your nativity!
Christmas Movie night with popcorn and milkshakes.
Christmas Disco in the kitchen.
Let's go for hot chocolates after school.
Glow Sticks, music and bubbles in the bath tonight.
We’re going to drive around the village with some popcorn to see the Christmas lights.
We’re going to decorate your windows with chalk pen.
A winter picnic to watch the sun go down after school.
Let's make a popcorn garland.
There is a surprise for you under the tree/pillow/ in your school shoes this morning.
We’re having a Christmas Picnic in the living room for dinner tonight!
Decorating pine cones.
It’s fire pit and s’mores night tonight!
Pick n Mix after school today.
Stargazing with Hot chocolates and torches.
Let’s make a dried orange garland for grandma.
We’re making Christmas cards for your class friends today.
Bath Bombs tonight.
Visit the Christmas Tree Farm.
Lets go to the Garden Centre after school and you can choose a decoration.
Let's choose some toys we don’t play with and donate them to the hospital.
Let's give the postman his present this morning.
Make Your own pizza tonight.
We’re going to make thank you cards for your teachers.
Let’s make necklaces for Granny & Grandma today.
Salt Dough decorations.
We’ll wear our Christmas Jumpers to school/nursery today.
We’re going to the theatre.
Make Mince Pies & deliver to our neighbours.
Make and send Christmas cards to the care home.
You guys are cooking dinner tonight!
A walk with our friends today.
Let's give the bin collectors their present today.
Takeaway burgers for dinner.
It's Christmas Eve, there's something special for you under the tree!
Don’t have your empty advent calendar yet?
Don’t worry!!!
Pinterest will keep you heaps of ideas on how to quickly and easily make your own. Just look at this one, and this one!
I’ve also linked lots of lovely ones here which will hopefully arrive quite soon. Ours are a few years old now from Lisa Angel.
I hope our list was helpful and that it makes these next wonderfully hectic weeks fun for you and your tribe!
Only 4 days to go!!!
