Last year, something that began simply, with little planning, using paper, scissors and colour pencils, created what became the activity advent calendar. Made up of ideas that our little family brainstormed during a drive, we created the most wonderful December leading up to Christmas.
The activity advent calendar was born, and we loved it so much, we’re doing it again this year.
I love the idea of an advent calendar that adds to the season through doings. In a time that is already hyper stimulated with stuff, this is a beautiful way to feel joy in giving/making/doing things together as a family, for others, and spreading joy in activity; an activity advent calendar.
Inspired by this idea, I have lovingly made some Christmas Village theme calendars that are available to buy through my shop, but it’s also something that you could easily do using materials you can find at home.
Inside every card, space to write a daily activity that the whole family can look forward to completing, either at random order, or you can choose to (secretly) number them by date too, if there are specific ones you want to complete on certain days.
With last year’s activity advent calendar, the kids absolutely loved knowing that each day there was an activity lined up for the day, and they are already asking when we’re starting the calendar this year. Below, some activity ideas, and if you have some fun ones too, leave a comment below.
- Put up the tree.
- Make a holiday wreath.
- Have a sleep over under the tree (a great one for Christmas Eve).
- Make a blanket fort.
- Christmas theme books reading night.
- Collect food to donate to your local food bank.
- Have a snowman pancake breakfast.
- Make a bird feeder.
- Make paper snowflakes.
- Build a snowman.
- Go ice skating.
- Build gingerbread house (real or cardboard).
- Make Christmas Cards.
- Christmas Movie Night (pick per family member too!)
- Make Ugly Christmas Sweaters.
- Fill each other’s stockings.
- Make lanterns.
- Go for a lantern walk.
- Check out neighbourhood Christmas decorations.
- Hot Chocolate Night.
- Make a special ornament.
- Bake cookies/cake and share with loved ones.
- Go to Tobogganing.
- Decorate gingerbread cookies/house.
- Leave a letter to your favourite Christmas decorated house.
- Write a letter to Santa.
- Go to Candy Cane Lane.
- Have a candle light dinner.
I invite you to join me in counting down to Christmas in such a lovely way, using hashtag #oureverydaysadventcalendar as we count down to the most wonderful time of the year starting Dec 1!