Kids

25 Advent Calendar Activities for Toddlers

This holiday season has been especially fun for my family.

It is the first time our daughter (3) has recognized the lights on houses, decorations around the house, presents under the tree, and all of the other fun Christmas traditions.

So, we’ve decided to start a tradition of doing one special Christmas activity each day during December.

It may be a small activity like reading Christmas stories, or it might be something more involved like building a gingerbread house.

I am so excited to slow down and have some extra time to spend as a family creating memories that we will have forever!

We have decided that right when my husband gets home from work we will spend the first hour doing the activity of the day.

Not only will the kids look forward to seeing daddy, but they will look forward to the activity we have planned!

Here are the activities we are planning to do in the month of December. (Some will require supplies which I have linked within the activity.)

We do not necessarily plan to do the activities in order but we will plan according to the amount of time we have each day. I also planned several activities that incorporate the theme of “giving” so they aren’t always just “fun activities” but rather, things that will teach our kids the meaning of Christmas.

Also, be sure to check out the Advent Calendar Ideas I have rounded up!

1. Make Christmas Cards

We plan to use construction paper, holiday markers, and stickers for these and send them to grandma and grandpa!

2. Open One Early Present

I always remember getting to open ONE early Christmas present. It was always fun to pick which one we wanted to open first and guessing what it might be! It also spreads out the gift opening so that they aren’t so overwhelmed with so many gifts at once.

3. Random Act of Kindness

My plan is to take the kids somewhere to find someone that is in need. Figure out something they need, go get it, and deliver it to them.

4. Go Ice Skating

We have never done this before but it should be interesting with our one and three year olds!

5. Donate Toys to Kids in Need

Take the hour to go through toys and find at least 5 things that are in good shape to donate to a child who doesn’t have as many toys. Then find a place that takes toys for kids.

Cute Christmas Advent Calendar by Keep Calm Get Organized
Cute Christmas Advent Calendar by Keep Calm Get Organized

6. Make Reindeer Food

Here is an adorable recipe and craft idea!

7. Make a Bird Feeder

Here is a cute Christmas tree one!

8. Make a Gingerbread House

Get yours here!

9. Christmas Pajama Day

We plan to spend the day in our Christmas jammies!

10. Drink Hot Chocolate

When daddy gets home we will sit down at the table and drink our hot chocolate!

Christmas Advent Calendar Village by Honey and Lime
Christmas Advent Calendar Village by Honey and Lime

11. Look at Christmas Lights

I love taking the kids out to look at lights! This year we plan to go to a neighborhood that always has good ones! I am especially excited for this because my daughter loves seeing the lights on people’s houses!

12. Read Christmas Books By the Fire

Being a classroom teacher, I have a ton of Christmas books I can’t wait to read to the kids!

13. Make a Hand Print Ornament

Get yours here!

14. Make Christmas cookies

Can’t forget the Christmas cookies! I have an awesome video of our family making Christmas cookies for the first time last year. It created such great memories!

15. Go to a Christmas Eve service

Our church has some different ones for several days in a row.

Easy Homemade Advent Calendar by Organized 31
Easy Homemade Advent Calendar by Organized 31

16. Take Pictures with Santa

We plan to get this done early this year. Last year we waited too long and we ended up having to wait in line for quite a while to see Santa!

17. Donate Food to a Food Bank

I plan to clear out my pantry and donate all of our canned goods to a food bank.

18. Sleep Under the Christmas Tree

A new tradition I want to start, because who would forget this tradition!?

19. Read the Christmas Story

We have this version and the kids love it.

20. Little People Nativity

We love playing with our Little People Nativity Set and now my daughter is old enough to understand parts of the story!

Advent Calendar by A Turtle's Life For Me
Advent Calendar by A Turtle’s Life For Me

21. Watch a Christmas Movie

Probably on a Friday night, and with popcorn, and red and green M&Ms!

22. Make a Snowman

If it snows before Christmas, a snowman is a MUST!

23. Make Christmas Slime

Check out these amazing Christmas/Holiday slime recipes!

24. Deliver Gifts to a Nursing Home

It is always nice to see the smile you can bring to someone’s face with this simple gesture.

25. Listen to Christmas Music

We love to have dance parties in our kitchen so what better excuse??

DIY Cheap Advent Calendar by Coffee With Us
DIY Cheap Advent Calendar by Coffee With Us

You can cut them out to put in envelopes or simply color in the tasks you’ve completed. They are not numbered so that you can do them in whichever order you’d like!

What activities would you add?

If you like this post, you are sure to love my post about 22 Non-Traditional Gifts That Keep On Giving.

About The Author

I'm married to a wonderful man who also happens to be an exceptional daddy. I am a mama to two precious babies. I decided to become a stay-at-home mom a few years ago after years of teaching.

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15 Comments

Love these ideas – full of creativity! You’ve just made life so much easier for the rest of us – you are amazing ?Reply to Evelyn,
You are too sweet! Thank you!Reply to Brittany
These are awesome! I need this for my nephews. Thank you.Reply to Vivian
So glad you can use these ideas! I hope they love them as much as we have been!Reply to Brittany
this is perfect! I forgot to pick one up at the store – now I can just make my own and customize it!Reply to Scott
Perfect! Have fun!!Reply to Brittany
These ideas are perfect for my kids and their ages! Thank you for sharing, I am going to try some of these!Reply to Heaven
That’s great! I hope they love them!Reply to Brittany
I LOVE all of these ideas! I can’t wait to try some of these with my kids. Thanks so much for sharing!! Have a blessed Christmas!Reply to Heather
Great! You too!! 🙂Reply to Brittany
Absolutely love the concept of giving! Showing children that early in life also builds character. My kids and I participated when they were younger.Reply to Anissa
I agree! I love to see what they learn from it!Reply to Brittany
These are really good and fun ideas! Not sure if I would have the energy to do these each day with 3 kids now but I could definitely try.Reply to Marissa
I agree! I figure if we miss a few days here and there it’s ok but we have some fun options to choose from! I can’t imagine doing it with 3 though!!Reply to Brittany