An Advent Calendar is a special calendar used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas.
I didn’t grow up with advent calendars, but I’m pretty sure children adore them.
You can buy one or you can be very creative and make one with your children.
This year I’ll use my “Snowman Advent Calendar” (it’s a special gift from a dear friend, from Austria), but the following years I’m going to make handmade calendars together with my daughter, Iris.
This activity gives children the opportunity to:
- participate in a holiday tradition
- exercise fine motor skills
- generate enthusiasm for the festivities to come
Our calendar is filled with creative holiday activities, written on pieces of paper, but you can also put some small treats in each box if you like.
Here are some ideas for activities:
1 Read Christmas/Winter books
2 Snowman arts & crafts with a short poem (e.g “ I’m a little snowman”)
3 Rudolf arts & crafts with a song. ( Rudolf the Red Nosed reindeer or Five little reindeer)
4 Little Snowflake- paper craft & dance (Little snowflake song or Dance like snowflakes )
5 Handmade Cards for family & friends
6 Donate presents (The Shoe Box project)
7 Salt dough ornaments ( then you paint & decorate them)
8 Bake Christmas cookies
9 Make a Gingerbread house (made of felt or cardboard)
10 Make a paper Garland to decorate your house.
11 Make a paper Garland for your kids to dance with.
12 Make a Snowman Pizza
13 Write a Letter to Santa & a Thank you Note too!
14 Make a Fruit Christmas Tree
15 Write a list of 5 things or more you are thankful for.
16 Build a Snowman
17 Go ice skating
18 Sing your favourite carols
19 Winter Collage (can be a coloured/painted paper project or a sensorial bottle/box if you have a toddler like me )
20 Watch a Christmas movie.
21 Go out to look at Christmas lights after dark.
22 Christmas Tree decoration
23 Memory special card with kids’ handprints on it “Santa handprint”
24 Have a tea party with friends.
For your inspiration: Super simple Advent Calendars (DIY):
- Advent Jar
- Advent Banner with colourful envelopes
- Advent Poster
- Advent Wreath
- Advent Garland with paper glasses and many more ideas here:
http://www.redtedart.com/2013/11/07/advent-calendar-ideas/