Kids’ Advent Calendar – Free Family Advent Activity Cards
Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. The excitement leading up to Christmas is as much fun as Christmas morning. The Advent calendar is one of my favorite traditions, and I especially love a version that encourages us to enjoy the holiday season together as a family.
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Note: I usually blog about classroom resources and teaching ideas, but this blog post is different. It focuses on a tradition from my family home, not the classroom.
Advent calendars can build excitement and help children manage the waiting, too. Our kids often get a chocolate or toy advent calendar (which they love), but we also like to have a family advent calendar. Our family calendar has a daily activity for the family to do together.
Advent Calendar Family Activities
The activity cards in our family calendar help us set aside a little time each day to do something special with our kids. We might do a craft project, play a game, or complete a random act of kindness. Some days, we discuss the meaning of Christmas or read nativity stories during this time. On other days, we simply enjoy spending time together doing whatever the activity of the day is.
Curious about what the activities are? Here are a few examples.
- Write a letter to Santa.
- Decorate the tree while listening to Christmas carols.
- Plan a random act of kindness to do together.
- Decorate wrapping paper or gift bags.
- Bring treats to a nursery home or hospital.
- Play board games together after dinner.
- Make hot cider and take it on a walk.
- Read a favorite Christmas book together.
- Go on a car ride and look at the Christmas lights.
- Watch a Christmas movie together.
Several years ago, the kids and I made a felt tree advent calendar. I love it because it makes it easy for me to set up the calendar for the kids. I made a set of activity cards, which I am happy to share with anyone who wants to use them. You can get the free printable Advent calendar activity cards here.
I slip one of the advent activity cards into each pocket. I also stash some extra cards nearby in case I need to swap an activity out if the weather isn’t cooperating or we don’t have the supplies.
Looking for Christmas-themed learning activities?
Check out these Christmas activities for the classroom. Explore how Christmas is celebrated around the world. Or, use holiday cards to practice friendly letter writing.
