Diy Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids

As the holiday season approaches, creating a DIY advent calendar for your kids can be an exciting and rewarding project. Not only does it build anticipation for Christmas, but it also provides an opportunity for quality family time and creativity. But what should you fill those little doors with? Here are some engaging and fun DIY advent calendar filler ideas that your kids will love.

Before we dive into the ideas, let's talk about the types of advent calendars you can create. Traditional advent calendars have 24 doors, one for each day leading up to Christmas. However, you can also create a reverse advent calendar, where you add an item each day to donate to a local charity or food bank. Or, you could create a themed advent calendar, like a '12 Days of Christmas' or a 'North Pole' theme. The possibilities are endless!

Candy and Treats

Let's face it, kids love sweets! Filling your advent calendar with candy and treats is a sure-fire way to get your little ones excited. You can choose their favorite chocolates, hard candies, or even small toys that come with a sweet treat.

For a healthier option, consider filling the calendar with dried fruits, nuts, or yogurt-covered pretzels. You could also include a small piece of fruit or a mini bag of popcorn. The key is to choose treats that your kids will enjoy and that fit within your family's dietary guidelines.

Homemade Treats

Making your own treats can be a fun and engaging activity to do with your kids. You could make homemade chocolate truffles, decorated cookies, or even mini fruit pies. Not only will your kids love the treats, but they'll also enjoy the process of making them.

Here's a simple recipe for no-bake chocolate oat bars that you can cut into small pieces and place in your advent calendar:

• Melt 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup chocolate chips together.
• Mix in 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
• Stir in 2 cups quick-cooking oats and 1/2 cup peanut butter.
• Press into a lined 8x8 pan and refrigerate until firm.

Treat Bags

For a more organized approach, consider using small treat bags or pouches. You can fill these with a variety of treats, like mini chocolate bars, gummy candies, or even a small toy. The bags can be sealed with a cute sticker or a piece of washi tape to keep the contents fresh.

You can also use these bags to create a 'Scavenger Hunt' advent calendar. Each day, your kids will find a clue in their treat bag that leads them to the next day's advent calendar door. This adds an extra layer of fun and excitement to the advent calendar experience.

Activities and Fun

Filling your advent calendar with activities and fun experiences can create lasting memories for your family. These fillers are also a great way to teach your kids about the true meaning of Christmas - giving and spending quality time together.

Here are some activity ideas that your kids will love:

• Write a letter to Santa.
• Make a Christmas craft, like a paper chain or a gingerbread house.
• Watch a Christmas movie together.
• Go on a family walk to look at Christmas lights.
• Have a family game night.

DIY Activity Cards

Create DIY activity cards that your kids can pull out of the advent calendar each day. These cards can have simple instructions for the activity or a fun illustration that hints at what the activity will be.

Here are some DIY activity card ideas:

• Reindeer food: Mix together oats, glitter, and a sprinkle of magic (cinnamon). Your kids can sprinkle the reindeer food in your yard on Christmas Eve to attract Santa's reindeer.
• Christmas scavenger hunt: Create a list of Christmas-themed items for your kids to find around the house. The first one to find them all wins a small prize.
• Snowman building contest: Provide your kids with supplies like carrots, coal, and buttons. The one who builds the best snowman wins a prize.

Small Toys and Games

Including small toys and games in your advent calendar can be a fun way to keep your kids engaged. You can choose toys that are related to the Christmas theme, like mini nativity figures or Christmas-themed puzzles.

Here are some small toy and game ideas:

• Finger puppets of Christmas characters, like Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty the Snowman.
• Mini board games or card games that your kids can play with each other.
• Small action figures or dolls that your kids can use to act out their own Christmas story.

Creating a DIY advent calendar for your kids is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. Whether you fill it with treats, activities, or a combination of both, your kids are sure to love the anticipation and excitement of opening a new door each day. So, grab your supplies and get creative - your family's Christmas countdown is about to get a whole lot more fun!