The season of Advent is the time of year when we can build Christmas traditions with our family leading up to Christmas day. Advent calendar activities can help us point to the true meaning of Christmas in a wonderful way.
I’ve rounded up more than 50 advent resources and activities that can be fun for every family member (young to old). These ideas can easily be incorporated into your lesson plans or spark new ideas for explaining the meaning of Advent and teach kids about the coming of Jesus.
50 Advent Activities for the Entire Family
Advent Activities for Preschoolers
Teaching younger children the real reason of Christmas can sometimes be difficult, especially with the commercialized side. The variety of Advent activities below provide you with the perfect way of introducing advent ad the real meaning of Christmas.
- Make Cinnamon Ornaments
- Create a Nativity Sensory Bin
- Watch Polar Express and have fun with these Playdough Mats
- Make gingerbread cookies and complete this Tot Pack
- Watch an age-appropriate version of “The Christmas Carol” and do these playdough mats
- Teach little ones about the Nativity through this Nativity themed Tot Pack
- Introduce your young ones to a classic with the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Copywork
- Add a little fun to their learning with this Christmas Reindeer PreK Pack
- Practice their counting skills with the Christmas Gnomes Counting Book
- Introduce them to a Christmas classic with the Nutcracker Preschool Counting Book
Advent Activities for Elementary Kids
As children get older, simple activities can be used to teach about Advent and Christmas in a meaningful way. The Christmas activities below involve a lot of hands-on, which kids typically love. From making ornaments to watching a classic Christmas movie, these activities are sure to highlight the season in a fun way.
- Make Paper Snowflakes
- Make Salt Dough Ornaments
- Watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and do a Movie Study
- Watch “The Nutcracker” and do the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Study
- Complete the Christmas Tree & Saint Nicholas Unit Study
- Watch a favorite version of “The Christmas Carol” and work through this Mini Unit Study
- Early Readers can work on their reading skills with these Nativity themed Emergent Readers
- Give your budding readers more practice with the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Readers
- Kids will love this ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Copywork based on the classic story
- Spark their imagination this holiday season with these Christmas Gnomes Writing Prompts
- Bring some music studies into your learning this Advent season with the Sounds of the Season musical study
Advent Activities for Middle & High Schoolers
This age group can be a little tricky, so having advent ideas that appeal to older children is a must. Advent wreath crafts, opportunities to show acts of kindness, building nativity sets, and incorporating Christmas music are just a few ideas that older kids can do. The list below adds even more ideas that you can add to a traditional Advent calendar.
- Watch “Scrooged”
- Bring back an old classic and maybe some childhood memories with this ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Copywork
- Bring some music
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter
- Make a wreath
- Make homemade ornaments
- Research how other countries celebrate Christmas and write a short report about one of them
- Host a cookie decorating contest with friends
- Grab some friends and go on a Christmas Selfie Scavenger Hunt
- Play Christmas Charades
- Build a snow fort
Advent Activities for the Entire Family
Besides attending a candlelight church service or hanging Christmas lights, there are many things a family can do. For starters, putting together your own Advent activities calendar is one way to choose a family activity for each day that everyone will enjoy. Have everyone choose their favorite things and then compile them together on a calendar and on activity cards that can be pulled from the calendar. If you need some ideas, grab some from the list below:
- Host a “Polar Express” Party
- Do the 12 Days of the Nativity Study together
- Complete the The Birth of Christ: A 31-Day Mommy & Me Scripture Journal as a family
- Make Christmas Cards for family and friends
- Build a snowman (or snow family) together
- Take winter family photos – they don’t even have to be professional
- Have a hot cocoa making contest
- Make a garland out of paper or popcorn
- Have a family cookie decorating contest
- Make a gingerbread house together
- Go caroling with friends
- Have a family game night
- Have a Christmas song Sing-Off
- Host a Christmas Dance party
- Bake and take Christmas treats to your local Police and/or Fire Station – Use our Baking Planner to get you organized
- Go on a Christmas Scavenger Hunt
- Have a family snowball fight
- Take a Christmas Light Tour around town
- Read the “Night Before Christmas” by the tree lights
Final Thoughts
As we roll into the Advent season, use the activity suggestions above as a new way to approach the Christmas season with its true meaning in mind. Keep Jesus, the light of the world, the center of all you do, especially during Christmas time. Do you use an Advent activity calendar or do other activities during this season? Let me know in the comments below!
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Annette lived many years as an exhausted wife of 1 and mother of 6. Grab your fuzzy blanket, pour your favorite drink, and browse through our encouraging tips, printables, and curriculum options. Read more about me and the ministry here at In All You Do
This Post Has 6 Comments
My girls are older now, but I still plan to revisit childhood memories, while making new ones, by doing some of the activities on this list! It will be fun and sweet. I do hope I win this giveaway. We are struggling financially this year and it would be such a blessing indeed! Here’s hoping, and best wishes to the winners!
Sometimes revisiting memories is the sweetest! I will be praying for you all during these times as well.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. I am a long time subscriber and love your Christ based blog.
Thank you so much! And good luck!
Advent activities are so fun for the kids we love this time of year so much.
This group is always a bright spot in my day. Thanks to you all!