Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids

In our home, Advent means a great deal. Growing up, it was a big deal in our home. The older I became, the more it meant to me, and the more meaningful we made it as a family.

On the first day of Advent, we give the children an Advent calendar. There are lots of versions of the Advent calendar, and we’ve tried different varieties. Growing up, the only store-bought choices were the calendars with a wax chocolate in each little box. I loved it as a child! But honestly, now there are so many sweets around (we still have Halloween treats in the house!), we don’t seem to get drawn to those calendars as much.

A couple of years ago, I bought the kids a Kinder Advent calendar and it was really fun, but it was a lot of chocolate. So instead, this year I kept with Grandma MOE’s tradition of getting them a Playmobil Advent calendar. Each calendar has a theme, and for each day, there is a small toy or accessory for the scene you are creating. Here are two examples of themed calendars. Feel free to click on the photos to go straight to my affiliate link.

Another great advent calendar is the Schleich Advent calendar:

They always have a great time getting a little present each day of the month. What I like about these Advent calendars is that each part represents a bigger picture. And the scene they create is only complete at the end of the month.

Metaphorically speaking, this is what Advent is. Advent literally means ‘coming’. As I reflect on the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, I remember my parents, I remember the story of the nativity and I imagine what it must have been like so long ago, waiting for the coming of our Savior.

Each Sunday, we light a candle in our Advent wreath and say a prayer as a family at dinner. It’s nice to see my children participating in the conversation and being anxious for Christmas not just for the presents, but for the most special birthday ever; baby Jesus.

This was made by my oldest last year. He created his own nativity for us.

* The featured picture was taken at the Forrero Rocher event in Montreal. The Advent calendar was designed by Camille Desrosiers