Advent Calendar for Kids
First of all, I just want to say that it makes me laugh that the only blog content on my website is deep stuff like multiple identities in motherhood and business and fun stuff like toddler crafts. One of these days, I’ll get around to blogging about work. Until then … please enjoy my next-level holiday mom-ness.
We started doing an advent calendar with Zuri when she was a year old and I’ve only gotten more obsessed with the tradition since. She caught a glimpse of this year’s hanging in the basement this morning and I wish you could have seen her face light up. The joy and nostalgia of holidays with kids is truly magical.
I snagged Gathre’s Small Advent Calendar two years ago on Black Friday and it’s been the perfect size and format for little treasures. I shared what we filled our calendar with last year on Instagram (there’s an “Advent” highlight you can click through) and you guys loved it so I figured I’d blog about it with a little more detail this year.
Here we goooooo…
One • Matching Jammies
Two • Bath Fizzies for Zuri / Christmas Teether for Arlo
Four • Christmas Socks for Zuri / Mini Book for Arlo
Five • Firetruck Ornament for Zuri / Snowflake ornament for Arlo
Six • Twinkle Lights to take with us to Zoo Lights at the Portland Zoo (I got ours at the Dollar Store)
Seven • Wreath Ornaments to send to family members (we’re adding a photo of the girls in the middle)
Eight • Tubby Todd Bath Goodies
Nine • S’more Ornament for Zuri / Rainbow ornament for Arlo
Ten • Fake Snow
Eleven • Together for Zuri / Slide and See Christmas for Arlo
Twelve • Polymer Clay to make holiday magnets to send to friends
Thirteen • Felt ‘Z’ ornament for Zuri / Felt ‘A’ ornament for Arlo
Fourteen • Christas Activity Book for Zuri / Mini Book for Arlo
Fifteen • Bath Fizzie
Sixteen • Mini Tree for Zuri’s room
Seventeen • Wooden Ornaments to Paint
Eighteen • Mini Rolling Pin to bake holiday cookies for neighbors
Nineteen • Glitter to fill home made snow globes (also from the Dollar Store)
Twenty • Nibbles Christmas for Zuri / Peek Inside Christmas for Arlo
Twenty One • Bath Fizzie
Twenty Two • When Santa Was a Baby for Zuri / That’s Not My Polar Bear for Arlo
Twenty Three • Puffy Christmas Stickers
Twenty Four • Hot Chocolate Spoons to read and watch The Polar Express
To avoid knick-knacks, we try to fill our calendar with things we would buy anyway and can use for longer than just a month: pajamas, bath goodies, craft supplies, etc. and then nostalgic pieces that are specific to memories we made that year (s’mores ornament to commemorate our first family camping trip, firetruck to remember Zuri’s Halloween costume and vehicle and Blippi obsession). The rest are books, activities of things to make and gift to others, and family activities like Zoo Lights, visiting Santa (pre Covid times), baking, and watching a special movie together.
Since Arlo is so young, it’s hard to find things for her that are meaningful but we focused on keepsake felt ornaments (so she can hold them without breaking them), books, and activities. When Zuri was little, we did similar gifts, plus this Nativity Set, these finger puppets, and these books.
Most importantly, remember that this can be magical for kids without all the stuff. We love this book as a guide for Advent activities if you want to keep it extra simple.
I’d love to see what you fill your advent calendars with - please share with me on Instagram! Happiest holidays to you and your family.