Rather than loading up on sugary snacks or finding tiny trinkets to fit into Advent Calendar slots, put a note inside each compartment with a fun activity, or "ADVENTure," to complete every day leading to Christmas. Most of these ideas are simple and small, but the anticipation and memories are priceless. Hint: Plan your ADVENTure activities around your schedule—do quick temporary tattoos on basketball practice night and save a more time-consuming foam tree craft or holiday dinner theater for the weekend. Be sure to download the Free "ADVENTure" Activities Printable here!
Kick off the ADVENTure Calendar with a Bible story of the reason for the season: Jesus' birth. A Child's First Bible uses kid-friendly words and illustrations.
With the story of Jesus' birth fresh in their heads, kids can set up the scene where it happened. The humble stable became magical the night of Jesus' birth, and that magic lives on as kiddos use their own imaginations to recount the story with this Mini Nativity Set.
This wintry favorite just got hotter! Adding to snowman marshmallows, sprinkles, and peppermint spoons takes your usual hot cooca to the next level. Add a dab of ice cream to cool it down in a flash. Hint: Keep your favorite ceramic mugs in the cupboard—opt for these kid-friendly plastic mugs instead.
Decorating cookies is always fun, but nothing is sweeter than sharing treats during this season of giving. Once the kiddos have spread excessive amounts of frosting and piled on the sprinkles, plate up the goodies and drop them on a neighbor's doorstep—give the kids the honor of choosing the recipient! A wipeable (and cute) tablecloth and disposable plates make for easy cleanup.
The happy ending of this beloved holiday story comes to life with a Grinch-theme dinner to enjoy while watching Dr. Seuss™ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. "Roast Beast" roll-ups, pistachio "Who Pudding," and "Who Hash" on Dr. Seuss™ The Grinch dinnerware make for a kid-approved supper.
Kids can craft Christmas trees to spruce up their bedrooms for the holidays. Start with foam cones and use Mod Podge® to add tissue paper squares, pom-poms, and—the favorite—jingle bells.
Your heart will grow two sizes when you take a little of your time and money to get gifts for people (or animals) in need. Show your kids this important holiday message by selecting a tag on a "giving tree" at a local business, animal shelter, senior center, or church. Take the kids to the store to shop for requested items so they see kindness in action.
Put your elves to work creating tiny tags to label the gifts under the Christmas tree. Stamp, punch, and fasten on with coordinating baker's twine. Hint: Set out only the stamper colors that coordinate with your wrapping paper so the kids' creations complement the presents they'll go on.
Santa gets busier each year, so it's important to get that wish list in early. These Santa postcards get them there faster than Rudolph flies!
Don't wait until Christmas at Grandma's to remind the kids to say their thank-yous. Get them thinking about it early and often with this activity. Drop a Santa toy, Santa Roll Tape Gum, and a Santa lollipop into gift boxes, and have the kids practice their gift-opening etiquette: taking turns and giving heartfelt thank-yous. The box of snowman goodies includes a snowman squishy, snowman lollipop, and a snowman peg game.
This Nativity Journey board game is pure gold (and frankincense and myrrh). It is the star of family game night during the holidays—especially if your little kings insist on playing until each of them wins.
This giant holiday floor puzzle is easy for little hands to put together, and it's such a joy to see the kids' delight when they complete this task together.
Can we all agree that holiday music is just the best? Ask Alexa to play a Christmas playlist and rock out as a family—with microphones and jingle bells, of course!
Invite Grandma and Grandpa over for this one! Bingo is the perfect multigenerational game, and the holiday version is even more playful.
Join the reindeer games! This free Roll a Reindeer printable activity uses dice from home and cute cut-out facial features and accessories to create a one-of-a-kind reindeer face. Plus, big kids get to sharpen their scissor skills helping you prep the pieces for the game!
Ho-ho-hole in one! Santa golf is a favorite at our house—it gets the kids moving inside when it's chilly outside. The "holes" can be rearranged all evening (or season) for varying levels of difficulty and creativity. Get a similar fun golf set here!
Kids love the instant thrill of temporary tattoos, and these Christmas tattoos even have a glittery look. Equally as thrilling is that parents win with a quick, no-mess activity that's a perfect for a busy evening.
The sticky digits of these Christmas elf Wall Tumblers lead to some impressive acrobatics (and lots of giggles). We've even been known to use chalk to draw start and finish lines on our walls.
Have your kids put together a birthday party recognizing the ultimate birth. Baby Jesus plates, napkins, cups,games, and favors help your mini party planners throw a divine bash.
Fill those travel mugs with hot cocoa, and cozy into the family sleigh (otherwise known as a minivan) for a drive to see your city's twinkling trees and dazzling holiday decor.
Give your children global perspective with a lesson on multicultural holidays. Winter is full of them! Try studying up on Hanukkah or Chinese New Year and making scratch ornaments to match the lessons. Or take a look at the Christmas Around the World Activity Book to discover how Christmas is celebrated in countries outside the United States.
We go through at least a couple activity books each holiday season, and these have a great variety (plus crayons and stickers included!) to keep our busybodies occupied for cozy evenings in. Hint: Stash a couple of these in your purse for the kids to work on during the Christmas Eve service.
Do your children beg to open a gift on Christmas Eve? This year, let them open one you pick: new holiday pajamas for a quality snooze before the big day. These coordinating Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer® PJs even come with a red Rudolph nose for the kiddos to wear!
The gifts are unwrapped, so it's time to wrap up the holiday season. What have you been thankful for this December? Maybe it's all the memories made while doing this ADVENTure Calendar. Have everyone in the family draw or write what they're thankful for and revel in rehashing a magical season.
Need more activity ideas? Check out this list below!