Five ideas for alternative advent calendars
– Updated for 2024 –
The countdown to Christmas is one of the most magical parts of the festive season. It offers a whole month of excitement, providing a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family as you get into the Christmas spirit.
Few things are more enchanting for the whole family than witnessing the magic in a child’s eyes as they write their letter to Santa, visit Father Christmas at his grotto, or open a new door on their advent calendar each day, eagerly waiting for the big day.
Advent calendars have evolved significantly over the years, from a simple picture behind a door to a daily chocolate treat, and now into something far more diverse. Retailers have transformed the advent market by introducing puzzle pieces, mini perfumes, and even cheese selections as part of this festive tradition.
While the variety can seem overwhelming, it offers a wonderful opportunity to make this year’s advent calendar whatever you want it to be. Whether you decide to make your own or simply want to try something different, our guide to alternative advent calendars for children will spark your imagination and suit a variety of budgets and personalities.
Not only do these alternative advent activities provide opportunities for you to play together and enjoy quality time, but they also help to foster your child’s creativity and social skills. Most importantly, these ideas will bring joy and excitement to your little one as Christmas approaches.
Alternative advent calendars and activities
Moving beyond sweet treats, the magic of opening the advent calendar each day can be captured in many ways. Many ready-made, alternative advent calendars, designed to suit various interests, are available for purchase.
For children who love dolls, you can find advent calendars that include a new doll or accessory each day. For budding artists, there are calendars filled with daily portions of modelling clay or art supplies to inspire creativity. Trains, cars, and other collectible figures have also become popular, while book lovers will enjoy opening a new bedtime story each night—making reading an exciting part of the Christmas countdown.
However, many of these alternative pre-made advent calendars come with a hefty price tag, which might be out of reach for some families, especially during the cost of living crisis. But don’t worry—an exciting and unique advent calendar is still possible. In fact, DIY advent calendars can be budget-friendly, allowing you to create a truly personalised and one-of-a-kind experience that is limited only by your imagination.
Make your own advent calendar
One wonderful option is to create your own advent calendar by using a reusable calendar with pockets or boxes that can be filled with something special each day. This approach lets you personalise the experience based on what your child loves most.
The beauty of a DIY advent calendar is the variety it offers. You can mix and match items such as sweet treats, small toys, books, or even notes with jokes or fun activities. Imagine the surprise on your child’s face each day, never knowing what’s coming next! This can make every day leading up to Christmas even more magical.
A homemade advent calendar is also a sustainable choice, as it can be reused year after year, filled with different age-appropriate treats as your child grows. It’s both budget-friendly and environmentally conscious—a win-win!
Start an advent creative project
Advent doesn’t always have to be about receiving a physical treat. The festive season is also a time for fun, discovery, and creativity. Why not start an advent art project with your child?
You could embark on a creative project, such as building a model or starting a simple sewing project together. Each day, set aside some time to add to the model or sewing creation. This type of advent calendar encourages creativity and teaches planning and logical thinking.
Another fantastic idea is an advent jigsaw puzzle. This is a great way to get the whole family involved. Choose a puzzle that suits your child’s age, divide it into 24 groups, and let your child receive a new set of pieces each day. By Christmas Eve, the completed puzzle will be ready to display, giving a sense of accomplishment and family togetherness just in time for the big day.
Elf on the shelf
Many families have embraced the fun and mischief of the Elf on the Shelf tradition. Each night during advent, while the children are asleep, the elf moves to a new, often silly, location.
The daily search for the elf can become a cherished tradition, as children eagerly try to find where the elf is hiding and imagine what sort of mischief it got up to. Whether it’s snacking on biscuits in the cupboard or having a tea party with other toys, this activity can lead to endless laughter and storytelling, nurturing your child’s literacy skills, creativity, and imagination. Plus, the elf can act as an incentive for good behaviour, as it’s said to report back to Santa!
Kindness calendar
Not every advent calendar needs to revolve around gifts or treats. One heartwarming idea is to create a Kindness Calendar, which includes 24 different acts of kindness to complete each day leading up to Christmas.
Acts of kindness could include donating a jumper to a charity, paying someone a compliment, or sharing something with a friend. This approach not only spreads positivity but also teaches the importance of compassion and community spirit—key lessons to learn, especially during the festive season.
Create a treasure hunt
Add an element of adventure to your advent by creating a treasure hunt! This unique twist on the traditional calendar involves hiding a small gift somewhere in your home each night and giving your child a clue each morning to find it.
The gifts don’t have to be big—consider items like Christmas-themed temporary tattoos, a sweet treat, or even a voucher for a fun activity to do together. A treasure hunt not only sparks children’s imaginations but also helps develop concentration, memory, and logical thinking skills, all while adding excitement and movement into their day.
Celebrating advent is a cherished tradition for many families, but it doesn’t need to be limited to the usual sweet treats. With a little creativity, you can make new traditions that involve the entire family and make each day in December special.
Not only will these alternative advent calendar ideas create lasting memories, but they will also provide valuable opportunities to help children develop their skills in creativity, communication, and compassion. Why not try one of our ideas this year, and let us know what festive fun your family gets up to?