Looking for a fun way to countdown to Christmas with the kids? Skip the shop-bought calendar this year and make your own instead. Not only will the kids love helping you put it together, but you get the fun of sneaking in the surprises once they’re tucked up in bed.
From sock garlands to a clever repurposed shoe organiser, here are 12 easy homemade advent calendar ideas for kids that don’t take much time, money or crafting skill to pull off.
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1. Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
Using the free printable template on Pink Suede Shoe, you can put together this sweet Christmas tree advent calendar. It prints out in a range of sizes, so it’s easy to size up or down depending on where you want to display it.
2. Baby Sock Advent Calendar
This one from Martha Stewart is about as simple as it gets, and a neat way to use up odd socks. Peg 24 colourful baby or children’s socks onto a length of ribbon and hang it up. Pop a small treat or note into each one, and start opening from the 1st of December.
Need some Filler Inspiration? 24 Advent Calendar Fillers That Aren’t Candy
3. Muffin Tin Advent Calendar
This clever mini muffin tin advent calendar from Midwest Living is made using magnetic sheet cut into circles. Simply pop a small gift or note into each muffin well and hang the tin with ribbon.
Image via Midwest Living
Recommended Reading: 20 Homemade Decorations Ideas for Kids to Make and Treasure & 13 Genius Christmas Hacks
4. Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Calendar
Another lovely one for kids to help make, from Morning Creativity – you’ll just need to save up your toilet rolls in advance. Cover the rolls, assemble them into a house shape and glue together (younger kids may need a hand with this part), then punch through each day’s roll to reveal the treat inside.
Image via Morning Creativity
Recommended Reading: 8 Creative Toilet Roll Crafts for Kids
5. Brown Envelope Advent Calendar
Decorate small brown envelopes with Christmas images and number them 1 to 24, then peg them along a length of string for a super-easy homemade advent calendar, as shown by Vanilla Craft Blog.
Image via Vanilla Craft Blog
6. Shoe Organiser Advent Tree
Repurpose a 24-pocket plastic shoe organiser for a quick and easy homemade advent calendar, like Eighteen 25 have done. Cover the front of each pocket with Christmas paper and stick numbers 1 to 24 on, or peg small numbered envelopes to the front of each pocket instead. Then just fill the pockets with treats.
Image via Eighteen 25
7. Punch Out Christmas Tree
Yum Food & Fun for Kids created this cute punch-out Christmas tree using small plastic containers with numbered tissue paper covers. Kids will enjoy poking their fingers through each day’s cover to find their treat.
Image via Yum Food & Fun for Kids
8. Tree Advent Calendar
This idea for Christmas tree advent boxes from Oh Happy Day comes with a free printable template for the day numbers. You should be able to pick up mini boxes from any good craft store, and if you can’t get hold of little pine trees, mini decorations or cake decorations work just as well.
Image via Oh Happy Day
Recommended Reading: Winter Bucket List for Toddlers
9. Toilet Roll Advent Garland
Another great way to use up toilet roll holders is this simple, pretty advent garland by Maya Made. Let the kids get as creative as they like decorating their 24 holders, then string them together to form the garland.
Image via Maya Made
10. Paper Cup Reindeer Advent Calendar
Make this cute paper cup reindeer advent calendar from Balancing Home, using pegs, paper cups and googly eyes. Pop a treat inside each cup and peg it to your ribbon.
Image via Balancing Home
11. Christmas Elves Countdown
We love these cute Christmas elves from Canadian Living, also made from toilet paper rolls, so they’re perfect for crafting with younger kids. You’ll need 24 in total, so start saving your rolls early. Simply lift each elf’s hat to reveal the day’s treat.
Image via Canadian Living
12. Easy Craft Box Advent Calendar
This idea from The Seasoned Mom is super easy and just needs some small gift boxes and stickers to seal them shut.
Image via The Seasoned Mom
Lots more Seasonal Ideas: Christmas Section
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I make a homemade advent calendar?
Most of these ideas can be put together in an afternoon or two, so late November is plenty of time. If you’re using a printable template or want the kids to help decorate, giving yourself a weekend makes it a relaxed, unhurried job rather than a last-minute scramble.
What can I put inside each pocket or envelope instead of sweets?
Small treats, tiny toys, a joke, a Christmas activity for the day, or a note about something fun you’ll do together all work well. If you want more ideas beyond sweets, our advent calendar fillers list has plenty of suggestions.
Can I reuse a homemade advent calendar next year?
Yes – most of these designs (the shoe organiser, the sock garland, the muffin tin) are sturdy enough to store away and bring out again, so you only need to fill them with new treats each December.
Are these advent calendar ideas suitable for toddlers?
Many of them are, especially the toilet roll crafts and paper cup reindeer, which are simple enough for little hands to help decorate. For younger children, an adult may want to handle gluing or assembly steps.
Related Articles
- 24 Advent Calendar Fillers That Aren’t Candy
- 20 Homemade Christmas Decorations for Kids to Make and Treasure
- 13 Genius Christmas Hacks to Make the Festive Season Easier
- 8 Creative Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids
- Winter Bucket List for Toddlers
Save This for Later
No printable here, but this list is worth bookmarking or pinning so you have it ready when December rolls around. Browse our Christmas section for more seasonal craft and activity ideas to try with the kids.
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Over to you! Have you tried any of these ideas, or do you have your own homemade advent calendar to share? Let us know in the comments below.
