Homemade advent calendars are a fun way for kids to countdown to Christmas, and you can be as creative as you like in making and filling them. But instead of just filling them with chocolate (at a time of year when there is more than enough sweet treats!), consider some different ideas that are infinitely more useful – here are 24 of the Jolliest Advent Calendar Fillers That Aren’t Just Candy.

Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now and get our FREE newsletters packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.

If you are looking to make your own advent calendar – here are 12 Easy Homemade Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids – the kids will enjoy helping you make the calendars and then when they are tucked up in bed, you can pop in the daily gifts.

Adding in your own treats allows you to be inventive as you like, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money either. Including cute little notes or Christmas jokes, or coupons for activities with you, will equally bring smiles of delight.

Here are some ideas to help you – 24 ideas in fact – one for every day of your calendar!

1. Mini decorations
2. Pair of Christmas socks
3. A Bedtime Pass
4. Fridge magnets
5. Bouncy ball
6. Mini game
7. Temporary tattoo
8. LEGO or Playmobil mini figure
9. Novelty key ring
10. A visit Santa Claus coupon (to coincide with the day you have planned a visit)
11. Small plastic toy – animal/car/dinosaur/figurine
12. Mittens
13. Matchbox car
14. Coupon for an activity treat, e.g. go to the cinema, an hour on the games console, go for hot chocolates, go out for dinner with parents, play Christmas party games with family
15. Trading cards
16. Stationery bits
17. Hair accessories
18. Colouring pencils / markers
19. Sharpener
20. Fun stamp
21. Yo-yo
22. Glow sticks
23. Pack of cards (here are 15 Fun Card Games for Kids)
24. Stickers

We’ve lots more stocking stuffer ideas for kids, that would work equally as well in your advent calendar.

Just remember that kids will get as much fun from the small things – it is after all the thought that counts!

You May Also Enjoy Get Festive with 20 More Homemade Advent Calendar Ideas

Have your say! Do you have any other ideas for advent calendar fillers? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!