Are you looking for ideas to mark the Christmas countdown with the kids? Instead of using shop bought this year, why not try making your own countdown calendars? The kids will enjoy helping you, and when they’re fast asleep, you can pop the surprises into them. From sock garlands to clever use of shoe organisers, here are 12 Easy Homemade Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids.

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1. Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

Using the free printable template on Pink Suede Shoe, make this adorable Christmas tree advent calendar. You can print them out in a range of sizes.

2. Baby Sock Advent Calendar

What a simple advent calendar idea from Martha Stewart, and a neat idea for using up those stray socks! Just peg 24 colourful baby or children’s socks onto a piece of ribbon and hang up. Pop a treat/small gift in each one, and start opening on 1st December.

3. Muffin Tin Advent Calendar

This ingenious mini muffin tin advent calendar from MidwestLiving is simply made using magnetic sheet cut into circles. Pop a gift/note in each muffin well and hang with ribbon.

Image via MidwestLiving

4. Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Calendar

Another clever idea for kids to make from Morning Creativity – just need to stockpile the toilet rolls. Cover toilet rolls, assemble together into a house shape and glue (younger kids may need a hand with this), then just punch each day to reveal a daily gift.

Image via Morning Creativity

5. Brown Envelope Advent Calendar

Decorate small brown envelopes, with Christmas images and number them 1 to 24. Then peg to string for super-easy homemade advent calendar idea from Vanilla Craft Blog.

Image via Vanilla Craft Blog

6. Shoe Organiser Advent Tree

Repurpose a 24 pocket plastic shoe organiser for an easy and quick homemade advent calendar, like Eighteen 25 have done. You could cover the front of the pocket with some Christmas paper and stick your numbers 1 to 24 on that, or peg some brown envelopes with numbers attached to front of each pocket. Then just fill the pockets!

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. The kids will enjoy poking their fingers through each day to find their treat.

Image via Yum Food & Fun for Kids

8. Tree Advent Calendar

I love this idea for Christmas Tree Advent Boxes from Oh Happy Day, complete with free printable template for the day numbers. You should be able to get the mini boxes from any good craft store, and if you can’t get pine trees, you could use mini decorations or Christmas cake decorations.

Image via Oh Happy Day

9. Toilet Roll Advent Garland

Another great idea for using up all those toilet roll holders, is this simple cute advent calendar garland by Maya Made. The kids can be as creative as they like decorating their 24 holders, and then string together to form a pretty 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 your treat inside and then peg to your ribbon!

Image via Balancing Home

11. Christmas Elves Countdown

We love these cute Christmas Elves from Canadian Living, which are again made from toilet paper rolls, so are perfect for crafting with younger kids. You will need 24 for your advent countdown, so be sure to stockpile. Then just lift their hat to reveal the daily treats.

Image via Canadian Living

12. Easy Craft Box Advent Calendar

This calendar idea from The Seasoned Mom is super easy and just requires some small gift boxes, and stickers to seal.

Image via The Seasoned Mom

Over to you! Have you tried any of these ideas, or have you any more to add? Let us know in the comments below.