Although we have never had one Christmas Advent calendar that we use each year, counting down to Christmas with Advent calendar activities is an annual tradition.

When brainstorming Christmas Advent calendar ideas, I always start with local activities and celebrations… especially the free activities.

Related: 15+ Advent Readings for Candle Lighting

Then, I fill in the gaps of our Advent calendar with various other activities.

Advent Calendar Activities and Ideas

If you are struggling with coming up with activities for your Advent calendar, try out these ideas:

• Decorate your bedroom door for Christmas.
• Host a kid’s cookie swap.
• Wear a special Christmas tree braid or fun hairstyle.
• Read a Christmas book.
• Create a Christmas shirt.
• Shop for a new Christmas ornament.
• Do a Christmas science project.
• Visit a sick or elderly friend.
• Make paper snowflakes.
• Attend a local Christmas activity or party.
• Sensory play with Christmas scents.
• Make hot chocolate.
• Attend a Christmas parade.
• Do a Christmas word search.
• Build a gingerbread house from graham crackers.
• Watch Charlie Brown’s Christmas.
• Create Christmas cards.
• Collect canned goods for charity.
• Make Christmas (Ice Cream Cone) Trees.
• Create a paper chain for the Christmas tree.
• Go on a hunt for mistletoe.
• Study about Saint Nicholas.
• Make a Christmas wreath with a paper plate.
• Sip hot apple cider.
• Make jingling jewelry.
• Attend a Christmas play or concert.
• Plan random acts of kindness.
• Go buy a new toy for charity.
• Make a Christmas wreath.
• Take Christmas pictures.
• Play a family board game.
• Create a homemade teacher’s gift.
• Sprinkle the yard with reindeer food (dry oatmeal & glitter).
• Go Christmas shopping for Daddy.
• Go Christmas shopping for Mommy. (View these gift ideas for mom.)
• Set up a service station for delivery workers.
• Have an indoor snowball fight (with styrofoam or newpaper).
• Make s’mores.
• Visit Santa at the Mall.
• Make presents for a pet.
• Make homemade Christmas ornaments to give and keep.
• Go sledding.
• Wrap presents.
• Bundle up and watch for shooting stars.
• Make Christmas pancakes (with cookie cutters and sprinkles).
• Play in the snow (or shaving cream).
• Clean up old toys to donate to charity.
• Go caroling.
• Build a snowman (from styrofoam or snow).
• Look outside for items to make an elegant winter centerpiece.
• Take a bubble bath.
• Make a birdfeeder.
• Read the Christmas Story from the Bible.
• Make homemade dog treats for an animal shelter.
• Host a Christmas tea party.
• Camp out in the living room.

• Mail Christmas cards.
• Dress up for dinner.
• Make homeless blessing bags.
• Sew a handmade Christmas gift together.
• Play a Christmas Matching Game.
• String cranberries or popcorn for a Christmas tree garland.
• Write a letter to Santa.
• Go ice skating.
• Host a Christmas Scavenger Hunt.
• Have a Grinch Day.
• Make popcorn balls.
• Dance to Christmas music.
• Bake a birthday cake for Jesus.
• Watch The Polar Express in your pajamas.
• Attend a special church service.
• Bake Christmas cookies.
• Color a Christmas coloring page.
• Host a kid’s cookie swap.
• Make a Christmas craft.
• Decorate your bed with Christmas lights.
• Make a Santa Gourmet Apple.
• Write and illustrate a Christmas book.
• Have a red and green dinner.
• Take a bath with glo-sticks.
• Make a no-sew gift for someone.
• Visit a live nativity.
• Have breakfast with Santa.
• Make gifts for a teacher.
• Take a drive to look at Christmas lights.
• Prepare a Christmas Morning Sanity Basket.
• Make a Christmas tree tic-tac-toe game.
• Act out the Christmas story.

What activities do you have on your Advent calendar?