How do I celebrate Advent with my family? Maybe that’s the question going through your mind as we prepare to enter the season of Advent (which is a season of waiting and preparing for the birth of our Savior, Jesus and also waiting and preparing for the second coming of Christ, which He has promised). Maybe you want to celebrate Advent with your family but have no idea what to do. I am here to give you some family Advent activities to help keep your family’s eyes focused on Christ.
Advent Wreath
You may be thinking…I thought only churches used Advent wreaths? And while they do, I highly encourage families to have one in their home too! There are are so many different ways you can make one. You can find some great ideas on Pinterest! The Advent wreath includes the following: 5 candles (3 purple, 1 pink, 1 white), plus greenery for the wreath to go around the candles. Every year I decorate our kitchen table with an Advent wreath. I love using it with my family! Each Sunday in Advent you light a candle (which stand for Hope (purple), Love (purple), Joy (pink), & Peace (purple), and the white candle represents Christ). If you would like Bible readings and devotions to go along with the lighting of your candles, check out these Family Advent Devotions.
Advent Devotional
Staying in the Word during Advent is so important in helping to keep your family focused on Jesus. I find it great to have an Advent devotional that guides you in the Word. There are many great ones out there! I have written one called Wondering to Bethlehem, that I would love for you to check out. This book helps kids use their wonder and imagination in thinking deeper about the birth of Jesus. No matter what devotional you use, find one that helps your family stay focused on Jesus.
Advent Calendar
Kids love to countdown to Christmas! Using an Advent calendar is a fun way to do that. Want to make one? Check out these Family Advent Calendar Ideas. You can search online for things to use in your calendar, but I love to include 3 things: Scripture, Song, and Service. I have created this Family Advent Calendar Kit with these 3 cards to use each day in Advent!
Nativity Sets
Kids are visual learners. Having kid-friendly Nativity sets all around your home are great for helping kids learn about the greatest gift God gave to us in Jesus. As you read the story, allow them to play with the different characters in the set. Needing some ideas for some kid-friendly Nativity sets? Check out these fun Nativity Sets for Kids.
Christmas Carol Shuffle
This is a fun game to play every day with your kids during Advent! Write names of Christmas worship music songs for kids on index cards and put them into a basket. Every day, shuffle the basket of cards , pull one out, and play that song for your kids. Every day is a new Christmas worship song! If you want cards already made, you can grab these Christmas Carol Shuffle cards by subscribing to my blog! They are in my Family Bible Resource Library (which is full of FREE resources).
Advent Blocks
This is a new resource for families that I recently found and is so awesome! The Advent Blocks set includes 25 blocks and a book for you to read. You set out the 25 blocks, putting the star over the day it is in Advent, and read the story from the book for that day. After you read the devotion, you turn that block over for a picture that goes with it. At the end of Advent you turn the blocks one more time to reveal a message! Such a fun, visual way to celebrate Advent with your family!
Gingerbread Bash
Gingerbread houses have become a popular thing to make during the Christmas season. But how about turning that house into a gingerbread nativity instead? David Rausch and Go! Curriculum have developed the Gingerbread Bash, which helps families create a gingerbread nativity. You can do this as a family event at your church, or with your own family using their at-home version. The Gingerbread Bash includes videos, games, nativity building instructions, cut out nativity characters, coloring pages, and more! This is a super fun event for churches or for your own family at home!
Manger Prayers
This simple activity is a great way for kids to write down their prayers to Jesus. Search the internet for manger graphics for kids, download a free one, and print out as many copies as you need for your kids. Each day in Advent, have them write out a prayer to Jesus. Hang these prayers in your home during Advent.
The Christmas Star From Afar
Star Kids Company has created a fun way for kids to search for baby Jesus throughout the season of Advent! The Christmas Star From Afar includes a book to read with your kids, plus a beautiful wooden nativity set. Read the story, set out the nativity set in your home, and then kids can search for the star every day. Each day you will place the star in a different place for kids to find. On Christmas Day, you will place the star over the nativity set where baby Jesus lays. I also like to use this book with the kids at my church’s weekday preschool. They love coming to school every day to search for the star!
No matter what family Advent activities you use to celebrate Advent together, make sure your main focus is on the birth of Jesus! It’s the reason we celebrate Christmas and it will help kids remember that! I pray your family experiences Jesus in an amazing way this Advent season!
For more Advent activities for kids, check out these resources:
Christmas Eve Box Ideas for Kids & Families