The season of Advent brings with it many traditions for kids and families. One of those traditions for families may be an Advent calendar…a way to countdown to Christmas Day, the day that Jesus was born. But maybe you’re reading this and wondering what an Advent calendar is and what do you even put into one? Maybe you’re looking for some Advent calendar ideas for kids for your own family or maybe for the families in your church. And I am here to share with you a great way to put the focus on Jesus during this Advent season by using an Advent calendar!
What is Advent?
Advent is the first season of the Christian church year that begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent means “coming.” During this season, Christians are preparing for the coming of Christ. We take this season to remember how the Israelites were looking forward to the coming of the Savior, a promise from God. As we celebrate the first coming of Jesus, as a baby born in a manger, we can also look forward to the second coming of Jesus, which is what He promised to us while He was here on the earth (John 14:3).
Why use an Advent Calendar?
One thing I have learned about kids is that they love to countdown to something. An Advent calendar builds excitement and anticipation for children. They enjoy opening part of their Advent calendar each day. Many can’t wait to get up every morning and open the day’s box and see what’s in store! With an Advent calendar, you can help your children stay focused on the main reason we celebrate Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus. And we can build an excitement and anticipation in them for the coming of our Savior!
What do I put into a Christian Advent Calendar?
For many families, Advent calendars can mean different things. Some are filled with candy and gifts. But I pray that families will focus on the birth of Jesus with their Advent calendar. When my kids were little, we had an Advent calendar that I filled with slips of paper that contained Bible verses and a fun activity for each day (something I found online). And while it was great to read those Bible verses each day, I realized that those verses were random and they were hard for my kids to understand and they did not pertain to the Nativity story at all. And yes, the activities were fun, but they didn’t have a focus on Jesus and serving Him.
So this year, I decided to create my own Family Advent Calendar Kit and fill it with cards that centered on teaching kids about the birth of Jesus. This kit includes 3 things families can add to their Advent calendar: Scripture cards, Song cards, and Service cards. These cards help families read God’s Word, praise God, and serve Him. Each day in Advent (Dec. 1-24, plus an added bonus to use on Christmas Day), families can read a portion of the Nativity story (Scripture card), listen to and sing a Christmas worship song (Song card), and do something that serves God and others (Service card). Three simple, yet powerful ways to center your child’s attention each day.
DIY Advent Calendar Ideas
You may be loving this idea of digging into God’s Word for Advent with your family or your church families and ready to insert them into your family’s Advent calendar! But maybe you don’t have an Advent calendar (nor do many of your church families). And you don’t have any idea how to create one and need some Advent calendar ideas! Yes, you can definitely go buy an Advent calendar (I think I bought ours at Hobby Lobby when my kids were little), but it’s also easy to make your own! Here are some DIY Advent Calendar ideas for families:
Felt Calendar
My gift to my church families this year is an Advent calendar made out of felt and Christmas ribbon. I had the ladies of our Sewing Circle at church create this cute and easy felt Advent calendar. They took large pieces of felt and cut them into 16×22 size, folded the felt over at the top and sewed it to make a loop for the dowel rod to hang it with. Then they used the wide Christmas ribbon and sewed 6 columns across to make 6 slots for cards (did 4 rows of this in order to use all 24 days of Advent). We used heat transfer vinyl and ironed on the numbers, slid in a dowel rod, attached ribbon to it, then inserted the cards so families could hang this in their home. They turned out so cute!
Paper Lunch Bag Calendar
Take brown (or white) paper lunch bags and number them 1-24. You can even have kids decorate the front of every bag. Then insert the 3 cards for each day, and close with a sticker or clothespin. Families can then put the 24 bags into a Christmas basket and pull out one for each day.
Christmas Present Calendar
Find small boxes and wrap the 3 cards for each day in each box. Make sure to number the outside of each box with the number card you placed inside. Families can stack these boxes or place them under their tree. Each day families can unwrap a box!
Hanging Shoe Organizer Calendar
You can buy an inexpenisve hanging shoe organizer at Walmart and turn it into an Advent calendar. Add numbers on the outside of each pocket then insert the cards into each one. Each day, families can pull the cards out of the pocket!
Envelope Garland Calendar
Stuff 24 envelopes with the 3 cards for each day (making sure to write the numbers 1-24 on the outside of each envelope). String twine from your fireplace mantle (or another place in your home). Attach each envelope to the string with a small clothespin. Each day, families can unclip an envelope and do the activities!
Mason Jar Calendar
Find 24 small mason pint jars and decorate the lids or outside of the jar with the numbers 1-24. You can even use shipping labels to decorate with by numbering and coloring them. Fill each jar with the 3 cards for each day. Families can open a mason jar each day and do the activities.
Picture Frame Calendar
Buy a cheap, large picture frame or poster frame (16×20 or 18×24 works great). Take out the glass and use white posterboard as your backing. String twine from side to side of the inside of the frame. String as many rows of twine as needed to fit all 24 days of cards. Take the 3 cards for each day (with the numbered card being the first one you see) and attach it to the twine with a small clothespin. Each day, families can unclip the cards and do the activities.
Wooden Christmas Tree Calendar
This one is a little more involved, but it is so cute! Cut small pieces of wood and shape them into a tree. Attach 24 small hooks to the tree. Place small cinch bags on each hook (number the bags) and insert the 3 cards for each day into the bags. Families can open up the bag each day and do the activities.
Advent Calendar Event for Families
If you serve in children’s ministry, you can have an event before Advent begins where families can come and create their own Advent calendars! Use any of the ideas above or come up with your own creation! Use the cards from the Family Advent Calendar Kit for families to use to fill their Advent calendars. You can also incorporate Christmas caroling and some yummy Christmas snacks into your event. This would be a fun family event at your church!
Advent Calendars for kids and families are fun to use! They are a great way to build excitement about Jesus’ birth into your family’s Advent celebration. I pray your family will make Christ the center and focus of your Advent calendar and that these Advent calendar ideas for kids have sparked your imagination and helped you get excited about preparing for the arrival of our King!
For more Advent ideas for families, check out the following:
Wondering to Bethlehem (Advent devotional for kids)
30 Ideas for a Christ-Centered Christmas