The countdown to Christmas is a magical time, but it can also feel like a 24-day marathon of “I’m bored” and “Can we open presents now?” accompanied by the not-so-distant sound of chocolate bells being devoured before breakfast.
I’ve been there. You stare at that advent calendar on November 30th, thinking, “This is the year we do something meaningful.” Then, by December 3rd, you’ve already lost the tiny plastic toys to the abyss under the couch. Been there, done that, got the sticky candy cane to prove it.
So, how do we make the wait for Santa actually fun without losing our minds? I’ve put together a list of 24 advent activities that are more about creating memories and less about accumulating sugar highs (though, let’s be honest, there’s a little sugar involved). Think of this as your sanity-saving, joy-spreading guide to December.
How This Crazy Idea Works
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk logistics. I don’t expect you to be a Pinterest-perfect parent at 6 AM. The goal here is flexibility.
- The Classic Paper Chain: Write each activity on a strip of paper, link them together, and let the kiddo rip one off each day.
- The Envelope Garland: Number 24 envelopes, pop a slip of paper inside, and clip them to a string of lights. It looks super festive, and it’s reusable year after year.
- The DIY Calendar: Buy one of those wooden house calendars or a simple box with drawers and put the activity card inside instead of a toy.
- The “Wing It” Method: Keep this list on your phone and just pick one in the morning based on your energy level. No shame in that game. FYI, this is my go-to. 🙂
The point isn’t to stick to a rigid schedule. It’s to have a little pocket of daily fun that makes the weeks fly by. Ready for some seriously good ideas? Let’s go.
The “Classic & Cozy” Activities (The Nostalgia Hits)
These are the moments that feel like a warm hug. They don’t require a trip to the store or a ton of prep. Just pure, simple family time.
1. Read “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
I don’t care if it’s technically too early. Grab the classic book, put on your best reading voice (the one with all the dramatic pauses), and huddle on the couch. It sets the mood perfectly. Ever noticed how the rhythm of that poem just feels like Christmas Eve? Pure magic.
2. Watch a Classic Holiday Movie
This is a no-brainer, but make it an event. Make popcorn, turn off the lights, and build a blanket fort. My personal favorite is The Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s the perfect mix of heart, humor, and Michael Caine playing it 100% straight. IMO, you can’t beat it.
3. Bake Christmas Cookies
Prepare for a flour explosion. It’s inevitable. But the smell of sugar cookies baking and the look of concentration on their little faces as they decorate (and eat) the sprinkles is totally worth the mess. Pro-tip: Pre-make the dough the night before. Future You will be very grateful.
4. Have a Hot Chocolate Tasting
Don’t just make hot chocolate. Make a whole tasting bar. Set out mini marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes for stirring, chocolate shavings, and a dash of cinnamon. Let everyone be their own barista and rate their creations.
5. Build a Blanket Fort
This is the ultimate cozy activity. Drag every cushion, blanket, and pillow into the living room. String some battery-operated fairy lights inside and read stories by flashlight. The goal is to make a structure so complex that dismantling it requires a team of engineers.
The “Giving Back & Gratitude” Activities (The Feels)
Christmas is about more than just getting stuff. These activities help plant that little seed of generosity. And trust me, it feels good.
6. Donate Old Toys
This one requires a delicate touch. Frame it as getting toys ready for their next adventure with a new friend who will love them. We go through their playroom together, and they get to choose which toys are ready for a “new mission.” It’s surprisingly effective, and it clears out clutter before the Santa avalanche arrives.
7. Make Cards for Neighbors or Grandparents
Break out the construction paper, glue sticks, and more glitter than any human should own. Handmade cards are the best. Whether it’s for the grandparents who live far away or the elderly neighbor across the street, it teaches kids that a small gesture can make someone’s entire day.
8. Bake Treats for Local Heroes
This is one of my favorites. Whip up a batch of those cookies you made on day 3 (or just buy a tin, I won’t tell) and deliver them to your local fire station, police department, or library. Seeing your kids hand over a plate of goodies and say “thank you for helping us” is a pretty powerful moment.
9. Go Through Books and Donate
Same idea as the toys. We have a bookshelf that’s overflowing. Let your kids pick out some books they’ve outgrown to donate to a local shelter or a little free library. It teaches them that sharing stories is a gift in itself.
The “Out & About” Activities (Burn Off That Energy)
Sometimes you just need to get out of the house. These activities are perfect for weekends or days when you have a little more time.
10. Go See Christmas Lights
Pile everyone in the car, grab a thermos of that hot chocolate from day 4, and crank the Christmas tunes. Find the neighborhoods that go all out. My kids spend the whole time with their faces pressed to the window, pointing and yelling, which is the whole point.
11. Visit a Local Tree Farm
Even if you already have your tree, go just for the experience. Most tree farms have hayrides, hot cocoa stands, and a Santa visit. It’s the quintessential “Hallmark movie” moment, just with more complaining about cold toes.
12. Go Ice Skating
This is a recipe for hilarious photos and potential bruises. Whether you’re a pro or spend the whole time clinging to the wall, it’s a blast. Plus, it’s a skill that sounds way more impressive than it actually is. “Oh yes, we’re quite the skating family,” I say, while clinging to my 6-year-old for balance.
13. Visit a Holiday Market
Stroll through a Christmas market and soak in the sights and smells. Look at the handmade ornaments, listen to the carolers, and maybe let the kids pick out one small, unique treat. It’s great for people-watching and feeling that festive community buzz.
The “DIY & Crafty” Activities (Embrace the Mess)
Get out the glue guns (for you, not them) and the washable paints. These activities are about the process, not the perfection.
14. Make Salt Dough Ornaments
This is a classic for a reason. Mix flour, salt, and water, roll it out, and let the kids go to town with cookie cutters. Don’t forget to poke a hole for the ribbon! Once they’re baked and cooled, it’s painting time. They make the best keepsakes and grandparents melt when they receive them.
15. Decorate a Gingerbread House
Keyword: decorate. Unless you’re a masochist, buy a pre-assembled kit. The fun is in the decorating. Let them go wild with the icing and candy. The final product will look like it survived a natural disaster, and you will love every wonky, lopsided second of it.
16. Make Paper Snowflakes
All you need is paper, scissors, and a little bit of patience (to help with the folding). It’s amazing how a simple piece of paper can turn into something so beautiful. Tape them to the windows for an instant winter wonderland.
17. Paint Pinecones
Go for a walk to collect some pinecones, then bring them home and paint them. You can turn them into little owls, paint them gold for the table, or just let the kids go wild with colors. It’s nature and crafts combined – a parenting win.
The “Giving the Parents a Break” Activities (Yes, Really)
Let’s be honest, sometimes you need an activity that requires zero effort from you. These are my secret weapons.
18. Write a Letter to Santa
This is the ultimate time-filler. Get the nice paper, the fancy pens, and let them pour their hearts (and their extensive wish lists) out to the Big Man. The best part? It buys you at least 20 minutes of quiet. The second-best part? Mailing it or leaving it by the fireplace is a whole other event.
19. Have a PJs and Pancakes Breakfast
Declare it a “no-pants” day (for them, you do you) and make a big stack of pancakes. Use Christmas cookie cutters to make them into trees and stars. It’s a lazy morning that feels special with zero effort.
20. Do a Christmas Puzzle
Get a large-floor puzzle with a Christmas theme and spread it out on the coffee table. It’s an activity that can be picked up and put down all day long. Plus, it keeps little hands busy while you, I don’t know, drink a hot beverage while it’s still hot. Radical concept, I know.
21. Have a Family Game Night
Bust out the board games. Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, or something for older kids. The goal isn’t to win; it’s to laugh until milk comes out your nose. Loser has to put the younger sibling to bed. 😉
The “Final Countdown” Activities (The Home Stretch)
The last few days before Christmas are intense. The excitement is palpable, and patience is thin. These activities are designed to harness that energy.
22. Track Santa on NORAD
This is a must-do for Christmas Eve. The NORAD Santa tracker is a masterpiece of modern technology. It gives them something to obsess over besides “Is he here yet?” every five seconds. It builds the anticipation in the best possible way.
23. Put Out Cookies and Reindeer Food
This is the main event. Sprinkle that magical oatmeal-and-glitter reindeer food on the lawn. Arrange the cookies and milk just so. This simple ritual is the culmination of the whole 24-day journey. It’s the calm before the storm.
24. Open One Gift on Christmas Eve
We always let the kids open one present on Christmas Eve, and it’s always the same thing: new pajamas. They get to wear them that night, which guarantees cute, matching photos in the morning. It’s a practical gift disguised as a treat. You’re welcome.
So there you have it. Twenty-four simple, slightly chaotic, and hopefully wonderful ways to spend December with your kids. You don’t have to do them all. Pick the ones that spark joy for your family and ignore the rest. The only rule is to be present and enjoy the magic through their eyes.
Now, go hide the chocolate before they find it. You’ve got 24 days to survive! 🙂
