24 Easy Advent Activities for Toddlers (No Shopping Needed)

An advent calendar doesn’t have to mean a chocolate or a toy every day. For toddlers, a small thing to do together is even better. It slows December down, and it gives your little one something to look forward to every morning.

Here are 24 easy ideas. No shopping, no big setup. Just pick one each day.

24 advent activities

1. Make a paper chain to count down the days.
2. Have a hot cocoa picnic on the living room floor.
3. Draw a picture for a grandparent.
4. Read a Christmas book in a blanket fort.
5. Have a holiday dance party.
6. Make a card for a neighbor.
7. Go on a walk to look at Christmas lights.
8. Bake (or just decorate) cookies.
9. Color a Christmas picture.
10. Wrap a pretend present for a stuffed animal.
11. Write or draw a letter to Santa.
12. Sing “Jingle Bells” as loud as you can.
13. Pick out a toy to give to a child who needs one.
14. Make a paper snowflake.
15. Watch a Christmas movie with popcorn.
16. Hang one ornament on the tree.
17. Have a “Christmas helper” day: let them help set the table.
18. Call or video chat with family far away.
19. Make a jar of magic reindeer food.
20. Count the Christmas trees you see on a drive.
21. Leave a kind note for someone in the house.
22. Have breakfast for dinner, Christmas style.
23. Read a Christmas Eve story.
24. Leave out cookies for Santa.

Tips for doing advent with toddlers

• Keep it short. Ten minutes is plenty for a 2 or 3 year old.
• Do it at the same time every day, like after breakfast. Toddlers love knowing what comes next.
• Swap freely. Rainy day? Busy day? Trade it for something easier. The point is time together, not a perfect plan.
• Let them be in charge of opening the card or tearing off the paper chain link. That’s half the fun.

A printable advent calendar made for little hands

Penny’s Christmas Countdown turns these ideas into 24 fold-over activity cards, one for each day from December 1 to 24. Each card has a Penny picture to color, and there’s a countdown tree and a Christmas Helper award too.

It’s also part of Penny’s Christmas Bundle, along with a Christmas Eve storybook, 25 coloring pages and Christmas Eve printables. For more countdown ideas, see our post on Christmas countdowns for kids who can’t wait.

Questions parents ask

What age can you start an advent calendar?

Around age 2 is a great time. Toddlers won’t understand all 24 days, but they love a little daily surprise.

What’s a good non-candy advent calendar for toddlers?

An activity calendar like this one. Small things to do together are cheaper, healthier and more memorable than a treat a day.

What if we miss a day?

Just do two the next day, or skip it. Nobody’s keeping score.