9 Fun DIY Advent Calendar Ideas for Toddlers 🎄

1. Envelope Advent Calendar

Why It’s Great: It’s simple, doesn’t take a lot of time and money and is still fun.

What You Need: 24 small envelopes, craft paper, markers, stickers, washi tape.

How to Make It:

• Decorate each envelope with festive stickers and drawings.
• Number them from 1 to 24.
• Fill each envelope with a small note containing a fun activity for the day, like “Read a Christmas story” or “Make hot cocoa together.”

2. Felt Christmas Tree Calendar

• What You Need: Large piece of green felt, smaller pieces of colored felt, scissors, velcro dots.
• How to Make It:
  • Cut the large felt into the shape of a Christmas tree.
  • Cut 24 small shapes (stars, ornaments, etc.) from the colored felt.
  • Attach velcro dots to the tree and each shape.
  • Number the shapes and let your toddler add one to the tree each day.
• Why It’s Great: It’s interactive and helps with fine motor skills!

3. Paper Cup Countdown

• What You Need: 24 small paper cups or bags, tissue paper, string, small toys or treats.
• How to Make It:
  • Fill each cup with a small toy or treat.
  • Cover the opening with tissue paper and secure with a string.
  • Hang the cups on a wall or place them in a box, and let your toddler punch through the tissue paper to reveal each day’s surprise.
• Why It’s Great: Adds an element of surprise and is super fun for little ones to break through the tissue paper!

4. Book Advent Calendar

• What You Need: 24 wrapped children’s books, holiday wrapping paper, numbered tags.
• How to Make It:
  • Wrap each book in festive paper and label it with a number.
  • Place them in a basket or under the tree.
  • Each night, let your toddler unwrap a book to read together.
• Why It’s Great: Encourages a love for reading and makes bedtime extra special.

5. Mini Stocking Calendar

• What You Need: 24 mini stockings (maybe you still have some socks when your toddler was smaller), a string or ribbon, small trinkets or treats.
• How to Make It:
  • Hang the stockings on a string and fill each with a small treat or toy.
  • Number the stockings and let your toddler pull out a surprise each day.
• Why It’s Great: This is a reusable option that can be used year after year.

6. DIY Muffin Tin Advent Calendar

• What You Need: 24-cup muffin tin, colorful paper, tape, small gifts or candy.
• How to Make It:
  • Cut 24 circles from the paper to fit over the muffin tin cups.
  • Number each circle and tape them over the filled cups.
  • Each day, let your child lift a circle to find their treat.
• Why It’s Great: Super simple and a great way to repurpose an everyday item!

7. Toy Hunt Advent Calendar

• What You Need: Small holiday-themed toys (like miniature Santas, snowmen, etc.), clues or a map.
• How to Make It:
  • Hide a toy around the house each day.
  • Give your toddler a simple clue or a small map to find it.
• Why It’s Great: Combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with holiday fun!

8. Paper Bag Countdown

This is as easy as it gets! Use small paper bags, decorate them with festive stickers or drawings, and add a number for each day leading up to Christmas.

• 🖍 What to Include: Mini toys, snacks, or daily sensory activities. Check out my post on layered sensory bottles for inspiration!

9. Sensory Bag Advent Calendar

If your toddler is sensory-driven, why not make each day a new sensory experience? Use small ziplock bags or pouches, each containing a different sensory element like slime, foam beads, or textured fabrics.

• ✨ Need Inspiration? My posts on sound sensory bottles and glow-in-the-dark sensory bottles can give you ideas for items to include.