24 Advent Calendar Activities for Kids Ages 3–8 + Free Printable

Want to make your kids’ Advent calendar about doing things rather than receiving things? Well here’s an idea… use an activity Advent calendar that gives you one small thing to look forward to each day in December: a Christmas story after dinner, a walk to spot festive lights or an after-school cookie decorating session.

The lovely part is that the activities can be as simple as you need them to be. You do not need 24 outings, a cupboard full of craft supplies or a fresh idea every single evening. To make things easy I’ve put together activity ideas for each day of advent.

These 24 Advent calendar activities are designed for kids ages 3–8 to enjoy with a parent or caregiver. They mix quick ideas for busy days with a few longer activities you can move to the weekend. Most use things you already have at home, with simple adjustments for preschoolers and children in the early elementary years.

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You can download the free PDF version of this Activity Advent Calendar at the end of the post.

Jump to the 24 activities · Plan your countdown · Find easy activity swaps

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How to make an activity Advent calendar work for your family

For this countdown, use December 1 through Christmas Eve. The numbered ideas are a starting point, so you can move an activity to another day whenever it suits you. Keep Christmas Eve’s quiet story night for the end and shuffle the rest.

• Check your real calendar first. Put cookie decorating, movie night and pajama breakfast on days when you have time. A school concert or family visit can count as that day’s activity.
• Keep school nights short. Ten minutes of music or a story is plenty. Pick the smallest version of an activity when everyone’s tired.
• Use what you own. Borrow books, reuse paper and check the kitchen before adding anything to the shopping list.
• Build in permission to swap. If a plan falls through, repeat a favorite or skip a day. There is no catching-up requirement.

If you are mapping out the rest of December too, the family Christmas planning list can help you see which days already have enough going on.

24 Advent calendar activities for kids ages 3–8

Each activity has a short prompt for the calendar, followed by a practical way to do it. The time estimates are only a guide; take the version that fits your day.

1. Write a letter to Santa

Time: 10–15 minutes · What you need: Paper and pencils.

Start the countdown with a letter or picture for Santa. Ask kids to include something they enjoyed this year as well as their Christmas wishes. Keep a photo of the finished letter if you would like to look back on it next December.

For kids ages 3–8: Kids ages 3–5 can draw their wishes while you write down their words. Kids ages 6–8 can write a short letter and include something they would like to do together.

2. Read a Christmas story

Time: 10–15 minutes · What you need: A book you own or a library book.

Curl up together for a festive read. You do not need 24 new books or a carefully wrapped book Advent calendar: one favorite story is plenty for tonight.

For kids ages 3–8: Ask preschoolers to find a star or a tree in the pictures. Children who enjoy reading can read a page aloud, with help when needed.

3. Make a paper chain

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Scrap paper, scissors and tape.

Cut paper into strips, loop the first strip and tape it closed. Thread the next strip through it and keep going. Hang your chain across a shelf or doorway. Reused wrapping paper makes a colorful chain without buying craft supplies.

For kids ages 3–8: Precut strips for preschoolers and help them close each loop. Kids ages 6–8 can count the links or make a repeating color pattern.

4. Go Christmas light spotting

Time: 20–40 minutes · What you need: Warm layers and a familiar walking route.

Take a walk around your neighborhood and look for Christmas lights. Turn it into a little spotting game: find a star, a reindeer, a wreath and a house with more than one color of lights.

For kids ages 3–8: Choose a short route and stay together. For preschoolers, look for just two things, such as a star and a reindeer. Look from your window if an outing does not suit the day.

5. Build a Christmas tree with blocks

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Building blocks you already own.

Challenge everyone to build a Christmas tree using blocks. It can be tiny, wonky or spectacularly tall. Finish with a pretend star on top and put the creations on display until bedtime.

For kids ages 3–8: Use blocks suited to your child’s age. Preschoolers can stack a simple tree with help; kids ages 6–8 can try building one using only 20 pieces.

6. Decorate Christmas cookies

Time: 30–45 minutes · What you need: Cookies, icing and toppings.

Bake a batch if you have the time, or start with plain store-bought cookies. Put icing and a few toppings in small bowls and let everyone decorate one or two. There is no need for a whole afternoon of baking for this to count.

For kids ages 3–8: Give preschoolers one cookie and a little icing to spread. Kids ages 6–8 can try making a tree or snowman design. Handle the oven yourself if baking.

7. Make a Christmas card

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Paper or cardstock and drawing supplies.

Fold a sheet of paper in half and make a card for someone you care about. Draw a snowy scene, a tree or a cheerful collection of dots that becomes a string of lights. Add a proper message inside.

For kids ages 3–8: Preschoolers can draw while you write their message. Kids ages 6–8 can add a sentence about why they like the person receiving the card.

8. Have a Christmas dance party

Time: 10 minutes · What you need: Three favorite Christmas songs.

Put on three festive songs and have a living-room dance party. Take turns picking the music, invent one silly move each and finish with everyone doing the same dance together.

For kids ages 3–8: Let each child choose a song or invent one movement for everyone to copy. Sitting down and doing festive hand movements works too.

9. Cut out paper snowflakes

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Paper and scissors.

Fold a square of paper into a triangle, then fold it again. Cut small shapes from the edges and unfold to reveal your snowflake. Tape the finished shapes to a window or make a snowy display on the wall.

For kids ages 3–8: Cut the shapes yourself for preschoolers, letting them unfold the paper. Kids ages 6–8 can try simple cuts with suitable scissors and adult help.

10. Make a cozy hot chocolate

Time: 10–15 minutes · What you need: Hot chocolate ingredients and a favorite mug.

Make a warm drink and sit down together to enjoy it. One topping, such as whipped cream or marshmallows, is enough to make it feel special. Ask everyone which December activity they have liked best so far.

For kids ages 3–8: An adult should make and pour the drink, then let it cool. Children can choose a topping suitable for their age, or have a warm drink they prefer.

11. Draw a silly Christmas sweater

Time: 15 minutes · What you need: Paper and colored pencils.

Draw a sweater outline, then design the most gloriously silly Christmas sweater you can imagine. Think dancing sprouts, a tangled reindeer or a tree wearing sunglasses. Give each design a name.

For kids ages 3–8: Draw the sweater outline for preschoolers to color. Kids ages 6–8 can add a funny pattern and name their design.

12. Have a Christmas movie night

Time: An evening · What you need: A movie you already have access to.

Let everyone help choose one film, gather blankets and make a bowl of popcorn or another favorite snack. If bedtime is early, start after dinner or save the second half for tomorrow.

For kids ages 3–8: Choose a film or short festive episode you know suits your child. The Christmas movie bucket list has options for different audiences, so check suitability before choosing. Use an age-appropriate snack.

13. Make homemade gift tags

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Scrap cardstock, pens and ribbon or string.

Cut small rectangles from saved cardstock and decorate them with stars, trees or simple patterns. Write the recipient’s name clearly and put the finished tags aside for wrapping day.

For kids ages 3–8: Cut the tags for preschoolers and let them decorate. Kids ages 6–8 can write names or short messages. Find more designs in these homemade Christmas gift tag ideas.

14. Play Christmas charades

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Scraps of paper.

Write a few easy prompts: decorating a tree, wrapping a present, building a snowman, pulling a sleigh and eating a giant Christmas dinner. Take turns acting them out while everyone guesses.

For kids ages 3–8: Whisper a familiar action to preschoolers and act alongside them. Kids ages 6–8 can choose their own easy Christmas actions for everyone to guess.

15. Make a paper Christmas tree

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Paper, glue and coloring supplies.

Cut out a large paper triangle and decorate it with drawn ornaments or small scraps of colored paper. Add a trunk and a star, then put it on the fridge or a bedroom door.

For kids ages 3–8: Give preschoolers a precut tree and large paper shapes to stick on. Kids ages 6–8 can cut and layer their own triangles with adult help.

16. Share a favorite Christmas memory

Time: 10 minutes · What you need: Nothing.

At dinner or bedtime, take turns remembering something funny, cozy or surprising from a past Christmas. It might be a wonky gingerbread house or the year the dog stole a decoration. Small memories count.

For kids ages 3–8: Show a photo to help preschoolers remember, or tell them a short story about a previous Christmas. Kids ages 6–8 can share something funny they remember.

17. Wrap a gift together

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: A gift, paper and tape.

Choose one gift and wrap it together. Let children measure the paper, hold the folds or add their homemade tag. Reuse a gift bag or decorate plain paper if that is what you have.

For kids ages 3–8: Preschoolers can decorate the paper and hold a fold while you tape it. Kids ages 6–8 can help measure, fold and add a tag.

18. Send someone a Christmas hello

Time: 10 minutes · What you need: A phone or a card.

Call, send a voice message or make a quick video greeting for a friend or relative you will not see before Christmas. Ask them about a favorite holiday memory or show them something you have made.

For kids ages 3–8: Make the call or recording together. Preschoolers can wave or show a drawing; kids ages 6–8 can say a short message they have thought of themselves.

19. Make a festive snack plate

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: Snacks you already have.

Arrange fruit, crackers, cheese or another favorite snack into the shape of a Christmas tree. Add a small star-shaped piece at the top if you fancy it. It is a snack with a festive twist, using what is already in the kitchen.

For kids ages 3–8: Prepare the food yourself in sizes and textures suitable for your child, then let them arrange it into a tree or star.

20. Do a small Christmas kindness

Time: 10–20 minutes · What you need: Depends on your chosen kindness.

Choose one useful, thoughtful thing to do: write a thank-you note, help someone with a chore or check in on a neighbor you know. Keep it specific so everyone can see how their small act helps.

For kids ages 3–8: Offer preschoolers a concrete task, such as helping put away toys. Kids ages 6–8 can draw a thank-you card or help choose a small kindness.

21. Have a Christmas pajama breakfast

Time: 20–30 minutes · What you need: Your usual breakfast.

Stay in pajamas for breakfast and put on Christmas music. Give ordinary toast, cereal or pancakes a festive name and eat together before the day gets busy. Matching pajamas and a special shopping trip are entirely optional.

For kids ages 3–8: If mornings are rushed, make it a pajama supper instead. Let children pick the music or give their breakfast a festive name.

22. Take a funny family Christmas photo

Time: 10–15 minutes · What you need: A phone and anything festive you own.

Gather by the tree, a window or your paper decorations and take one sensible photo followed by one silly photo. Use a timer so the person taking the pictures can join in.

For kids ages 3–8: Invite each child to choose a silly pose. Use a timer so everyone can join in, and keep the photo private if that is what your family prefers.

23. Let the kids choose the festive fun

Time: 10–30 minutes · What you need: Whatever your chosen activity needs.

Offer a few manageable options, such as another round of charades, a favorite story or decorating the last cookies. Let the kids choose. Repeating a favorite is often more enjoyable than squeezing in something new.

For kids ages 3–8: Offer preschoolers two simple options. Kids ages 6–8 can choose from three or suggest a favorite activity from earlier in the countdown.

24. Have a cozy Christmas Eve story night

Time: 15–20 minutes · What you need: A favorite story and blankets.

Finish the countdown with a gentle story, blankets and a few minutes together. Read a Christmas Eve classic or any book your children love. Leave the elaborate setup for another day and make this an easy end to the countdown.

For kids ages 3–8: Keep the story short for preschoolers. Kids ages 6–8 can choose the book and share one thing they are looking forward to tomorrow.

→ Download the free Christmas Activity Advent Calendar PDF here.

Easy Advent activity swaps for busy days

Keep a few tiny alternatives in mind so a change of plan does not mean starting from scratch.

• Sing one Christmas song while you tidy up.
• Draw a star and put it on the fridge.
• Choose tomorrow’s Christmas story.
• Look at a Christmas photo from a previous year.
• Tell someone one thing you appreciate about them.
• Spend five minutes looking at your lights or decorations together.

Making the countdown work for kids ages 3–8

Ages 3–5: keep activities short and do them together. Prepare craft shapes in advance, help with sticky tape and write down your child’s words when making cards or letters. A few cheerful scribbles are a perfectly good result.

Ages 6–8: give children a little more responsibility, such as reading a prompt, counting paper-chain links or writing a gift tag. Help with the parts they find fiddly and let them choose colors, songs and stories.

Adult help: these are shared activities, rather than tasks for young children to complete alone. Handle cooking, hot drinks and any cutting your child cannot manage, and use craft materials and foods suited to their age.

A few practical questions

Do we have to do one activity every day?

No. Choose the days that work, repeat something you enjoyed or treat the list as a menu. A countdown should fit around your family, including the days when everyone simply needs dinner and an early night.

Can we start after December 1?

Absolutely. Start with the date you are on or choose a handful of favorites for the days left. You do not need to squeeze the missed activities into the rest of the month.

Can we use the ideas in an Advent calendar we already own?

Yes. Write a short activity prompt on a slip of paper and tuck it into a pocket or envelope. Decide which day works for each activity before numbering your slips, especially for outings or baking.

What if our children are different ages?

Keep the same activity but give everyone a different role. A younger child can decorate a card while an older sibling writes the message; one can spot lights while another counts how many stars you find. Let children join in at the level that suits them.

More ways to enjoy the Christmas countdown

Find more Christmas family activities and traditions to enjoy together throughout December.

Also read: a kindness Advent calendar · Advent calendar fillers for kids.

For more ideas to choose from, browse the family Christmas bucket list. And if one of these small activities becomes something everyone wants to repeat next year, you have the beginnings of a new tradition. Find more inspiration in these meaningful family Christmas traditions.

→ Download the free Christmas Activity Advent Calendar PDF here.