Advent Calendar Fillers for Kids: 32 Ideas for Ages 6–12

If I were filling a child’s Advent calendar, I’d start with what they actually do after school. Draw? Read? Build things? Make up games? There’s your theme.

These Advent calendar fillers are for kids ages 6–12, including tweens ages 9–12. Choose age-labeled items and adapt the activities to the child; a six-year-old and a twelve-year-old can have very different ideas of fun.

Creative fillers

1. A drawing pencil. Pair it with a prompt such as designing a ridiculous holiday sweater.
2. A colored-pencil duo. Choose two colors that work together and keep the rest of the set for another project.
3. A small sketchbook. Use a numbered clue if it won’t fit the pocket.
4. A paper folding square. Include simple instructions for something they can finish that day.
5. A roll of paper craft tape. Choose a pattern they can use on cards or notebooks.
6. A stencil. Check its measurements before buying; some sets are much larger than they look.
7. A card-making blank. Give them a recipient and let the design be entirely theirs.
8. A comic-strip sheet. Draw six empty panels and add an opening line.

Reading and writing fillers

9. A bookmark. Match the picture or color to their interests.
10. A joke card. Write one suitable for them to tell at dinner.
11. A short riddle. Put the answer on the back so nobody has to wait until tomorrow.
12. A mini word search. Make one using family names or favorite animals.
13. A pocket notebook. Handy for stories, lists or a very important secret code.
14. A favorite pen. Check that the ink type is suitable for the paper they’ll use.
15. A library-choice coupon. Set a real day when you can visit together.
16. A bookshop browse plan. Be clear whether browsing includes a spending allowance.

Useful small surprises

17. A pencil sharpener. Choose a sturdy enclosed design suitable for their age.
18. A simple eraser. Skip miniature food-shaped versions if younger siblings might mistake them for food.
19. A zipper pull. Check it can attach securely to their existing bag.
20. A glasses cloth. Useful for a child who wears glasses, with a pattern they’d enjoy.
21. A sports wristband. Choose it for an activity they already do.
22. A hair tie or headband. Only if it’s something they like wearing.
23. A pair of socks. Put a picture in the drawer if the pair doesn’t fit.
24. A reusable lunch note. Write a joke or encouragement on sturdy paper for their lunch bag.

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Activities and treats

25. Choose-the-game night. Offer games you already own and agree the available time.
26. A paper-airplane challenge. Include paper and a target distance suited to your space.
27. A holiday drawing challenge. Everyone draws the same silly subject for five minutes.
28. A lights scavenger hunt. Look for a snowman, a star and a house with colorful lights.
29. A familiar packaged snack. Keep ingredients and allergen information with the food.
30. A hot-chocolate plan. Choose a product they can have and have an adult prepare it.
31. A snack-and-story break. Let them pick both from options already available.
32. A family quiz role. Give them the job of asking three questions at dinner.

Also read: Christmas activity Advent calendar for younger kids.

Turn the list into 24 openings

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Choose eight creative or reading items, four practical fillers, six activities and six joke or riddle cards. The extra jokes can be written at home, so you don’t have to buy 24 things.

For a drawing fan, use drawing prompts across several days. For a reader, mix bookmarks, library plans and notes about books they might enjoy. Keep any building-set parts together unless each day’s portion makes something playable on its own.

Tiny drawers: what genuinely helps

Flat paper notes, bookmarks and individual drawing supplies are easier to fit than boxed toys. Measure the inside width, height and depth, then allow space for wrapping.

If a gift is too large, use a numbered card and keep it in a matching bag elsewhere. Avoid removing warnings or instructions just to squeeze a toy into a compartment.

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A sensible spending plan

Write down the full cost of each pack before dividing it into days. Count unused pieces, packaging, tax and shipping. If you’re filling calendars for siblings, decide whether you’re matching spending, gift size or the number of openings. Explain the plan before December starts.

You can also make a shared calendar with a different child choosing the activity each day. Each child doesn’t need a separate set of supplies.

What I’d leave out

I’d skip mystery gadgets, items that need extra purchases, loose high-powered magnets and toys with accessible button batteries. Check exact age labels, especially if younger children can reach the calendar. The CPSC toy safety guidance is a useful starting point.

For December 2026, save longer activities for December 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20. A joke card is a perfectly good opening on a busy Tuesday.

Also read: Advent calendar filler ideas for every age · a kindness Advent calendar.

Also read: Meaningful family Christmas traditions.