Fun Family Advent Calendar Activities {with Free Printable}
These fun family advent calendar activities are perfect for getting into holiday cheer. This list of advent calendar activities is sure to get your family into the Christmas spirit.
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‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! From crafting homemade calendars to baking holiday treats, these family advent calendar ideas are sure to get everyone in your family excited for Christmas.
So grab some hot cocoa and get started on your countdown to Christmas! You can download this advent activity calendar or make your own by downloading this December Calendar.
Family Advent Calendar Activities
The holidays are a special time when family, friends, and loved ones come together to celebrate. Here is a list of fun activities and ideas to get you started!
1: Drink hot chocolate.
What’s more festive than sipping on some hot chocolate? You can even make your own flavors. Add marshmallows, candy canes, or even Bailey’s for an extra special treat.
2: Play in the Snow.
If there’s Snow outside, take advantage of it! Build a snowman, or snow fort, make snow angels, or have a good old-fashioned snowball fight. Just be sure to dress warmly!
3: Make a gingerbread house.
Making a gingerbread house is a classic Christmas activity perfect for the whole family. Buy a kit from the store or get creative and make your own gingerbread house from scratch.
Don’t forget to add some tasty decorations like candy canes and chocolate chips.
4: Go Christmas caroling.
Spread holiday cheer with Christmas carols! You can go out and explore your neighborhood with your family. Be sure to bring along some candles and flashlights to light your way.
5: Have a Snowball Fight.
Have a snowball fight if you’re looking for a fun way to let off steam! This simple activity is sure to be for kids and adults. Just be sure to stay safe and not aim for the face!
6: Go Ice Skating or Sledding.
If you’re looking for a more active advent calendar activity, try ice skating or sledding! What a great way to get outside and enjoy the winter weather.
Be sure to bundle up, though! Ice skating is so much fun with family and friends. You can stay active during the holidays.
7: Decorate the Christmas Tree.
Put on some festive music and get to work decorating the tree. Be sure to let everyone have a turn putting up the lights and hanging the ornaments.
Decorating the tree together is definitely one of the most beloved Christmas traditions as a family.
8: Make Holiday Crafts.
Make holiday crafts together! Try making a wreath, some holiday cards, some decorations for the tree, or a new Christmas ornament.
Kids can make small gifts for extended family, friends, and neighbors. Do not forget to download these cute Christmas gift tags to go with these gifts.
9: Go Christmas Shopping.
Giving gifts to loved ones is one of the best parts of Christmas. Go Christmas shopping together and let everyone pick out a present for someone on their list.
10: Bake Christmas Cookies.
Baking is a classic holiday activity that’s perfect for the whole family. Get together and bake some Christmas cookies! Share using these Christmas Recipe Cards.
Use icing and sprinkles to decorate them. Kids of different ages will surely enjoy making fun cookie shapes with cookie cutters.
11: Read Holiday Stories.
Snuggle up with a favorite book during the holidays. Read some holiday stories together as a family. Make it into a game and act out the scenes from the book to make it even more fun.
12: Watch a Christmas Movie.
What’s more festive than cuddling up and watching a Christmas movie? Pop some popcorn and snuggle up on the couch with your family.
You can even test your Christmas movie knowledge by playing this Christmas Movies Emoji Pictionary.
13: Visit Santa.
One of the best parts of Christmas is getting to visit Santa! Take a trip to the mall or see if you can find a local Santa who does home visits. The kids will love getting to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
14: Make a Holiday Meal.
Get together and make a holiday feast! Make sure to get the kids involved in cooking or setting the table. Download this Christmas Meal Planner to ensure everything is organized before the event.
15: Give back to the Community.
Give back to those in need. You can donate money or food to a local charity or volunteer your time at a soup kitchen.
16: Decorate the House.
Put up the Christmas lights, hang some mistletoe, and put out a festive wreath.
17: Have a Holiday Party.
Get together with friends and family. Throw a holiday party and celebrate the season! Be sure to have festive food and drinks, and don’t forget the Christmas music.
18: Make Holiday Cards.
Send DIY holiday cards to your friends and family. Get creative and make your own, or even buy some festive cards. Your loved ones will appreciate the thought.
19: Go See some Christmas Lights.
Check out the beautiful lights in the city. Take a drive or walk around your neighborhood and enjoy the festive displays.
20: Make a Snowman.
If you have enough snow, why not build a snowman? Be sure to dress him in old clothes, so he’s nice and warm. Have the kids color some snowman coloring pages to make it even more fun.
21: Write a letter to Santa.
Kids will have a good time writing a letter to Santa and telling him what they want for Christmas. Be sure to check the mailbox for a response from Santa!
22: Make a Homemade Gift.
The best thing about Christmas? Giving and receiving gifts. If you’re on a budget or want to add a personal touch, make a homemade gift for your loved ones.
Show how much you care and appreciate them by making a homemade gift.
24: Make a Gift for Grandma:
Show some love for Grandma by making her a gift. Be sure to think about it and make something she’ll appreciate. You can even download this template for What I like about my Grandma and have kids fill out the questionnaire.
25: Make a Snow Globe:
Making a snow globe is a popular Christmas activity among kids and adults. You can find kits to make snow globes online or at your local craft store.
26: Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder.
You can find pine cones in your yard or at your local craft store. Not only will this add a personal touch to your Christmas decor, but it will also help the local wildlife.
28: Make an Ornament.
Take time to make an ornament. You can find kits to make ornaments online or at your local craft store. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your Christmas tree.
29: Have a Marshmallow Fight.
This is a great way to have fun and get the kids involved. Be sure to have enough marshmallows for everyone, and make sure they’re not too hot!
30: Drop off Supplies at the Pet Shelter.
Give back this holiday season. Many shelters need supplies, such as food, blankets, and toys. Make a difference by helping out someone in need.
31: Make Reindeer Food.
This is a great activity to do with the kids. You can find recipes for reindeer food online or in a holiday cookbook.
32: Call an Old Friend.
Connect with old friends and catch up by giving them a call or sending a text.
33: Bake Cookies for your Neighbor.
Bake some delicious cookies for neighbors, friends, or family. Get to know them if you have never interacted before or have a good time if you are long-time neighbors.
34: Start a new Christmas tradition.
Add excitement to the holidays by starting a new Christmas tradition with your family or friends.
36: Take Photos in the Snow.
Document the memories you make during the holidays by taking pictures in the snow. Be sure to bundle up, though!
37: Donate Old Toys to a Homeless Shelter.
Many shelters need supplies, such as food, blankets, and toys. Help out and make a difference this holiday season. You will be setting an excellent example for your kids as well.
38: Make Paper Snowflakes.
You can find kits to make paper snowflakes online or at your local craft store.
39: Read a Christmas Book Together.
Read a classic Christmas story or poem together.
40: Cookie Decorating Party.
Invite some friends over and have a cookie decorating party.
41: Take a Walk and Look for Tracks in the Snow.
Get outside and enjoy the winter weather. Take a walk and check out the tracks in the snow.
42: Christmas Eve Dinner
Make a special dinner to enjoy with your family and friends.
43: Do an Act of Kindness.
Make someone’s day by doing an act of kindness. Try doing something nice for a neighbor, friend, or family member. Take this opportunity to teach kids how good deeds go a long way.
44: Take Family Pictures by the Christmas Tree.
Document the memories you make during the holidays by taking pictures of the Christmas tree.
45: Have a Board Game Night.
Board games are always so much fun. Everyone feels involved and gets turns. Christmas Bingo is one such fun board game where even young children can participate because of the pictures used in the bingo cards instead of letters.
You can even make your own bingo by using this bingo generator.
46: Make Christmas Breakfast.
You can never go wrong with Christmas pancakes for breakfast. Set up a hot chocolate bar as well on Christmas morning. What a special way to start your Christmas day!
47. Go on a Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Get everyone up and moving with a festive scavenger hunt! Hide items around your house or neighborhood that are associated with Christmas.
This activity is great for getting everyone out of the house. It’s also perfect for burning off some energy before Santa comes!
48. Make a Homemade Advent Calendar.
Starting your own advent calendar tradition is a great way to get the whole family involved in the countdown to Christmas. Get everyone together to craft a homemade calendar that you can use yearly.
Download Advent Calendar Printable
There are so many fun ways to countdown to Christmas with your family! By starting your own traditions, you can create memories that will last a lifetime. So get crafty, hit the kitchen, and start hunting for those hidden treasures! Your family will be sure to thank you for it. Merry Christmas!
