24 Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids (That Aren't Chocolate)

Chocolate advent calendars are fun, but the magic often lasts about four seconds. An activity advent calendar turns each day of December into a small shared moment, and those are the moments children remember.

Here are 24 advent calendar ideas for kids, how to make your own calendar in one evening, and tips to keep it easy on busy days.

How to make an activity advent calendar

You don't need anything fancy. Pick one of these:

• Envelopes on a string. Hang 24 small envelopes with pegs along a wall or window.
• Fabric bags or socks. Fill each with a folded note and maybe a small treat.
• Matchboxes or toilet-roll tubes. Decorate them together, which is already your first activity.

Write one activity on a small card for each day. Keep a few "easy day" cards spare, so you can swap in something simple when a day gets busy.

Cosy and creative ideas

1. Bake gingerbread biscuits and let your child decorate them however they like.
2. Cut paper snowflakes and stick them on the windows.
3. Hot chocolate and a family film in pyjamas.
4. Build a blanket fort and read stories inside by torchlight.
5. Make homemade Christmas cards for family and friends.
6. Decorate your own ornament from pine cones, salt dough or paper.

Outdoor adventures

7. Go on a Christmas lights walk after dark.
8. Make bird feeders from pine cones, peanut butter and seeds.
9. Build a snowman, or collect pine cones and twigs if there's no snow.
10. Stargaze wrapped in blankets with a thermos of something warm.
11. Visit a Christmas market and choose one small thing together.
12. Go sledging or ice skating, or simply jump in puddles.

Kindness and giving

13. Choose a toy to donate to children who need one.
14. Draw a picture for grandparents and post it.
15. Bake something for a neighbour and deliver it together.
16. Video-call someone far away and sing them a song.
17. Do a secret good deed for someone in the family.
18. Write thank-you notes to teachers or carers.

Stories and imagination

19. Pyjama reading night with a stack of Christmas books.
20. Tell a story together, where each person adds one sentence.
21. Create a Christmas story starring your child. With LuluStories you can make a personalized Christmas book where your child is the hero of their own festive adventure, ready to read that evening.
22. Act out a favourite story with dressing-up clothes and teddies as the audience.
23. Write a letter to Santa and decorate the envelope.
24. Christmas Eve story night. Read a special story together before bed, the perfect last door.

Tips to keep it simple

• Match the activity to the day. Save baking and outings for weekends, and quick ideas for school nights.
• Adapt for toddlers. Little ones love simple tasks: sticking stickers, counting baubles or watering the tree.
• Mix in a small surprise. A sticker, a sweet or a hair clip alongside the note keeps the excitement going.
• Let it be imperfect. Missing a day is fine. Do two tomorrow, or swap in an easy-day card.

A story advent calendar

Many families turn the four Sundays of Advent into story nights. Each Sunday, make a new short story together where your child is the hero: building a snowman, helping the reindeer, finding a lost star. By Christmas Eve you have a little collection of stories that are completely theirs.

Looking for a gift to go under the tree as well? See our guide to personalized Christmas gifts for kids.

Frequently asked questions

What can I put in an advent calendar instead of chocolate? Small activities written on notes work well: baking, crafts, walks, kind deeds and story nights. You can add stickers, hair clips, small toys or a mini book.

What age is an activity advent calendar good for? From around age 2. Toddlers enjoy simple activities like stickers or counting baubles, while older children love outings, baking and creative projects.

How do I make an advent calendar quickly? Number 24 envelopes, write one activity on a card for each and hang them on a string with pegs. It takes about an evening.