Every November my kids start counting down and predicting what their elf is going to bring them for Advent calendars. Since they were toddlers our elf has “delivered” a unique calendar every year.
Last year I got extra ambitious and DIY’d a crafty advent calendar full of creative activities. They loved pulling out the instructions every morning and their teachers informed me it was a regular conversation topic at school.
It was a lot of work and got me wondering is someone out there has already created a ready-to-go version. And thank you Amazon, have they ever! If you enjoy Christmas crafts but don’t want the hassle of sorting through 10,000 inspiring pins, order one of these crafty advent calendars to fill your December with creativity!
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Single Box Advent Calendars
These craft-based advent calendars are a one stop shop for creativity. You may need a few extra art-cupboard staples like glue and markers, but these are mostly self-contained kits.
Over the years I’ve gotten the kids the Crayola kit (twice!), and the Play-doh calendar. I think the Perler one would go over well with my ten year old this year!
- Crayola Christmas Countdown Activity Advent Calendar (pick it up fast, as it seems to be discontinued)
- PC The Purple Cow Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar
- Check out the other Purple Cow Advent Calendars, too!
- Perler Advent Calendar 3D Christmas Fused Bead Kit
- Play-Doh Advent Calendar
- MOVINPE 2023 Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar
- Sew Your Own Felt Advent Calendar (this is a book – felt is an additional purchase)
Story-Led Crafty Advent Books
I’d never heard of a 24-part story for advent, until I started this search, and I am so impressed with these! The reviews on the Winston books are great – I’m considering getting the first one for Advent this year.
The books combine a Christmas story with a daily activity. You’ll need to bring together supplies for each day, but the heart warming story will keep you coming back and on track.
- How Winston Delivered Christmas
- How Winston Came Home for Christmas
- Peter Rabbit: Christmas is Coming: A Christmas Countdown Book
- Cat Family Christmas: A lift-the-flap advent book (12 days)
Strictly Activity-filled Books for Kids
Without fancy stories, these books hop right into the activity. Some only need a pen and markers, while others are craft instruction manuals that you’ll need to supply extras for.
I’m really intrigued by the Adventivity Book. How cute would creating a paper village over the month be? Plus there’s another daily activity to do!
- Christmas Countdown: An Adventivity Book – Build one house a day to create your own Christmas Village
- Usborne: Countdown to Christmas
- Christmas Is Coming! An Advent Book
- Advent Calendar 2021 Countdown to Christmas Activity Book for Kids: Coloring Pages, Mazes, Word Searches and More!
- Only 24 More Sleeps! A Christmas Countdown Activity Book for Kids Ages 5 to 7
- Advent Calendar: DIY Christmas Ornaments 24 Activities
- Unicorn Advent Calendar Coloring Book for Kids
Advent Activity Books for Adults
Christmas isn’t just for kids! Adults can have a craft-based advent calendar full of things to do with these books. For example, I adore the Gnome colouring book, don’t you?
- Advent: Recipes and crafts for the countdown to Christmas
- Christmas Gnomes Advent Calendar Coloring Book
Religious Books
Advent is a very special time for Christians. The following books combine crafting with daily or weekly devotionals. As a result they would make a beautiful enhancement to the typical commercial advent calendar.
- Christmas Advent: Family Adventure Calendar, Activities, and Devotionals
- Countdown to Christmas Journal & Coloring Book: Coloring, Cooking, Poetry, Traditions, Games & Creativity
- Advent Devotions & Christmas Crafts for Families: 24 Scripture Reflections & Simple Projects to Anticipate Christ’s Birth
DIY Your Own Crafty Advent Calendar
If none of these suit your needs, check out this list of kid-friendly Christmas activities to make your own custom calendar.
Looking for More?
Can’t get enough Christmas crafts? Here are some more posts for you to check out!
And be sure to check out our master list of all things Alberta Mamas Christmas!
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