In this post, I’m breaking down all things Christmas advent calendar for toddlers from DIY ideas to the best of Amazon to make the holidays extra special for your little ones!
Published: 10/27/24
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If I have noticed anything in particular about this generation of parents, it’s that we’re all determined to make a really big deal out of holidays.
We’re all hellbent on making Christmas feel the way it did when we were little for our children!
There’s a lot that goes into making the holidays feel magical, but I truly believe that the most important thing to do is build anticipation.
We live in an age where convenience is everywhere.
When we were kids, we had to circle pictures in catalogs to tell our parents what we wanted for Christmas.
And that was NO guarantee that we would even get any of those things!
But now with Amazon and Walmart and Doordash, we can get our kids pretty much anything they could want at any time in the year.
So in our house, we practice a lot of abstinence from consumerism leading up to the holidays to make any gifts or treats feel extra special.
Another great way to build anticipation is with an advent calendar!
I never really did these growing up, but I feel like they’ve really grown in popularity lately and I’m excited to get my toddler involved in a new tradition this year.
What is an advent calendar?
Each day of December leading up to Christmas day, an advent calendar has some sort of gift or activity that your child can do to countdown to the 25th.
In its simplest form, an advent calendar is truly just a calendar, maybe with paper doors on each date that hides a cute picture or Christmas poem behind it.
It’s a flexible idea that can really become anything you want it to be, as long as there is just one gift or activity per day.
It’s supposed to build anticipation for Christmas, so you don’t want to go all out on the first few gifts!
Let the momentum build and watch your toddler get more and more into the holiday spirit.
30 Christmas Advent Calendar for Toddlers Ideas
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DIY Christmas Advent Calendar for Toddlers Ideas
For the crafty moms looking to make their toddler advent calendar extra special and unique, here are my favorite DIY ideas to craft your own “calendar” of gifts!
1. Shoe Organizer Calendar
Credit: @life_with_ava_madeline
Use a wall hang shoe organizer as an easy DIY advent calendar this holiday season!
It gives you some wiggle room with the size of your gifts, and it’s adorable to see a bunch of exciting things popping out the top.
Just be sure it has enough slots for days until Christmas.
2. Carboard Cutout Calendar
Credit: @little_tiny_adventures
For the craftier moms out there who are looking for something special but, on a budget, create your own advent calendar out of carboard!
It’s completely customizable so get as creative as you please. Plus these will make adorable keepsakes down the road.
3. Pouch Garland
Credit: @onsuttonplace
I’m obsessed with this idea from On Sutton Place where they’ve placed each gift in a pouch with a number, then hung the pouches on string like garland.
All matching bags is beautiful and classy, or go for all different colored bag for something extra fun!
4. Christmas Tree Pockets
Credit: @actuallyanh
If you know how to sew, then creating a custom Christmas tree advent calendar like this one is as simple as sewing on pockets!
If you’re like me, though, and can’t be trusted with a needle and thread, then just buy something similar on Amazon or Etsy.
5. Individually Wrapped
Credit: @troneci.andreea
I’m a Type B mom through and through and this simple plastic bin filled with small wrapped gifts really calls to me.
It’s easy, it’s quick, and I guarantee your toddler won’t be any less excited to open their gift each day!
6. Organizer Shelf and Boxes
Credit: @louiseslittlecorner
For those who have advent calendar gifts in mind that will need a little more space than a small pocket, consider using an organizer shelf!
You can place your boxes in each cubby and still have a beautiful, organized advent calendar for your little one.
Oversized decorations for Christmas never hurt anyone!
7. Activity Cards
Credit: @theplaycard_co
I’m one hundred percent that mom that has to ask all the grandparents to not buy toys for their toddler anymore.
Maybe that makes me cruel, but I truly don’t think one kid needs several toy boxes filled to the brim with toys.
Opt for something a little more educational in your advent calendar like these Christmas activity cards to get your toddler excited for Christmas day!
8. Christmas Village Boxes
Credit: @ourhomerevival
I don’t really think I have to convince anyone that this is hands down one of the cutest Christmas advent calendars for toddlers there is.
It’s so whimsical and magical and in my opinion, looks way prettier than a sprawling Christmas village!
Save yourself the time, space, and money, and create an interactive village that your toddler can look at in wonder.
9. Christmas Crackers
Credit: @kateandthelittlehobbits
They know how to do holidays over in the UK and one of their traditions that I wish was more popular in the US is Christmas crackers!
Create your own budget friendly crackers using toilet paper rolls and brightly colored labels for each day of the month.
This DIY calendar is adorable and won’t even come close to breaking the bank.
10. Bookshelf Presents
Credit: @nikkiandthelittles
I absolutely love the idea of gifting storybooks to your toddler for their holiday advent calendar.
My toddler is in such a book phase so I’m thinking of copying this idea for my own family this year.
The best part about it is, if you already have a bookshelf, then you already have your advent calendar!
Christmas Advent Calendar for Toddlers Present Ideas
If you’re in need of inspiration for what to actually put in your advent calendar, here are some of my tried-and-true favorites for toddlers!
1. Felt Ornaments
I love little gifts like these for kids because it’s one of those small things that can easily become a tradition.
Each year they’ll look forward to their new ornament and get excited about adding it to their collection!
2. Bath Toys
You truly can’t go wrong with bath toys for toddlers.
My favorite way to make the holidays feel special for kids isn’t to do big and expensive gestures, but rather make their daily routine feel extra special. Like Christmas bath toys!
3. Christmas Figures
Little figurines like these are continuously some of the most played with toys in our household.
They allow for open ended and imaginative play that they can take with them anywhere.
4. Sweet Treats
Some moms are against sugary gifts for the holidays, but I am simply not that mom.
I think if there is any time to let your child have some sugar, it’s gotta be Christmas!
5. Holiday Books
Books are always the best gifts if you ask me! Toddlers love them, and obviously we as parents love what they can learn from them.
Plus it’s another way to make their daily routine feel just a little more special around Christmas time!
Swap out their nightly story for something Christmas themed to get them in the holiday spirit.
6. Winter Socks
We all know the struggle of trying to keep even one pair of toddler socks for longer than one or two months.
Some things are worth trying to salvage, but when it comes to toddler socks, I say just buy another pack.
7. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
I absolutely love these scavenger hunt flash cards that are designed to be all things your child can find in your home.
They love the adventure, and you’ll love getting to enjoy some boozy eggnog with other adults while they’re being entertained by these.
8. Handheld Fidget Toys
These handheld fidget toys make the perfect toys for car rides!
Toddlers are endlessly entertained by them, and they’re easy to pop in the pockets behind seats or in a center console.
9. Snowglobes
I used to love snow globes when I was a kid. So much so that I was hell bent on collecting them!
Obviously, I was never able to follow through, but the fact that I still remember how happy they made me tells me they’re a great gift for toddlers.
10. Sticker Books
Every toddler I’ve ever met absolutely loves stickers. I couldn’t really tell you why, but it’s an irrefutable fact.
So for just one day this holiday season, let your kiddo go as crazy with the stickers as their little heart desires.
Best Amazon Christmas Advent Calendar for Toddlers
For the moms like me that want to make the holidays special for their toddler, but don’t currently have the capacity to create their own advent calendar, here are the absolute best ones from Amazon!
1. Bluey
Can anyone name even a single toddler that doesn’t love Bluey?
2. Disney Storybooks
All of the best Disney storybooks in one calendar for an AMAZING price!
3. Melissa & Doug
Advent calendars don’t have to be filled with individual gifts to still be fun! Sometimes just the tradition of the calendar is the best part.
4. Fisher-Price Little People
I don’t know what kind of magic Fisher-Price put in their little people toys, but my toddler is obsessed.
5. Chocolates
A chocolate a day keeps the holiday spirit from going away!
6. Rubber Ducks
Anyone else’s toddler love rubber ducks as much as mine? Duck was one of his first words because of it!
7. Dinosaur Eggs
Look some people will try to claim that dinosaur toys are just for boys, but what toddler wouldn’t love scraping through a powdery egg to find a toy inside?
8. Nativity Themed
For the parents who are hoping to instill the religious meaning of Christmas in their children! Make your advent calendar less about gift giving and more about telling the Bible story!
9. Play-Doh
Play-doh will NEVER not be one of the best gifts to give a toddler. The absolute best open-ended play that doesn’t stain carpets!
10. Magnetic Train Set
I love this idea of each piece of the advent calendar being part of a bigger toy! They’ll be so excited to gain a new little portion of their train every day until Christmas.
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