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15 Easy DIY Advent Calendars for Kids

As an elementary school teacher, I know that kids love counting down the days to Christmas, so today I am sharing 15 easy kids advent calendar ideas. Have fun making one together and then watch the excitement build as you countdown the days until Santa Clause comes to town!

Brown bags decorated with Christmas gift tags - a creative kids advent calendar idea.

What is an advent calendar?

An advent calendar is a special calendar that counts down to a celebration.

For most of us, we use them to countdown to Christmas.

Traditionally, advent calendars contain small gifts, poems or candy which gets kids really excited and builds the anticipation of what is to come.

We added an advent calendar to our list of fun family Christmas traditions a few years ago and each year I look for new ideas.

Below are some of the easiest kid-friendly advent calendar ideas I found.

But before we get to those, I want to mention something I found that would make this DIY project even easier.

Perfect for those of you who are craft-challenged…like me!

I found these adorable DIY Advent Calendar Kits on Amazon and fell in love!

They are so cute and are perfect if you aren’t super crafty!

DIY Kids Advent Calendar Ideas

Now, on to the list:

1. Eco-Friendly Kids Advent Calendar

A kids advent calendar made with upcycled packaging and bags, hanging from a DIY tapestry hanger.

I love this eco-friendly idea to reuse, repurpose and recycle Christmas wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes that you have lying around.

Simply hang with stuff the goodies inside, number each one and hang with string!

2. Easy Muffin Tin Advent

A creative kids advent calendar made with a muffin tin and stickers.
Source: Refresh Living

What you will need:

3. Simple Sock DIY Advent Calendar

A cute DIY kids advent calendar made with holiday themed socks and ribbon.

I love this simple idea! The best part is that the socks can be given as gifts too!

What you will need:

4. Coffee Cup Advent Calendar

A DIY advent calendar for kids made with paper cup lids and Christmas countdown stickers.

The kids will love to help make this quick and easy advent calendar.

The cups and lids can be re-used for yummy hot chocolate and tea or save them for next year’s Christmas countdown!

What you will need:

5. Simple Advent Calendar

A simple DIY kids advent calendar made with crafting supplies like twine, mini clothespins, and washi tape.
Source: Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

What you will need:

6. Easy Balloon Advent for Kids

A creative kid-friendly advent calendar made with balloons and Christmas ornament hooks.
Source: Look What I Made

What you will need:

  • Balloons
  • Black paper for the ornament topper
  • Christmas ornament hooks

7. Simple Advent Calendar Wreath

A kids advent calendar wreath made with mini envelopes, clothespins, and number stamps.

What you will need:

8. Easy Paper Cup Advent Calendar for Kids

A simple DIY advent calendar for kids made with paper cups, tissue paper, ribbons, and fun stickers.

What you need:

9. Easy Envelope Advent Calendar

A simple advent calendar for kids made with envelops and stickers.

What you will need:

10. Easy Toddler Advent Calendar

A toddler-friendly friendly advent calendar made with dollar store supplies - green felt, poms poms, and a green marker.
Source: Steamsational

All you need for this one is a marker, green felt and some pom poms from the Dollar Store.

11. Kids Lego Advent Calendar

A lego advent calendar is the perfect way to engage kids in the Christmas countdown
Source: Little Bins for Little Hands

This Lego advent calendar is such a fun idea. Be sure to visit the source page for the full directions and an awesome printable!

12. Paper Cone Advent Calendar

A simple kids advent calendar made with holiday themed paper, stickers, and simple crafter's twine.

What you will need:

13. Simple Kids Advent Calendar

Colorful envelopes on string make up this simple kid-friendly advent calendar.
Source: Chalk Academy

14. DIY Paper Bag Advent Calendar

A minimalist advent calendar made with mini paper bags attached to the wall, labeled with Christmas countdown numbers.
Source: https://www.monikahibbs.com/diy-advent-calendar-kids/

This simple version uses Command strips to attach the clothespins directly to the wall. Easy peasey!

15. DIY Drawstring Advent

A collage shows how to make an advent calendar for kids using drawstring bags and red crafting paint.
Source: Modern Parents Messy Kids

What you will need:

There you have it! Tons of easy advent calendar ideas to make with the kiddos this year!

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A collage shows 15 easy Holiday Advent Calendars for kids.

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