35 Creative Ideas for Filling Advent Calendars for Kids

The holiday season is fast approaching, and one of the best traditions for kids is counting down the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar. While a classic calendar filled with chocolates or candy is always a hit, why not get creative this year? There are so many fun ways to make each day of the countdown extra special, from small toys to educational treats or even activities that create lasting memories.

Whether you want to add a personal touch or just shake things up a bit, filling your own Advent calendar is the perfect way to make it memorable. Imagine using a beautiful wooden calendar (like this one from Amazon), where you can hand-pick each little surprise—whether that’s a tiny toy, a sweet note, or a festive activity. It’s an idea that’s become a favorite tradition in Lydia’s household, with everyone looking forward to opening a new surprise every day.

Ready to get started? Here are 35 creative ideas to fill your kids’ Advent calendar with joy, fun, and holiday cheer!

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Mini Toys and Figures

Kids love surprises, and small toys or figurines are a great way to keep the excitement building. Consider little items that match your child's interests:

1 - LEGO mini figures – If your child loves building with LEGO, you can include a mini figure or small set of blocks each day.

2 - Funko Bitty Pop figures – With lots of designs to choose from, these little figures can be used for imaginative play.

3 - Mini Stuffed animals – Tiny plush animals or characters from a favorite series can bring comfort and joy. These mini backpack keychains would be a huge hit!

4 - Hot Wheels – Small, collectible toys like Hot Wheels are always a hit with younger kids.

Craft Supplies for Holiday Art

Advent calendars are the perfect way to introduce a little creative fun each day. Fill the pockets with mini craft supplies that your child can use to make holiday-themed art:

5 - Crayon Rocks - Perfect for little hands, these crayon rocks are perfect for daily coloring sessions while helping to develop those important fine motor skills.

6 - Holiday Stickers - Fun holiday-themed stickers, like snowflakes, reindeer, or Santa Claus.

7 - Rubber Stamp Sets - Mini rubber stamps with festive shapes like stars, trees, or presents.

8 - Bead Bracelet Kits - Be the ultimate parent and create a kit of bracelet beads for each day of December. The themes are endless!

9 - Mini glitter pens – Add a bit of sparkle to your crafts with some glitter pens or washable paint.

Holiday-Themed Activities

Turn your Advent calendar into a series of fun, interactive activities that kids can do each day. Here are some ideas:

10 - Christmas puzzle pieces – Fill each day’s box with a few pieces of this Christmas-themed puzzle. By the end of the month, they’ll have the full picture.

11 - Holiday-themed coupons – Give your child a coupon each day for special treats or activities, such as “1 extra story before bed” or “Choose what’s for dinner tonight.”

12 - Holiday scavenger hunts – Use the clues from this game to lead a a holiday treasure hunt that will lead to a hidden treat or small gift.

13 - Christmas jokes or riddles – Include a joke or riddle each day for a laugh.

14 - Random acts of kindness cards – Inspire the spirit of giving with a little card each day that encourages your child to do something nice, like "Help Mom set the table" or "Share your toy with your sibling."

Edible Treats (Beyond the Usual Candy)

While candy is a classic choice, you can go beyond chocolates to make the treats a bit healthier or more unique:

15 - Fruit snacks – Individually wrapped fruit snacks are an easy and tasty option.

16 - Cookies – These protein-packed cookies are treats you can feel good about feeding your kids! They are Non GMO Project Verified, Vegan and Kosher friendly. There is no dairy, soy, eggs, high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners in any of the Complete Cookies.

17 - Hot cocoa packets – Give your child a small hot cocoa mix packet, perhaps with a fun marshmallow or candy cane to add to the cup.

18 - Christmas-shaped crackers – The perennial kid-favorite snacks but in festive shapes!

19 - Holiday-flavored gum or mints – Opt for wintergreen, cinnamon, or peppermint flavors to match the holiday vibe or go for these cute holiday tins. What kid isn’t going to love some blueberry-flavored reindeer poop?

Educational Surprises

Combine fun and learning with educational items that will keep your little ones engaged and curious:

20 - Holiday Cards – Let the kids in on the fun of sending and receiving holiday cards in the mail. Each day, open the box for a new design to write and mail to friends or family.

21 - Mini books or stories – A tiny, holiday-themed storybook or activity book can be a delightful surprise. For the youngest among us, these My Little Library books are perfect!

22 - Mini science tools – A small magnifying glass or a kit to explore nature.

23 - Brain teasers or puzzles – Age-appropriate challenges, like these maze balls, Sudoku, crosswords, or logic games.

24 - Christmas Activity Books - A daily activity book that’s both fun and educational.

Personalized Gifts

Make each day even more special with personalized items that reflect your child’s unique personality or interests:

25 - Name tags or keychains – Customized with their name or initials.

26 - Personalized jewelry – Small bracelets or necklaces with their initials or favorite colors.

27 - Photo Frame Ornament – A small photo of a memorable moment from the year, like a family vacation or a special event. These ornaments could be saved to help fill their first Christmas tree as an adult, too!

28 - Mini diaries or notebooks – A small notebook where your child can jot down their thoughts, ideas, or holiday wishes.

Experience-Based Surprises

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things but experiences. Here are a few ideas for creating an experience-based Advent calendar:

29 - Movie night tickets – A small card that lets your child pick a Christmas movie for a family movie night.

30 - Special outing – Give them a clue for a surprise outing, like going to see Christmas lights, visiting a holiday market, or a trip to an ice rink. Then, don your ugliest apparel as a family!

31 - Baking kit – Include mini ingredients like sprinkles, mini cookie cutters, or frosting for a holiday baking day.

32 - Memory jar notes – Include small slips of paper where your child writes or draws one happy memory from the day.

DIY Advent Calendar Kits

For a fun family project, consider using a DIY Advent calendar where you can include a mix of activities, treats, and little gifts. These could include:

33 - Make-your-own ornament kits – Small sets with everything needed to make a holiday ornament.

34 - Baking kits – Pre-measured ingredients for baking cookies or cupcakes.

35 - Handmade gifts – Homemade crafts or tokens from siblings, like a friendship bracelet or a hand-drawn card.

Final Thoughts

Filling an Advent calendar for kids is a wonderful way to keep the holiday spirit alive while making each day feel special and exciting. Whether you go with small toys, creative crafts, or learning activities, the key is to personalize it based on your child’s interests and hobbies. With a little planning and creativity, you can turn the countdown to Christmas into a daily celebration of fun and family.

Happy holidays!