Printable Advent Calendar + 30 Activity Ideas

*Post may contain affiliate links

We’ve reached the end of the year and the busiest season of the year! My kids ask every year for an advent calendar and they absolutely love it. We’ve done a variety of advent calendars: candy, socks, activities, you name it! I will admit, their favorite has definitely been the candy ones, but I know they also love getting into the holiday spirit with Christmas activities.

Here is an advent calendar that you can print off and use for years. Knowing that every year is going to be different, you can also change the text so that you can plan the activities based on your schedule. The text can be changed in Canva and is free and easy to use!

Here’s what you’re going to need:

How to put it together:

  1. Print out the Advent Calendar Cover on cardstock.
  2. Using a cutting mat and precision/exacto knife, start cutting 3 sides of each box on the Advent Calendar so that it opens up like a door. You don’t want to cut off all of the sides on each box.
  3. To print out and/or change the text on the Activity Page, go to Canva and edit the text on the template.
  4. To print out the Activity Page, select “Share” at the top right corner, choose Download and for file type, choose PDF Print. Once you’ve selected the file type, click download.
  5. Line the Advent Calendar and Activity Page behind it.
  6. If using a matted frame, tape the pages to the matte and line up the 2nd page. If using a frame without a matte, sides down to fit a 8×10 frame.

See the video on how to put the Advent Calendar together: Instagram Video

Need some ideas for your Advent Calendar?

  1. Watch a Christmas Movie
  2. Look at Christmas Lights
  3. Bake Cookies
  4. Make a homemade gift and deliver to a friend/neighbor
  5. Wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater
  6. Look at Christmas Lights
  7. Make a holiday craft
  8. Write a letter to Santa
  9. Read a Christmas Book
  10. Hot Chocolate Bar
  11. Make a Ginger Bread House
  12. Make Magical Reindeer Food
  13. Donate a gift to someone in need
  14. Go Ice Skating
  15. Listen to Christmas Songs
  16. Send Christmas Cards
  17. Have a Sleepover by the Tree
  18. Visit Santa
  19. Watch a holiday show
  20. Visit a Christmas Market
  21. Play in the snow
  22. Make a Christmas Ornament
  23. Play board games in Pajamas
  24. Wrap Christmas Presents
  25. Try a new Christmas Cookie Recipe
  26. Donate Food
  27. Take family pictures
  28. Go Sledding
  29. Leave Cookies for Santa
  30. Attend or Host a Christmas Party