Cute and Practical Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Toddlers
Advent is one of my favorite times of the year 😊
I love the tiny lights, the weather getting chilly, and the cozy evenings we spend at home 😊
We always had Advent Calendars as kids – the ones with tiny chocolate, but also homemade ones with little presents in matchboxes… Now as an adult, I really appreciate all the work my Mom did with these!
When my Daughter was a toddler, the holiday season was pure magic… And as I knew that an Advent Calendar is more than just a countdown to Christmas day – it’s a fun way to make every day of December 1st through the 24th feel like a mini celebration, I made sure to have it from her very first Christmas.
But when the toddler part came, and our home was already filled with smaller and bigger toys, crayons, stickers… you name it 😅 I tried to look for more practical Advent Calendar Fillers.
In this post, I collected some of our best hints and ideas that can make it easier for you to set up your child’s Advent Calendar this year 😊
1. What Is Advent?
Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season, starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day and lasting until December 24th. Rooted in the Latin word “Adventus,” meaning “coming,” Advent is all about anticipating and preparing for the arrival of Jesus Christ. It’s a time when families around the world embrace traditions that build excitement and foster reflection, especially for younger kids experiencing their first Advent.
Historically, the practice of Advent dates back to the 4th and 5th centuries. It began as a period of fasting, prayer, and preparation leading up to Christmas day, much like the Lenten season before Easter. Over time, it has evolved into a celebration filled with warmth, wonder, and cherished family moments.
One of the most recognized Advent traditions is the lighting of candles on an Advent Wreath (we love that as well!😍). Each of the four candles represents hope, love, joy, and peace, and families often light one candle every Sunday leading up to Christmas. This simple yet powerful ritual sets a calming tone in homes, helping even the littlest people grasp the deeper meaning of the holiday season. Aaaand this is also the time when we start to discuss the Christmas menu 😂
Other common practices include opening the little doors of a wooden Advent Calendar or felt tree advent calendar, and discovering small gifts, sweet treats, or tiny toys each day.
Engaging in these time-honored traditions is more than just a fun activity; it’s a meaningful way to weave the concept of time, love, and togetherness into the holiday season.
2. Why Create a Toddler-Friendly Advent Calendar?
Crafting a toddler-friendly advent calendar can be a game-changer during the Christmas season. It’s a great way to build anticipation in young kids, helping them understand the concept of time as they count down to Christmas day. The little doors of an advent calendar become daily highlights, filled with excitement as your child discovers small gifts or sweet treats. This experience, whether it’s opening a store-bought calendar or unwrapping a homemade advent calendar adorned with washi tape, can spark joy and add magic to December mornings.
Creating an advent calendar specifically for toddlers also promotes patience – a skill that’s invaluable at this age. Each day becomes a fun tradition that encourages them to wait just a bit longer for their next surprise, teaching delayed gratification in a simple, enjoyable way. No matter if your calendar includes practical fillers like hair clips or mini gifts like small toys and wooden figures, these surprises captivate little minds and help build their sense of curiosity.
The benefits aren’t just for the toddlers, though. Preparing and using an advent calendar is a wonderful bonding activity for parents and children. Choosing different things to include, like bath bombs, play dough, or pretend play items, gives parents a chance to connect with their child’s interests and create special moments. As you both sit by the Christmas tree, ready for the day’s reveal, it’s a reminder to slow down and share simple joys together.
This type of calendar can also become a great addition to your family’s holiday traditions, alongside reading Christmas stories or sipping hot chocolate under the glow of Christmas lights. With the right age-appropriate fillers, this can be the start of many memorable Decembers to come.
Once we also had an Advent tale! We read it day by day and it finally led us to Christmas😊
3. Cute and Practical Advent Calendar Filler Ideas for Toddlers
OK, let’s start with the practical ones 😉
1. Puzzle: If you do not want all the mess with 24 tiny little gifts, you can decide to buy a puzzle with the favorite character of your toddler, or with any Christmas theme. Put it together when your Little One is not at home (or already sleeping), then make 24 little groups of puzzle pieces that are close to each other. When I did it first, I did not think about this aspect… but then I realized that she should be able to connect the ones that are behind one door with each other… and also with the ones coming the next day 😁 So this is the reason why you should put the puzzle together first 😉
2. Lego: It is a pretty similar idea to the puzzle one: your child will have one bigger gift in the end. 😊 In case of the lego, you do not need to put that together, it is enough to follow the instructions and add the pieces in tiny groups behind each little door 😊
3. Crayons: Perfect for imaginative play, a set of new crayons can be split up so that your child gets one or two colors each day. By Christmas, they’ll have a complete set to use for drawing holiday scenes and Christmas cookies!
4. Bath Bombs: If your toddler enjoys bath time, small bath bombs are a great idea. They add a fun twist to their routine and come in festive shapes or colors, making bath time magical. Just be mindful of age-appropriate products.
5. Mini Books: Tiny books featuring your toddler’s favorite characters, like a Paw Patrol advent calendar, are perfect for this time of year. One book per day encourages story time and builds their mini-library by Christmas day. 🐾
6. Play Dough: Break up a set of play dough into smaller portions or different colors. It’s a great activity for fostering creativity and can be a fun tradition to open before imaginative play sessions.
7. Stickers: A classic yet effective filler, stickers can be themed for Christmas or include other favorite characters. They’re perfect for decorating crafts or adding flair to any little art project.
8. New Christmas Hair Clips: For those with little girls (or boys with long hair!), festive hair clips are a practical and cute gift idea. These mini accessories are perfect for dressing up during the holiday season.
9. Small Toys: Think of things like Melissa & Doug wooden figures or construction vehicles. These mini gifts don’t have small parts that pose a risk and are perfect for younger kids in this age group.
10. Craft Kits: Split up a simple craft kit into different parts. Your toddler can build up the supplies until they have everything needed for a big craft day—a great activity for those chilly December afternoons!
I know, these were also cute, but let’s get to the really cute options, your toddlers would love! So you can mix and create your unique Advent Calendar 😁
1. Mini Plush Animals: Tiny, soft animals that fit perfectly in little hands. They’re adorable, huggable, and perfect for pretend play.
2. Tiny Christmas Ornaments: Personalized or themed with your toddler’s favorite characters. These can be hung on their own small Christmas tree or added to the family tree.
3. Wooden Animal Figures: Cute wooden figures from sets like Melissa & Doug. They’re durable, safe, and great for little imaginative play moments.
4. Festive Socks: Adorable socks with reindeer, snowmen, or Christmas trees on them. Practical, yet super cute when peeking out from behind the little doors.
5. Mini Finger Puppets: Finger puppets featuring holiday themes or animals make for fun, interactive storytelling and playtime.
6. Tiny Music Shakers: Little maracas or bells that fit perfectly in their hands. Your toddler can create their own music for the holiday season.
7. Small Board Books: Board books with simple Christmas stories or images that toddlers can flip through themselves. Great for winding down at bedtime.
8. Handmade Felt Characters: Craft or buy small felt figures like Santa, elves, or snowmen. They’re soft, safe, and adorable for play.
9. Mini Play Dough Cutters: Festive play dough cutters in the shape of stars, trees, and candy canes to make playtime even more fun and creative.
10. Temporary Tattoos: Fun, easy-to-apply tattoos with holiday designs. Great for a little extra flair during the holiday season.
4. Takeaway
Advent is about anticipating, and little miracles 😊
If I can give you one advice: do not overthink it! Your kid will be happier with a more relaxed Mama and a less creative Advent Calendar for sure 😊
Keep the magic going, grab some easy ideas, and enjoy the Advent time as well!
