If you’re like most parents, with the Christmas season quickly approaching, you’re probably wondering what to put in your toddler’s advent calendar this year. This post will give you over 60 ideas for the perfect advent calendar fillers – treats, toys, and fun ideas for activities that will help make your Christmas season special this year.
What To Put In Toddler Advent Calendar
What is an advent calendar?
An advent calendar is a long-held tradition of counting down the days to Christmas that dates back to the 19th century. It is a tradition that is deeply rooted in Christianity. Regardless if you are religious or not, it can be a great way to celebrate the holiday season with a fun tradition that can involve the whole family.
Essentially, an advent calendar is a fun and creative way to count down the days from December 1 to Christmas Day. Some people purchase a new one each year (see some highly rated options later in this post), some people just use their own reusable advent calendars, and some people make a DIY version!
I personally have a wooden advent calendar that doubles as beautiful Christmas decor in our home. Last year, our daughter was too little to really understand so I’m excited to create a toddler-friendly advent this year.
DIY Advent Calendar Ideas
Perhaps you don’t want to purchase a new premade advent calendar but you want to get in on the fun and tradition! Here are some fun ideas of ways that you can create your own DIY advent calendar to count down the days to Christmas.
1. Wrap each item in tissue paper and place it inside a stocking or a fun christmas bag
2. Use paper cups or toilet paper rolls to create small containers for each of your advent items and then string them along a garland (this is a cute version of this DIY)
3. Purchase small muslin bags or cute lunch sacks from the dollar store and place them filled with your advent items around your home, in your Christmas tree, or on a garland. (Here is a great example)
4. Fill plastic cups with small items and then cover each cup with tissue paper. Young kids will have a great time punching a little hole in the paper to get to their small gifts. (See an example of this idea here)
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Advent Calendar Filler Ideas
Here is a LONG list of 60+ ideas for different small items / mini gifts that you can put in your toddler’s advent calendar (obviously, be careful of small parts and provide adult supervision as you see fit). There are great ideas for kids of all ages on this list, too!
Snacks and Sweet Treats
Snacks and sweets can be a really fun treat for your little ones to find in their advent. Any small treat will work but here are some fun and easy ideas
- Goldfish crackers
- Raisins
- Fruit snacks
- Gingerbread cookies
- Christmas Reese’s trees
- Marshmallow Santa
- Candy canes
- Little chocolates
- oranges
- Hot Chocolate
Crafts and Sensory Items:
Here are some craft-themed and sensory items that will help keep your toddler busy this holiday season. I love that some of these ideas can double as gifts AND fun activities for this time of year.
- Small Christmas Craft Projects
- Felt ornaments (More fun felt Christmas Ideas here!)
- Crayons
- Stickers
- Playdough
- Slime
- Cookie cutters
- Craft supplies / art supplies
- Temporary tattoos
- Washi tape
- Mochi squishy toys
- Cookie cutters
- Gemstones
Small Toys:
These tiny toys keep tiny hands busy and entertained. These are an easy way to also allow your toddler to engage in some imaginative play!
- Small animals
- Cars / Hot Wheels
- Finger puppets
- Bouncy balls
- Slinky
- Hatching dino eggs
- Play food
- Legos
- Pop its
- Mini fidget toys
- Tops
- Dinosaurs
- Sticky hands
- Glow sticks
Personal Items:
A lot of items on this list might be especially fun for little girls but what kid couldn’t use a new fun toothbrush or some cool socks?
- Nightlight
- Socks
- Slippers
- Lip balm
- Whistle
- Hairbows
- Magic washcloths
- Gloves
- Hair clips
- New toothbrush
- Rings
- Necklaces
- Snap bracelet
Bath Time Toys:
It’s always a good idea to keep your bath toys fresh and fun. And let’s be honest, we probably all have some bath toys that have seen better days that could use replacing.
- Bath time toys
- Bath crayons
- Rubber ducks
Holiday Themed Items:
Of course, it can be especially fun to fill your advent calendar with fun Christmas-themed items! Here are a few ideas:
- Christmas movie coupon
- Little people figurines
- Mini Christmas ornaments
If you’re looking for a quick and easy place to find these types of items, click here to see where I’ve made an extensive list including all of these ideas!
How Do I Put Larger Items In My Advent Calendar?
Now this is a long list of great ideas for small advent fillers but maybe you’re wishing you could include a specific item that just doesn’t fit inside your calendar. That’s OK!
Go ahead and just print a photo of the gift and place the photo in the calendar. Then, when you get to that day of the month, go ahead and bring that item out of a secret hiding spot! This can be especially fun for big kids or for a final gift on December 25th.
Christmas Activities to Put in Your Child’s Advent Calendar
Another great option for your kids is to place a little note inside some days that has a different fun activity that is one of your favourite things to do at Christmas time! This can be so much fun to knock out those fun Christmas traditions that might be on your December bucket list. This is a perfect way to get your older kids involved this time of year too!
- Go Ice Skating
- Make Christmas Cookies
- Watch a Christmas Movie
- Go caroling
- Go check out the Christmas lights in a decorated neighborhood
- Decorate a gingerbread house
- Go do a service project for a family in need.
- Write a letter to Santa
- Make Christmas cards
- Break out new Christmas jammies for the whole family (this can be really fun to kick off the 1st day of December)
Best Advent Calendars to Purchase For Your Christmas Countdown:
Reusable advent calendar
Check out this beautiful advent calendar you can use year after year! Great way to purchase a piece of staple Christmas decor for your home.
Melissa & Doug Advent Calendar
Melissa & Doug brand is known for their high quality kids toys that last – this advent calendar countdown is a top pick on Amazon for advent calendars for kids!
Paw Patrol advent calendar
Voted Amazon’s Overall Pick for kids advent calendars this year, check out this Paw Patrol advent calendar with 24 surprise toys.
Popular Little People Toy Advent Calendars
Little People by Fisher Price are a toddler favorite! You can’t go wrong with this adorable Christmas-themed Little People playset.
Traditional chocolate advent calendar
If you want to keep things more traditional, check out this highly-rated Snowman chocolate advent calendar!
See a list of all the highly-rated advent calendars on Amazon by clicking here to make your Christmas advent shopping easy this year.
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