The gift most likely to stay with your children forever isn’t necessarily the one unwrapped under the tree. It’s time spent with the people they love. And we know: the Christmas season is already a lot. End-of-year concerts, summer holidays to plan, Santa lists to manage, gifts to buy, menus to finalise. The good news? A few minutes each day is all it takes to create family memories that outlast December.
That’s the idea behind an activity Advent calendar: instead of a chocolate, each day of December brings a simple moment to share together. Write 25 ideas on slips of paper, tuck them into envelopes or a jar, and open one each day. Below, you’ll find 25 summer-friendly ideas for Australian families, from backyard movie nights to visiting your suburb’s Christmas lights.
Why create an activity-based Advent calendar?
Memories last longer than chocolate
Children forget the 24 chocolates they devoured in December fairly quickly. What they hold onto for years are the moments shared with the people they love. In the midst of a busy everyday life, slowing down to be fully present is a gift in itself. It creates small rituals, nurtures a child’s sense of security, and strengthens family bonds that last long after the decorations come down.
Short on ideas? Ask your children what they’d love to do, and let them help fill the calendar. They’ll be far more invested in the whole thing.
A sustainable Advent calendar you can bring out every year
Another real advantage of an activity-based Advent calendar is that you can reuse it year after year. Some families choose to slip in two or three small treats alongside the activities, such as a bouncy ball, a movie ticket or a bag of marbles.
Over time, certain activities will become firm favourites, the ones your children look forward to most. Reshuffling which activity falls on which day each year keeps the element of surprise alive and the magic firmly intact.
25 ideas for your Advent calendar
- Read a Christmas story together.
- Go to your local carols.
- Go and look at the Christmas lights in your suburb.
- Play a board game as a family.
- Watch a Christmas movie.
- Make a summer smoothie.
- Make a homemade decoration.
- Write a card to someone you love.
- Dance to Christmas songs.
- Have a pyjama evening.
- Go for a walk on the beach.
- Decorate the Christmas tree.
- Bake biscuits to give away.
- Have a bath while listening to Christmas songs.
- Make paper Christmas trees.
- Have a picnic.
- Read your child’s favourite books.
- Go outside and look at the stars.
- Draw Santa.
- Have a backyard movie night.
- Cook a meal together.
- Go on a Christmas treasure hunt.
- Make a compliments jar.
- Choose a toy to donate.
- Spend the whole day in pyjamas.
Making it work in an Australian summer
Christmas in Australia means long days, school holidays and plenty of heat, so plan your calendar around the weather.
- Mix indoor and outdoor ideas: keep easy indoor activities, like board games, crafts and movies, for the hottest days.
- Head out early or late: plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening, when it’s cooler and UV levels are lower. Use sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 or above.
- Save the night-time favourites: Christmas lights, carols and stargazing all work best after dark, so they’re perfect for warm December evenings.
- Travelling over the holidays? Pick a handful of activities that work anywhere, like a story, a card or a treasure hunt, and take them with you.
For more summer tips, read our guide to sun safety in babies and children.
Keep it realistic
No need to add extra pressure to an already full season. You don’t have to spend three afternoons on a Pinterest-worthy DIY to make this work. Simply tuck these 25 ideas into envelopes or a jar, and let each family member draw one out each day.
Some days will be busier than others. And that’s completely fine. A bedtime story or ten minutes of cooking together is more than enough to create a memory your children will carry with them.
The best Advent calendar isn’t the one that’s perfectly filled in or followed to the letter. It’s the one that leaves room for laughter, cuddles and shared moments, at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
When should an Advent calendar start?
Advent calendars usually start on December 1st and run until Christmas Eve. With 25 ideas, the last one is a bonus to enjoy together on Christmas Day.
How do you make an activity Advent calendar?
Write one activity on each of 25 slips of paper. Then pop them into numbered envelopes, small bags, pockets on a fabric calendar, or simply a jar. Each day, your child opens one and you do the activity together.
What are good Advent calendar activities for toddlers?
Keep it short and simple: reading a Christmas story, dancing to Christmas songs, drawing Santa, water play in the backyard or looking at Christmas lights. Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty for little ones.
Can an activity Advent calendar be done on a budget?
Yes. Most of the ideas cost nothing, like stories, board games, stargazing, Christmas lights and treasure hunts. You can reuse the same calendar and activity slips every year.
