50+ Advent Activities For Toddlers That Point To Jesus

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Looking for some super FUN and easy activities to fill your toddler’s advent calendar with? And most importantly, point them back to Jesus?!

I’ve got you covered with your ultimate guide to creating a Christ-focused advent calendar and making beautiful memories with your family.

Check out these 50+ Christ-centered advent activities for toddlers and families!

50+ Advent Activities For Toddlers

Christmas is such a magical time, and I think God made it that way on purpose! There is a reason that people feel more generous, want to invest in their families more, and spend quality time together.

And I believe that is because of Jesus! It’s no coincidence.

Outside of giving awesome Christ-focused gifts to our kids and family, we

have been given the greatest gift of all…

God sent His son Jesus to be born, live a sinless life experiencing the struggles we face every day, and ultimately die for our sins and rise again!

There are many ways to make sure you are having a Christ-centered advent in your home and teaching your kids the true meaning of Christmas, while still having fun and making memories together!

These advent activities for toddlers and families would be fantastic to fill your calendars with and to make sure you are keeping the CHRIST in Christmas in your home this year and for many to come. 🙂

Let’s get right into the HUGE list of advent activities!! You’ll be sure to find 1 (or 50 😉 ) to do together…

Actvities To Fill Your Toddler’s Advent Calendar

These lists include over 50 activities you can do with your toddlers and family, including baking treats, crafts, games, printables, and prayers to pray! They are all organized into those sections, making it easy to find what you need!!

Your advent calendar will be full for years. 🙂 Feel free to swap these in out and out and build your perfect family advent calendar!

I would also recommend you include reading some meaningful books to your kids each day, or the days leading up to Christmas. You can check out our favorite Christian Christmas books for kids here!

*You can use the easy navigation at the top to find the exact type of activity you are looking for quickly.

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Advent Crafts & Games For Families

Here you will find tons of advent crafts for kids as well as some interactive games and activities for the whole family!

From felt ornaments and Nativity stones to DIY nativity scenes, you’ll have no problem filling out your advent calendar this year.

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The Nativity Story Playdough Kit {Little Seeds Co.}

If you love sensory play and homemade playdough, then this kit is for you! Emily from Little Seeds Co. is such a talented person – she hand paints and creates every single order from scratch.

This kit features 2, 5 oz. rolls of homemade playdough, double-sided story card with vocabulary, and the story of Jesus’ birth, small animals figurines and handpainted characters, and a Ziploc bag of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (with adult supervision).

This is a fantastic way to teach your child the story of Jesus through hands-on sensory play and learning!

**For a limited time, use the code MINDY10 to receive 10% off any Christmas order! 🙂

Legend of the Candy Cane Playdough Kit {Little Seeds Co.}

Similar to the one above, here is another option for fun, Christ-centered sensory play this Christmas season!

This one goes over the legend on the candy cane, and how it relates to Jesus – that’s the point right? Relating everything back to Him because that’s what we want to show our kids!

This kit features 2, 5 oz. rolls of homemade playdough, double-sided story card telling the legend of the candy cane, small items for playing with, and an editable candy cane! 🙂

Make sure to check out my free printable candy cane Christmas poem to go along with this – they make a great pair!

This one and the one above are perfect activities for adding to your family’s advent season!

**For a limited time, use the code MINDY10 to receive 10% off any Christmas order! 🙂

Nativity Lacing Paper Craft For Kids {The Gingerbread House}

Do you remember making those string shapes when you were younger, like Jacob’s ladder and the cup & saucer? This craft definitely reminds me of those, but uses plates and can be hung up as decoration!

She includes a printable pdf template to use as the base and walks you through each step, making it a super simple and fun craft with your kids!

Super Fun Nativity Craft For Kids {The Inspiration Edit}

What kind of craft list would this be without some fun popsicle stick nativity characters?!

This supply list is simple, budget-friendly, and she gives you step-by-step instructions (with pictures) on how to put it all together!! You can even reenact the story with your kids using the popsicle stick characters. 🙂

Felt Nativity Crafts: Adorable Christmas Ornaments {Sustain My Craft Habit}

This felt Nativity craft is so fun for kids and the great thing about them is they can be used as ornaments for years! I am a big believer in showing all your kids crafts on the tree, and these would be the perfect addition.

Plus it is NO SEW which makes it simple and safe for kids to make!

DIY Christmas Countdown For Kids – Bible Verse Advent Calendar Chain {Learning Mom}

This fun paper chain craft is a great way to countdown until Christmas and SO easy to make with your toddlers!! Each chain has different verses leading up to Christmas day and the birth of Jesus.

An Easy Sunday School Nativity Craft {Twitchetts}

While these would make excellent crafts for your preschool Sunday school class, it’s also great for teaching about Jesus and Christmas at home!

It’s a cute little nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus using crumpled paper and a paper plate. It’s so cute and little kids will LOVE it!

DIY Stained Glass Nativity Ornament {View From A Step Stool}

I absolutely love stained glass crafts; ever since I was little and even now they have been my favorite ones to recreate!

They are so beautiful and make wonderful keepsakes from your kids, and beautiful addition to your Christmas trees too. This one uses tissue paper to give that beautiful stained glass effect. 🙂

Footprint Manger Tile – Poem and Gift Idea {Fun Handprint Art}

Not only can these fun crafts be done in your home around Christmas as advent activities, but you can get your Christmas gifts done too!

This cute footprint manger craft would make the perfect gift for grandparents, spouses, and other family members who would cherish this for years. She also includes step by step how to make it and a verse to write on it too!

How to Make a Nativity Christmas Ornament (+ Free Printable Nativity I Spy Game) {Mommy Snippets}

This post is fantastic because she walks you through each step on how to make your own nativity ornaments, and includes a free printable I Spy nativity game!

Kids will absolutely love it, and the craft calls for rustic wood blocks as ornament bases, which look very stylish in your home.

Away In A Manger Christmas Carol Sensory Bin (with Egg Cartons!) {The OT Toolbox}

This one is for all my sensory bins lovers out there! This manger carol sensory bin uses egg cartons (something we all have lying around) pom poms, paint, and whatever you want to use as filler for it!

The pictures are adorable and will inspire you on how to set yours up, making a super fun and independent play activity for your little ones!

Lighted Shadowbox Nativity {I Can Teach My Kid}

Shadow boxes are SUPER cool, right? Did you know you can even make your own?! This lighted shadow box nativity scene is so fun and easy to make at home.

I’ve personally never made one before, but my daughter LOVES lights so I am definitely looking into this one this year. 🙂

Toilet Paper Roll Camel Craft – Nativity Scene {Red Ted Art}

What is Christmas fun without a good ol’ toilet paper roll craft?! Start saving up your toilet paper rolls now, and get ready to make these fun little camels. It even involves getting outside to gather some sticks, something your kids will definitely love.

She also has some other tutorials to complete the whole nativity scene!

Nativity Chalk Silhouette {The Choas And The Clutter}

No need to bundle up to make this really cool “glowing” chalk silhouette nativity scene!

You can do this on black construction paper inside, a nativity cut out and some chalk! She walks you through each step and you won’t believe how cool the end result looks.

Popsicle Stick Nativity Stable Christmas Craft {Rhythms Of Play}

Bust out those popsicle sticks again, and get ready to build a stable! This popsicle craft is a little different than you may think, in that you won’t be making any stick people.

Instead, you will actually be putting together the stable itself! You can add in some of these cute little nativity people once you are done. 🙂

Easy Nativity Story Stones {The Gingerbread House}

Who doesn’t love a good Modge Podge craft around Christmas (or any time really???)?

If your kids are anything like my daughter, they love playing with and collecting rocks, stones, anything small like that. Print off these cute little pictures, add them to stones and use them to tell the Christmas story!

DIY Paper Nativity Scene {Little Ladoo}

This DIY paper nativity scene is too cute and the perfect addition to your advent calendar!

You and your kids will both enjoy creating this scene, and you can even act out the story of Jesus’ birth by reading through the scriptures. Definitely recommend this one!

DIY Nativity Story Stones {Crafts On Sea}

We have never tried story stones but definitely will this year after seeing how cool these are! These nativity picture story stones are so fun and easy to recreate at your house too.

Kids love collecting little things, like stones, and it’s such a great and interactive way to teach them about the birth of Jesus. Each stone has different pictures that represent a part of the story!

Clay Nativity in a Matchbox Christmas Craft for Kids {Encouraging Moms At Home}

Kids love playing with playdough and clay! This one may be better for over preschool-aged kiddos and involves a little more creativity, BUT the end result is absolutely adorable!

You’ll want to add this clay nativity in a matchbox craft to your advent activities list this year. 🙂

A Rustic Farmhouse Rock Nativity Canvas Craft {Ruffles And Rainboots}

Any farmhouse mamas out there? You will love doing this craft with your kids as well as displaying it in your home!

Using sticks, rocks, floral moss, and hot glue, you can make this super cute and fun nativity scene.

DIY Felt Baby Jesus Ornament + Wood Manger Ornament {It’s Always Autumn}

This baby Jesus felt ornament is so cute, simple to make, and would look perfect on your family Christmas tree this year!

You do have to sew it, but your kids can help with the other steps. 🙂

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Printable Advent Activities For Toddlers

This list features tons of advent printable activities that you can print at your own home and immediately start using! I absolutely love printables because they can be used again and again.

You could even laminate these if you wanted, and create an entire printable Christian Christmas Binder for your kids. 🙂

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Free Printable I-Spy Nativity Game {Mindy Jones Blog}

Kids love playing different games, and this I-Spy activity will be no different!

What is so great about this fun printable is it represents the birth of Jesus, making it a great way to ensure you are keeping Jesus as the focus this Christmas season.

It’s black and white so feel free to let your kids color it in as well as way as practice their writing on top of their observation skills!

BONUS: You can use this for your homeschool curriculum, or for your Sunday School class if you teach kids.

Printable Candy Cane Poem {Mindy Jones Blog}

This is my free gift to you! Simply download this candy cane poem that goes over the symbolic nature of the red and white stripes and how they relate to Jesus.

Feel free to print and hang up in your home so your kids can be reminded of Jesus all season long!

And maybe have a few candy canes on hand to snack on as well. 🙂

Advent Wreath And Candles Worksheets {Mindy Jones Blog}

Another freebie from me to you!

I want to make sure you have multiple ways to keep Christ in Christmas every year, so that means lots of fun, FREE, activities to do with your kiddos.

These printable worksheets are fantastic for reminding kids about advent this season!

Its a 6 page printable that comes with:

• An info page for you
• Wreath to color in
• Candles to color, cut and glue on the wreath
• Info cards for each week with the theme for the week and scriptures to read together as a family. 🙂

You can download this and the candy cane poem in my printables library!

Nativity Preschool Pack {Simple Living Creative Learning}

This Nativity preschool pack is packed with FUN and also works as a homeschooling learning bonus!!

Your kids will enjoy working on math and literacy skills while still learning about the birth of Jesus, and is a must-have for your Christmas! It is aimed at preschool-age children (4-5).

Bible Verse Advent Countdown for Kids – FREE Printable! {Happy Home Fairy}

These printable cards are so adorable, they really look like children’s book illustrations! Each card has a scripture that goes through the story of Jesus’ birth until you finally get to Christmas Day.

You could do one of these each day for your advent calendar, along with the other fun activities listed on this post. 🙂

Free Printable Christmas Coloring and Activity Placemats {Mommy Snippets}

These activity placemats are SO cute and perfect for coloring at home or bring them out to restaurants for kids to draw. All while being pointed back to Jesus!

These printables include fill-in-the-blank Bible verses, coloring pages, mazes, games, and tons more!

Free Printable Watercolor Bible Verse Cards! {Redeemer Savior}

I’ve never seen watercolor Bible verse cards, so this was a cool find! Be encouraged with these Bible verses about Christmas, and simply email them to grab your free watercolor printables.

Names of Jesus Advent Pack for Your Family! {Kaylene Yoder}

This printable advent toolkit includes everything you need to make sure you are keeping Christ in Christmas!

It includes a scripture writing journal for adults, the names of Jesus journal for kids, names of Jesus cards/ornaments to print, and a great event reading list.

Free Printable Christmas Reading Challenge Kit for Kids {Mommy Snippets}

This adorable Christmas reading kit comes with a fun reading challenge for kids (great for advent calendars!) plus a reading log and sloth bookmarks.

You can help your kids read through some awesome Christian Christmas books and fill these out as you go!

Nativity Advent Coloring Page {My Joy Filled Life}

This free advent coloring page includes 25 little squares with a cute nativity picture in each!

This would make a great activity to do each day by having your child color in each square counting down to Christmas. Hang it up in their room or on the fridge where they will see it every day!

The Christmas Story {Simple Living Creative Learning}

This fun little printable Nativity Bundle includes everything you need to teach your young kids the Christmas story!

It includes flashcards for reading and spelling, coloring pages, printable puppets, and scripture cards for kids to read and memorize. I love this one because it encourages young kids to memorize scripture, which is so important, even at a young age!!

Free Christmas Coloring Pages {Hessun Academy}

These coloring pages are completely free and include Mark & Joseph, an angel, Christmas star, Nativity and Stable, plus other Christmas-related activities. 🙂

These would be great to use at home, bring to playdates, and hang on the fridge during the Christmas season!

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Treats To Bake With Toddlers For Advent:

Can you imagine a Christmas season without baking SOME sort of fun treat?! Grab your aprons and get ready to do some serious…ly fun baking with your kiddos. 🙂

This list will have you making tons of memories with your kids in the kitchen, while still teaching them the story of Jesus, His birth, and why we celebrate Christmas!

Then, of course, enjoy your yummy treats, or share them with others. 🙂

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Easy Baby Jesus Buttercream Sugar Cookies {Buttercream Parties}

These sugar cookies are super simple to make when you follow her step-by-step instructions, and the baby Jesus is the perfect way to remind your kids of His birth!

God’s Love Mixes In To Us – Like Candy Canes in Hot Chocolate {Christianity Cove}

This fun “candy canes in hot chocolate” lesson was written for Sunday school classes and homeschooling in mind, but can easily be taken and adapted into your home!

All you need is hot chocolate and candy canes – you can read through the post and explain to your kids that when God’s love (the candy canes) mix in with us (hot chocolate) it helps us to be “sweet” to other people!

So cute right?? Then you can enjoy your treat while watching a family movie together, or read some Christ-centered Christmas books!

Nativity Cake (Birthday Cake For Jesus) {Joy Food Sunshine}

Do you make a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas? Whether you already do or want to try this year, you can start now with this super simple, easy-to-follow recipe!

You’ll get a step-by-step tutorial and video showing you how to add a fun nativity cake topper on any cake.

Easy Graham Cracker Nativity Scene {Thinking Kids Blog}

Skip the Gingerbread house this year and instead make a nativity scene “house” instead!

Using your gingerbread favorites, graham crackers, icing, Twizzlers, and cookies, you’ll love this simple tutorial with a yummy result. All while focusing on Jesus!

Nativity Cookies {Lila Loa}

This step-by-step nativity cookies tutorial will have you feeling like an artist at the end! The recipe is simple, and she shows you how to create beautiful designs to create your own cookie nativity scene. 🙂

Trust me, just take a look at her pictures and you’ll be headed straight to the store to get what you need to make these!!

Pretzel Angels {B4 and Afters}

Okay, this recipe is definitely more my speed and something I have never seen before!

If you love pretzels and easy-to-make treats, you need to make these cute pretzel angels with your kiddos this Christmas. 🙂

Baby Jesus Manger Treats {Mothers Niche}

Let’s take a small break from cookies and cakes, and check out these baby Jesus rice Krispie treats!

The creativity level of some people just blows my mind. Like, who would think to make this?

But I am so glad because this recipe is a simple way to step up one of your favorite classic treats (rice Krispies) using gumballs and fruit roll-ups. 🙂

Cocoa Cookie Balls Recipe {Mommy Snippets}

Check out this post for not only a cute idea for a nativity set but to celebrate Jesus’ birth with a fabulous cocoa cookie balls recipe!

Nativity Christmas Story Trail Mix (Mason Jar Gift + Free Printables Tag) {A Hundred Affections}

If you are like me, you are a huge fan of trail mix style snacks… and this Christmas story trail mix definitely doesn’t disappoint!

Each snack inside has a different spiritual meaning with a verse pertaining to the story of the birth of Jesus. For example, the pretzels symbolize “angel wings” and how the angels declared the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.

Take your time with each snack explaining it to your kids, and then snack together. 🙂

Not only is this recipe fun to make and perfect for Christmas snacks, but you will also get a free printable gift tag with the recipe to share with friends!

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Prayers For Advent

As Christians, we know we NEED to pray… but sometimes it helps to have a guide, especially when praying over a specific situation or season!

Here are some prayers you can add to your advent calendars each day, preparing your hearts and minds to reflect on Jesus’ birth and what that means for you and your family…

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25 Days of Prayer Advent Calendar {Chasing Supermom}

This one includes a simple “craft” you do that pairs with the calendar – making linking paper chains and writing what or who you are praying for that day.

She also includes a helpful list to guide you in what/who to pray for each day leading up to advent!

28 Names of Jesus Prayers for Advent (or Anytime!) {Kaylene Yoder}

This printable packet includes 28 days of praying leading up to advent, all about learning the different names of Jesus.

It’s a great way to “drip” in some Jesus each day and teach your kiddos about who God is and what His Word says about Him!

Prayer for the First Week in Advent, Second Week in Advent, Third Week in Advent, Fourth Week in Advent {Prayer And Possibilites}

I included these 4 in 1, because it is a weekly series of prayers leading up to Christmas. You pray each prayer/focus the 4 weeks before!

Each week includes a different theme, prayer, and verse to go over, keeping Christ on your minds leading up to Christmas.

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Printable/DIY Advent Calendars

Now that you have seen all these AMAZING activities, have you been inspired to make your own advent calendar this year? If so, here is a great list of some different options to get you started!

Most of these advent calendars are free and can be printed and made right from your own home. 🙂

• 25 Family Advent Readings Printable {Mindy Jones Blog}
• Jesse Tree Advent Calendar & Activity Book {Mindy Jones Blog}
• “Gifts For Jesus” Advent Calendar {More Like Grace}
• Sparkly Ornament Advent Calendar {A Pretty Life In The Suburbs}
• Homemade Paper Envelope Advent Calendar {Pillar Box Blue}
• Cheap & Easy DIY Christmas Countdown Calendar {The Million Dollar Mama}
• Paper Chain Kids Advent Calendar (Easy & Cute!) {Modge Podge Rocks Blog}
• Christmas Countdown Printable Advent Calendar {Tot Schooling}
• Simple Christmas Tree Christmas Countdown {STEAMsational}
• Printable Alphabet Advent Calendar {Sight And Sound Reading}
• Advent Calendar for Kids {Teaching Mama}

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Christ-Centered Advent Activities For Toddlers

I hope this list of advent activities is a blessing to your family! One of the most important things you can do as parents is to teach your kids about who Jesus is, and why you follow Him.

No more searching for ways to make sure you keep Christ in Christmas, these activities have got you covered… plus, you’ll make tons of great family memories that everyone will cherish for years. 🙂

Which activities will you be participating in this year? Let me know in the comments!

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