You’d think it would be easy to fill up advent calendars with gifts.
Well, it is!
With these Christmas calendar filler ideas for kids you’ll have yours filled in no time.
Still looking for the perfect advent calendar? You’ll love these Christmas calendar ideas.
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1. Toys and Games
All the kids like toys and games! So this one is always a safe category to choose from.
You’ll find all kinds of inexpensive, fun things to put in the advent calendar at dollar stores and stores that sell party supplies.
Though dollar store toys can have a reputation of not lasting long, sometimes you hit the jack pot.
When my oldest daughter was one I got her a cute snowman from dollar store. When you pushed the tummy you’d here a Christmas tune.
I was sure that it would not last long.
Was I wrong! Several years later that snowman still happily caroled.
- bouncy balls like these fun Drop Dot Balls “the hottest toy of the season”
- LEGO pieces to a kit (give a few pieces each day)
- DUPLO blocks for toddlers
- puzzle pieces (give a few pieces each day)
- balloons (uninflated)
- mini beach balls (uninflated)
- bullets for nerf guns
- Barbie accessories
- doll clothes
- jump rope
- mini flashlight
- pretend food
- matchbox cars
- travel game sets
- play dough
- game cards
- Yo-Yos
- dollhouse furniture
- a treasure map or clues for finding a hidden gift
- glow sticks
- bubbles
- glitter putty
- paddle ball
- scrabble pieces (put one for each day, pick letters that spell a fun message)
2. Stuff for Creating
If your kids love to make crafts and you find having glitter and paper pieces all over the place charming then this is your category!
- watercolors
- crayons
- erasers
- paintbrushes
- acrylic paint
- wood cut outs to paint
- yarn
- ribbon
- stickers
- charms (inexpensive sets)
- gel pens
- beads
- ink pens
- finger paint
- holiday pencils
- rock painting kit
- journal
- pom poms
- sidewalk chalk
- craft kit
- glitter glue
Your kids will love to work on the wood cut outs. They come in various shapes and are inexpensive. Buy a few and let the decorating begin!
You could also glue a ribbon loop in the back and use them as Christmas ornaments.
Check out all the fun wood cut outs at Dash Craft Supply.
3. Something to Wear
I don’t know who would not love to find fun holiday socks in the advent calendar.
Put in the Christmas calendar fun things from bracelets to ties.
- socks (holiday, fuzzy… any kind of socks)
- gloves
- belt
- scarf
- necklace
- bracelet
- tie
- scrunchies (cool collections)
- hair bands and clips
4. Baking Fun
An easy and practical advent calendar gift for her or him! You probably bake with your kids during the Holiday season.
Why not put in the calendar some cute things for your next baking time.
Practical and fun! Can’t beat that.
- cupcake liners
- cookie cutters
- mini spatula
- cake decorating tips
- sprinkles
- piping bags
5. Something to Eat or Drink
We all got to eat something… and why not some fun, easy treats.
- hot chocolate packets
- juice box
- drink mix
- chips
- pop corn
- pretzels
- trail mix
- fruit snacks
- snack mix
- Grinch pills (green Tic Tac, Sixlets, m&ms)
- chocolate
- old fashioned candy
6. Money, Money, Money
The older the kid, the more they’ll appreciate finding money in their advent calendar.
- rolled up dollar bills (tie with a ribbon or a paper clip)
- $1 coins
- $2 bills
- gift cards
7. For Home
This is a perfect time to get something cute for your kids room.
I think that even tweens and teens would love cool dresser door knobs or fun hooks for the wall.
- Christmas ornaments
- LED tea light candle
- tiny real or fake plant
- picture frame
- mini snow globe
- coaster
- fun hook for the wall
- cool dresser knobs (so many options to choose from e.g. a collection of cute animal door knobs… one for each day)
- wall decall
- night light
- curtain holder (tiebacks of all kinds for everyone)
8. Notes for Activities
One of the fabulous choices is the activities.
These are all easy and won’t break the bank.
December is such a busy time for many of us so pick activities that are simple and doable. Something that won’t stress you out.
- make paper snowflakes
- create or sign Christmas cards
- bake cookies
- sing Christmas songs
- go to see Christmas lights
- visit Santa
- read a Christmas book
- decorate your room for Christmas
- attend Christmas parade
- minute-to-win-it games
Some of these cool things to do with kids at home would also be perfect activities to include in the advent calendar.
9. Advent Calendar Fillers for Teen Girls
Of course, many of the items mentioned above work for teen girls too. But here are a few things that might also appeal to them.
- push pins
- paper clips
- locker magnets
- Post-it notes
- mini clothes pins and twine (for hanging up photos)
- nail polish
- make up (mascara, lip stick, eye shadow…)
- bath bomb
- make up brushes
- make up remover cloth
- compact mirror
- earbuds
- travel size stuff (conditioner, shampoo, lotion, hand sanitizer)
- flash drive
- chapsticks
- keychain
Cheerful Daisy has an awesome list of stocking stuffers for teen girls. Many of those could work as advent calendar gifts too.
Though these are inexpensive ideas, it all adds up and advent calendar fillers can end up costing a lot. What’s the solution…
Candy!
Candy is an inexpensive way (and loved by kids) to fill up a few bags, drawers, or whatever you are using as the advent calendar.
If you have trouble choosing what to put in the Christmas calendar, start by picking a couple of things from each advent calendar gift category.
Check out also the Coolest Christmas Party Themes and Awesome Christmas Party Games. Fun games from Christmas Mafia to Reindeer Antler Ring Toss.
And what would the Holiday Season be without awesome Christmas movie nights.
If you have a kid who likes Barbie movies, she’ll love the Barbie Christmas Movie Night with movie inspired games!
Give yourself the gift of receiving easy party and activity ideas!
It’s a perfect day for making memories,
Tuula
P.S. Save for later! My Tuesday Therapy is here to help you to make Great Memories!
