Preview- Best Advent Calendars for kids that include activities to spend some Mommy-and-me time!
It’s time! Don’t you love having this holiday tradition with your kids?! Me too. If you are looking for Advent calendar ideas, this list of the best Advent calendars for 2019 is full of options that turn your holiday tradition into a sweet Mommy-and-Me activity for your family.
Counting down to Christmas with your kids
Is there anything more magical than the excitement that builds in the month (or two!) leading up to Christmas? Kids are so contagious in their enthusiasm for the holidays. We are early starters in my house. The day after trick-or-treating, my kids are asking to watch Christmas movies, anticipating the arrival of their Elf on the Shelf (here is how I remember to move him!), and starting their Christmas list!
I don’t know where they get it! 😉 Okay, we LOVE Christmas in my family. And why not celebrate?! White elephant games, cookie exchanges, Christmas lights, caroling, waiting for Santa… it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
How do you countdown to the holiday? Do you have a family tradition leading up to the holiday? How about an Advent Calendar? We just started this tradition a few years ago and I put a fun little spin on it that I look forward to every year, then every day of the countdown: I bought an Advent Calendar and every day when they open a door, it becomes Mommy and Me time. Even if we just spend 15-30 minutes playing, talking, and laughing it is a lovely way to purposefully slow down the day and spend this time bonding with my kids.
Does this sound like something you would want to start with your kids?
Why do they call it an Advent Calendar?
Good question. I wondered this myself so I did some research. According to Richard Sellmer Verlag, (a 70-year old traditional Advent Calendar company, the tradition dates back to the 19th century. It started with religious families making a chalk line for every day in December until Christmas Eve. Over the years, it evolved from chalk lines to candles/wreaths then clocks until 1903 when the first Advent Calendar was printed in Germany. The early versions had doors with colored pictures on the backs (the religious printers used Bible verses instead). This tradition ended when a cardboard version was rationed after WWII. The first post-war printed version appeared in 1948 thanks to Richard Sellmer. By 1958, the version included chocolates was available.
Okay, I don’t usually give you that much history but hopefully you found it as interesting as I did! Advent calendars are a tradition with deep roots and a great one to pass on to your family.
(This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases)
Best Advent Calendars for kids to spend some Mommy-and-Me time
LEGO Advent Calendar– My oldest and I did this one last year and I love it so much I think we might do it again! I love that you can build together. (This is also great for fine motors skills, planning, and creative thinking!). It also builds a fun little Christmas scene!
Crayola Advent Calendar– Each day has a fun little activity inside that you can do together! Paints, markers, crayons, magic molds… 24 total gifts included!
Hot Wheels Advent Calendar– 24 days of hot rod fun with 8 cars, a track on the box, and car accessories! Your favorite little car-guy will love to race Mom every day!
Thomas & Friends Advent Calendar– They’re 2, they’re 4, they’re 6, they’re 8! Get the tracks ready because this set comes with 6 minis! The back flap has a track where you and your little conductor can play each time you open a new door.
Play-Doh Advent Calendar– Think of all the things you could create with your kiddos! What do you think they will make first?
Disney Advent Calendar– All their favorite Disney Jr. Friends like Doc, Puppy Dog Pals, Mickey and more in this cute little countdown!
“Gorgeous Gifts” Advent Calendar– Any VSCO girl would love this countdown full of friendship bracelets, ponytail holders, hair clips and more! The perfect excuse for girl time with Mom!
Vtech Advent Calendar– Perfect for toddlers! I bought this one last year for my toddler and he is playing with it again this year already! This is a great way to get your toddler in the holiday spirit and spend a little bonding time with Mom. The train says different phrases and SmartPoints pad interacts with other Smart Wheels playsets if you have them!
And a little outside the box of the traditional Advent calendar but super fun…
Tiny Box of Christmas Activities– This is a small box containing 25 wooden tokens labeled with a fun activity/gesture/craft to celebrate the holidays. Pull one from the box each day as you countdown to Christmas! Now, this is an Advent calendar to bring families together!
There is one more idea for an Advent Calendar that brings out the true meaning of Christmas. It is a way to pass on the most meaningful traditions that your family holds dear and give that love to your children. It is too big to add it as a#10 next to Peppa and Barbie 😉 so you can read about it here:
The most endearing way to pass family holiday traditions to your kids.
Creating and passing on traditions to our children is one of the profound and meaningful parts of the parenting. I hope these ideas for Advent Calendars for kids help you spend a wonderful and fulfilling Christmas with your family!
Leave a Reply