The 25 Days of Christmas: Fun Ways to Count Down to the Holidays
Start the 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Early!
The holiday season will be here before we know it! As homeschooling families, this can be an especially magical time of year as we embrace the spirit of giving and making meaningful memories together.
To help build anticipation and excitement for Christmas, countdowns and advent activities are a fun way to mark each day leading up to the 25th. Not only do they help little ones visualize the passage of time, but they also provide opportunities for teaching math, calendar skills, arts and crafts, and more. The holidays will be here in a flash, so start the excitement now by pinning this roundup of festive countdowns and advent ideas to your Christmas board!
Free Printable Christmas Countdown
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Christmas COuntdown
We’re excited to provide a free, printable Christmas countdown that you can decorate together as a family. It features 25 circles ready to be colored, dotted with stickers, or filled in with pom poms as you count down the days.
Customize it to match your holiday décor by using red and green craft supplies, metallic accents, or even glitter! Then, prominently display it so your children can eagerly cross off each day. Make a ceremony of removing the pom pom, sticker, or filling in the circle with a marker. Not only is it a visual representation of the days going by, but it builds suspense and reinforces counting skills.
Fun Advent Activity Kits
In addition to the countdown, advent calendars and kits are another way to anticipate the upcoming holiday. Consider these engaging ideas:
Advent Activities to Delight
Melissa & Doug Christmas Countdown
- Complete 25-piece wooden advent calendar set – includes magnetic tree, 24 ornaments, star topper, and ornament storage box
- Hands-on way for kids to count down to Christmas and learn about traditions
- Features inspiring holiday poem on back to read aloud together as a family
- Great gift idea for children ages 3-7 years old
- From Melissa & Doug – a leader in open-ended toys for imaginative play and early childhood development
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Gemstone Advent Calendar
- Reveal 24 polished gems + special rose quartz crystal dig
- Collection includes agate, aventurine, hematite, sodalite & more
- It comes with jewelry settings to craft five custom pieces
- High-quality National Geographic educational toy
- New gemstone surprise daily leading up to Christmas
Lego City Advent Calendar
- Countdown to Christmas with 2022 LEGO City advent calendar
- Includes 6 festive minifigures like Santa and characters from the LEGO City TV series
- Foldout playmat creates a winter wonderland scene for imaginative play
- Perfect gift idea for LEGO fans ages 5+ to open before Christmas
- Packed with mini builds and accessories for creative holiday adventures
Get Creative with DIY Advents
If pre-made advent calendar kits are outside your budget or you want to take a more hands-on approach, there are so many fantastic DIY advent ideas you can create right at home using supplies you likely already have!
DIY Craft Advent Calendars
Gather up your craft stash for these creative ideas:
- Christmas Book Advent – Wrap up 24 holiday books or stories and let the kids unwrap a new reading adventure each day in December.
- Kindness Jar Advent – Decorate a jar and fill it with slips of paper containing good deeds, holiday-themed questions, or activities. Pull one out per day to discuss and accomplish as a family.
- Paper Chain Garland – Craft 25 paper links and remove one daily to count down in a vibrant style.
DIY Treat Advent Calendars
Sweet ideas using edible goodies:
- Hot Cocoa Countdown – Make single-serve hot cocoa gift bags filled with mix, marshmallows, etc. Stored in a box or pouch, grab one each morning for a cozy treat.
- Baking Adventure – Bake a big batch of cookie dough or gingerbread mix and scoop out portions to bake daily, checking off each recipe.
- Candy Countdown – Make mini bags labeled 1-25 filled with festive candy-like red/green M&Ms to devour daily.
The options are endless! DIY advents allow for creativity, teach planning skills and provide Interactive ways for the whole family to get excited for Christmas.
The Benefits of Advent Calendars
Implementing an advent calendar or countdown comes with many rewards beyond just building eager anticipation for the big holiday. Here are some of the best benefits for homeschooling families:
Promotes Family Bonding
Taking time to open each advent activity together cultivates connections and togetherness. Designate it as special daily one-on-one time with each child.
Reinforces Learning Concepts
The daily practice of crossing off countdown calendars promotes counting skills, number recognition, and concepts of time. Opening activities in sequence aids comprehension of logical order.
Encourages Creativity & Problem Solving
DIY advents allow kids creative freedom in designing and assembling materials. Following advent recipes and instructions also promotes reading, critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
Increases Holiday Excitement & Traditions
Visual countdowns help young children comprehend the passage of time leading up to an abstract date in the future. Seeing the days until Christmas dwindle builds happy anticipation and creates meaningful rituals.
Focuses on Giving Not Just Receiving
Advent activities shift the focus of the season onto kindness, hope, community and family instead of just receiving gifts. This emphasizes moral education and values.
Provides Interactive Learning Tools
Opening advent materials daily offers opportunities to engage with topics like science, art, math, reading, geography and even coding skills in an applied, entertaining way. Kids love learning when it feels like play!
The holiday season flies by quickly, so be intentional about stopping to savor each special moment. Implementing visual countdowns and advent activities allows us to build anticipation and fully experience the magic with our children. What unique traditions will your family incorporate this year? Let the merry-making begin!
