DIY Advent Calendar for Toddlers: A Fun, Sustainable Holiday Tradition

Looking for a fun and engaging advent calendar for your little one? This year, I created a DIY advent calendar that’s visual, tactile, frugal, reusable, and filled with meaningful activities rather than sweets. Perfect for toddlers, especially those who aren't yet ready for sugary treats!

Why Choose a DIY Advent Calendar?

In my childhood, my mom would buy us chocolate-filled advent calendars. But with a one-year-old at home, I wanted to find a healthier, tooth-friendly alternative. I stumbled upon a wonderful idea on a German blog that embraced the Montessori philosophy. They suggested thematic activities for each day of the week, offering themes like music, outings, baking, quiet time, reading, preparing the home, and creative play. Inspired by this, I decided to curate the calendar with:

- Music Day: Christmas jingles

- Home Prep: Ornaments for decorating

- Creative Play: Crayons

- St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6th): Tangerines

- Quiet Time: Wooden toys

These items were not only sustainable and fun but also simple to gather from what I already had at home.

How to Make Your Advent Calendar

We used a long string across our living room wall, securing socks and numbered golden paper with clothing pegs for each day leading up to Christmas. It was a delightful, easy setup that added a festive touch to our home.

Each morning, our routine includes:

1. Ringing a bell

2. Lighting a candle on our advent wreath

3. Playing Advent music

4. Reading a Christmas story

5. Letting our toddler pull out the daily trinket from the sock

Our little one loves the surprise each morning, often playing with the toy before putting it back to pull out again. Blowing out the advent candles is another fun part of our day.

Sustainable and Toddler-Friendly

Initially, we considered using envelopes as containers. However, knowing how toddlers can be, we opted for socks on the string, making our calendar durable and eco-friendly.

This DIY advent calendar has filled our home with joy and anticipation, providing daily moments of connection and celebration. It's a cherished tradition that I hope will grow with my child and become a treasured part of our holiday memories.

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DIY upcycled toddler phone

**From Unwanted to Uniquely Fun: Transforming a Phone Cover**

Ever order a phone cover only to find it didn’t fit? I did. Rather than toss a perfectly good cover, I stashed it away for a few years. Fast forward to when my little one, Owlet, started showing an interest in smartphones. That’s when inspiration struck: Why not turn the unused cover into a pretend phone?

This DIY is as simple as it gets! All you need is an unwanted phone cover and some cardboard. I didn’t even paint the cardboard, but feel free to get creative. You can experiment with phone designs, draw on numbers, or even add a favorite picture or a mirror. It’s a fun, easy project that turns an overlooked item into a source of play and imagination.

October drawing challenge - Owl doodles

A year of two owls

This picture was drawn as a gift for MrOwl. 

Inspiration for 8 DIY Christmas Napkin Rings

This is a collection of ideas I found on the internet. I did not want anything with deers, Santa or ivy so instead you can find ideas connected with stars, snowlakes and bells. I hope my mother will enjoy seeing one of these at our Christmas table:)  

Looks really festive!

Seems easy to do if I end up not having much time.

I would do this one for christmas with different colors.

Such a cute idea!

These might be more difficult to make. I see the second one could be done with a laser cutter at our local college. They look very elegant so they might be worth a little extra effort.

Grey notebook - Arendsee pictures

 Kloster Arendsee

Dorm Crafts - Fruity Christmas Wreath