24 Free Activities for an Activity Advent Calendar
An activity calendar costs almost nothing and makes memories. Shuffle the order to fit your diary, putting bigger outings on weekends.
- Write letters to Santa or to a grandparent
- Make paper snowflakes
- Watch a holiday film in pyjamas
- Drive or walk to see Christmas lights
- Bake and decorate cookies
- Donate toys or food to a local drive
- Build a blanket fort
- Make a gingerbread house
- Read a Christmas story by torchlight
- Make hot chocolate with toppings
- Have a family board game night
- Make homemade cards
- Sing carols
- Decorate the tree
- Make a bird feeder from pinecones and seeds
- Do a winter scavenger hunt
- Wrap presents together
- Dance party
- Make salt dough ornaments
- Call or video-call a relative
- Visit a Christmas market
- Have a candlelit dinner
- Write a family gratitude list
- Leave out treats for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer
Make it easy
Write each activity on a card the night before, so you can swap it if the weather or schedule changes. Prefer one sheet on the fridge? Our printable December countdown chart matches an idea to every date in 2026. Have a scout elf too? Our 35 easy elf ideas take five minutes or less.