If you’re after a craft activity that also gives you a reusable calendar for years to come and the chance to control what goes into your advent calendar then have a go at making your own calendar.
This easy craft idea is one to get the kids involved with (but not when it comes to the filling part!). You’ll need a lot of cardboard tubes, so get gathering in advance and adapt to different shapes if you like. We really like filling ours with I.O.U vouchers – gifting family time is a great thing during one of the busiest times of the year!
Ideas for filling:
- Break apart a lego kit and pop a bit into different holes (try to keep the pieces in order so they build a bit each day but it doesn’t have to have a piece in every day!)
- Make your own chocolates and wrap up or use chocolate coins
- I.O.U vouchers – write out I.O.U’s for things like a cinema trip, choose your favourite meal, a trip ice skating
- Craft items or stationary like rubbers, stamps, buttons
- Stickers
- Trump or football cards
- Pokemon cards
You’ll need:
- Lots of cardboard tubes like loo roll or kitchen paper tubes
- A thick piece of cardboard
- Wrapping paper
- Tissue paper
- Masking or paper tape
- Glue
- A pencil or pen
- Silver or gold pen
Follow the steps below to make your advent tree. Don’t forget to keep a note when filling the tubes with what goes where if you’re breaking apart a lego kit, or if you want to build to a bigger item on a specific date!
Once it’s been used up, store and re-fill & cover the next year!