With Canadian Thanksgiving and Halloween behind us, Christmas seems to be in full swing over here. I’m a big fan of advent calendars – who isn’t? – and we try to do something fun and different each year. Whether it’s tiny bags with fun trinkets or cards with daily fun activities to do, we all love opening the calendar each day, K especially! Many of these DIY advent calendars can even be made using materials you have around the home.
20+ DIY Advent Calendars
Check out over 20 fun and unique DIY advent calendars that you can easily make yourself. I love them all so much, I can’t pick a favourite!
Handmade Calendar from Ginger Lilly Tea. This is SO gorgeous, I don’t even know where to begin.
Big Box Calendar from Modge Podge Crafts. How fun is this unique one?
Advent Countdown Jar from About Family Crafts. This is a great, simple calendar you can make with a recycled jar.
Giant Advent Calendar from Oh Happy Day. This large calendar requires some space but it’s so beautiful, isn’t it?
Advent Calendar Boxes on a String from Mama Miss. These little boxes (with free printable) are so fun and pretty.
Eco-friendly Calendar from Kitchen Counter Chronicles. Lots of fun activities here as well as a couple more eco-friendly ideas.
Upcycled Record Advent Calendar from Organized 31. This repurposed calendar is super eco-friendly and super fun.
Brown Paper Packages from North Story. I LOVE the Scandinavian look of these little packages.
Advent Book Tree from Creative Green Living. This is an awesome idea for any book lovers. Scour the used bookstores or garage sales for deals on books.
Mitten Calendar from Just Us 4. What a sweet little idea.
Advent Calendar Wreath from Fleece Fun. This is a fun calendar that can double as a wreath!
Advent Calendar Activity Cards from Mama.Papa.Bubba.Blog. This really simple idea has fun ideas for the whole fam.
Toilet Paper Advent Calendar from Danya Banya. If you have extra toilet paper rolls lying around, this one’s for you.
3D Advent Calendar from Craftulate. How gorgeous is this advent calendar?
Mini Tree Advent Calendar from Oh Happy Day. Another awesome and fun idea from Oh Happy Day.
Rustic Advent Calendar from Woman in Real Life. I’m loving the beautiful, rustic look of this one.
4-in-1 Calendar from Red Ted Art. These fun packages can be used in four different ways.
Magnetic Calendar from Sun Hats & Wellie Boots. The kids will love decorating this unique magnetic one.
Scrap Paper Calendar from TinkerLab. I love being able to use scrap paper I already have, like previous years’ Christmas cards.
DIY Wooden Advent Calendar with Stockings from Bren Did. This is so nice, it also serves as a beautiful Christmas decoration!
DIY Boxes Advent Calendar with free printable from Powerful Mothering. What a fun idea!
Here are some more fun Advent ideas as well as activity inspiration for the calendars.
30 Christmas Books from Red Ted Art. These are great book ideas to include in a calendar or for daily reading.
12 Days of Outdoor Play Calendar from OutdoorsMom. I love this outdoor play calendar to get kids active outside.
25 Days of Sensory Christmas Activities from Little Bins for Little Hands. There are tons of fun sensory ideas here for Christmas fun.
Random Acts of Kindness Countdown from Every Star is Different. This countdown is a wonderful idea with different acts to make someone’s day brighter.
100 Activities from KCEdventures is a collection of 100 different ideas to include in an activity advent calendar.
What’s your family tradition when it comes to advent calendars? I’d love to know:)
For fun Christmas ideas, activities & gifts, follow HEN Family’s Christmas board.
Thanks for including our ideas! Much appreciated!
Such a fun idea. My little one loves unwrapping individual items like that:)
I love advent calendars! Never considered how fun the DIY route would be- definitely in love with the Ginger Lilly Tea one- great share!
So do we:) I am so in love with that one too. Isn’t it gorgeous?
These are all stunning. I don’t know which to make for this year. Maybe I’ll make some up for a family Christmas gift. . . . Thanks for getting this all in one place.
Thanks for stopping by. We’re still decided which one to make too:)
What fun advent calendar ideas. I found several that I want to make for my “baby” at college and her roommates. Thanks for including my upcycled 45 record advent calendar.
The mini tree one is ever so cute! And the stockings one too…
For something else a bit “alternative” we have created a printable Acts of Kindness calendar that embraces the giving spirit if Christmas – anyone can download and use the calendar this advent: http://etsy.me/1F7w8W9
Thank you so so much for including my calendar!!! xxx
It’s SO gorgeous! Thank you for making it:)