Advent Activity Pack

I'm excited to finally post this printable Advent Activity Pack! I really wanted to put together something quality and fun, that also helps simplify Christmas for you as a parent! Check it out here: Advent Activity Pack

 I included a small scale version of my large,
felt tree found here: Advent Calendar and Devotional

Print this small tree and cut out the ornaments for each day.
This file includes a scripture reading schedule that matches the one found here.
Use the scripture reading schedule each night or download the
full version to use along with your super simple,
super easy printable Advent Tree!!

The full version includes discussion questions, prayer, and
YouTube clips that go along with each night's theme.

This file includes coloring sheets...

Printable Advent Calender...

Craft, handwriting, letter tracing, activities and more!

You may also like our Snowy Fun Winter Activity Pack! 

Advent Calendar Tutorial and Pattern

Every Christmas season I remember as a kid included family devotions each night around the dinning room table. They revolved around a felt Christmas tree and a devotional book that is now out of print. The simplicity of each lesson must have hit home for me as a kid, because the Bible verses we memorized are still engraved in my mind. We LOVED taking turns selecting the corresponding ornament each night and placing it on the tree. A friend of mine reminded me of this book, just the other day, when she said my dad had recommended it to her. Sadly, the book is out of print, but can still be purchased used on Amazon. Buy it here: Family Celebrations: Meeting Christ in Your Holidays and Special Occasions.

*Update! I just discovered an updated version of Ann Hibbards book which can be found here: Celebrating Advent: Devotions and Activities for the Christmas Season This new book includes 2 full seasons of devotions, as well as added discussion questions and further study of older children and adults. Looks good to me!

The original book includes family activities and devotionals for many holidays throughout the year. I spent some time adapting the material they provide for Christmas devotions, and condensed it into one file that includes everything you'll need to start your own advent tradition.
 
Download my FREE adaptation of the nightly devotional here:

Advent Tree Family Devotions

*This download also includes a printable version of the ornaments that correspond with each night's theme, as well as a template for a felt Christmas tree.

DIRECTIONS:

This is the no-sew, fast and easy version!!

For my tree, I cut a 40" x 20" white felt background. I folded the top over 3" and hot glued it in place so a stick could be slid through for hanging purposes. I cut 2.5" x 2.5" squares in various colors of felt for each ornament's pocket. The ornaments are printable images, mounted on colored foam from the dollar store. I hot glued these in place with a piece of string between the image and the foam. If I had tons of extra time, I would have used embroidery thread to add detail to the tree and to number each pocket. I was lazy and in a hurry, so I used squeezable fabric paint. Worked like a charm! I even hot glued the buttons on, being careful to use only a tiny bit in the center so the ornaments would be able to hang from them. I got started on this project a little late this year, but thought I would finish it and be ahead of the game next year!

Top 10 Advent Resources for Kids

Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story

Allow me to share with you a collection of Christmas books, videos, and other resources my family has enjoyed over the years. These are some of our favorite things to use during the Christmas season that help keep Christ at the center of our celebrating. What are your favorite things to use with your kids during the advent season?

What's In The Bible? Buck Denver Asks...Why Do We Call it Christmas?

The Nativity Story 

Great for kids age 6 and up. Some scenes may be a little intense, but use discresion, you know your kids best! We watched it together as a family with my kids age 6, 4 and 2 and they all just about made it through to the end without losing interest. My 6 year old really did find it interesting, the other two were hit and miss, but even when they don't seem to be paying attention, you never know what they are soaking in! 

Check out this collection of great advent calenders and other resources, found here

What God Wants for Christmas: An Interactive Nativity

My kids have loved using this for the past few years.

It is a great resource best used for kids age 3 to 8 (my approximation). 

It includes a short, daily devotional reading set to rhyme, 

and a small present to open each day containing a piece for the nativity set. 

On the last day, what God wants for Christmas is revealed to be "YOU!" 

Inside the last gift box is a mirror!   

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Reading Schedule

The Jesus Storybook Bible is one of our favorite Bible storybooks for kids. 

Each story from the Bible is told in a beautiful way that always points to Christ.

This is an example of one way to use the Jesus Storybook 

as your family devotions during the month of December. 

This is a really cute board book, perfect for little kids, age 2 to 6. The daily devotional readings are short and sweet and many include suggestions for age appropriate activities. Find it here

Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene Playset

Peanuts 9 Piece Mini Figure Christmas Set

Throw Jesus a birthday party! 

What better way for young children to make the connection between 

Christ and Christmas, then speaking to them in this tangible way. 

Our family always incorporates a birthday cake and singing in with our big Christmas meal.

Happy Birthday Jesus Party Supplies

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Craft-O-Maniac