24 DIY Advent Calendars

Last year, a family member sent us one of those little chocolate advent calendars that you can buy at any grocery store for about $2. I didn’t think my sixteen-month-old daughter would have a clue about what it was for or remember it from day to day, but she proved me wrong!

She loved that thing and really got into a lot of the Christmas activity. This year, I won’t underestimate her and we’re using several advent calendars to make every day fun (and help keep her entertained as we adjust to life with a new baby).

Advent calendars are just such a fun way to make December fun on a daily basis for a toddler. Here are 24 DIY advent calendars that I absolutely love – some of them are very elaborate, while others you could throw together in an hour or less:

Shipping Tag Advent Calendar

This easy calendar looks amazing on the wall and really adds some pizazz to your holiday decor.

Poppy Talk has all the details!

Fabric Bag Advent Calendar

So simple and easy for little hands to maneuver!

House and Home has all the details on how to make your own

Clothespin Advent Calendar

I love this simple project and the fact that you can clip on ornaments, cards, candies, or tiny packages.

All the instructions for making your own at Everyday Reading

Book Advent Calendar

What could be better than introducing your toddler to favorite Christmas stories? One every night means at least a little time cuddling together every day in December!

Get more details at Sarah Jane Studios

Punch Board Advent

What baby could resist punching through the paper and finding a toy or treat on the other side? Not mine!

Get the instructions at You Are My Fave

Tree Advent Calendar

I love this simple little paper forest, and little hands will love picking them up to reveal a surprise underneath each one.

Get instructions and templates at Spoonful

Printable Paper Chain

This advent calendar has more than enough activities to last you through 24 days of December, so you can select the ones that best fit your child’s abilities and interests.

Find the download at Christmas Your Way

Snowflake Advent Calendar

I think this is so beautiful! I love an advent calendar that doubles as a gorgeous holiday decoration.

Read all the details at Eighteen 25

Pinata Advent

Not only will your child loving pulling open these little pinatas, but they look so festive and happy hanging up during December!

All the directions for this project are at Handmade Charlotte

Shoe Organizer Advent Calendar

The pockets on this re-purposed shoe organizer means you’ll have plenty of room for treats and gifts of any size!

Eighteen 25 has all the instructions for how to make this!

Magnetic Tin Advent Calendar

I love the challenge of finding tiny treats and toys to go in these little magnetic tins – tiny treats for tiny children!

Get the instructions and printable labels at Twig and Thistle

Paper Bag Advent

This simple idea has such visual impact and costs almost nothing to make!

Instructions at Most Lovely Things

Stained Glass Advent Calendar

I love how sleek and colorful this looks on the front, and your toddler will love the tiny treats hidden behind each window!

Detailed instructions at Daisy Janie

Minamalist Box Advent Calendar

Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean you can’t have something modern and crisp for an advent calender!

Tutorial available at Shim and Sons

Toilet Paper Advent Countdown

Save your toilet paper rolls and re-purpose them into this darling advent garland!

Instructions at Maya Made

Snowmen Advent Garland

It doesn’t get cuter or more creative than these tiny little snowmen strung together in a garland.

Get instructions at Whimsy Love

Modern Tree Advent Calendar

I love the simplicity and elegance of this one.

Sunset has all the details on how to make your own

Photo Chain Calendar

Use saved Christmas cards or photos of family members to make this personal and fun for your little baby to interact with!

Get instructions at Martha Stewart

Spool Advent Calendar

This has the look of a holiday tradition even the first year you pull it out. So pretty!

Just Something I Made has all the instructions you'll need to make your own

Matchbox Advent Calendar

These tiny matchboxes can all be stacked together into a little table display of their own. And I know my toddler would love stacking and restacking them throughout the holidays.

Find the details at Country Living

Embroidered Felt Advent Calendar

I love the mix of traditional and modern here and how many ways there are to use it!

The Purl Bee shares all the details on how she made hers!

Falling Star Advent

This is beautiful and just right for a baby’s first (or second) Christmas!

Details at Design Sponge

Gum Advent Calendar

My toddler is just starting to grasp the idea of gum and I know she’d be over the moon if I pulled these out on December 1st.

Instructions at My Little Mochi

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