From the minute autumn cools into winter children naturally anticipate Christmas. Advent begins approximately one month before Christmas and children’s hearts and minds are distracted the whole time. Advent ideas for children are a good way to channel that energy and give them an outlet for their excitement. There are websites online that give games, recipes, crafts and activities for children to do each day, while waiting for Christmas Day.
There are beautiful calendars, only for December, that have a special little paper door for each day before Christmas. You can buy these or make them yourself ahead of time. They are colorful and decorated with symbols of the season, and each day there is a new message to discover. Advent ideas for children should remind them of the message of the season along with the fun. With home-made clay, flour, salt and water, children can fashion their own nativity scene. It will take several days to make each character and animal. After which let them dry and paint them. Meanwhile, you can make a stable, manger and collect hay and small plants.
Other advent ideas for children are; make tree ornaments, collect and display all the Christmas cards you receive and Christmas story coloring books. The Christmas tree is usually put up sometime in the middle of December. At the beginning of December, children can start making ornaments from felt, paper, aluminum foil, pop corn and many other possibilities. These can be displayed until the tree is ready to be decorated. Every year we receive scores of cards to wish our family a happy, peaceful Christmas season and New Year. These cards can be collected by the children and displayed on a wall hanging; a simple cloth on a stick that can be hung on a wall. Each card is beautiful and this wall hanging will be a great seasonal decoration for your home. Also, there are coloring sheets online that tell the story of the nativity. These can be printed and made into a book. Your child can color one each day while you tell the story.
Some advent ideas for children take more of the parent’s time than others. Baking is one thing that pleases everyone and children love to participate too. Christmas is traditionally the time for baked goods such as plum cake, frosted cookies as well as home made fudge and toffee. In these busy times, when families do not often get to spend time together, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy each other while talking about the coming of Christmas and what it means to your family.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a famous song on everyone’s Christmas album. It is a perfect chance to explain to children what advent is and why there are twelve days of Christmas. Advent ideas for children can be prepared before December and be ready to entertain and instruct your children beginning on December 1st. No matter how much fun the activities are, spending time with your children is the greatest gift
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