I just love going to MOPS. Besides, the friendship, fellowship and great food, we get to make fun craft projects. A few weeks ago we made an easy Advent Jar. What’s an Advent Jar you ask? Well, its just like an advent calendar, except you use a jar and Popsicle sticks. Following the advent calendar tutorial are 35 ideas for activities and experiences to write on those sticks. If you are still looking for some holiday gifts for your favorite little artist be sure to check out 20 Gifts for the Budding Artist.
You will need:
- Clean glass jar
- 25 Popsicle sticks (the larger the better)
- Ribbon (a wider ribbon and a thinner ribbon in holiday colors)
- Double sided tape or a hot glue gun
- Fine tip permanent marker
The length of ribbons you use will depend on the width of your jar. You want to make sure you have enough of the wider ribbon to wrap around the jar completely and overlap itself a bit.
Fold over one end of the wide ribbon about an 1/8 of an inch. Then add a few strips of double sided tape to the back of the wide ribbon.
If you are having a hard time coming up with ideas to write on your sticks, here are some ideas from some of my favorite bloggers.
1. Driving around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights (In Lieu of Preschool)
2. Putting reindeer food outside the house on Christmas Eve so Rudolph knows which house to stop at. (Nurturestore)
3. Making cranberry sauce which makes the whole house smell festive (Domestic Goddesque)
4. Building Gingerbread houses (Housing a Forest)
5. Going out to the town’s annual tree lighting (Toddler Approved)
6. Bake and craft and listen to Christmas music (Life at the Zoo)
7. Decorate the Christmas tree as a family (Childhood 101)
8. Bake and package up goodies to take to neighbors (This Reading Mama)
9. Visit local train displays (Busy Kids Happy Mom)
10. Going on a hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree (Happy Whimsical Hearts)
11. Nighttime shopping with the kids including a Starbucks stop for some sweet treats (Rainy Day Mum)
12. Baking cookies for Santa (Mom to 2 Posh Little Divas)
13. Playing Find the Wisemen. The wisemen wander around the house on their way to the manger and the child has to try and find where they are on their journey to the manger (JDaniel4smom)
14. Enjoying hot chocolate with the family (Creative Playhouse)
15. Making Santa cookies with cookie cutters (Adventures in Mommydom)
If those aren’t enough, here are some more!
16. Make chocolate dipped pretzels
17. Set up the Nativity
18. Watch a Christmas movie and eat popcorn
19. Color Christmas pictures
20. Make a construction paper chain using paper strips
21. Write a letter to Santa
22. Reading a Christmas book
23. Open one Christmas present (done on Christmas Eve)
24. Have breakfast or lunch at a restaurant
25. Family pizza night – make a pizza together
26. Visit Santa Claus
27. Make Peppermint bark
28. Read “The Night Before Christmas”
29. Have a dance party to Christmas music
30. Wrap Christmas presents for friends and family
31. Make rice krispie treats
32. Bake an apple pie
33. Put out the train set
34. Make Christmas colored pancakes
35. Take a trip to the library and look for Christmas books
Please share your favorite Advent activities in the comments below. I would love to hear about your Best Ever Christmas Family Traditions.
For more fun Christmas activities for the family check out:
10 Christmas Tree Activities 10 Christmas Activities for Kids
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Amanda @ Gratefully Growing in Grace says
I like the train display idea!
I might re-do my advent activities onto the Popsicle sticks; great idea. I've also heard of letting the Elf on the Shelf bring the activity each day.
http://gratefullygrowingingrace.blogspot.com/2012/11/advent-activity-chain-2012.html
RedTedArt says
Oooh that really IS easy. What a great idea! Love it.
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Sheryl “Wilderness Wife” Thompson says
What a nice idea to get families doing thngs together during the holidays. I sent this link to my daughterinlaw in VA. She'll love it! Please come share it with my readers on my Wicked Good Wednesday Blog Party. I know they would love it! http://www.wildernesswife.com/?p=1251
Donna Huisinga says
Great ideas. I have an Advent pinboard and am pinning this.
Lolly Jane says
This is so easy and fun! LOVE!! Featured it!
http://lollyjane.com/30-diy-christmas-advent-calendars/
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
I just love this alternative idea! Thanks for linking up at my Pin Me Linky Party. I hope you come visit & link again. The party starts tomorrow at 8am CST.
Diana
Carrie says
What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Kristel says
Hi! I'm a contributor for Disney Baby. Would you mind if I included this idea in our advent calendar round up? I will link back and give you full credit.
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
That would be great Kristel, thanks!
Sharon says
Our favourite activity is planting mints in the garden on xmas eve and then overnight they grow into candy canes. Santa has magic dust that makes them grow.
Vicky says
We need to try this Sharon. So fun! Thanks for sharing!
Heather says
I am mesmerized by this post! Seriously, I read every single word. I am definitely doing these with my kids because they need to get all their energy out!
printable calendar says
What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing post! I’ve discovered a site where you can design your calendars together by day, month, week. I suggest you do yours!
Printable Calendar says
What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!