How do you make a DIY kids Advent calendar? My kids always enjoyed a holiday countdown calendar, in fact they both still do them to this day. This easy DIY kids Advent calendar can be used every year and will create great memories.
I bought a pizza pan from the dollar store and spray painted it white.
While that was drying I drew a face on pink construction paper and cut it out.
I painted the back of the construction paper with Mod Podge and stuck it to the pizza pan.
I coated the top of the construction paper with another layer of Mod Podge to seal it.
While that was drying, I hot glued magnets to the back of 25 cotton balls.
I hot glued a Santa hat onto the pizza pan.
I cut a piece of ribbon, made a knot, and hot glued it to the back of the hat.
I hot glued the little ball of the Santa hat onto the hat.
You can leave the pan as is, or you can add numbers to it for the kids advent calendar.
Starting December 1st, add one of the magnet cotton balls to Santa’s beard. By Christmas Day his beard will be full.
Hang Santa on your refrigerator, place all of the cotton balls on the refrigerator as well until it’s time to put them on Santa.
What do you put in a children’s Advent calendar? With this great project there’s no candy, toys, or trinkets to buy.
Do you start an Advent calendar with 1 or 24? I start this one by putting the first cotton ball up on Dec. 1st and then the last one goes up on the 25th.
What are some of your holiday traditions? I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.
Kids Advent Calendar Video
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Cute idea that children would love, and it helps to ease the anticipation!
Thank you so much Patti, I’m thrilled you like it.
very cute! I sometimes do an advent calendar for my daughter but she is 30 now… I still sometimes make her one though 😉
Thank you Tania, and I totally know what you’re saying. I have one adult and one teen and they both still like to do them too.
Your advent calendar is adorable and what a great way to use a pizza pan!
Thank you so much Ann, it’s been fun thinking outside the box 🙂
You come up with the best ideas to re-use items, Chas! Your pizza pan Santa advent calendar is too cute! Kids will love making one!
Thank you so very much Gail, and thank you for the kind words. You are so very sweet.
Adorable idea that gets the kids involved too during this season. The low price is even better.
Thank you Donna, and well said friend. Love those dollar stores and thrift stores.
oh wow
Thank you Faith
Oh this brings back such great memories! I used to make these with my kindergarteners way back when I was teaching. I love the way you used a pizza pan and real hat…much sturdier and craftier than our classroom paper plates and ditto templates!! This way it becomes a long lasting keepsake. Perfect.
Thank you so much Kim. I love that you did this with paper plates with your students. Memories are the best right?
I’ve always wanted to make an advent calendar and I’m so inspired by this one. Absolutely adorable Chas!
Thank you so much Sara, and I love that you make one too.
Too cute! I’ve seen many advent calendars but none like this – truly unique! xo Kathleen
Thank you so much Kathleen, I’m thrilled you like it.
This is adorable! I never had an advent calendar.
Cindy
Thank you so much Cindy, I’m thrilled you like it.
What a very clever idea, and it looks so cute. My kids are all grown but they still love the chocolate advent calendars. lol
Thank you Anita, my kids are grown up too so this one is for me lol. My kids still like to do them though and they like the chocolate ones too 🙂
Your Santa advent calendar looks super cute and it’s great that it’s so budget-friendly!
Thank you Allyson, and love projects that can be updated easily.
What a cute idea and good use of the pizza pan too !
Naush
Thank you so much Naush, I’m so glad you like it.
I’ve seen paper versions of this since my childhood. I’ve never seen a magnetic reusable one. What a great idea!!!!
Thank you so much. I also grew up with a paper version, as did my kids. This was inspired by those and yet more eco friendly 🙂
This is so cute! I remember making one out of paper when I was in elementary school 100 years ago. Lol Yours is much sturdier, though. Great idea!!
Thank you so much Michelle, and I did that with my kids too. This one is a little more eco friendly 🙂
Very cute advent calendar idea, Chas!
Thank you so much Marie 🙂
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Thank you so much Marilyn, I hope you’re having a great weekend.
Darling idea, and I love that it is so simple! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Amy!