25 Advent Calendar Activities for Babies

25 Advent Calendar Activities for Babies. Christmas is such a magical time when you have children and a new baby can make it even more special. I still remember both boys’ first Christmas. Dressing them up in the most adorable outfits when they were more than willing to get into the festive spirit. Alas, my eldest, now ten-year-old is lacking in festive cheer and heading fast towards those tween years more than I care to admit. However and there is nothing like having a new member of the family at this special time of year. So what do you do for baby’s first advent calendar? It’s not as if the most recent lego advent calendars will be appropriate.

Historically the boys have had wooden advent calendars that we fill each year. I really enjoy this tradition and hope that in time the calendars become a treasured family heirloom. Traditionally we fill a wooden calendar with a mixture of activities, chocolate coins, little gifts and small toy – 45 Kids Advent Calendar Contents Ideas. I much prefer the traditional advent calendars to some of the toy advent calendars you can now buy. Over the years I have created advent activities for reusable advent calendars. Including those for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds. We have even created some advent activities for staying at home, during the lockdown and Harry Potter fans. We have found this a fun way to get into the magic of Christmas for younger kids and older kids alike.

Harry was only eight months in December and far too young for chocolate. However, I hoped that creating advent calendar activities for him for every day of December may encourage some sibling bonding. As it may encourage his older brother to take part in some of them with him. Which it did and I have some lovely family photos of the holiday season because of it. 

Advent Calendar Activities for Babies

Obviously, with a baby, some of the traditional advent activities which we do will not be suitable. But keen to get Harry involved in the Christmas spirit in the lead-up to the big day. I have tried to come up with a list of baby Christmas activities which is suitable for a six-month-old onwards for the days of December. If you have a tiny baby then you may still want to do some of these anyway. 

25 Baby Christmas Activities

Make footprint ornaments for gifts

This is something we have always done and still continue to do each Christmas and is my favourite of all the baby Christmas activities. We have a whole selection of brightly-painted ceramic decorations. I try to write the year on each one. Hopefully one day we will have enough to fill th whole Christmas Tree. But none are as special as the footprint ones. When their feet or hands (which are generally easier to do) use to fill the whole decoration. Alas as they get older I have to make do with finer prints!

Buy or make baby’s first stocking

The boys both have handmade personalised stockings which I made for them when they were little. My nan knitted min and I still have it now! Obviously, time can be very short when you have a newborn so it doesn’t need to be handmade. There are some lovely personalised stockings now which could be a better way if time is short. 

Play Christmas dress up

Great for those with elder siblings too. There are so many cute outfits. Check out vinted to see what you can find second-hand. They are normally only worn for such a short time that you can find as good as new for a bargain price. 

Take a family Christmas portrait

It is a great tradition to start, so you can look back over the years and see how much they have grown. Or how many more grey hairs and bags you have thanks to the continued challenges of parenthood?

Visit Father Christmas for the first time and get a picture

No Christmas would be complete without a trip to see the big man himself. Visiting Santa Claus doesn’t have to be a big affair this year it is more about you as new parents than them. Make the most of that as going forward it will be all about them!

Make handprint or footprint cards for close family and friends

Allow yourself plenty of time to do this as it can take longer than you would think with little hands! Buy some card blanks from your local craft shop and some festive coloured paint. White on coloured cards for snowmen, brown on white cards for reindeer. If you are feeling very confident or have an older baby then you may want to try red and skin colour paint to make Santa. Although you may want to leave this particular idea until they are a bit older!

Buy or make Baby’s first Christmas decoration

There are so many decorations on the market now for Baby’s first Christmas you can find personalised ones at Not on the High Street. Or even make your own for the festive season.

Christmas sensory play – discovery tubes

I always try to include some sort of sensory play in baby Christmas activities, especially for toddlers and preschoolers. However, with babies, it can be a bit difficult since they love to put everything in their mouths. And sensory play normally means small parts. However, I have found these baby’s first sensory tubes a good way to introduce play to little ones. 

Dance to Christmas music – in Mummy’s or Daddy’s arms

My two have always loved a good dance and there is nothing better to get in the festive mood than Christmas music. 

Read some sensory Christmas books together

Again there seems to be so much more choice now in the market. We particularly liked the ‘That’s not my…’ series that did various Christmas options such as the snowman and a Christmas Tree.

Sing Christmas carols to baby

Babies always react to their parent’s voices recognising them from very early on. So if you are feeling musical then belt out some Chrstmas carols or sing along with some well-known Christmas hits. 

Christmas-themed DIY photoshoot with fairy lights

If your baby is sitting then they will be fascinated by fairy lights. Although be warned again this is something that they will try to put in their mouth! Although it really does depend on the baby as Charlie wasn’t interested in putting them in his mouth at all instead just staring inquisitively at them. While getting a photo of Harry was quite a challenge! 

Create a felt Christmas Tree

For an older baby, this is a great way to get them involved with decorating the tree without actually running the risk of breaking glass ornaments. Or realistically being of little help no matter how cute they are. Make your own green felt tree and brightly coloured decorations to go along with it. I made ours but there are several now on the market if time is tight. 

Look at the Christmas lights or go on a lantern walk

Wrap up all snuggly and head out to see the Christmas lights. Alternatively, you could visit one of the Christmas Light Trails which have become popular over the last couple of years. Many are only around an hour long so perfect for kids and grown-ups. Keep an eye out for the inevitable mulled wine. 

Play in Christmas wrapping paper and boxes

That old adage – the box is more fun than the toy inside it definitely rings true for babies. Why not get into the festive spirit early when wrapping presents and let the baby play? Not only is this a wonderful way of giving you some time to do some of the wrapping but also some quiet time ahead of the chaos which ensues at Christmas. 

Make some Christmas art with red and green paint or crayons

Never too young to start mark-making. Even if it is just playing in paint on a tuff tray. Hopefully, you will get some baby pictures and squiggles out of it at the end to accompany gifts to relatives this Chrstmas. If nothing else it will be some messy fun!

Make some edible Christmas play dough

Adapting everything so it can go into their mouths you can make edible playdough which has less salt content. Try adding in some festive smells of cinnamon and chocolate or festive colours and play together. 

Play peekaboo with Christmas lights

Christmas lights are a source of fascination for babies so what better than lights with their favourite human beings? Obviously one for before the Christmas Tree goes up. 

Try out ice cube painting

If your baby can hold something like a teether then they should be fine with this activity. Freeze some lolly sticks in deep ice cubes that are filled with a mixture of paint and water. Place them on the floor with paper and a floor covering – an old shower curtain works well for this. And let them explore. 

Safe jingle bell play

Mine used to love the little musical instrument sets you can buy. Their favourite was the little shaker full of jingle bells. These are ideal for use with young children. 

Buy or make Baby’s first snow globe

Snow globes are so much fun. You could buy one for a keepsake. Or alternatively, they are really easy to make your own. Just get an old jar, glue into the lid some Chrstmas characters or animals. I find silicone glue works really well. Then add water and some glitter to the jar and screw on the lid so that your character is inside and shake! Just make sure it’s been screwed up tightly.

Put a Christmas treasure basket together

Both the boys were big fans of treasure baskets. We had all sorts of themes including a black and white one designed specifically for Harry once he was sitting. If you have not heard of treasure baskets before. They are generally a low wicker style basket in the shape of a circle which is filled with everyday household items. You need to pay attention to ensure they do not present a choking hazard to babies and toddlers. But you would be surprised by how much fun can be found with a clean washing-up brush.

Make a photobook of their first Christmas

One of my favourite baby keepsakes is our Christmas album of the boy’s first Christmas. There are so many different places you can get photo albums printed now. Or you could even make your own with a scrapbook kit. 

Open their first Christmas Eve box

Each Christmas Eve the boys get a Christmas even box. It does not have to be hugely extravagant. Ours are not, especially with Christmas morning only one sleep away. They tend to include Christmas PJs, hot chocolate, a book and a movie. 26 Ideas to put in your Christmas Eve Box.

Enjoy their first Christmas dinner 

This is obviously age dependent. But if baby s starting to wean then it could be that they can try some of the Christmas Day vegetables. Or if older then some other Christmas-themed food. Yum!

Baby Advent Calendar

I hope this post gives you lots of fun ideas for you to be able to create your own great choice of baby Christmas activities for your own advent calendar for babies. The idea can be adapted for younger children or kids of all ages. Many sure you Let me know if you think I have missed any good ones and I will add them in. 

Let me know your favourite Christmas advent calendar and baby Christmas activities in the comments below. I really hope you have enjoyed this post about creating a baby advent calendar. I will be creating some advent activities soon for older children and big kids so don’t forget to subscribe to be notified when that goes live. Wishing your whole family a happy season of advent and a very Merry Christmas.

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