Advent doesn’t have to be stressful, nor must it be complex. Here are 100 simple activities for your family’s best Advent ever, from traditions, prayers, and devotions to music, books, movies, and crafts. (Don’t forget: you can snag my Printable Works of Mercy Advent Calendar here).
Maybe you’re a lot like me, and you’re not the master at living liturgically. Maybe Advent has the tendency to stress you out. Maybe you have grand plans, my friends, followed by even grander feelings of failure.
Maybe we should learn to be gentle with ourselves. God doesn’t want our hearts to hurt.
The truth is, Advent is a time of refinement and renewal, a time to grow closer to the heart of Christ. Our Advent prep and activities should facilitate that, not prevent it.
Sometimes, simple really is best for our hearts.
100 Simple Activities for Your Family’s Best Advent Ever
A beautiful, homemade costume for St. Lucy from Sweet Little Ones
Saints of Advent Games and Activities from Look to Him and Be Radiant
Catholic Saints for Advent from The Kennedy Adventures – Books, printables, crafts, recipes, activities, and more
Immaculate Conception
A Slice of Smith Life – tons of great activities and resources. Tracy’s family celebrates feast days with panache!
St. Lucy
Sweet Little Ones Blog – just about the coolest St. Lucy costume ever, with instructions.
St Nicholas
Sweet Little Ones Blog – all sorts of fun surprises in the family shoes!
A Slice of Smith Life – treats, books, shoes, and more!
A Slice of Smith Life – seven simple suggestions for celebrating!
The Kennedy Adventures – St. Nicholas crafts for preschoolers.
Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego
Sweet Little Ones Blog – make your own tilma!
A Slice of Smith Life – a Juan Diego round up!
A Slice of Smith Life – all about Our Lady of Guadalupe, put particularly cool is the list of miracles attributed to her
The Kennedy Adventures – perfect crafts for Catholic kids
St. Francis Xavier
Celebrating St. Francis Xavier from The Kennedy Adventures: Books, activities, and more!
Advent Calendars
One of many vintage Advent calendars at Life in Every Limb
Sweet Little Ones Shop – printable advent calendar, perfect for a home banner!
Countdown to Christmas from Life in Every Limb – a fun look at Advent calendars, past and present
Works of Mercy Printable Advent Calendar – stay close to the heart of the season with simple family activities focused on the Works of Mercy.
Crafts
The peg doll nativity at Look to Him and Be Radiant
Sweet Little Ones Blog – Advent wreath craft
DIY Peg Doll nativity from Look to Him and Be Radiant – where to buy, how to do it, and more!
Wood-burned Nativity Peg Doll set from Look to Him and Be Radiant – totally awesome, and amazingly easy!
Nativity Wooden Block Animals from Look to Him and Be Radiant – So. Stinking. Cute.
Sock Baby Jesus and a “Handy” Tree Skirt from A Slice of Smith Life – two great crafts; one great post!
Sweet Little Ones Blog – Advent wreath craft
DIY Peg Doll nativity from Look to Him and Be Radiant – where to buy, how to do it, and more!
Wood-burned Nativity Peg Doll set from Look to Him and Be Radiant – totally awesome, and amazingly easy!
Nativity Wooden Block Animals from Look to Him and Be Radiant – So. Stinking. Cute.
Sock Baby Jesus and a “Handy” Tree Skirt from A Slice of Smith Life – two great crafts; one great post!
Nesting for Sock Baby Jesus from Arma Dei – a clementine crib for a king!
Advent Quilt Pattern from Faith and Fabric – If only I could sew!
Advent Block Calendar Tutorial from Faith and Fabric – A project for the whole family
Printables
Advent Saint Ornaments from Catholic Inspired
Printable Advent Candles from Look to Him and Be Radiant – great for littles!
What Advent Looks Like, What Christmas Looks Like, or the entire Liturgical Year Coloring Book from Look to Him and Be Radiant – it’s a coloring page bonanza!
O Antiphon Coloring Book and Ornaments from Look to Him and Be Radiant
Sunday Scripture Doodles from Look to Him and Be Radiant – because grown-ups need coloring time, too
Advent Saint Ornaments from Catholic Inspired – a different, but beautiful, take on the Jesse Tree
St. Nicholas Printables for Children from The Kennedy Adventures – a fun activity book for kids
Advent Wreath Coloring Page, Advent Crossword Puzzle, and an Advent Puppet Show from CatholicMom – a seasonal diversion for rainy (or snowy) days
The Jesse Tree
One of the 3D ornaments from Drawn2BCreative
Mosaic Jesse Tree from To Jesus, Sincerely – absolutely beautiful. Sara is such a talented artist! You can buy it ready-made or DIY!
Celebrating Advent with a Jesse Tree from Life in Every Limb – the who, what, and why of this Advent tradition
Jesse Tree 3D Printable Jesse Tree from Drawn2B to Creative – snag the ebook, and get to work paper crafting with your fam!
The Handprint Family Jesse Tree from Arma Dei – a fun activity to do as a family
Our Family’s Jesse Tree from Faith and Fabric – An Advent Ebook with devotions, ornament templates, and activities
Enter your text here…
Tradition and Activity Roundups from fellow bloggers
The printable nativity set from Lacy at Catholic Icing
Renew Your Advent Focus: 15 Creative Family Traditions from Not So Formulaic – crafting, baking, serving, and more
8 Practical Ways to Get Ready for Advent from Peanut Butter and Grace – An excellent resources of feast days, activities, books, and more
Family Advent Traditions from Jenny at The Littlest Way – Sweet, simple, and perfectly doable, from read-alouds to stockings for St. Nicholas
A Roundup of Advent Traditions from A Slice of Smith Life – Tracy always finds the neatest things, and this roundup is no exception
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year from Campfires and Cleats – A fun-filled, homeschooling-friendly round-up
Links for Advent Planning from Shower of Roses – Seriously, this is the motherlode. Enjoy.
Advent Resources for Children from The Koala Mom – from books to calendars and everything in between
How to Prepare for a Holy Advent from Pinot Noir and Prayers – Advent history, feast days, activities, and more
100+ Simple Catholic Advent Crafts and Activities for Kids from The Kennedy Adventures – Dianna wasn’t kidding when she said 100+. There’s a ton of great stuff here!
Advent and Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids from Catholic Icing – a great roundup from one of the legends in Catholic blogging
Activities
Prayer Chain Kit from Arma Dei
Why Advent Service Matters, Plus 13 Ways to Love Your Neighbor from Not So Formulaic – works of mercy the whole family can do
Seeking our Savior Advent Detective Journey from Look to Him and Be Radiant – part Scavenger hunt, part mystery, all Advent.
Advent Jeopardy from Look to Him and Be Radiant – I’ll take Wise Men for 600, Alex
What if They Had Email? From Look to Him and Be Radiant – fun activity for older kids
A Stocking for Jesus from Look to Him and Be Radiant – activities for the book, plus printables
Nativity Photo Booth from Look to Him and Be Radiant – put those pageant costumes to work
Epiphany Readers’ Theater from Look to Him and Be Radiant – a simple nativity play
Advent Quest from Arma Dei – three paper chains to build with three separate themes: saints, year of faith challenges, and catechism
Star from Afar – a fun hide and seek adventure for every day of Advent
Advent Adventure Activity Books and Crafts – the annual publication from Holy Heroes, revised for 2017!
Wandering Wise Men from Look to Him and Be Radiant – great alternative to Elf on the Shelf
10 Meaningful Advent Traditions for Catholic Families with Little to No Prep from Catholic Icing – exactly as she says – sweet and simple
Advent Bingo from CatholicMom – super fun and super simple!
Prayers and Devotions
The Prayer Ring from Look to Him and Be Radiant
Why Advent Service Matters, Plus 13 Ways to Love Your Neighbor from Not So Formulaic – works of mercy the whole family can do
Seeking our Savior Advent Detective Journey from Look to Him and Be Radiant – part Scavenger hunt, part mystery, all Advent.
Advent Jeopardy from Look to Him and Be Radiant – I’ll take Wise Men for 600, Alex
What if They Had Email? From Look to Him and Be Radiant – fun activity for older kids
A Stocking for Jesus from Look to Him and Be Radiant – activities for the book, plus printables
Nativity Photo Booth from Look to Him and Be Radiant – put those pageant costumes to work
Music and Movies
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25 days of short documentaries
Advent Song Playlist from Look to Him and Be Radiant – classic to contemporary with a variety of genres
Advent Video Collection from Look to Him and Be Radiant – an all-star cast, from Archbishop Fulton Sheen to Bishop Robert Barron and more
Advent Calendar on DVD – 25, three to four minute documentaries take you all the way to Christmas
Family Advent and Christmas Movies from Pure Flix – snuggle up on the couch and choose from over 100 family-friendly, Christian movies for Advent and Christmas
Waiting Songs from Rain to Roots – filed under children’s music; perfect for everyone!
Encouragement
Grief Isn’t Seasonal, But Advent is the Season for Grief – when the Christmas season is too much to bear
Find Holiness in the Chaos: 4 Simple Keys to a Peaceful Advent – Advent doesn’t haven’t to be perfect. Here’s how to do it right.
Prepare Your Home for Advent, Even in the Chaos from Not So Formulaic – what to do when you can’t even find the Advent wreath
How to Advent Like a Boss, Even When You’re Impatient from Not So Formulaic – just because the rest of the world is celebrating Christmas doesn’t mean we have to, too
Grateful. Intentional. Advent from Hail Marry – the beauty of Advent in everyday life
How to Celebrate Advent, When Everyone Thinks it’s Christmas from Life in Every Limb – practical tips from my dear friend, Leslie
How’s YOUR Advent Going? from Campfires and Cleats – a perfectly timed pep talk from my good friend Chris
Keeping Advent, Advent from A Beautiful, Camouflaged Mess of a Life – evangelizing your children is hard. Don’t beat yourself up
Keeping Christ in Advent: 7 Ways to Prepare for a Peaceful December from Saints 365 – Wise. Practical. Simple. Perfect.
The Advent Reflection Series from The Koala Mom: Preparation, Anticipation, Rejuvenation, and Reconciliation
Family Traditions Aren’t Just for Christmas Anymore from Peanut Butter and Grace – we are a liturgical people, and traditions matter for Advent, too
Books
Ishtar’s Odyssey – a great book for Advent
25 Magical Books to Savor this Christmas from Not So Formulaic – one for each day of Advent
Christmas and Advent Reads for the 6-and-under Crowd from A Blog for my Mom – Rosie knows books, and this is a great list!
Advent Read-Alouds from A Slice of Smith Life – An excellent collection, perfect for sharing as a family
Advent Book Basket and Printable Label from Shower of Roses – great books, and a fun label to print and put on the packages you wrap them in
Ishtar’s Odyssey: A Family Advent Story – Accompany the young Ishtar as he journeys to meet the newborn King
The Little Way of Advent: Meditations in the Spirit of St .Therese of Lisieux – perfect for mom. Find peace in the chaos with devotions and prayers
Advent Journals and Devotionals for Children from Gracewatch Media – the most darling kid-friendly devotions you’ll find
Pre-Advent Prep: The Books from Sweeping Up Joy – a collection of Alicia’s family’s favorite books
Catholic Saint Books for December from The Kennedy Adventures – an excellent collection from my friend, Dianna
Remember, you don’t have to do all of these.
Pick one or two. Enjoy the time with your family. Be present in the moment and focused on God.
Your life doesn’t need the world’s seasonal chaos. It needs the truth of Christ’s love in your heart.
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Printable Works of Mercy Advent Calendar
The Miracle of Christmas – Abiding Faith in the Unseen World
A Christmas History, in Recipes – My Gift to You
How to Advent Like a Boss, Even When You’re Impatient
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Wow! Thanks for putting together such an awesome list!!” Happy Advent!
This is a wealth of resources! Thank you from all the time you put into it and thanks for linking up to my blog, A Slice of Smith Life. 🙂
Happy (soon to be) Advent!
Sure! Thanks for offering your valuable resources!
So many amazing things! I like that you reminded us to keep it simple, and just pick a few! Great tip. Thanks for including my Jesse Tree 🙂
Love all of this and glad Jesus is at the center of everything! Thank you so much for all of this! Can’t wait to try some of these!
What a great list of Advent ideas!! Thanks for linking to my Jesse Tree eBook!
Absolutely!
Amazing, comprehensive round up Ginny!!
What a blessing for so many!! I’m pinning for all, but also for me ( ! ) to keep revisiting.
Fantastic organization too….love the categories.
The Ytreeide books bring back such memories. I can’t tell you the number of December and January mornings over numerous years that the boys and I spent by the tree reading that advent series….( we love the lenten books too!) really really special memories. Hours of Christmas tree lights, candles and historical advent fiction in pjs’s…….good stuff. I know you’re living it now….. 🙂
And thank you so much for including my posts here. This is such an honor to be part of.
xoxoxo
Holy smokes, so many good ideas!! Can’t wait to try some for our advent wreath 🙂