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    Home » DIY Learning Toys

    Published: Nov 23, 2018 · Modified: Sep 15, 2023 by Fynn · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    10+ DIY Gift-less Christmas Countdown Activities for Kids

    Inside: A collection of homemade Christmas countdown activities that will make the holidays magical and meaningful for the whole family.

    Jump to:
    • DIY Christmas Countdown Activities that are Fun, Affordable and Earth-friendly
    • Do you want to Build a Snowman?
    • Ho Ho Ho! Santa's coming to town!
    • O Christmas Tree!
    • More amazing ideas to countdown to Christmas!
    • More Christmas Theme Activities

    DIY Christmas Countdown Activities that are Fun, Affordable and Earth-friendly

    One thing about Christmas that can be challenging if you are trying to transition into a more minimalist lifestyle is how easy it can be to accumulate more “stuff” during the holidays. There is so much emphasis on purchasing things to create a festive holiday house, exchanging gifts, and new toys and gadgets abound everywhere you look! If this obsession with stuff drives you a little bonkers during the holidays season, I’ve got just the list for you. 

    This Christmas countdown list is full of DIY ideas for ways you can keep the joy and whimsy of the holiday season without the excessive buying of stuff and draining of your bank account.

    So read on to find out how to keep the delight but lose the plastic toys you never really cared about in the first place. Let’s make a countdown calendar that our kids will really engage with! Here are some great ideas I gathered.

    Related: Need more Christmas theme activities for the whole month, check out our Christmas Learning Shelf!

    Do you want to Build a Snowman?

    Paper Plate Countdown Snowman - Happy Tot Shelf

    Paper Chain Snowman - From ABCs to ACTs

    Chinese Paper Chain Snowman Family (with printable) - CHALK Academy

    Ho Ho Ho! Santa's coming to town!

    Santa Christmas Countdown Ideas for Kids

    Santa Down the Chimney - Happy Tot Shelf

    Milk Carton Chimney Countdown Toy - Happy Tot Shelf (Our most popular countdown activity ever, with over 4.6M views and 75K shares on Facebook)

    Milk carton chimney Christmas countdown

    Paper Plate Santa Beard Counting and Cutting - Happy Tot Shelf

    Cut the Santa Beard - La classe della maestra Valentina

    Santa Beard Christmas Countdown Craft - I Heart Craft Things

    Cotton Ball Santa Beard (with printable)  - I Love My Kids

    O Christmas Tree!

    Paper Ring Christmas Tree - Happy Tot Shelf

    Dot Sticker Christmas Tree - Happy Tot Shelf

    Join the Happy Tot Shelf mailing list and get this Dot Sticker Christmas Tree printable! Find over 60 free learning printables inside our HTS printable library.

    More amazing ideas to countdown to Christmas!

    Amazing Christmas countdown ideas

    Still looking for the perfect DIY Christmas countdown for kids that suits your family? Here are even more ideas!

    Photo Puzzle Advent Calendar - Happy Tot Shelf

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Fynn Sor | Happy Tot Shelf (@happytotshelf)

    Book Advent Calendar - Natural Beach Living

    Lego Advent Calendar - Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

    Christmas Advent Jar - Just a Girl

    How are you counting down to Christmas this year? If you have more gift-less advent calendar for kids ideas, share them with me! I love to gather more ideas for DIY Christmas countdown for kids and add to this page.

    Pin this to your favorite Christmas Countdown Ideas board!

    Christmas Countdown for Kids Advent Calendar Ideas

    More Christmas Theme Activities

    If you're looking for more Christmas Theme learning activities for your child, then you may be interested in these:

    • Christmas Tree Cardboard Puzzle
    • Symmetry Christmas Tree Printing
    • TP Roll Christmas Tree
    • Dot Stickers Christmas Lights
    • Paper Cup Reindeer Counting Toy
    • Favorite Toddler and Preschool Christmas Theme Activities

    Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

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    About Fynn

    Fynn is a Math and Science teacher from Singapore, author of The Happy Learning Book for Siblings and founder of Happy Tot Shelf. She helps parents enjoy home learning with their children through her highly popular kids' activity membership, The Happy Learners' Club. Fynn has been featured in various newspapers, websites and on radio shows as an expert in early childhood learning and creative hands-on learning ideas.

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    Hi there! I’m Fynn—educator, author, and mom of three. I believe a lifelong love of learning starts at home, and I’m here to help you nurture that spark. Together, let’s create joyful learning experiences that strengthen bonds and inspire curiosity for both you and your little ones!

    More about me →

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