Advent is a time for us to quiet our hearts, grow closer to Christ, and prepare for his coming. This can be hard to communicate with children who are usually focused on their excitement for presents and goodies on Christmas morning. If you are looking for some ways to help this liturgical season come alive for your children, here are five of my favorite activities I do with my children:
1. Advent Family Giving. I’ve seen on Pinterest these lists of “30 things to do this Christmas season” and its filled with things like “drink hot chocolate,” “go sledding,” etc. But the “Christmas season” is actually the Advent season. So I decided to make a list of ways to grow closer to Christ and give of ourselves to others this Advent season. Some of the ideas I have included on this printable page (pictured below).
This is a great way to help both adults and children practice littleness as a preparation for Christ’s coming. My list was pretty long, but you can make it as long or short as you like. You can also ask your children for their ideas and add them to your family’s list too.
2. The Giving Manger. Every time your child does something kind for another person, they can put a piece of straw into baby Jesus’ manger. The more good deeds and straw that goes in the manger, the softer the bed for baby Jesus. This is a great interactive activity that helps kids to understand that we prepare for Jesus’ coming during advent. You can either buy or make a giving manger. The parts you will need are the manger, straw, and baby Jesus. Growing up, my parents made their own out of cardboard and paint and we used yellow yarn for the straw.
3. Place Mary on the Mantle — Have you ever heard of Elf on the Shelf? Mary on the Mantle is the same idea, but for Catholics! These sell out quickly, so be sure to grab them fast Here (10% off entire order with code CATHOLICMOMSLIFE) is the one we have! I explain it all in my YouTube video below!
4. Brother Francis: “Days of Advent.” The movie starts by explaining what advent is. Then each day there is a 3-4 minute video that explains a little about the faith and gives the kids a prayer to say. I love Brother Francis videos and this is a sweet, short way for children to learn the faith each day during advent.
5. Put up a Jesse Tree — The Jesse tree is a popular tradition, and it’s one of our family’s favorite ones. It walks you through the lineage of Jesus. You’ll read a passage from the Old Testament every day leading up to the birth of Jesus on Christmas this is the book we use. To do this, get a small table top tree. (We got ours from Michael’s.) Each day, you’ll put a small ornament on tree. This Jesse Tree devotions we use comes with a specific set of ornaments, each corresponding to a reading. You can purchase them or make your own. Holy Heroes has a Jesse Tree great set made completely of stickers! It’s fun for kids, and a great way to try it out before buying a tree and wooden ornaments.
Bonus. Here is a fun thing we do as a family every year we get matching Pajamas, the kids love it and Holy Pals have Christ Centered Christmas Pajamas that are adorable! (A great day to pass these out are St Nicholas Feast Day December 6th! I have a whole blog explaining fun ways to celebrate.) If you are looking for similar CLICK HERE to check out this years look. Plus 10% off with code HEATHERJ
I hope you and your family try some of these activities this advent. But most of all, I hope these activities help you and your family grow closer to Christ this Advent season.
3 Responses
These are great ideas, Heather. I love the Advent Family Giving idea. When my now-grown children were young, I did something similar during Lent each year. I bought a bag or two of colorful plastic eggs that come apart, and in each egg I tucked a slip of paper on which was written a kind deed that they could do. Each day, they picked an egg, and did the deed that was in the egg.
Hi Heather!
I really enjoy watching and listening to your ideas! I am not a mom, but I am a teacher in Catholic school and I am an Aunt and Godmother.
I always make an Adven wreath, spiritual activity calendar and Jesse tree! Advent is one of my favorite times of the Liturgical Year!
You have a beautiful family. God bless you.
Thanks. Great activities for your children during Advent.