Creative Advent Calendar Ideas for EYFS & KS1 Educators
Posted by EYR Team on 24th Nov 2025
read more
The festive season is a magical time for children, especially as they anticipate Christmas. Advent is the perfect opportunity to combine excitement with learning. In this blog, we share creative and educational Advent calendar ideas for EYFS and KS1 classrooms that you can make with your little learners.
What is Advent?
Advent marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas and originates from the Latin word Adventus, meaning "arrival." Traditionally, it celebrates the anticipation of Jesus' birth. Today, Advent is also a time to engage children in festive activities, crafts, and countdowns, helping them develop creativity, patience, and kindness.
DIY Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
An Advent calendar is a staple in many classrooms and homes. Modern calendars can include chocolates, small gifts, or educational surprises. Creating your own adds a personal and memorable touch.
You will need:
- A large piece of cardboard (we used an old box)
- 24 paper cups
- Glue
- Squares of tissue paper
- Elastic bands
- A selection of small gifts
Steps:
- Arrange the cups on the cardboard in a Christmas tree formation and cut out the shape of the cardboard.
- Pop your gifts in each cup, cover with tissue paper, number them 1-24 and secure with elastic bands
- Add a dot of glue to the bottom of the cups and press to the cardboard
- Each day, children can pierce the tissue paper to reveal the surprise!
Personalised Pocket Advent Calendar
For a sustainable option that can be reused year after year, try a fabric pocket Advent calendar. Perfect for classrooms or home use, each pocket can be decorated with children’s designs.
You will need:
Steps:
- Plan designs for each pocket, assigning sections to different children if this is a group activity.
- Outline patterns with a pencil and then fill in with paint
- Add finer details with markers
- Insert gifts or activity notes and hang your calendar up!
DIY Advent Candle Wreath
Advent wreaths are a traditional craft that helps children learn about the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
You will need:
- A cardboard base (we used an old cereal box)
- Clay or playdough
- Greenery (real or artificial)
- Candles
Steps:
- Draw and cut out a circular cardboard base
- Cover with clay to create a holder for greenery and your candle.
- Insert candle (We used one advent candle here but you could use the traditional four – and press them firmly into the clay) and arrange greenery around it
Cardboard Roll Advent Calendar
Recycle cardboard rolls to create an eco-friendly Advent calendar in shapes like wreaths, candy canes, or Christmas trees.
You will need:
- 12 cardboard rolls (cut in half for 24)
- A large piece of cardboard
- Glue
- Tissue paper
- Elastic bands
- Ribbon for decoration
Steps:
- Cut out the cardboard base in a circle shape
- Paint the base green and glue cardboard rolls onto it once dry
- Add gifts inside the rolls, cover with tissue paper and secure with elastic bands
- Decorate with ribbon and hang for the countdown!
Alternative Advent Gift Ideas
Make your Advent calendar more meaningful by including:
- Tokens for activities or days out
- Notes with acts of kindness
- Storysets with finger puppets e.g., The Jolly Christmas Postman or Dear Zoo
These ideas promote thoughtfulness, creativity, and early literacy skills while keeping the excitement of daily surprises.
Looking for more festive classroom activities? Explore our range of Christmas craft supplies, perfect for EYFS and KS1 educators, and make this Advent season truly magical!
We would love to see which of these Advent crafts you tried out! Share your images with us on social media by tagging us or using the hashtag #ExploreWithEYR