19 Fun Christmas Countdown Ideas for Kids of All Ages

Creating a DIY Advent Calendar is such a fun, personal way to count down to Christmas.

When I was younger, we’d make simple calendars at home, and now I love the idea of using a wooden box with 24 compartments.

Each day, you can tuck in a small surprise—whether it’s a treat, a note, or a mini ornament. Decorating the boxes with your kids can be an activity all on its own, adding to the festive feel as each day becomes something to look forward to.

Our Elf on the Shelf has been a lively tradition! For this countdown, kids become Santa’s helpers, tackling daily missions to earn small gifts for Santa’s sleigh. The challenges are lighthearted and bring such laughter and creativity.

Not only does this bring the family together, but it also encourages kids to think of others during the holiday season. It’s a perfect mix of playfulness and holiday cheer, making it a tradition we look forward to every year.

One of my favorite family countdown activities is our Christmas movie marathon.

We set up cozy blankets and snacks and settle in to watch a holiday movie each night.

Each day there is a new movie to watch with fun trivia questions too.

Afterward, we chat about our favorite parts of the movie—it’s a great way to bond and unwind together. This tradition really lets us slow down and savor the holiday season.

A few years back, we started assigning a small act of kindness to each day in December. One day we might bake cookies for a neighbor, and on another, we might leave a note of appreciation for someone.

As we approach Christmas, reflecting on each act makes the season feel even more special and reminds us of the importance of giving. This alternative countdown spreads holiday cheer and is a wonderful way to instill gratitude and community spirit.

If your kids are like mine, they love surprises! Each day, I give my son a small gift leading up to Christmas—a favorite candy, a Christmas ornament for his own mini tree, or even a Christmas book.

The joy of unwrapping something each day adds to the excitement, and the gifts don’t have to be big to make a memorable impact. We especially love incorporating books; last year, we ended up reading a little holiday story each night!

For more ideas check out our Christmas stocking stuffers for boys with gifts under $20.

We tried a book Advent calendar when my son was younger, and it quickly became a favorite. I wrapped up 24 books (including some from past Christmases) in holiday paper.

Each morning, he’d open one, and we’d read it together before bed. This countdown encouraged us to carve out reading time, and we always discovered a new favorite or revisited a beloved classic.

If you don’t have enough books, borrowing from the library is a great way to keep it budget-friendly.

For families who enjoy hands-on activities, planning a Christmas craft each day leading up to Christmas is a perfect countdown idea. From ornaments to DIY decorations, there’s something magical about creating together.

We’ve made everything from paper snowflakes to homemade ornaments, and it’s incredible how the simplest projects create lasting memories.

If you’re looking for a countdown activity that challenges and entertains, a puzzle Advent is such a unique twist. Each day, reveal a few pieces of a holiday puzzle and add to it until it’s complete on Christmas Eve.

We tried a 1000-piece puzzle last year, and it was a great way to unwind as a family at the end of each day. Plus, the satisfaction of finishing it on Christmas Eve was unforgettable.

December is packed with holiday activities, and a Christmas countdown jar is the perfect way to make sure you don’t miss out on any cherished traditions. With this jar of activity tokens, each day brings a fun surprise as your kids pick an activity to enjoy together.

Whether you’re drawing tokens at random or planning specific events ahead of time, this jar lets your family experience the countdown however you like.

Baking is a huge part of our holiday tradition, and a Christmas Cookie Countdown makes it extra sweet. Try baking a different kind of cookie each day or decorating with festive shapes.

The fun part is experimenting with flavors and decorations, and it’s hard to beat the cozy smell of fresh cookies filling the house. By Christmas, you’ll have a delightful assortment to share with family and friends.

Bring the joy of Christmas music into your daily countdown with this fun Christmas song advent calendar for kids! Each of the 25 cards features a different holiday song, carefully chosen to set the mood and add some extra cheer to your family’s holiday season.

Kids can use the Spotify code on each card to easily play the song by scanning it with a phone camera—no searching required!

This year, we’re trying a holiday gratitude journal, jotting down something we’re grateful for each day. It’s a peaceful way to wind down each evening and helps us focus on the true meaning of the season.

I plan to keep this tradition going beyond Christmas; it’s such a valuable habit to build.

Another fun idea is to add one small ornament to the tree each day as a visual countdown. It’s amazing how the tree slowly fills up, and it adds to the holiday excitement for younger kids especially.

You can make this even more special by creating or personalizing each ornament, adding a family photo, or a memorable keepsake each year.

Elf trivia has become a lively part of our family countdown! We challenge each other with questions from the movie “Elf,” keeping a tally of points, and the winner gets a holiday treat on Christmas Eve.

It’s a hilarious way to get into the holiday spirit and makes for some memorable laughs.

Celebrate the season with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang. This charming hardcover book features 24 holiday-themed stories—one for each day leading up to Christmas.

Perfect for Peanuts fans of all ages, it brings daily moments of joy and holiday cheer, making it an engaging way to count down to Christmas together.

For young kids, a Santa Beard Countdown Calendar can be both fun and hands-on. Each day, add a cotton ball to Santa’s beard until it’s full on Christmas Eve.

My son loved this as a preschooler; it’s simple, festive, and a great craft for little ones.

If your kids love coloring, a Christmas countdown coloring poster is a fantastic option. Each day, they can color in a section or add to a large holiday-themed scene.

This helps them visualize the countdown in a creative way and gives them something fun to look forward to every day.