Ideas for an advent calendar for a 2 year old

[anotherangel2]

I was thinking of actual objects eg Christmas book, Christmas colouring in and stickers and experiences eg film and hot chocolate and Christmas show.

Does anyone have any ideas please?

I personally would just get a cardboard picture one with pictures behind the doors. I wouldn't encourage the expectation of gifts every day on the run-up to Christmas. Mine really liked opening the doors to see the what today's picture was.

That might a good idea.

We had a Happyland one last year with a different Christmas character behind each door my daughter loved it

www.elc.co.uk/novelty-toys/happyland-advent-calendar/146561.html?cgid=e880

Better still they're currently half price!!!

We do an activity calendar - so each day has a note from Santa of something to do that day. Some are pre planned activities (Christmas lights, see Santa, get a Christmas tree etc) some are things we need to do anyway (wrap presents, post Christmas cards, buy a present for mum/Dad etc) and some are easy fun stuff (make hot chocolate, watch a Christmas film, colour in Christmas pictures, make Christmas biscuits etc). We love it as it counts down toChristmas for the kids, makes each morning exciting and gives us something to do. Sometimes they get a little gift with the activity (eg sprinkles to decorate biscuits, new crayons for colouring)

Last year I bought 24 childrens books and wrapped them. Every evening DS got to open one and read it before he went to bed. It was lovely! Not expensive either as you can get some really awesome ones from charity shops and shops like 'the works' do offers when you buy a certain amount. Definitely recommend. DS loved it!

Ebay is a good source of Christmas shaped cookie cutters and cake decorations to do some baking.

One day always says put up the tree, one day always says we are going to see Santa.

I usually get some craft kits from The Works so we can make Xmas cards, tree decorations etc.

And about 10 boxes have sweets in!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/2493605-ideas-to-go-in-advent-calendar-please

I have this thread saved for BiddyPop's list:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/2191990-Ooh-look-what-I-found-Suggestions-for-little-gifts-for-all-of-us-please

Mine have got ones with little pockets in that I made when they were really little. I put little things in like hair clips and washi tape for DD and little cars, bubbles etc for DS. Also some chocolate coins or tiny santas etc. I'm always cursing that I have all these little things to find at the end of November but it's a very sweet tradition and stops them just having chocolate.

Fantastic ideas. Thank you

My two year olds have been so excited with the traditional picture one. Honestly just do this you don’t need to scale up yet!

I've just seen that Playmobil do an advent calendar in their 1,2,3 range which is aimed at children 18 months onward. The figures are chunkier than the classic Playmobil and there are no small pieces.
www.playmobil.co.uk/1.2.3-advent-calendar-christmas-on-the-farm/9009.html

That very cute. I am thinking of just sticking with the traditional calendar for now and keeping all your wonderful ideas as activities for over the festive period.

I used to make one with photos behind the windows of family members. ( only with dc1, mind, gave up by the time dc2 was old enough)

My ds has a!ways had the one from billygoatstuff.co.uk it is a long fabric one with pockets in it. They make lovely chocolates wrapped in gold and silver wrappers to put in the pockets. Each chocolate is in the shape of something christmassy. Or you could put in anything you want.