Ideas for 'fill your own' advent calendars

[ningaj]

Finally managed to find some refillable advent calendars that I like! Plan is to fill with chocolate mainly but would like a few ideas to add in some extra treats along the way.

DS's are 6 and 4. Into hot wheels cars so that's one idea, also love footy, music, sonic the hedgehog, angry birds etc etc

Any ideas welcome!!

Key rings
Lego figures
Glow in the dark stars

Stickers
Marbles
Small figures
Bouncy ball
Balloons
Marshmallows

Temporary tattoos
Glow in the dark balloons

You could also add some written Christmas Activities - e.g. 'decorate the tree'; 'write Christmas cards' : 'make Christmas biscuits'. You can have some ideas and only put them in the calendar the day before once you know you'll have time to do it

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

You could also add some written Christmas Activities - e.g. 'decorate the tree'; 'write Christmas cards' : 'make Christmas biscuits'. You can have some ideas and only put them in the calendar the day before once you know you'll have time to do it

That's a lovely idea.

We have “read xxx seasonal book” and “watch yyyy film” on the days that fall on Friday and Saturday nights each year.

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

You could also add some written Christmas Activities - e.g. 'decorate the tree'; 'write Christmas cards' : 'make Christmas biscuits'. You can have some ideas and only put them in the calendar the day before once you know you'll have time to do it

I love this idea!!!

I used raffle tickets in the drawers and wrapped up and numbered the Works 10 for £10 Christmas books one year. That was a big hit.
One year I did a dolls house theme with miniature wreaths and other Christmas decs for her dollies and we decorated it together. Maybe something similar for your boys would be little accessories for play sets they already have? Like a bigger set separated out? I only know what girls are into 🤦‍♀️
Also, £1 coin, jokes, clues for special trips or activities, clues for hidden presents which were a bit too big for the drawer (small Christmas colouring book for example).
This year I’ve ordered a 24 piece magnetic jigsaw of a photo of DSD and DS. She’s 9 and far too grown up for my old tricks now so hopefully she will like this!

Little map for a treasure hunt. I also do activities written down and folded up into the drawer eg today we will be going to x to do y or baking cakes to give the neighbours etc.
Also party bag type tat often goes down well!

I have 24 little hessian type bags that I’ve numbered and hang on a mini ladder that I’ve decorated with fairy lights. I have 5 children so I fill each bag with 5 chocolates. Usually a chocolate coin, but weekends I sometimes pop in a little Xmas lolly or an Xmas chocolate that’s bigger than a chocolate coin. I also have a sweet little Christmas elf soft teddy that now and again will have hold of that days bag, and will have a little note with anything special we are going to do that day - baking gingerbread, writing the letters, Xmas movie night, shopping for their siblings present (we do names in a hat and they each spend £10 on whoever they pick out and I’ll take them shopping a few at a time!) sometimes I’ll leave some new Xmas earrings for the girls, Xmas socks or Xmas boxers for my son. Just to add to the excitement! I probably enjoy it more than them! We don’t do the usual advent calendars as live abroad and they are very expensive here!

Go to the pound shop and raid the party supplies! Bubbles, party bag filler crap etc.
Or your own 'build a scene' or nativity. A different piece each day to make a Lego set or nativity scene.

A £1 or £2 coin.

Small pack of pencils and a small notebook.

One of those tiny flannels that expand when they meet water.

Plastic farm or zoo animal, or dinosaur, if they collect them.

A bath bomb.

A plastic spider.

A Christmas themed cookie cutter.

If there is room, a small drink (little can)