Advent and Christmas ideas for children and families

Advent and Christmas are special times for all Christians, but especially for young children and their families. To make this time even more special, here are some ideas for parents and children to use to focus on what these seasons are all await. May Immanuel – God with us – bless your homes with a sense of his presence and peace over the coming weeks through doing these activities! 

(Thanks to the Church of Ireland Children’s Ministry Network for their help with these ideas!)

 

• ‘The Advent Puppet Calendar App was created to provide families a Christian puppet advent calendar. The advent puppet calendar app has been designed to provide you and the family with a digital Christian advent calendar including daily video clips of the puppets explaining the truth behind Christmas, the nativity and other aspects of the Christian message.’ (https://thatadventpuppetapp.orguk/)
• ‘Wandering Wise Men’ – ‘This is a great Christian tradition that is an alternative to “Elf on the Shelf.”’ (https://meaningfulmama.com/25-of-the-best-wandering-wise-men-ideas.html)
• ‘The Kindness Elves’ – Another alternative to Elf on the Shelf, encouraging children to engage in acts of kindness during this season. (https://theimaginationtreestore.com/pages/thekindnesselves?fbclid=IwAR33WPLYz8rnlFZrcDgiHlU3oaAvamsFWC3-wyNBA64vmMAeHsNR1B8_Yp4)
• ‘Muddy Church Adventure’ – a resource which offers activities and ideas for reflecting on the Christmas story outdoors as well as indoors. (https://www.muddychurch.co.uk/muddy-adventure)
• ‘Muddy Church Jesse Tree’ – a resource for making a Jesse Tree as a family from everyday objects, including activities and suggesting things to collect outdoors. (https://www.muddychurch.co.uk/muddy-church-jesse-tree)
• ‘The Bible Verse Advent Countdown’ – a type of Advent calendar, featuring Bible verses counting down to Christmas. It is all there, just to be printed. (https://happyhomefairy.com/bible-verse-advent-countdown-kids-free-printable/)
• ‘Flexagon Advent Calendar’ – ‘Print and fold this amazing Advent calendar then flex to find each day’s reading.’ (https://reflectionary.org/2020/11/09/flexagon-advent-calendar/?fbclid=IwAR1fzPaYNhX5NpOQ8SajvTBcw4UBLGImFO0e8umZuRQCn_xa-yyBW411kIk)
• ‘Paper City Nativity Scene’  – Free, printable templates to make a nativity scene with just paper. (http://madebyjoel.com/2013/12/paper-city-nativity-scene-joyfully-expanded.html)
• Homemade Advent Wreaths – Many of our churches use Advent wreaths and candles. Why not make one at home as a focus for prayer and reflection, with activities – you could use paper/craft materials, plasticine/clay/Playdough, or even traditional foliage! Have a look at the photo below, and find prayers which you can use here: http://www.cm.ireland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AdventWreathPrayers.pdf.