How to Make a Christmas Countdown for Kids
A Christmas countdown can help kids keep track of how long they have to wait until the holiday arrives. Sometimes referred to as an Advent calendar, a Christmas countdown shows Dec. 1 through 24. Instead of buying a Christmas countdown calendar, you can make your own. You might want to make one where you add something to the calendar each day, or remove something, such as a treat. You can also list different activities for the kids to do each day as they count down to Christmas. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cotton balls
- Pens, crayons or paints and paintbrushes
- Construction paper or poster board
- Scissors
- Glue
- Stapler
- Matchboxes
- Wrapping paper
Instructions
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Santa Claus Countdown
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1
Draw a big outline of Santa Claus' head on construction paper or poster board. In his beard area, draw 24 circles.
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2
Number the circles 1 through 24. Use paint, crayons or markers to color in Santa's hat, face and mustache.
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3
Glue one cotton ball in the numbered circle corresponding to the date in Santa's beard on Dec. 1. Continue doing this every day, building anticipation until Christmas, when his beard will be completely filled in.
Paper Chain Countdown
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4
Cut colorful pieces of paper such as construction paper into 24 rectangles. Write down a different activity on each rectangle, such as making a wreath, volunteering at a soup kitchen or baking cookies.
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5
Fold each rectangle in half so the words are hidden. Write a number, 1 through 24, on each one. Curl the first rectangle into a circle and staple it closed. Insert the next rectangle through the first one and staple it closed, forming the beginning of a paper chain. Continue making the chain with the rest of the rectangles.
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6
Hang the Christmas countdown paper chain above your mantel or on a wall. On Dec. 1, have children remove the first link in the chain, unfold the rectangle and do that day's activity. As the chain gets shorter, the kids will see how close it is until Christmas.
Matchbox Countdown
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7
Glue the cases of 24 empty matchboxes together in a rectangle of four by six to create a Christmas countdown calendar chest, and set it aside to dry. When this has dried, put glue on the outside of the chest.
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8
Cut colorful wrapping paper to a size slightly larger than the chest, and wrap it around the chest, smoothing it out. Let this dry, then cut off the excess paper with scissors. Paint or use markers to color the inside of each matchbox to match the wrapping paper you used.
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9
Write a number, 1 through 24, on the front of each matchbox drawer. Put small treats inside each drawer, such as pieces of candy, trinkets, folded-up notes listing activities to do while waiting for Christmas, or tickets to a show. Put each drawer inside the chest. On Dec. 1, have the kids remove the first drawer and enjoy the contents. Continue opening another drawer each day until Christmas.
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