100+ Awesome Christmas Advent Calendar Fillers Kids Adore!

Holiday, Parenting

Updated October 28, 2025

Every December 1st, my family's holiday tradition kicks off with the unveiling of our advent calendar—a festive ritual that still sparks excitement in my teenage kids. This daily countdown, filled with tiny treats, symbolizes the magic of anticipation as Christmas approaches. As a mom, finding new, imaginative, and budget-friendly items to tuck into those little pockets is both a challenge and a delight.

A mom decorating for christmas and putting toys in her kids advent calendar

In this post, I'm eager to share a plethora of creative and affordable advent calendar filler ideas that are perfect for families looking to enhance their holiday season without stretching their budgets. From crafting personal notes to picking out small toys and candies, I'll guide you through a variety of options that can help make every morning of December a special moment for your kids.

Whether you're a veteran at this holiday tradition or thinking about starting it for the first time, this guide will help you create a memorable and magical experience for your family. 

This post is all about what to put in your child's advent calendar!

Note the suggestions in this post are best for children over age 4 because the small items may be a choking hazard for children 3 and under.  

DISCLOSURE:  This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click on a product and make a purchase I will earn a small commission.  I only recommend products that I truly believe are great so you get an awesome product and I get a small commission.  It's a win-win.  For our full disclosure policies click here.  

Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Advent Calendar for Your Family: Prefilled vs. Fillable
What To Put In Your Child's Advent Calendar
Conclusion

Choosing the Right Advent Calendar for Your Family: Prefilled vs. Fillable

A mom putting a small item in a wooden advent calendar

Deciding between a prefilled advent calendar and a customizable fillable one can greatly influence how your family experiences the countdown to Christmas. Both options have their unique benefits, so let's explore which style might suit your family's holiday spirit best.

Benefits of Prefilled Advent Calendars

Prefilled advent calendars are convenient and offer a variety of themes ranging from chocolates and teas to beauty products and toys. These calendars are ideal for busy parents who may not have the time to curate 24 individual items. They're also great for providing a surprise element, as neither you nor the kids know what each day holds, which can add to the excitement of the holiday season.

The benefit to a prefilled calendar is also it is (usually) more cost effective. We use a fillable calendar and it sometimes was a challenge to get small gifts that added to the fun but didn't add too much to our Christmas budget.  

The Charm of Fillable Advent Calendars

Fillable advent calendars allow for a more personalized touch, letting you tailor each day's content to your family's preferences and traditions. This option is fantastic for those who enjoy the process of personalizing holiday experiences. Using a stylish, reusable advent calendar that you bring out each year can become a cherished part of your family's Christmas traditions.

With a fillable calendar, you have the freedom to include little gifts that mean more to your individual family members, whether it’s your child's favorite candies, small toys, or even sentimental notes. This approach not only makes the advent calendar more meaningful but also ensures that every item is chosen with love and thought.

Decorating and filling up your own calendar can also be a fun family activity. It's a wonderful way to spend time together, getting creative with decorations and discussing what small surprises to include. Whether it’s crafting together or simply planning the fillers, it's quality time well spent.

Choosing a reusable fillable advent calendar is also a more environmentally friendly choice, as it reduces waste and can be used year after year. Economically, it allows for budget flexibility—you can choose inexpensive fillers or make your own, adjusting the contents based on what you can afford each year.

The downside to a fillable calendar is really time and cost.  While my kids absolutely love their calendar it added an extra stress (in a good way) to my busy holiday prep.  It also was a challenge to get 48 (one for each child) small gifts that didn't cost too much!  

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What To Put In Your Child's Advent Calendar

a child opening a day on an advent calendar

When filling your advent calendar, consider these themed ideas to make each day a special surprise.  A lot of items can be purchased in larger sets so you can fill multiple days with one set.  

Sweet Treats for Sweet Moments

  • Mini candy canes
  • Individual chocolate truffles
  • Packets of hot cocoa mix
  • Tiny jars of homemade jam or honey
  • Gingerbread cookies
  • Holiday-themed Pez dispensers
  • Small bags of gourmet popcorn
  • Chocolate coins
  • Flavored lip balms
  • Fruit snacks in festive shapes

Crafty Creations

Tiny Toys and Gadgets

Personal Touches

Festive Flair

Aromatherapy and Relaxation

  • Small sachets of lavender or peppermint
  • Mini bath bombs or bath salts
  • Essential oil samples
  • Small homemade soaps
  • Scented candles in tea light size
  • Lip balms with soothing flavors like peppermint or vanilla
  • Herbal tea bags
  • Miniature lotions or hand creams
  • Incense sticks with a holder
  • Eye masks for relaxation

Themed Advent Calendar Ideas: Read, Play, Create

a young girl opening an advent calendar

Crafting a themed advent calendar can make each day of December a unique celebration. Here are some fun and engaging themed ideas to fill your advent calendar, ensuring a magical lead-up to Christmas Day.

Read Days: Ignite the Imagination

  • Mini storybooks or Christmas-themed books
  • Bookmarks crafted with holiday designs
  • A poem printed on a beautiful card
  • Coupons for extra bedtime stories
  • Subscription codes for digital children’s books
  • Flashcards with fun holiday facts
  • DIY comic strips for them to fill in
  • Puzzle books like crosswords or Sudokus
  • A map of Santa’s journey on Christmas Eve
  • Personalized letters from Santa or Christmas characters

Play Days: Spark Joy and Excitement

  • Mini puzzles or brain teasers
  • Small figurines from favorite cartoons or movies
  • Handheld electronic games
  • Bouncy balls with sparkles inside
  • Finger puppets to create mini holiday plays
  • Christmas-themed playing cards
  • Travel-sized board games
  • DIY kits to make simple toys
  • Magic tricks or illusion games
  • Seasonal stickers for creative play

Create Days: Inspire Creativity

These themed days not only enrich the advent experience but also build anticipation with activities that are both fun and meaningful. From reading a cozy Christmas story to playing with a new toy or creating a festive craft, each day brings something special to look forward to, making the season bright and joyful.

Age-Specific Advent Calendar Fillers for Kids

Christmas finger puppets for advent calendar

Crafting the perfect advent calendar involves choosing small, engaging items that fit neatly into each day's pocket and are suited to the child's age. Here’s a list of age-appropriate surprises that are sure to delight kids from school-age kids to teens.

School-Aged Kids: Exciting Challenges and Fun

Teens: Trendy and Appropriate Cool Gifts

  • Small enamel pins with trendy designs
  • Mini lip glosses or roll-on perfumes
  • Compact mirrors with unique designs
  • Tiny plant kits with seeds and soil pellets
  • Small puzzle cubes or brain teasers
  • Pocket journals with quirky covers
  • LED keychains or mini flashlights
  • Earphone cord organizers
  • Small RFID blocking card sleeves
  • Mini tarot cards or inspirational quote cards

Non-Material Advent Calendar Surprises: Gifts from the Heart

Filling your advent calendar with non-material items is a beautiful way to add a personal touch and create lasting memories during the holiday season. Here are some creative and heartfelt ideas that don't involve physical gifts.

Meaningful Messages

  • Handwritten Notes: Slip in little messages of love, encouragement, or festive jokes to brighten their day.
  • Inspirational Quotes: Choose uplifting quotes for each day to motivate and inspire your family through December.
  • Personal Vouchers: Create coupons for special one-on-one time, like a movie night, an extra bedtime story, or a day out.

Interactive Fun

  • Scavenger Hunt Clues: Each day, provide a clue that leads to a small treat hidden somewhere around the house.
  • Riddles or Puzzles: Challenge your kids with a fun riddle or a puzzle to solve each day.
  • Joke of the Day: Everyone loves a good laugh! Include a daily joke to keep the festive spirits high.

Experiences and Traditions

  • Activity Suggestions: Propose a different Christmas activity for each day, like making hot cocoa, decorating a gingerbread house, or singing carols.
  • DIY Project Instructions: Offer simple DIY craft ideas with instructions that use common household items.
  • Family Game Ideas: Suggest quick and fun family games that don’t require physical pieces, like charades or "Would You Rather?"

Personal and Practical

  • Affirmations: Foster positivity with daily affirmations that your kids can read and reflect upon.
  • Memory Sharing: Write down a favorite holiday memory and share it, prompting others to recall their own memories.

Incorporating these non-material ideas not only fills your advent calendar with surprises that cost little to nothing but also ensures that every day is infused with personal touches that celebrate the spirit of the season. This approach turns each day's reveal into a meaningful connection, deepening family bonds and creating memories that last far beyond the holidays.

Handy Tips for Assembling Your Advent Calendar

Setting up an advent calendar is a delightful tradition that brings joy and anticipation to the holiday season. Here are some practical tips to help you assemble and present your advent calendar, whether you opt for a reusable wooden version or decide to craft your own.

Choosing the Right Advent Calendar

  • Reusable Wooden Calendars: These are great for long-term use. Look for calendars with larger compartments if you plan to include a variety of gift sizes.
  • DIY Paper Bag Calendars: For a more personal touch, use small paper bags. Decorate them with festive stickers or stamps, and number them for each day of December.

Assembling Your Calendar

  1. Select a Display Area: Choose a spot in your home where the calendar can be prominently displayed and easily accessed without being in the way.
  2. Stability Is Key: Ensure your calendar is stable. For wooden calendars, check that it can stand firmly on its own or be securely mounted on a wall.
  3. Prepare in Advance: Assemble all your materials beforehand. Have your treats, notes, and trinkets ready to go to streamline the filling process.

Filling the Calendar

  • Varied Content: Mix up the contents for each day. Combine small toys, sweet treats, and personal notes to keep the excitement alive.
  • Consider Size and Weight: Make sure the items you choose fit comfortably in the compartments without being too heavy for paper bags if using.

Adding a Personal Touch

  • Custom Decorations: Get creative with decorations. Use ribbons, festive washi tape, and holiday labels to enhance the festive look.
  • Personalized Messages: Include handwritten notes or crafts made by the kids for a more intimate feel, making each opening special.

Safety and Accessibility

  • Child-Friendly Setup: If young children are involved, make sure all items are safe and non-toxic. Avoid small parts for children under three.
  • Easy Access: Place the calendar at a height accessible to all family members involved in the daily reveals.

Maintaining the Surprise

  • Randomize the Gifts: Place gifts randomly rather than in a predictable pattern to increase the surprise factor each day.
  • Keep It Secret: If possible, fill the calendar when curious eyes aren't watching to maintain the element of surprise each morning.

By following these practical steps, you can ensure your advent calendar not only looks great but also adds a magical touch to every morning leading up to Christmas. This approach to holiday tradition not only delights your family but also turns the advent calendar into a cherished part of your festive celebrations.

Where to Find Advent Calendar Supplies

A mom filling an advent calendar

Finding the perfect items for your advent calendar can be a fun shopping adventure. Here's where to look for those small gifts and crafting materials that will make your calendar a hit!

Local Craft Stores and Big Retailers

  • Michaels and Hobby Lobby: These stores are treasure troves for craft supplies. From stickers and miniature trinkets to seasonal decorations, you'll find plenty of options.
  • Target and Walmart: These retailers offer a wide range of small toys, books, and crafting kits at affordable prices. They also have sections dedicated to seasonal items which are perfect for filling advent calendars.
  • Dollar Stores: Don't overlook dollar stores, where you can discover a variety of small items like toys, craft materials, and holiday-themed goodies that are just the right size for your advent pockets.

Online Platforms for Convenience

  • Amazon: With its vast selection, Amazon is a go-to for almost everything you might need, from tiny gift items to craft supplies. Be sure to check out user reviews to ensure the quality and suitability of products for children.
  • Etsy: For unique, handmade items that can add a personal touch to your calendar, Etsy is ideal. You can find custom crafts, miniature toys, and personalized gifts made by talented artisans.

Utilizing Grocery Store Finds

  • Seasonal Treats: Grocery stores are great for picking up holiday treats like mini chocolate bars, candy canes, and small packets of hot cocoa.
  • Crafting Basics: Look for basic supplies like tapes, glues, and cookie cutters that can be used for simple crafts.
  • Home Goods Section: Many grocery stores have a home goods section where you can find small decorations or kitchen gadgets that make fun advent fillers.

Shopping for advent calendar supplies can be as much fun as filling the calendar itself. Whether you're browsing the aisles of your local craft store or scrolling through online marketplaces, keep an eye out for items that match the interests and ages of your family members. Remember, the key is to find items that not only fit physically into the calendar but also bring a smile to your loved ones' faces each morning of the advent season.

Conclusion

Creating an advent calendar is more than just a holiday activity; it's a way to weave joy and anticipation into every day of the festive season. By choosing the perfect fillers that match your family's tastes and interests, you can turn each morning's reveal into a cherished moment, building excitement all the way to Christmas Day.

Remember, the spirit of the season isn't about how much you spend. Advent calendars can be filled with inexpensive or handmade items that still bring immense joy. Use this holiday tradition to give personalized gifts that mean something more than just their material value—like a handwritten love note, a funny joke, or a promise of a family game night.

As each day passes with the opening of a new little gift, you’ll find that the true joy of Christmas doesn't just come from the big morning itself, but from the entire season spent together. Each small surprise, each shared laugh over a tiny toy or piece of candy, builds memories that last much longer than the holidays.

Let's Share and Celebrate Together!

Now it's your turn! I'd love to hear about your unique advent calendar creations. What fun or creative items have you tucked into those little pockets? Share your ideas in the comments below . It's a wonderful way to inspire others and keep the holiday spirit alive within our community.

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Rachel Piersig
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