Advent is such a beautiful time of year—a season of anticipation, reflection, and preparation as we await the celebration of Christ’s birth. For families, Advent presents a special opportunity to slow down, create meaningful traditions, and teach children about the true heart of Christmas. Whether your family already has long-standing traditions or you’re looking for fresh ideas, here are five fun and unique ways to celebrate Advent with your kids this year.
1. Read a New Christmas Story Each Evening
There’s something magical about curling up together with a good book, especially during the holiday season. For a meaningful Advent tradition, consider reading a new Christmas-themed story each evening. You could focus on books that reflect the true meaning of Christmas—stories of Christ’s birth, love, generosity, and kindness. Books like "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado or "Room for a Little One" by Martin Waddell can help bring the story of Jesus to life in an engaging, child-friendly way.
To make it even more exciting, wrap each book like a gift, and let your child open one every evening before you read it together. This tradition not only builds excitement for Christmas but also helps instill the true message of Advent through the stories you read.
2. Create a Jesse Tree Together
The Jesse Tree is a beautiful way to tell the story of the Bible—from creation to the birth of Christ—by decorating a small tree with symbols that represent key stories and figures. You can create your own ornaments together as a family, whether by drawing, painting, or creating them from felt, paper, or clay. You can also purchase a kit like this one if time is limited.
Each day, hang a new ornament on the tree and share the story behind it. This practice is a wonderful opportunity to teach your kids about the lineage of Jesus, starting with Jesse, the father of King David, and weaving through key Old Testament stories that point to the coming of Christ.
3. Set Up a Family Kindness Advent Calendar
Instead of a traditional Advent calendar filled with chocolates or toys, create one focused on acts of kindness. Each day, choose a small act of kindness that your family can complete together. This could be as simple as baking cookies for a neighbor, writing a thank-you note to a teacher, or donating toys to a local charity.
By turning your focus outward and making kindness a part of your Advent tradition, you’ll help your children understand the spirit of giving and the love that Jesus embodies. This tradition not only fills your home with joy but also spreads light to those around you during the holiday season.
4. Enjoy a Family Movie Night with a Christian Christmas Movie
Sometimes, the best way to come together as a family is with a cozy movie night. Pick one evening each week during Advent to watch a Christian Christmas movie together. Films like "The Nativity Story" or "The Star" are great options that focus on the story of Christ’s birth and will help your children understand the deeper meaning behind the Christmas season.
You can make this time extra special by setting up blankets, making hot cocoa, and discussing the story after the movie. Ask your kids what they learned, how the story made them feel, or how they think they can live out the message of Christmas in their own lives.
5. Host a Birthday Party for Jesus
One of the most fun ways to help children understand the true meaning of Christmas is by throwing a birthday party for Jesus. Set aside a day during Advent, perhaps on Christmas Eve, to bake a birthday cake, decorate the house with handmade decorations, and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.
You could even turn this into a family tradition where each child brings a “gift” for Jesus. This could be an act of kindness, a special prayer, or a donation to someone in need. It’s a joyful way to remind your kids that Christmas is ultimately a celebration of Christ’s birth, and it can be just as fun and festive as any other birthday party!
Advent is such a rich and beautiful season, offering countless opportunities to create traditions that will leave a lasting impression on your children. These unique and meaningful ideas help keep the focus on Christ while bringing the family together in fun and engaging ways. Whether through reading, acts of kindness, crafting, or celebrating, you can help your kids build a deeper connection to the true meaning of Christmas—one that they will carry with them for years to come.
If you have other Advent traditions you do with your family, we'd love for you to comment them below!
xx The WM Team
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