“Because nothing says Christmas spirit like toddlers, glitter, and a goat in a Santa hat.”

When it comes to Christmas traditions, few are as charming—and hilariously chaotic—as making your own advent calendar with toddlers. Add a sprinkle of rustic farmhouse charm, tiny surprises, and a generous dose of crafting mishaps, and you’ve got a holiday memory in the making! Just prepare for glue everywhere and the dog eating at least one treat.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies (and Your Patience)

For a rustic vibe, start with:

• Mini burlap bags, small mason jars, or tiny clothespins and paper envelopes.
• Twine or ribbon to string it all together.
• A wooden frame, branch, or even a hay rake for a farmhouse display.
• Number stickers or tags (because toddlers can’t write numbers yet, but they can definitely scribble all over them).

Set up your workstation with the essentials: a crafting mat, a few snacks, and a spare pair of hands to grab the toddler when they try to glue their hair.

Step 2: Assemble Your Calendar

Let the kids pick out the containers or decorate them with stickers, doodles, and glitter (which you will find on the dog’s tail for the next six months).

Attach the containers to your display piece with twine or ribbon. Cue your toddler shouting, “I did it!” while the ribbon unravels behind them.

Number the bags or jars in order—bonus points if your kids accidentally put Day 3 next to Day 25. Who needs order in the holiday season anyway?

Step 3: Fill It Up with Fun Surprises

Here’s where the magic (and the negotiation) happens. Fill each day with small treasures, like:

• Farm-themed stickers or tiny toys (plastic farm animals are always a hit).
• Sweet treats (but keep the chocolate out of dog-reach).
• Little notes with holiday activities like “make cookies” or “sing Jingle Bells loudly in every room.”
• Toddler-sized chores, like “feed the chickens” or “water the dog.” Spoiler alert: these “chores” will probably become your chores.

And for a little humor, make the surprises extra memorable:

• Day 12: “The dog ate the chocolate. Classic.”
• Day 17: “Mom’s missing the tape again. Add it to the wish list.”
• Day 22: “The goat is wearing a Santa hat. Merry chaos!”

Step 4: Enjoy the Countdown (and the Madness)

Every morning, your kids will run to see what’s inside. You’ll marvel at their excitement… until they open the wrong day, fight over whose turn it is, or proudly display their “feeding the chickens” skill by tossing chicken feed at their sibling.

Making a rustic advent calendar with kids is about more than perfectly tied ribbons or flawlessly numbered bags. It’s about the glitter-covered memories, the sticky fingers, and the joy of watching your little ones light up with excitement (even if it’s because they just ate the surprise for Day 6).

Share your advent calendar creations and holiday chaos with us using #FarmhouseAdventFun. We can’t wait to see what surprises your kids and pets get into this season! 🎄