Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A-Z Advent Activities for Families

With Thanksgiving weekend coming to a close, I'm looking forward to one of my most favorite times of the year.  This year we are reprising a favorite countdown to Christmas Day.  Two year ago we did Little Family Fun's ABC Christmas Countdown.  I found the countdown to be the perfect mix of simple educational and fun holiday activities.  In addition, we have always struggled to strike a balance between the secular Christmas influences picked up at school and the Christian message we hope to instill at home.  I was originally drawn to this countdown because it incorporated both so well.


This year, I want to share with you our advent activities.  Please excuse the slight diversion from our usual theme.  Many of these activities can be moved outside, some are even intended for outdoor enjoyment.

Each day I'll share with you suggestions for scripture, songs, snacks, and books to enjoy together.  I will share activities appropriate for preschoolers that I enjoy with my almost three year old during the day.  Additionally, I'll share some family activities that I've reserved for after school with the whole clan.  Please feel free to enjoy our Spotify playlist as you participate in the daily activities.

The only prep work required is to find and decorate a letter for each day.  I will be re-purposing last year's Christmas cards, cutting each one into the shape of our daily letter.  We will be hanging our letters as ornaments on the tree. 

Starting on November 30th, each day's activities will be based on one symbol of Christmas from A-Z.  I've made changes over the years, but again, I cannot give great enough thanks to Linda at Little Family Fun for inspiring the original A-Z list.  I only hope to build upon her original theme and I encourage you to jump over to Linda's site and enjoy her activities as well.

Join us starting November 30th for Advent Activities from A to Z:
November 30: Angels
December 1: Baby Jesus
December 2: Candy Canes
December 3: Donkey
December 4: Evergreen
December 5: Family
December 6: Gingerbread
December 7: Horns
December 8: Ice Skating
December 9: Jingle Bells
December 10: King
December 11: Lights
December 12: Magi
December 13: Nativity
December 14: Ornaments
December 15: Presents
December 16: Quilt
December 17: Reindeer
December 18: Star
December 19: Tree
December 20: Unto
December 21: Village
December 22: Wreath
December 23: Xylophone

4 comments:

  1. Hi there, This is a wonderful plan for Advent! I'm sure your children will really enjoy it. Thank you so much for sharing it on Exploring Advent and Christmas! I look forward to looking around your blog. Being outdoors with children is close to my heart as well.

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  2. Thanks so much for joining our Bloggers for Christmas linky party!
    Happy Christmastime!

    http://lifeoflt.blogspot.com

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  3. Thanks for linking up! I love getting to check out all the ideas for Christmas. :)

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  4. Popping over from Sheila's Exploring Advent and Christmas Link-up. Love your list of themes! I just started following you by email and am looking forward to all the great ideas!

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