DIY advent calendars are an eco friendly option, but what should you fill them with? Absolutely Mama’s Carly Glendinning rounds up her favourite ideas…

The Christmas countdown has well and truly begun and first up on the to-do list is Advent calendars. More eco-friendly than pre-made advent calendars, a reusable advent calendar is something you can get out year after year. A DIY advent calendar is also a nice way of creating a special family tradition, it’s much more personal, and is also great if your little one is too young for chocolate. But what can you put in it?! If sourcing 24 individual gifts sounds like a logistical nightmare at the busiest time of year, don’t worry we’ve got you! Here are our top advent calendar filler ideas for kids…

Farm animal figures, plastic dinosaurs, and educational toys

If you’re doing your own advent calendar, farm animals are an easy win. Especially if you buy a set and split them up! Plastic figures from brands like Schleich are always popular but wooden ones from brands including Holztiger are very collectible too. Some of the Holztiger ones can be quite big, so either choose the smaller ones, or make sure your calendar has roomy pockets!

Educational toys

Colourful animal and bug counters and educational toys are great for learning early maths skills. The bug counters from Edx Education come in a big tub, so you can split them up to cover multiple Advent days. We also love the brand’s Math Cubes and Assorted Large Buttons.

Christmas accessories

Christmas accessories are a no brainer for Advent calendars. We love these cute socks and Christmas tree wand from Rockahula Kids. Just make sure you put them in the pockets for the start of December if you want your little one to wear them in the run up to the big day!

Matchbox cars and toy vehicles

Cars make the perfect tiny toys for your Advent countdown. All the better if you buy a set and spilt them up. We love the super fun Crazy Motors range from Djeco.

Tonies figures for their Toniebox

If your little one has a Toniebox (or they are getting one for Christmas), the Tonies figures are a great advent calendar filler idea. The hand-painted ‘Tonie’ figures are highly collectable and there’s hundreds of characters to choose from – from Miffy to Peppa Pig. Expanding their Tonies collection is also a good way of reducing screen time over the festive period. The top Tonies for Christmas include The Snowman, Elf on the Shelf, and Christmas Songs and Carols.

Hair accessories and play jewellery

Hair accessories and play jewellery make the perfect small gifts to fit inside reusable advent calendars. We love the collection from Rockahula Kids. You can split up the sets of hair clips to create gifts for multiple days.

Dress up items

Small dress up items work perfectly as Advent calendar fillers. If the pockets are deep enough, a magic wand would look really pretty. Stych has lots of cute dress up and play jewellery. Children’s nail varnish is another fun idea.

Crayons, craft supplies and cookie cutters

Crafty kids will be super happy to find crayons, felt tips, rubber stamps, and other art supplies in their advent calendar. If you’re really organised, you could fill paper bags with mini winter themed activities to create each day throughout December leading up to Christmas Day. Cute ideas include making Christmas cards, decorating Christmas cookies, or what about creating gingerbread house, day by day! How cute are these little duck crayons from Domestic Science?

Maileg mice and doll accessories

We love the beautiful collection of Maileg mice in matchboxes and if your little one is collecting them (and the accessories), they would make an adorable addition to your advent calendar. They are a little more expensive than other advent presents, however, so we’re saving this gorgeous ballerina mouse from Domestic Science as a fun surprise for door twenty four on Christmas Eve.

Temporary tattoos and stickers

Show us a kid who isn’t happy with a roll of stickers or some temporary tattoos. If you’re really struggling for time (or funds!), just cut up a page of stickers and put one in each pocket, along with some sweet treats. Job done! These puffy cat stickers from Domestic Science and icefield stickers from Djeco are super cute.

Small world play

Small world play items are perfect for Advent calendars, and ideal if your little one is already collecting a particular toy range. We love these cute ‘tinyly’ dolls from Djeco. The brainchild of Virginie Brachet, this Violet Tinyroom doll would look super cute in a doll house.

Christmas tree decorations and crackers

Christmas tree decorations make perfect advent calendar fillers and choosing a special one for each year is a fun tradition. Little ones will enjoy hanging them on the tree and they are something that can be treasured and passed on for many Christmases to come. Small Christmas crackers and table decorations are also a fun addition to an Advent calendar (they also look beautiful and don’t need to be wrapped!). The embroidered tree decorations from Avery Row will be treasured for Christmases to come.

Baby rattles, toys and dummies

If it’s your little one’s first Christmas, then small rattles, baby toys, and even dummies make the perfect advent calendar fillers. We love the festive STUDIO collection of pacifiers at BIBS.

Advent calendar from Avery Row. Dress in main image by La Coqueta.

Check out more Christmas ideas here.