24 Simple DIY Homeschool Advent Activities

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For us here in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas lands right at the end of our homeschool year (we begin in February).

While I love the idea of Christmas unit studies (see the ones I recommend here), I don’t always have the energy or budget for them every year.

However, I still love leaning into Christmas festivities with my kids. One way to do that is to do a Christmas advent.

It’s a simple way of celebrating the festive season on your own terms without having to spend lots of money or come up with elaborate activities.

Because I’m aware of the fact that only half of the world celebrates Christmas during the winter season, I’ve also made sure to include activity options for those of us with a summer Christmas.

Christmas Homeschool Advent Activities for the Whole Family!

If you’d like a printable version of this list of activities, you can grab your free copy by signing up below. Plus, you’ll get access to our entire homeschool resource library!

#1 Holiday-Themed Scavenger Hunt

Winter Option: Create a winter scavenger hunt indoors or outside (if it’s snowy!). Look for items like pinecones, red berries, holiday lights, and ornaments.
Summer Option: Go on a Christmas-themed nature walk to find festive shapes in nature, like a tree that looks like a Christmas tree, red flowers, or star-shaped leaves.

#2 Christmas Kindness Challenge

Winter Option: Bundle up and take warm drinks or treats to neighbors, or leave a surprise card for a friend. We used to make cookies and create our own gift boxes!
Summer Option: Make a small fruit basket or leave a handwritten “Merry Christmas” note for neighbors, or set up a lemonade stand to raise money for a local charity.

#3 Christmas Carol Sing-Along

Winter Option: Have a cozy family carol night by the fireplace or record a video to send to family far away.
Summer Option: Host an outdoor sing-along picnic, singing carols as the sun sets, and enjoying holiday treats under the stars.

No matter what season you’re in, you could research into whether or not your local old folks home would appreciate some Christmas caroling. This is something my homeschool group did when I was a child.

#4 Create a Festive Story Together

Winter Option: Write a snowy holiday story about a Christmas mystery or a magical winter adventure.
Summer Option: Make it a sunny adventure by setting your story on a beach, in a sunny meadow, or even on a “Christmas island.”

If you have younger children, instead of writing, you could have each member of the family tell a part of the story orally and add to it as you go along.

#5 DIY Ornament-Making Day

Winter Option: Make classic winter ornaments using pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and dried oranges.
Summer Option: Create ornaments with bright colors, tropical leaves, or painted seashells to reflect a warm-weather Christmas.

Related: DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas

#6 Holiday Movie Marathon

Winter Option: Snuggle up in cozy blankets with hot cocoa and watch holiday classics.
Summer Option: Set up an outdoor movie night with Christmas movies, blankets, and popcorn for a festive outdoor experience.

#7 Cookie Decorating Extravaganza

Winter Option: Decorate gingerbread people or winter-themed sugar cookies with seasonal spices and colors.
Summer Option: Bake and decorate light, summery cookies like lemon or coconut, with a Christmas twist using festive shapes.

#8 Snow or Sand Art Project

Winter Option: Go outside and build a snowman or make snow angels if you have snow. Indoors, make snow-inspired art with cotton balls or white paint.
Summer Option: Head to the beach or a sandbox and build a “sandman.” Decorate it with beach treasures like shells or pebbles.

#9 Craft a DIY Christmas Wreath

Winter Option: Use evergreen branches, pinecones, and ribbons for a classic winter wreath.
Summer Option: Make a wreath with tropical leaves, bright flowers, or even seashells for a summery Christmas vibe.

#10 Write and Decorate Family Christmas Cards

Winter Option: Write cards by a warm fire or under the Christmas tree. Include family photos or hand-drawn holiday scenes.
Summer Option: Take the activity outside and draw summery holiday designs on your cards, like Santa at the beach or Christmas palm trees.

#11 DIY Christmas Science Experiment

Winter Option: Make “snow” with baking soda and vinegar or create a holiday-themed crystal ornament.
Summer Option: Use solar energy to make a melted crayon ornament or experiment with sand and seashells to make Christmas-inspired textures.

#12 Christmas-Themed Puzzle or Game Day

Winter Option: Complete a Christmas jigsaw puzzle or play holiday board games indoors.
Summer Option: Make your own outdoor Christmas obstacle course or play a holiday scavenger hunt game in the backyard.

#13 Create a Christmas Playlist Together

Winter Option: Gather by the fire, listen to classic carols, and create a “Winter Wonderland” holiday playlist.
Summer Option: Choose upbeat, warm-weather Christmas tunes for a tropical or “Christmas in July” playlist, then enjoy it during outdoor activities.

Honestly, despite the fact that it’s summer when we have Christmas, we still listen to all the “winter wonderland” type Christmas carols.

#14 Build a Holiday Book Nook

Winter Option: Make a cozy reading corner with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights. Read classic Christmas books together.
Summer Option: Set up a summer-themed reading nook outdoors with a sunshade and read holiday books in a picnic setting.

#15 Make Edible Christmas Gifts

Winter Option: Make hot cocoa mix, peppermint bark, or mini gingerbread loaves to give to family and friends.
Summer Option: Prepare fresh fruit jams or make holiday trail mix with dried fruits and nuts as gifts.

#16 Christmas Craft Day

Winter Option: Make paper snowflakes, homemade ornaments, or pinecone decorations.
Summer Option: Paint seashells with holiday designs, make garlands from leaves and flowers, or create Christmas-inspired sand art.

#17 Plan a “Giving Back” Day

Winter Option: Collect warm clothes or canned food to donate, or make holiday cards for local shelters.
Summer Option: Volunteer at a local food bank, animal shelter, or make “kindness rocks” with Christmas messages to place around the neighborhood.

#18 Host a Family Christmas Talent Show

Winter Option: Dress up in cozy clothes or holiday costumes and perform skits, songs, or read poems by the fireplace.
Summer Option: Set up an outdoor “stage” and perform Christmas songs, dances, or magic tricks under the summer sun.

Me and my siblings did this every year for my parents and we had so much fun! The homemade costumes we came up with were hysterical.

#19 Have a Family Holiday Photo Shoot

Winter Option: Dress in cozy sweaters, scarves, or holiday pajamas for a family photo by the tree.
Summer Option: Dress in festive summer attire, and take photos in the sunshine with props like holiday hats or tropical decorations.

I like to take pictures of my kids in front of the Christmas tree each year. It’s so special to have a series of them as they’re all growing.

#20 Christmas Countdown Paper Chain

Winter Option: Make a chain with red and green paper links to count down the days to Christmas. Write an activity or Bible verse on each link.
Summer Option: Use bright, summery colors like yellow and blue, and add holiday jokes or “summer Christmas” activities to each link.

#21 Decorate a Gingerbread House

Winter Option: Assemble and decorate a traditional gingerbread house indoors with icing, candy, and holiday sprinkles.
Summer Option: Build a “Christmas sandcastle” at the beach or make a no-bake graham cracker house using melted chocolate and colorful lollies.

#22 Make a Christmas-Themed Sensory Bin

Winter Option: Create a bin with cotton balls, small holiday figurines, cinnamon sticks, and pinecones for a cozy winter sensory experience.
Summer Option: Use sand, shells, and tropical scents like coconut and vanilla to make a sensory bin that feels like a Christmas beach escape.

#23 Create DIY Holiday Gift Wrap

Winter Option: Stamp and paint brown paper with festive designs like snowflakes and Christmas trees, using cozy colors like red, green, and white.
Summer Option: Decorate gift wrap with bright colors, floral or tropical stencils, and ribbons in bold, sunny colors. Draw Pohutukawa flowers to bring in the traditional Christmas red.

#24 Set Up a Family Christmas Trivia Night

Winter Option: Gather indoors for a trivia night with questions about Christmas traditions, holiday movies, and fun family facts.
Summer Option: Take your trivia game outside, set up a picnic blanket, and quiz each other on Christmas and family trivia under the stars.

Final Thoughts

These DIY advent activities bring holiday cheer to your homeschool routine and provide options that work beautifully in both winter and summer climates.

Don’t forget you can get your own free printable homeschool advent by signing up below!

For families with children of all ages, these ideas are adaptable, inexpensive, and full of holiday joy. Happy counting down to Christmas!

24 Simple DIY Homeschool Advent Activities