Christmas Activities for Toddlers

Making paper chains is too complicated for toddlers to manage alone, but it's definitely something that can be done with supervision. Also, remember that including your toddler in the steps of your own or an older child's project can yield good results and a feeling of success and cooperation for all.

When making paper chains, your toddler can:

• Color the paper before it is cut
• Use rubber stamps to decorate the paper before it's cut
• Help with cutting if he is an older toddler
• Hold the paper while you carefully staple it if you're stapling the links together
• Apply glue with a brush or glue stick if you're gluing the links together
• Help with counting the pieces of paper you need
• Sort different colors of paper (red and green, for example)

There are several ways your toddler can participate in this activity: by making it, using it or both. Personally, I like the calendar to be something that I make first and the children use to count down to Christmas, but depending on the type of calendar you make, your toddler can lend a hand as well. This activity is a great way to start a family tradition, instill the values of your religious community and illustrate the passage of time.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Learn more about the history of Advent calendars
• Easy Advent Calendars
• Easy Craft Advent Calendars
• Printable Mini Advent Boxes
• Rubber Stamped Advent Calendar