Fun & Eco-Friendly Advent Calendar Ideas for Children

Are you tired of the disposable plastic clutter that seems to define the Christmas season? As we all become a little more conscious of waste and seek out quality over quantity, many parents and grandparents are choosing to invest in a more meaningful and sustainable Christmas countdown.

Why Choose a Reusable Advent Calendar?

There is so much plastic tat on the high street and the variety of advent calendars on offer now is incredible. Although pre-filled options and plastic fillers may seem cheap or ‘convenient’ eventually some or all of the calendar ends up in the bin which makes a lovely Christmas tradition seem less magical. 

In comparison, reusable advent calendars feel nostalgic and a little more special. They make for a new family tradition and as they can be used over and over they often work out cheaper and easier as well as being more sustainable. 

Ready to swap the high-street clutter for a tradition you can feel great about? We’ve got you covered. 

Find the Perfect Eco-Friendly Reusable Advent Calendar to Cherish Year After Year 

Creating a special Christmas Countdown doesn’t have to take a long time or cost the earth. Our collection of stunning fabric and wooden calendars are made to use for years and be passed down. These aren't just a daily treat holder; they're a way to make memories that your kids can pass on to their kids!

Cosy Fabric Advent Calendar Bunting: This genius advent bunting has a cosy aesthetic which adds to your Christmas decor. It can be hung out of reach of curious little ones and the pockets are big enough to fit multiple treats so can be used for all the family. It folds away neatly for stress-free, compact storage but it’s also reversible so can used as birthday and party bunting too. 

Heirloom Wooden Advent Calendars: These are decorations as well as an advent calendar. Crafted from quality, natural wood these traditional countdown calendars have little drawers for sweets, notes and small treats. They’re designed to be passed down, building beautiful memories and reducing waste for years to come. Some even have LED lights for an extra special touch. 

Sturdy Card Reusable Calendars: Reusable card calendars like our Festive Friends Advent Calendar are low cost alternative to flimsy, single-use cardboard. As long as you look after them, they’re a wonderful budget-friendly way to begin a new eco-conscious tradition without compromising on style. 

Simple Wooden Countdown Calendars: For the busy parent who still wants a beautiful, mindful ritual, these are the perfect solution. Simply move the marker each day—no treats or fillers required! You get a stunning daily tradition and festive focal point without the pressure to provide 24 treats. They can also be used in addition to an advent calendar as decor and children might enjoy having one in their bedroom to count how many sleeps until Santa. 

Shop Our Reusable Advent Calendars

Creative & Sustainable Advent Calendar Filler Ideas 

As a conscious parent or grandparent, you want to be known for giving gifts that are genuinely fun and exciting , without adding to the endless flow of mass-produced stuff. These ideas are small, low-cost treats, allowing you to be the "fun" gift giver without compromising your values.

Small Treats & Ethical Surprises

Classic Sweet Treats: Choose treats with recyclable packaging, like traditional foil-wrapped chocolate coins or sweets make great low cost advent calendar fillers. 

Sustainable toys: Swap the tiny plastic toys for delightful, alternatives that will last. Think small wooden spinning tops, wooden Christmas figures, fun temporary tattoos, colourful stickers, or practical hair clips. These are small treasures that align with your commitment to the planet and are fun for kids. You'll find lots of affordable ideas in our  Advent Calendar Fillers Collection 

Themed Play: Building Joy Together

Appeal to your child’s sense of curiosity and creativity by turning the countdown into a building project or collection.

Playset Split: Divide a playset such as  a Lanka Kade wooden nativity set, some Christmas wooden play figures, or a beautiful Grapat playset across the 24 days. Children will enjoy adding a new piece to their playset every day and watching the scene take shape. You can reuse both the playset and the calendar year after year. 

Small Building Kits: Similarly, a Lego set , puzzle or construction kit can be split into daily treats allowing them to complete the model on Christmas Eve.

An Experience Calendar: Gifting Quality Time

We know that finding quality family time can feel overwhelming amidst a busy schedule, especially during December. Giving experiences as advent treats can be so much fun for all the family.

Reusable Book Countdown: Wrap 24 Christmas-themed books (ones you already own, preloved or borrowed) and open one to read together each evening. The best part? You can reuse the books and the tradition every year!

Written Tokens for Moments: Instead of a physical item, include a beautifully written token that promises an experience: a hot chocolate and movie night, a special breakfast of their choice, a trip to the park, or a walk around the neighbourhood to see the Christmas lights (a great way to promote nature and neighbourhood exploration too).

Lucky Dip Advent Calendar

This simple, time-saving solution is perfect for kids who enjoy a lucky dip. It’s also a time saver for busy parents as you don’t need to curate the treats and you can use any box or bag. A card box wrapped in festive wrapping paper works well!

The Concept: Wrap any of the treats and tokens mentioned above and place them all inside a decorative box or bag.

The Benefit: Children love the excitement of choosing one surprise per day, giving them autonomy and variety. You can use any box or bag you have and the treats inside can be anything because the choosing is 99% of the fun!

Which Advent Calendar is Right for You?

Our sustainable Christmas Countdown ideas eliminate the need for single use advent calendars but more importantly they increase the magic! Hopefully these ideas have given you inspiration for the perfect advent calendar for your family.

Using our eco-friendly calendar filler ideas, you can easily create engaging, waste-free fun and build those precious family memories, all without guilt or stress. Maybe this Christmas, you can choose ease, quality, and intention.

Let us know which option is your favourite?!

Ready to invest in a tradition, not waste. Shop Smallkind’s collection of sustainable Advent Calendars in the Christmas Shop!