Our Go-To Advent Calendar Fillers (Add Yours!)

Brigitte Nohra Miller said:  These mini Thomas and Friends trains are great Advent calendar filler ideas for all little train lovers! Their size is just perfect! They all attach one to another to create more fun during play time. Our kid loved his train-themed advent calendar last year, and every day was excited to reveal which train he was going to get.

Write down your favorite family Christmas traditions onto individual pieces of paper and tuck one into each day, to inspire an activity together. Bake Christmas cookies, drive around to see lights, create a holiday playlist together, etc!

Fun Advent calendar fillers for crafty kids, these festive rolls of Christmas washi tape can be used for Christmas crafts, homemade gifts, holiday cards, and decorating gift wrap.

These cute little cutters are fun Advent calendar filler ideas...use them all month long to shape festive bite sized Christmas cookies, Jell-O and candies. You could also use them on veggies, cheese and mini sandwiches for a fun school lunch.

Alexandra F. said:  My 2 and 4 year olds LOVE playing with trucks of all sizes, but they especially love mini construction trucks for digging in sand or dirt when they are outside, and kinetic sand when they are inside. They are just the right size for advent calendar fillers, and I love how easy they are to pack up in a purse or diaper bag for on-the-go entertainment!

Kelly R said:  Write down a Christmas joke on a small slip of paper for each day, and you've got fun and FREE Advent calendar fillers that will have the whole family giggling.

Alexandra F. said:  My first grader demolishes his pencil eraser within the first few uses, but is so used to using the pencil top to erase that he usually ends up destroying his paper with the metal casing. Advent calendars are a perfect place to pop in some fun, festive pencil top erasers! If you don't want to buy them in bulk, you should be able to find some at any dollar store. Or, if you're lucky enough to live near one, Daiso!

Alexandra F. said:  Candy goes over big at our house, and since I don't especially want to collect extra trinkets from each kid's Advent calendar every year, I'm totally okay using it liberally to fill the days. Honestly, I'll often use leftover Halloween candy (they just love opening the calendar and don't even notice it!), but I primarily use festive or their favorite candies. These (and the milk chocolate variety) are our top pick, and since they only come out for the holidays, it makes them extra special!

Kelly R said:  These little color tablets are so fun to use in the tub. Just make sure it's clear to your kids that these are not candy when they open them up!

Kelly R said:  My kids use a lot of the mini sticky tabs for school, and they come in so many creative designs!

These are fun and cheap Advent calendar stuffers for older kids who like making friendship bracelets. Fit a few colors into each day.

Kelly R said:  I like to use some sweet festive treats as Advent calendar fillers that won't create more clutter around the holidays!

Surprise your kid with a new non toxic nail polish color every day, for a whole month of festive manicures.

This scrunchie set has velvet material that would be fun for holiday outfits, and kids always love getting new hair products!

Gina I. said:  If you're looking for non-candy advent calendar fillers that you can use year after year, look no further! These mini holiday ornaments are perfect for decorating your tree, and they come in a pack of 24, making them perfect for advent!