Printable cards
Printable activity cards, made for your family.
Most printable advent cards are the same 24 ideas for everyone. Advent of Play makes the cards for your child, from over 200 activities, and you print them at home for free.
Three formats
- Fold-over cards: the number on the outside, the activity inside. Four per page. Good for a string with pegs, or a wooden calendar with pockets.
- Envelope inserts: small cards, twelve per page. Good for envelopes, matchboxes, a jar or a felt calendar.
- Fridge poster: all the days on one page, with a tick box for each. Good if you just want a plan.
How to print them
Build your calendar
Tell Advent of Play your children’s ages, what they like, your time and your budget. It takes about two minutes, with no sign-up.
Swap anything that will not work
Shuffle the whole calendar, or check the days and plan around busy evenings.
Tap Print and choose a format
Pick fold-over cards, envelope inserts or the poster, and A4 or US Letter.
Print or save as PDF
Use your browser’s print dialog. Choose "Save as PDF" to print later or at a print shop. Print at 100% scale.
Cut, fold and hide
Cut along the lines, fold the cards, and put them in your calendar. An instructions page explains each format.
Ways to display the cards
- A string or ribbon with 24 mini pegs, across a window or the mantelpiece.
- Numbered envelopes on a branch or a door.
- A reusable wooden or felt calendar with pockets or drawers.
- Matchboxes or small paper bags, stacked into a tree shape.
- A jar: pull out a card each morning, if you do not mind the order.
A few of the activities you might print
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Make paper lanterns
Fold paper in half, cut slits along the fold, open it up and glue it into a tube. Hang them in a window or around a battery tea light.
You need: Paper, scissors, glue
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Make a jam-jar snow globe
Glue a small toy to the inside of a jar lid, fill the jar with water, a little glycerine and glitter, and screw it shut tight.
You need: A clean jar, a small toy, glitter, waterproof glue
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Ice and decorate biscuits
Ice plain shop-bought biscuits with coloured icing and sprinkles. Make a plate for the neighbours too.
You need: Plain biscuits, icing sugar, sprinkles
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Go stargazing
On a clear night, find a dark spot and look for Orion, the Plough or the Southern Cross. Let your eyes adjust for ten minutes first.
You need: Warm clothes, a blanket, maybe a star app
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Solve a home escape room
Download a free printable family escape room or make your own with riddles, codes and a locked box at the end.
You need: A free printable or riddles
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Put on a family concert
Rehearse songs, make tickets and a programme, and perform for the family or on a video call.
You need: Instruments (pots and pans count)
Questions
Are the printable cards really free?
Yes. Printing fold-over cards, envelope inserts or the poster in the Classic theme is free. Pro adds eight more print themes and removes the small footer on prints.
Do the cards fit a wooden advent calendar?
The fold-over cards and envelope inserts are small and fold flat, so they fit most pockets and drawers. Check the size of your calendar’s drawers first and choose envelope inserts for small ones.
Can I print on US Letter paper?
Yes. Every format prints on A4 or US Letter.
Can I edit the activities before printing?
You can shuffle the calendar for free until you like it. Swapping single days and writing your own activities are part of Pro.