Advent of Play

No Christmas needed

A winter countdown, for every family.

Not every family celebrates Christmas, and plenty of families who do would rather skip Santa. A winter countdown keeps the fun part of an advent calendar: something to look forward to each day.

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A sample winter calendar

Made by Advent of Play in Winter holidays mode, for siblings aged five and eight. It has no Christmas activities and no faith-based ones.

  1. 1TueMake a family winter bucket list20 min · Free
  2. 2WedPlay balloon keepy-uppy15 min · Free
  3. 3ThuLearn how other countries celebrate30 min · Free
  4. 4FriDraw one-minute portraits15 min · Free
  5. 5SatListen to an audiobook together45 min · Free
  6. 6SunBuild a winter scene in clay45 min · Costs a little
  7. 7MonLook closely at snow or leaves20 min · Free
  8. 8TueSet up a hot chocolate bar30 min · Costs a little
  9. 9WedWatch the sunrise together30 min · Free
  10. 10ThuPlay freeze dance15 min · Free
  11. 11FriTell winter jokes at dinner15 min · Free
  12. 12SatMake a nature wreathAbout an hour · Free
  13. 13SunFollow a treasure hunt45 min · Free
  14. 14MonHunt for frost and ice20 min · Free
  15. 15TueTry candle breathing10 min · Free
  16. 16WedMake snowman pancakes30 min · Costs a little
  17. 17ThuHave a puddle-jumping contest30 min · Free
  18. 18FriMake jingle-bell instruments30 min · Free
  19. 19SatSleep under the fairy lightsAbout an hour · Free
  20. 20SunBake for a cookie swapAbout an hour · Costs a little
  21. 21MonSit in a compliment circle10 min · Free
  22. 22TueLook through old photos30 min · Free
  23. 23WedPlay winter “would you rather”15 min · Free
  24. 24ThuMake a festive snack board30 min · Costs a little

Every family gets a different calendar. Yours depends on your children’s ages, interests, time and budget.

Winter ideas without Christmas

  • Celebrate the shortest day

    The solstice is on 21 December. Find out why it is the shortest day in the north and the longest in the south, then light candles for the returning sun.

    30 minFreeAges 4 to 12

    You need: Candles or battery lights, a torch and a ball

  • Go on an evening lights walk

    Walk after dark with torches, spotting lit windows, street lights and stars. Count how many decorated houses you find.

    45 minFreeUp to 12

    You need: Torches, warm clothes

  • Make a family winter bucket list

    Brainstorm ten things you want to do together before the new year and hang the list where everyone can see it.

    20 minFreeAges 4 to 12

    You need: A big sheet of paper

  • Make a “best of the year” list

    Everyone shares their best day, funniest moment, bravest thing and favourite meal of the year. Write them down to keep.

    30 minFreeAges 4 to 12

    You need: Paper and pen

  • Say “happy holidays” in five languages

    God jul, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weihnachten, Buon Natale… Find five and use them all day.

    15 minFreeAges 5 to 12

    You need: The internet or a book

  • Learn how other countries celebrate

    Pick three countries on a map and find out how they celebrate in winter: Hanukkah, Lucia, Las Posadas, Diwali, Yule, St Nicholas…

    30 minFreeAges 5 to 12

    You need: A map or globe, the internet or library

  • Make a time capsule

    Each person writes a letter to themselves to open next December, plus a drawing, a photo and a list of current favourites. Seal it in a box.

    45 minFreeAges 5 to 12

    You need: A box, paper, tape

  • Take a warm-drink walk

    Pour something warm into cups with lids and walk once around the block, noticing three things you never saw before.

    20 minFreeAges 2 to 12

    You need: Warm drinks, coats

How to call it

  • A winter countdown, a December calendar, or a countdown to the school holidays all work.
  • You can count down to any date: the solstice, the end of term, a family trip or New Year.
  • If you do mark a festival, add your own activities for it.

Questions

Is there a non-religious advent calendar?

Yes. An activity calendar does not need to be religious at all. Advent of Play has a Winter holidays mode with no Santa, no Christmas tree and no religion, just winter fun. Faith-based activities only appear if you switch them on.

Are advent calendars religious?

Advent comes from the Christian calendar, the four weeks before Christmas. Many modern advent calendars are simply a December countdown, and families of all faiths and none use them.

When is the shortest day?

In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on 21 or 22 December. It is a nice day to celebrate with candles, a sunrise or sunset walk and a cosy dinner.

Does it work for a summer December?

Yes. Choose Summer and you get beach days, sprinklers and ice lollies instead of snow.

More ideas

All guides

December is coming. Make it the fun kind of busy.

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