December has arrived and there’s excitement in the air. The weeks of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas are commonly called Advent. Traditionally, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day; however, most people today start their Advent calendar Christmas countdown on December 1st.

If you’re looking for a simple, nature-inspired Advent calendar for kids—something that feels meaningful, not wasteful—you’re in the right place.

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Last Updated: November 2025

A Short History of Advent Calendars

Advent calendars have been around for over one hundred years. The very first commercially available Advent calendar was invented by Gerhard Lang in Germany and printed in 1908. It was a cardboard calendar with little doors that would open to reveal pictures.

This was the Advent calendar of my early childhood – I loved those little doors!

Gerhard was inspired by his childhood memory of eating cookies, one for each day of Advent, as a way to count down the days until Christmas. There’s a lovely children’s picture book that shares this story: Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar by Kathleen Long Bostrom.

Advent calendars have come a long way since the early 1900s. By the 1950s, Advent calendars filled with chocolate were invented, and these days you can find Advent calendars filled with anything your heart desires – toys, teas, and even cheese!

I love Advent calendars (especially if there’s cheese involved!), but I’ve come to realize that most commercial Advent calendars are quite wasteful and not very earth-friendly. Lots of plastic, single-use packaging, and things my kids don’t actually need.

So I wanted to take a step away from the over-commercialization of Advent and create an Advent calendar rooted in simplicity, nature, and connection: a Nature Advent Calendar.

24 Days of Nature Connection

This Nature Advent Calendar for kids is all about simplicity and nature connection. Each day there is a nature-inspired activity that will help you and your child:

• Connect with the natural world

• Slow down and spend time with one another

• Notice the beauty of the season

• Create simple, meaningful traditions together

The activities gently build on one another and culminate in a very special Christmas nature activity inspired by one of my favourite picture books, Night Tree by Eve Bunting.

Think of it as a 24-day journey of nature connection that weaves together Advent, outdoor play, and cozy family traditions.

Get Your Nature Advent Calendar for Kids

What’s Included in the Nature Advent Calendar for Kids?

When you download the Nature Advent Calendar for Kids, you’ll receive:

1. Nature Advent Calendar

• 24 hand-painted evergreen trees

• Each tree has a nature-inspired Advent activity behind it

• Printable format (12 pages)

These prompts are designed for children and families, and many can be done in 15–30 minutes. Some activities are quick and simple; others can be savoured on slower days.

2. Parent Guide

• An 8-page guide just for you

• Descriptions of each activity

• Links to tutorials and free downloads where helpful

• Tips for adapting activities for different ages or abilities

This guide is there to make the calendar feel easy, not overwhelming.

3. Blank Nature Advent Calendar

• A printable version with blank evergreen trees

• Use it to:

  • Swap out any activities that don’t work for your family

  • Add faith-based or secular traditions

  • Adjust for your climate or schedule

How to Use Your Nature Advent Calendar

Here’s a simple way to use your Nature Advent Calendar with your kids:

Print the pages: Print the calendar and Parent Guide. You can cut out the trees and display them on a wall, string them as a garland, or keep them in a basket.

Choose a daily rhythm: Decide when you’ll reveal each day’s tree – mornings over breakfast, after school, or before bedtime. A consistent rhythm helps kids look forward to the daily surprise.

Head outside (or bring nature in): Many activities invite you outdoors, but some can also be done indoors with gathered nature items. Follow your weather, energy, and season of life.

Keep it flexible: If you miss a day (or a few), that’s OK. Skip, swap, or save them for the weekend. This calendar is meant to be a gentle guide, not another holiday to-do list.

Why Choose a Nature Advent Calendar?

A Nature Advent Calendar is a beautiful alternative to toy- or candy-filled calendars because it:

• Encourages outdoor play and nature connection

• Reduces plastic waste and clutter

• Creates simple, memorable traditions

• Supports mindful, slow living during a busy season

• Helps children experience Advent with their hands, hearts, and senses

If you’re longing for a more meaningful, eco-friendly Advent tradition with your kids, this is a lovely place to start.

FAQ: Nature Advent Calendar for Kids

What ages is this Nature Advent Calendar best for?
Most activities work well for roughly ages 3–10, with younger children needing more guidance and older children able to take the lead. Many families also enjoy doing the activities together with mixed ages.

Do I have to be “outdoorsy” to use this?
Not at all. The activities are simple and gentle. Think short walks, noticing trees and birds, collecting nature treasures, and doing small creative projects together.

Can I use this in a classroom or nature group?
Yes! Many of the prompts work beautifully in small groups, forest school programs, or homeschool co-ops. You can adapt activities to your setting and age group.

Do I Need Snow for a Nature Advent Calendar?
Nope! This Nature Advent Calendar will work whether you have snow or warmer winter weather. Some of the prompts mention: evergreen trees, pinecones and winter greenery, so it works best for families who have access to these things in nearby nature (a local park, a forest trail, or even a neighbour’s big evergreen tree you’re allowed to gather from). But you don’t need a perfect winter wonderland to enjoy these activities.

Can I customize the Advent activities for my family?
Yes. Along with the main calendar, I’ve included a blank Evergreen Advent Calendar you can use to swap out any activities that don’t work for your family, add your own traditions, or adjust for weather, age range, or accessibility. The blank calendar is included with the Nature Advent Calendar download and is also available as a separate download if you’d rather write all your own Advent activities. This flexibility makes it easy to create a personalized nature Advent calendar that truly fits your family.

What supplies will I need?
This Nature Advent Calendar is meant to be simple, low-prep, and accessible. Most of the materials are gathered from nature (pinecones, leaves, twigs, berries, etc.) or things you already have at home (paper, crayons, string, jars, scissors). Anything extra is clearly listed in the materials list that comes with the download, so you can quickly see what you might want to have on hand before December begins. No fancy supplies. No last-minute panic. Just simple, nature-based Advent activities for kids.

Ready to Start a New Advent Tradition?