Advent Surprise Box

Do you do an advent calendar countdown until Christmas? We usually do a countdown until Sinterklaas day on December 5. In fact, we are just finishing up our advent surprise box countdown (as you will notice in the video, that Chloe has to dig down deep to get her last prizes!

Then we do a separate advent to count the days until Christmas. We often used Focus on the family’s advent calendars for kids. They have a short story to read each day and a nativity scene to put together!

But getting back to this easy advent surprise box. Maybe you want to do something different, but the idea of cutting 24 toilet paper tubes to the right size, and getting them to stick together doesn’t appeal to you, then this is the solution for you! It is so simple, but the kids love “picking their own prize” each day instead of having one assigned to them. You can fill it with small lego packs, chocolates, candies, little toys….

You will need:

• Kleenex box
• Tape
• Construction paper
• 24 small toys, candies, etc
• Wrapping paper
• Glue or double sided tape

Begin by removing the tab off the top of your box. Next open your Kleenex box and remove your tissues. Then fill your box with your 24 prizes. Tape the side shut again so that the prizes will not fall out. Wrap the box with your wrapping paper as you would a present. Taking care to leave the smooth side of the wrapped package on the top of the box where the open tab is.

Cut out a small circle where the open space is from the removed tab. You can easily feel it by touching the top of the box.

Decorate your box. I went with an elf theme this year, but you can easily make a Santa or just simply wrap the box in colorful paper. If you want to make an elf or Santa just cut out elf shoes, legs, a belt and a belt buckle and add them to your box. Super easy!

If you are looking for some fun advent surprises that are different than the usual chocolates, then I have a few suggestions for you. I love to pick things that the kids can do. Like mini lego packets, or craft kits, or ornaments to make. The last day of the advent this year I will give them a gingerbread house to make. It is a fun way to countdown the days, but to create opportunities to do things together as well. If your item doesn’t fit in your box or in your countdown calendar, no problem!! Just add a little note that says, “Come see Mom” or that sends them on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden gift. I do that for all of the larger sized countdown gifts that they receive.

Here are some cute ideas from Flying Tiger! Wooden ornaments to color or paint, and ornament kits to put together. Not only did they have fun finding them in their boxes (or in this case going on a scavenger hunt to find them), but we had fun creating them together afterwards as well.

Happy Countdown! I hope your kiddos have as much fun with these boxes as mine do!