Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Ideas!

The Solemnity of Christ the King and the end of the Liturgical Year is this weekend! But every end also means a new beginning, and this beginning brings Advent.  I LOVE Advent.  The preparing, the waiting, the hope, the peaceful promise.

Here are some ideas for you to use with your kiddos to keep and celebrate the season of Advent.  Click on any of the images to take you to the resource or post:


Looking for music to keep you in the season?  Check out this Advent Song Playlist:

And videos are always a great addition in the classroom:

Learn about the New Liturgical Year with this Liturgical Year Coloring Book:

Or just use the What Advent Looks Like printable:

And this is my favorite Liturgical Year Calendar: (you can see this year's collection in the Telos Art & Design shop here)

Check out the Advent section in this book recommendations post:

I'm using this Advent "Count Up" at school this year:

I was sent the bundle from Catholic All Year to review, and it is awesome! There are medallions for all the Sundays, Saint feast days, special family days, and regular days in the seasons of Advent and Christmas. I used it to create a calendar, but it also can be used by adding one medallion each day leading up to Christmas. There is a great booklet with short explanations of the feast days to share each day as you hang them up, and it also comes with a set of quotes, signs for the display, and a "straw for Baby Jesus" activity. One download gets you both black and white and color version, and Kendra has it on sale for $10 (vs. $25) right now!

Make plans for decorating for the Liturgical Year:

Use these resources for Advent:

Use the stamps and printable stickers in my Etsy Shop:
(Digital printables are available now, Advent Wreath and Nativity stamps will be back the weekend after Thanksgiving with special sales!)

Try some new Advent Traditions: (with printable info sheets)

Printable Advent Candles for an Advent Wreath:

Also available in Spanish:

Wandering Wise Men: 
An alternate activity to Elf on the Shelf, I used the Wise Men from our classroom Nativity to emphasize the waiting and preparing and seeking that is required of us during Advent.  Click on the images to go to the posts with 15 different ideas.

   

Pray and color the O Antiphons:

Seeking our Savior: An Advent Detective Journey based on Scripture, showing how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ.  Printable coloring book, Scripture cards, mini craft projects, and a leaders guide.

Also available in Spanish:

Make a Peg Doll Nativity:

 Advent Jeopardy Trivia games here and here.

 Party Like a Saint- A December-Saint-Themed Advent Party with crafts and games.

What if they had email?  Youth Group Advent lesson idea putting the Christmas story in a new perspective.

 A Stocking For Jesus: Activities to go along with the book, including some Advent printables.

Nativity Photo Booth, putting all of those Nativity play costumes and props to good use!

Advent Prayer Ring- Great for Youth Groups or Bible Studies:

My Gift- An Epiphany Readers' Theater:

Make these Epiphany Home Blessing Kits: (updated for 2020)

How will you be keeping Advent this year?