Tag Archives: kids holiday craft

24 days of story: picture book advent calendar + printable template

I’m so excited about this project: an advent calendar that brings picture books to life! Count down all 24 days to Christmas by reading a seasonally-themed picture book and an activity that goes with it—and I promise they’re super simple. Scroll down for the details!

 

this-picture-book-life-advent-calendar-craft

The beauty is that you can do the activity without each book in case you or your library doesn’t have them. But ideally, it’s all about celebrating book-brought-to-life magic. (Of course your calendar can be in whatever order you like or with books you choose too!)

advent-calendar-flagsEach paper flag has a book title and a simple craft or activity—from making a paper snowflake to writing a letter to a friend to giving away something you own. And I put together a template you can print to make it as easy as possible!

 

advent_6

 

picture-book-advent-calendary-diy

What you need:

24 candy sticks (I got mine here in Los Angeles, but you can buy them online or use readily available candy canes as well)

Cup/container

Glue gun

Scissors

Marker (silver or whatever you like)

Printable template

Optional: rice

diy-advent-calendar

Print out the template. Cut along the lines so you have 24 paper slips, one for each book/activity.

Fold each slip in half and cut a triangle shape out of one end (you can make some right and some left-facing flags if you like). Write the corresponding number on the paper (or save this step for last).

Using a glue gun, glue each paper flag around a candy stick.

Put your candies in a cup or vase or mug. I poured rice in the bottom to elevate the sticks so I could see more of those colorful stripes.

Voila!

 

picture-book-advent-calendar

 

Here’s how I’ve broken down the calendar (and remember, you can follow this without the craft part too).

no-two-alike

No Two Alike by Keith Baker.

 

fox's-garden

Fox’s Garden by Princess Camcam.

 

dear-yeti

Dear Yeti by James Kwan.

 

at-the-same-moment-around-the-world

At the Same Moment around the World by Clotilde Perrin.

 

toys-meet-snow

Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinsky.

 

 

the-great-paper-caper

The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers.

 

the-snowy-day

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

 

handful-of-quiet

A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh.

 

fluffy-little-squishy-picture-book

The Wonderful Fluffly Little Squishy by Beatrice Alemagna.

 

swan-laurel-snyder

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Julie Morstad.

 

julia-child-children's-book

Julia, Child words by Kyo Maclear, pictures by Julie Morstad.

 

santa-through-the-window

Santa Through the Window by Taro Gomi.

 

peace-is-an-offering

Peace is an Offering words by Annette LeBox, pictures by Stephanie Graegin.

 

making-a-friend-picture-book

Making a Friend by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal.

 

lemonade-in-winter

Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins and G. Brian Karas.

 

a-penguin-story

A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis.

 

a-letter-for-bearA Letter for Bear by David Lucas.

 

sparkle-and-spin

Sparkle and Spin by Ann & Paul Rand.

 

penguin-and-pinecone

Penguin & Pinecone by Salina Yoon.

 

steadfast-tin-soldier-book

The Steadfast Tin Soldier retold by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Jen Corace.

 

stars-picture-bookStars by Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee.

 

something-extraordinary-ben-clantonSomething Extraordinary by Ben Clanton.

 

 

imogene's-antlersImogene’s Antlers by David Small.

 

 

christmas-cookies-picture-book

Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jane Dyer.

 

I’ll be counting down the days, doing many of the activities. You can follow along on my Instagram @writesinla to see!

candy-stick-advent-calendar

 

Wishing you a joyful holiday season full of books and other wonderful things!

 

 

snow_queen_advent_calendarYou might also like last year’s 12 Days of Story: The Snow Queen Advent Calendar.