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Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

Time

Age

Level

Materials

Cardboard tubes

Old knife and scissors

Green and brown paint

Green and brown tissue paper

Large piece of cardboard

Christmas wrapping paper or fabric

Hot glue gun

Method

Cut each cardboard tube into smaller sections. We made each section 3 cm (about 1 inch). If you want to put small gifts or candy inside, I would suggest larger tubes. Start each cut with a knife and proceed with scissors. You will need 25 tubes.

Paint 21 tubes with green paint. The 4 remaining tubes will be painted brown.

Make a circle template slightly bigger than your tube. Layer green tissue paper and cut out 21 circles. Cut four circles from brown tissue paper.

Cut slits in the tissue paper around the edges so that the sides will fold down smoothly. Glue the tissue circles to the tubes.

Stack the tubes in a Christmas tree shape. Start with one at the top and add one tube every row. Glue the tubes together as you go.

Stack the 4 brown tubes together at the base for the trunk.

Flip the tree over and label each tube with numbers 1 through 25. We numbered ours randomly as it will be practice for my preschooler to find the numbers but you can also number them in order.

Fill your tubes with activities, small gifts or treats.

Cut out a piece of cardboard large enough to mount the tree on.

Cover with Christmas wrapping paper or fabric.

Put hot glue on several points of the back of your tree and mount your cardboard backing.

If you want some extra sparkle, cut out a star for the top of your tree and ad glitter.

As each day of December goes by, children get to poke their finger through the paper to pull out the activity (or a small toy or candy.)

Categories

As the holiday season approaches, our family likes to get into the spirit with an advent calendar. Our calendar is based on activities, not candy and we like to involve holiday activities everyday. This inexpensive cardboard tube roll Christmas Tree calendar is easy to do and lots of fun to use!: 45 minutes: Any Age: EasyCheck out this Envelope Advent Calendar for another activity based calendar or for activity calendar ideas!