30+ Advent Box Ideas for Teens (Fun, Easy, and Homeschool-Friendly!)
The countdown-to-Christmas advent box was not really a “tradition” in our home — it was more of a “when I remember” kind of thing. Probably because I’m not what you’d call a hardcore Christmas person. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the lights, cozy evenings, and an occasional peppermint mocha, but I’ve never been a super traditional Christmas person — no elf surveillance, no themed pajamas, and you will never catch me decorating in October….or November.
When the kids were little, we did have an advent box. My intentions really were good, but sometimes I forgot to fill the little doors, skipped the activity, or just wasn’t prepared. Eventually, I let our advent box fade away….but the idea always tugged at my heart — and eventually, the box made a comeback.
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When a Teenager Sort of Asks for an Advent Box…
It was just a few years ago, when my teenage daughter casually mentioned our old advent box. She didn’t exactly ask for an advent box, but just her interest made my grinchy little heart grow! That very evening I was online ordering a new one.
A few days later, it arrived, and it was beautiful! I instantly had visions of us having a Hallmark December: twinkle lights, cocoa, games, and laughter. (You can probably guess how that went.) Our Christmas wasn’t all that, but we did have fun, thanks to that little box.
The truth is, teenagers are surprisingly easy to please. You don’t need elaborate crafts or high-prep activities — just a few shared laughs, some chocolate, and time together doing things your family actually enjoys. That advent box became more than just a countdown; it was a reminder that even in the middle of life’s busy, not-so-picture-perfect December, there’s still magic in simply showing up — and being the good kind of extra in your teen’s life.
30+ Advent Box Ideas for Teens (with a Homeschool Twist)
You definitely don’t have to do all of these — the goal isn’t to add more to your to-do list, but to add a little sparkle to your December. Often, chocolates were behind several of our doors. Pick what fits your family’s rhythm, your teen’s personality, and your level of holiday energy. (And if you don’t have a fancy advent box, a paper chain or mason jar works just as well!)
- Movie Marathon (with a twist) – Pick a movie inspired by a book or historical event. Chat about what’s true, what’s fiction, and which character everyone related to most. You could even use books that they read years ago for a bit of nostalgia! Here’s a great list with 75 choices!
- Lunch (or Latte) on Me – Slip a $10 bill or coffee gift card into a door. Even teens appreciate a “treat yourself” surprise.
- Gingerbread House Engineering – Turn this classic into a STEM challenge! Build for height, stability, or creativity.
- Christmas Light Scavanger Hunt – Print a scavenger list online and go explore! I found a great printable at GigglesGalore.
- Winter Nature Walk – A favorite of mine! Bundle up, head outdoors, and notice what’s happening in nature this time of year. Sketch, write, or photograph what you find!
- Christmas Around the World – Research how another country celebrates. Try one of their traditional foods, learn a greeting in that language, or play their holiday music during dinner. We’ve done this alone, as well as with a small group, and it is so fun! If you’re looking for more of a unit study that lasts all season, I highly recommend Christmas Around the World from Gather ’round Homeschool. I took a look at the sample lesson, and it’s fantastic!
- Art Afternoon – Paint ornaments, pour art, or make mini canvases. Look up a famous winter paintings for inspiration and a quick “art appreciation” tie-in.
- Game Night (or Day) – Pull out old favorites or try something new. Games are learning in disguise! Check out 12 Games of Christmas – holiday themed fun for the whole family! If you’re a fan of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, you will definitely want to add Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman to your holiday games.
- History Mystery – Write clues about a famous person or event and turn it into a “Who Am I?” guessing game. (this could definitely count as an assignment)
- Coupon Connection – Slip a few handwritten coupons behind those little doors: Skip a Chore, Mom-Daughter Coffee Date, Late Night Movie, etc.
- Learning in Disguise – Tickets to a museum, planetarium, concert, or play — fun and educational.
- Puzzle Piece – Add a single jigsaw piece behind one of the doors to build together throughout December.
- Handcraft Day – Make something useful or beautiful: tie blankets, jewelry bowls, macrame, or simple woodworking. Bonus: they double as handmade gifts!
- Read-Aloud – perfect for morning time together – even better if the book is holiday themed!
- Novelty Candy & Fun Fact – Add candy from another country (Find at Five Below, Aldi, or Home Goods) and include a short fun fact about where it’s from.
- Baking Day – Try a new recipe and double or halve the ingredients — sneaky math practice with delicious results!
- Explore Somewhere New – Visit a local landmark or you’ve never visited.
- DIY Wrapping Paper – recycle newsprint. Sponge or flick a little paint on it for uniquely cool gift wrap.
- Mini Science Experiment – Instant snow and a Christmas tree crystal growing kit are both quick, fun, and won’t destroy the kitchen.
- Creative Writing – Try your hand at holiday haiku, blackout poetry, or put a holiday twist on any of these ideas from Poetry Ideas for Teens Who Hate It.
- Stargazing Night – Check the Farmer’s Almanac Chart for specific dates, and have a star watch party – there will be several spectacular events in December!
- Family History Snapshot – Ask a grandparent or older relative one story about what the holidays were like when they were your age. Record it (with permission), and write a fun summary.
(It will become a keepsake one day.) - Fun Photos – Christmas-themed props are an inexpensive way to be silly and make memories that last for years!
- Read the Christmas Story – tonight, gather together and read the Christmas story from Luke 2.
- The Final Day – For the past several years, we’ve started a tradition of going downtown on Christmas night. The streets are empty, crowds are gone, but all the decor is still up. After the loudness of the season, there’s just something peaceful about the quietness of Christmas night. Perhaps you can come up with a simple tradition to suit your family at the culmination of the holiday.
Pre-filled Advent Box Ideas for Teens
Sometimes it’s easier to go with a pre-made calendar — I totally get it. December can be a whirlwind, and putting together activities or small gifts every day might feel like one more thing on your list. Don’t stress! There are some really great pre-filled advent boxes that are perfect for teens, and they take all the guesswork out of it.
Here are a few that caught my eye on Amazon:
- Professor Charlie’s World Tour – packed with clever riddles, crime cases, and mystery puzzles for adults & teens.
- D-FantiX Puzzle Advent Calendar – Perfect for puzzle fans, each small box contains a 42-piece puzzle that is 1/24th of the completed puzzle when all the days are combined together! Other fun ones I found: National Park Puzzle Advent Calendar or World Landmarks Puzzle – a fantastic way to sneak in some U.S. geography!
- Survival Kit Advent Calendar – perfect for the outdoorsy type of teen!
- Useless Facts Advent Calendar – This is a paperback, with all general knowledge topics and things that fascinate kids. I think this would be great for a morning basket activity, or family table talk over dinner!
- Christmas-Themed Minute to Win It Challenges – everyone loves minute to win it games! What’s even more awesome is that everything is included right in the box! Plus there’s three skill levels, so everyone can participate!
- 12 Games of Christmas – It’s hard for everyone to be available for 24 days (especially teens), so this is shortened fun one!
No matter how you choose to countdown to Christmas — with activities, little treats, a pre-filled box, or a mix of everything — the real gift is simply spending intentional time with your teen. These moments don’t have to be perfect or elaborate. They just have to be yours. Make the time to slow down, laugh together, try something new, and make memories in the middle of life’s beautiful chaos. And if a simple box can help make that happen, then that’s a tradition worth keeping.
