Childrens Advent Calendar with the Jesus Storybook Bible
Every year when I pull out our Advent board and the little envelopes go up, my kids light up like it's Christmas morning. The anticipation, the rhythm, and the tradition-it's something we all look forward to. This homemade tradition has been part of our holiday season for the past several years, and it's rooted in what matters most: slowing down, reading the Word together, and preparing our hearts for Christ. It pairs beautifully with other cozy crafts we keep on rotation this time of year, like our dried orange garland, DIY snow globes, and kid-friendly Christmas decor.
What started as a sweet idea I pieced together from scraps and an old envelope template has now become one of our most beloved family traditions. And after getting so many questions from readers, I'm finally sharing all the details, including the free printable, what we use, and how to make your own version at home. If you're diving into more handmade holiday fun, don't miss our guide to DIY Christmas ornaments, perfect for little hands and memory making.
Quick Look at This Post
- ✨ What makes this Children's Advent Calendar so special
- ? Materials you'll need (including the Jesus Storybook Bible and free printable)
- ?️ Step-by-step tips for making the DIY calendar board
- ? Ideas to make it your own-seasonal spins + keepsake options
- ? FAQ: best age, display options, and how to adapt it
- ? Storage and reuse tips
- ? Printable instructions in the DIY Card at the bottom of the post
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Jump to:
- Quick Look at This Post
- Why You'll Love This Advent Calendar
- Materials Needed for a DIY Children's Advent Calendar
- Shop These Products on Amazon
- How We Make and Use Our DIY Advent Calendar
- Different Ways to Make It Your Own
- FAQ About This Advent Kit
- Storage + Reuse Tips
- You May Also Enjoy:
- Children's Advent Calendar with the Jesus Storybook Bible
Why You'll Love This Advent Calendar
- Hands-on & heart-centered: Designed to engage your children with reading, listening, and decorating.
- Pairs with the Jesus Storybook Bible: Uses familiar stories to draw kids into the beauty of the season.
- Homeschool-friendly: Simple, meaningful daily readings to weave into your December rhythm.
- Customizable: Use paper, felt, or wooden ornaments-whatever suits your style and kids' ages.
- Easy to recreate: With minimal materials and a bit of paint and creativity, you can make it in an afternoon.
Materials Needed for a DIY Children's Advent Calendar
Here's what we use in our home, plus a few links if you're gathering supplies:
- The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- Free Printable Ornaments + Reading Plan (includes each day's Bible story reference and matching ornament design)
- Small envelopes (I cut standard envelopes in half and tape the seam)
- Mini clothespins for hanging
- Wood board or chalkboard-style background (we painted ours black)
- White paint marker or acrylic paint for decorating
- Small chocolates (optional, but a fun daily treat!)
Optional Upgrades:
- Felt Jesus Storybook Ornaments or Wooden Ornament Set for younger kids or a more durable set
- Jesus Storybook Bible Christmas Collection (great companion book with songs and reflections)
- Storybook Bible Coloring Book for quiet morning time or homeschool art
Shop These Products on Amazon
How We Make and Use Our DIY Advent Calendar
I knew I wanted our Advent calendar to be interactive-something the kids could touch, explore, and look forward to each morning.
We started by creating a simple board using a birch craft panel painted black to mimic a chalkboard. Travis helped cut the backing and frame, and I added painted script and leafy details using fonts I found on Pinterest for inspiration. Then, I glued on mini clothespins for hanging the envelopes.
Each envelope holds:
- A printed ornament (the kids colored these the first year!)
- A small chocolate treat
- A reference to the day's story from the Jesus Storybook Bible (I also write the page number directly on the back of the ornament for easy mornings)
Each day, the kids take turns opening the envelope, handing out the chocolates, and listening to the day's reading. Then they hang the ornament on our little 4-foot "Advent tree," which has become a treasured fixture in our Christmas décor.
I can't tell you how precious it is to see them recognize the stories and anticipate which ornament is coming next. There's a comfort in the repetition, and a deepening of understanding year after year.
Different Ways to Make It Your Own
- Felt or Wood Ornaments: Perfect for younger children who might crinkle paper or for a keepsake version.
- Decorate Together: Let the kids color the printable ornaments one snowy afternoon.
- Add Reflections or Prayers: Tuck in simple discussion questions or nightly prayers for older children.
- Use a Garland Instead: If you don't have a board, clip envelopes to twine across a window or mantel.
- Skip the Treats: If you'd rather keep it treat-free, a sticker or star to place on a chart works too!
FAQ About This Advent Kit
This specific printable is designed to pair with the Jesus Storybook Bible, but you could adapt the idea to another children's Bible if needed. Just match the ornaments with similar stories.
We started when mine were toddlers, and they still love it now in early elementary. Younger kids enjoy the visual and tactile parts (like hanging ornaments), while older ones engage more deeply with the stories.
You can absolutely simplify! A piece of twine and some tape or clothespins works just as well. The heart of this tradition is in the reading and connecting, not how fancy the display is.
Storage + Reuse Tips
After Christmas, we gently fold up the envelopes (or keep them if we want to reuse), store the ornaments in a small keepsake box, and tuck the board away behind our seasonal bins. I recommend a shallow plastic tote for the tree and ornaments to keep everything together and easy to find next year.
To see the spark of joy as they remember their favorite ornaments from the past years, and listen to them get excited about the story that almost know by heart now, that's what my Christmas dreams are made of.
Children's Advent Calendar with the Jesus Storybook Bible
Equipment
- 1 Jesus Storybook Bible
- 1 Free printable ornament + reading list
- 12 Envelopes (halved)
- 25 Mini clothespins
- 1 Board or hanging surface
- 25 Optional: treats, paint supplies, Jesse Tree felt/wood ornaments
Ingredients
- 1 Printable ornaments and Bible reading list
- 1 Standard envelopes cut in half
- 1 Mini clothespins
- 1 Wood board or chalkboard surface
- 25 pieces Small chocolates or daily treats optional
- selection Acrylic paint or paint pens
- Felt or wooden Jesse Tree ornaments optional
- Twine if not using a board
- Paper for ornament coloring
Instructions
- Print the free ornament set and reading guide.
- Cut standard envelopes in half, tape the seams, and number each one.
- Prepare your wood board or chalkboard background and decorate with paint, lettering, or seasonal details.
- Attach mini clothespins evenly spaced along the board or string.
- Place an ornament and optional treat in each envelope.
- Clip the envelopes in order from 1 to 24.
- Read the daily story, hang the ornament on your Advent tree, and enjoy the countdown to Christmas!
This little board has been part of our December rhythm for so many years now, and I still get just as excited as the kids when we pull it out. The readings, the tiny ornaments, the slow pace of it all. It anchors the whole month for us. If you make your own version, I’d love to hear how it fits into your family’s evenings.
I'm also looking for the old printable with round ornaments - can't find them anywhere online! Does anyone have a copy of those?
hey there! I have used your advent calendar ornaments every year for 2 years, but I have somehow misplaced a few of them!!! When I try to click on the link, it won't allow me to access the site/enter email for the document. Can you send me the document so I can get those printed?? Thank you so much! 🙂
Ssjelliott89@yahoo.com
I just clicked through the link and once I input the email address into the spot it sent me the documents through my email. If it's not working for you I recommend reaching out to their site. At the very bottom of their page they have a "contact me" button. I don't have any affiliation to them, so I can't help with issues retrieving the documents. I'm sorry!
I just looked at the link I included in the post to the ornaments, and they updated it 2024 and if you click on that link, and enter your email address they will send you a PDF of the ornaments. Hope that helps!
Do you still have a copy of these ornaments? I can't find them anywhere, and they're not included in this year's advent guide 🙁
Did you ever get the document?? I am on the hunt for it too! 🙁
sjelliott89@yahoo.com
Yes! I would also love them!
I just looked at the link I included in the post to the ornaments, and they updated it 2024 and if you click on that link, and enter your email address they will send you a PDF of the ornaments. Hope that helps!
I just looked at the link I included in the post to the ornaments, and they updated it 2024 and if you click on that link, and enter your email address they will send you a PDF of the ornaments. Hope that helps!