Make a super cute and very quirky Santa’s Beard Advent Countdown Calendar for advent as a fun way to check off the days until December 25th! So quick to make and a great little Christmas themed counting and fine motor skills activity too.
I first saw the inspiration for this idea a long time ago via Italian blog La Classe Della Maestra Valentina and thought it was so darling! I kept meaning to make a version for my own kids but then it was like December 6th and I had forgotten once again!
So this year I remembered just in time and made this super simple Santa’s Beard Advent Countdown Calendar, and it was so quick to do!
To make the Sant’s Beard Advent Countdown Calendar you need:
cardboard
marker pens
ruler
cotton balls, wadding or pom poms (or a combination)
Simply cut a long piece of cardboard into a shape with a round top and long, pointed bottom. The round shape will need a Santa’s hat on top too. Take a look at one of the full photos here for a guide if you’re not sure, but its very easy!
Then use a ruler to measure out the 25 days evenly and write numbers from 1 to 25 starting at the top and going down to the bottom.
Next, draw on eyes and a smile and then either add buttons for a nose and rosy cheeks or draw/ paint these on too.
We used sparkly white pom poms for the details on the hat and some white wadding material to make him a droopy moustache. His beard is, of course, the countdown itself so you don’t need any extra materials there.
Finished! Then simply set him out on the side or hang him up and place a pair of scissors nearby ready to snip off each day in the advent countdown. When they get to that final 1 day left poor Santa won’t have any beard left but the kids sure will be bursting with excitement! Mine can’t wait to start snipping those days off!
I wonder what other characters or Christmas themes you could use to make a similar snip-away countdown? I’ve got an idea or two, perhaps next year we will try one of the others!
Incidentally, this is also awesome for counting, recognising numbers, counting backwards, understanding 1 less than AND fine motor skills! Wonderful 🙂
If you loved our Santa’s Beard Advent Countdown Calendar then please share it with your friends or Pin it for later too. Thanks!
And be inspired by all the ideas in our Christmas Activities Archives too.
I would count from the bottom up. Cut off 1 on the first day of December. Then you will know which one to cut by referring to the day of the month.