Advent Activities To Do With Your Catholic Family

Happy Advent to our Catholic Schoolhouse families! Whether you are taking a break from academics or continuing classes during this season, here are some liturgical activities and traditions to incorporate into your day in preparation for Christmas. 

St. Andrew’s Novena

St. Andrew’s Novena begins on November 30th and is a great addition to family prayer for the liturgical season. These coloring and activity page printables will guide your children in pondering the meaning behind the prayer:

• Explanation and full prayer
• Coloring and activity page printable of St. Andrew

Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath follows the liturgical meaning behind each Sunday of Advent:

• Advent wreath and meaning
• Coloring printable page of the Advent Wreath
• 3D printable Advent Wreath
• Wreath Blessing

Advent Calendar

Countdown to Christmas with these advent calendar activities.

• 3D printable Advent Calendar Boxes
• Printable Advent calendars
• Printable Advent placemats

Nativity Calendar

For younger ages, a nativity calendar is a great visual walkthrough of the Christmas characters:

• Printable Nativity Calendar with characters
  

Jesse Tree

The Jesse tree, also starting on December 1st, is a classic tradition that walks through the lineage of Christ. Here is a guide with daily devotional readings and printable ornaments:

• Learn more from the guide and download printable ornaments.
  

Manger Good Deeds

Encourage a focus on good deeds during Advent with this fill-the-manger activity; set up an empty manger, set aside some straw or pieces of yellow yarn, and instruct your kids that with every good deed they can put a piece of straw in the manger to make a soft bed for Baby Jesus when he comes on Christmas. A more detailed version can be found here; 

• Good deeds manger activity

Feast of St. Nicholas

The Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6 has many traditional activities; here are just a few:

• List of traditional activities to celebrate St. Nicholas.
• Printable coloring page of St. Nicholas.

O Antiphons

The O Antiphons traditionally take place on December 17th through the 23rd and ponder in song the roles of Christ. Each day, families can add an adjacently symbolic ornament to their tree. Use one of the printables here or create your own as a family. 

• Daily meditations on the O Antiphons.
• O Antiphons of Advent full songs.
• O Antiphons printable prayers and song lyrics by Drawn2bcreative.
• O Antiphons Ornament printable.
• O Antiphons printables – coloring book and ornaments.

May this season’s hope, peace, love, and joy be with you!