Making and Using A Homemade Lego Calendar to Illustrate Advent
Whether you make your own or purchase one, an Advent calendar is a fun way for your kids to track the season. We decided on Lego calendars as an intentional, tangible illustration for our kids to experience the waiting and anticipation of Jesus’ coming. We explain the parallel to our kids in this way:
- Legos: We don’t let the kids know what they’re building. Instead, they only get the instructions and pieces they need for that specific day. So, they’re left to guess and talk about what the Lego build will ultimately be. (The wild guesses at the beginning are especially fun for the parents who know the whole picture). Anticipation builds day by day until they finally get to see the whole set the way it was intended to be.
- Jesus: The Israelites didn’t know what the Messiah would actually be like. They only had prophecies or clues into God’s plan. So, they would talk about it in wonder, waiting and hoping for the Messiah to come. Wild speculation developed about a mighty earthly king, but He turned out to be a humble heavenly servant. We see that part in hindsight now, but we still await with our limited biblical clues the final picture of His second coming.
Of course, if Legos don’t work for your family, feel free to take our ideas and adapt the narrative to another idea that inspires your kids. Remember, the Legos are just a tool. The real idea is to illuminate the Scriptures in this study and put the focus on Jesus.
We decided to create our own Lego calendars because we couldn’t find anything that completely fit what we had in mind. They needed to be big enough to hold a decent sized Lego set, out of the way of everyday life (dogs, babies, limited floor space, etc), look good as part of the Christmas decor, and last for many years.
So, as you can see in the pictures, we decided to use draw string burlap pouches. On each pouch, we wrote the numbers 1-24 in a different color for each child. The pouches are hung on the wall using twine, mini clothespins, and thumb tacks.
Inside the pouches, we give each child their own Lego set that’s split into 24, somewhat even sections at logical stopping points in the directions. From a practical standpoint, you’re going to need a set that has at least 360 pieces (an average of 15 pieces per day). If not, the daily build is too short and a little underwhelming. In theory, the sets can also get too large for your bags (and budget). So, I also recommend staying under 1,000 pieces.
Supplies Needed
Burlap Bags
(24 Per Kid)
Paint Pens
(1 Color Per Kid)
Mini Clothespins
(24 Per Kid + Twine)
Lego Set
(1 Per Kid)
Disclaimer: We do not use affiliate links or profit in any way from these products. They’re simply products we’ve used.
Please note, splitting up the Legos takes some work. You’re sorting out the set, matching the pieces for each step, and organizing them into each bag. If you have leftover pieces, keep them in an easily accessible ziplock bag in case you make a few errors like we do.
Remember, to illustrate the expectancy of Advent, the kids can’t know what they’re building. We recommend either of these options: 1) Rip up the instruction booklet into 24 sections and stuff them into the bags or 2) Add construction paper dividers to create 24 sections with stops. Either way, make sure to cut out or blackout any pictures that would give away what they’re building. Then, hang them on the wall (or set them on a shelf) and let the anticipation begin.
Starting Dec. 1st, the kids wake up, get together, and find their next bag. It’s like Christmas morning an extra 24 times. If mornings are too crazy, set a consistent time that works best for your family.
I play the accompanying songs in the background while they build, and then read the scriptures during breakfast. Otherwise, they’re too distracted. After reading, we watch the video and talk about the prophecy’s significance while they color their sheets.
It’s meant to be simple and laid back. You can get it done in 20-30 minutes or take a whole hour. Just make it your own, have fun, and keep the focus on God’s word. Don’t miss this prime opportunity to show your family why Jesus is the reason for this and every season.
On the 25th, we throw a birthday party for Jesus. Along with reading the Christmas story from Luke 2, we bake a cake and sing Happy Birthday to our Savior and Lord. Again, the focus is on Jesus. We still do the holiday traditions of stockings, presents, and a tree, but even these are set in the context of the greatest gift: God sending his Son.
Disclaimer: Some days go better than others. If your kids are like ours, there will be some drama. That’s okay. Just do your part, and trust God with the results.