Last Updated on December 8, 2024 by ellen
An advent calendar is a delightful way to build excitement for the holidays while also creating a meaningful family tradition. For parents of young children, the Playmobil Advent Calendar “Trip to the Winter Market” can add a touch of magic and create cherished memories every day in December.
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Making the Most of an Advent Calendar
Designed for kids aged 4-10, this high-quality toy set offers fun surprises daily that keep little ones eager for each new day.
In this blog post, we’ll cover tips for using the advent calendar with your child, especially if you have more than one. We’ll also share ideas for incorporating new family traditions that connect to the daily items in the Playmobil set, so your kids can experience the joys of the season beyond just toys. By the end, you’ll have a blueprint to make this season special with an advent calendar and more!
1. When to Start the Advent Calendar
The tradition of the advent calendar typically begins on December 1, counting down the days to Christmas Eve. This setup works perfectly with the Playmobil “Trip to the Winter Market,” as it offers 24 little windows that reveal a new item each day. If your child is just beginning to understand the concept of time, setting a visual reminder, like a big calendar on the wall, can help them follow along with the countdown.
However, some families may choose to start a few days earlier or even slightly later, depending on their schedules. To get into the habit, consider introducing a “practice countdown” a few days before December 1. You could create a mini countdown with paper or stickers, explaining that each day brings us closer to the holiday season.
Tip for Multiple Kids:
If you have more than one child, decide early on how they’ll share in the calendar-opening fun. Some parents let siblings take turns opening a window each day. Another option is to get a separate advent calendar for each child, so they can enjoy their own individual surprises.
Check out my family Christmas gift guide for more gift ideas.
2. Daily Unboxing Excitement: Create a Routine
Children thrive on routines, and an advent calendar can become a fun, cherished part of their daily rhythm. Designate a specific time each day to open the new window together. Morning or after-school time works well, as it gives them something to look forward to at the same time each day.
When using the Playmobil Winter Market calendar, you could set up a cozy advent calendar corner where the children can open their surprises each day. Perhaps add a little ritual like playing holiday music or having a hot chocolate ready so the moment feels extra special.
Tip for Multiple Kids:
If the excitement over who opens the window each day becomes a little too much, try creating a calendar of turns. For families with three or more kids, assign specific days for each child and consider documenting it with a fun “advent-opening calendar” posted on the fridge.
3. Build Connections with Other Playmobil Sets
One fantastic thing about the Playmobil Advent Calendar is its compatibility with other Playmobil sets. If your child already has a Playmobil collection, encourage them to mix and match characters, animals, and scenery from other sets. The Winter Market set adds a festive holiday flair with market stalls, winter-themed accessories, and charming little figures that children can incorporate into their existing Playmobil worlds.
This creates even more excitement, as they can expand their holiday scenes and imagine all kinds of fun stories. Plus, if there are days where one child seems to want to engage more than the other, having a larger play scene allows multiple children to play at once.
4. Start New Family Traditions to Match the Calendar Items
Each day, the Playmobil advent calendar introduces a new element, like a holiday character, market stall, or winter-themed accessory. You can enhance the magic by pairing the day’s gift with a family activity. Here are some ideas for traditions you can try:
Day with a Hot Chocolate Mug or Food Item: Plan a hot chocolate night for the family! You can let the kids help in the kitchen, making their own mugs of cocoa with marshmallows, sprinkles, or whipped cream.
Skating Rink or Ice Skater Figure: Take a family trip to a nearby ice-skating rink. If you prefer to stay in, create an “ice rink” on a blanket at home where they can pretend their Playmobil figures are skating.
Christmas Tree Ornament or Holiday Decoration: Dedicate a day to decorating the family Christmas tree, or try a craft session where kids can make their own ornaments.
Vendor Stall: Encourage kids to set up a mini market stall at home with snacks or toys. Let them use the new toys to role-play a winter market, adding items from other Playmobil sets or even small treats for pretend “customers.”
Adding these activities not only enriches the play experience but also builds up family traditions that they’ll look forward to year after year.
5. Encourage Creative Play and Storytelling
The Winter Market scene is perfect for sparking children’s imaginations. Encourage them to create stories around the market, like a family shopping for gifts or a child learning to skate. Not only does this build narrative skills and creativity, but it also allows them to personalize their toys and make memories associated with the calendar.
For younger children (4-6), ask them questions to encourage their storytelling, such as, “Who’s shopping at the market today?” or “What would you buy if you were visiting the Winter Market?” For older children, let them take the lead in setting up the scene and coming up with stories.
Tip for Multiple Kids:
When multiple kids are involved, help them create a story together, assigning roles or characters. One child could be a vendor, while the other could be a shopper. This way, they’re both included in the play and learn to collaborate in a fun, imaginative way.
6. Bring Out the Advent Calendar in Future Years
After the holiday season ends, consider packing up the set and storing the calendar to revisit next year. Or, you could keep it in a play area year-round as a reminder of the winter fun. Over the years, the set can become part of a collection of holiday traditions that children will look forward to every season.
7. Let Kids Lead the Countdown
One of the joys of an advent calendar is allowing children to experience the excitement of anticipation. As they get older, let them manage the countdown themselves, perhaps with a countdown chart they can check off each day. Teaching kids about patience and delayed gratification is a wonderful lesson, and an advent calendar makes it easy and fun.
Allow children to ask questions, guess what the next window will hold, and take ownership of the daily experience.
Check out last years Playmobil Advent Calendar.
Final Thoughts
Using an advent calendar like the Playmobil “Trip to the Winter Market” offers children an enchanting way to embrace the holiday season. By building a routine, involving siblings in the fun, connecting daily gifts with festive activities, and nurturing creativity through storytelling, you create a joyful season full of memories.
Whether you’re introducing a new tradition or enhancing an existing one, an advent calendar like Playmobil’s is sure to bring plenty of smiles and add magic to the countdown. This December, let the joy of each day’s surprise create a little more wonder for everyone in the family
Ellen is a mom of a 25-year-old son and 30-year-old daughter. She is Grandma to one adorable toddler. In what little spare time she has, she loves to read, watch movies, and check out the latest toys and games.