DIY LEGO Advent Calendar: Build Holiday Magic, One Brick at a Time
There’s something magical about counting down to Christmas, isn’t there? The anticipation builds each day, and what better way to celebrate it than with a DIY LEGO Advent Calendar? Forget the generic chocolate calendars from the store! This one is all about creativity, family fun, and, of course, LEGOs. Whether you’re a kid, a kid at heart, or a parent looking for an interactive project, this calendar is sure to bring holiday cheer.
Why Make a DIY LEGO Advent Calendar?
If you’ve ever been disappointed by the tiny chocolates in traditional Advent calendars, you’re not alone. The DIY LEGO Advent Calendar offers a perfect blend of surprise and creativity. Every day you get a little LEGO build — maybe it’s a tiny snowman, a mini sleigh, or even a cute reindeer. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to reuse old LEGO pieces collecting dust at home.
So, let’s dive in! Grab your LEGOs, get the family together, and let’s get building!
Materials You’ll Need
Before we get started, let’s make sure you have everything you need:
- Assorted LEGO pieces: Try to get a mix of colors and sizes.
- Small boxes or paper bags: You’ll need 24 for each day leading up to Christmas.
- Number stickers or markers: To label your boxes from 1 to 24.
- A baseplate (optional): If you want a platform for the builds.
- Christmas decorations (optional): For extra festiveness — think tinsel, tiny bells, or fake snow.
How to Make Your LEGO Advent Calendar
Sort Your LEGO Pieces: Start by gathering all your loose LEGO pieces. The more variety, the better. Have some mini figures, wheels, and unique pieces ready to make each day’s surprise extra special.
Prepare Your Bags: Number each of your 24 bags or boxes from 1 to 24. You can get creative here by decorating each bag with stickers or drawings.
Decide the Daily Builds: Plan out what each day’s surprise build will be. This could be as simple as a mini Christmas tree, a Santa Claus figure, or a tiny train. Write down your plan, or if you want to keep it spontaneous, mix up the pieces and have a surprise build each day.
Fill the Bags: Put the LEGO pieces for each day’s build into its respective bag. Make sure the bags are sealed or tied up to keep the contents a surprise.
Display Your Calendar: Arrange the bags in a basket or hang them with clothespins on a string. You can even make a little display area on a table with fake snow or holiday decorations to set the scene.
Personal Top 5 LEGO Builds
Here’s a sneak peek at my favorite DIY LEGO Advent calendar builds that you can try:
Mini Christmas Tree: It’s classic and super easy to build with green bricks stacked up like a tree. Add tiny pieces as ornaments for a pop of color. This one Lego Tree or that one
Santa’s Sleigh: You’ll need some red bricks for this one. Don’t forget to make tiny reindeer with brown pieces — a cute challenge! Or look at that LEGO Santa Sleight!
Snowman Mini Figure: Stack white circular pieces to form a snowman, and use a black hat piece if you have one. It’s adorable and simple. If you want an original, check it out here.
Gingerbread House: With just a few brown bricks and some colorful pieces, you can create a tiny version of this festive favorite. If you deciede you want to level up your game, you can buy the original LEGO Gingerbread house!
Tiny Train: A small train with just a few pieces makes for a delightful and easy build, perfect for any kid to put together.
Tips for Making It Extra Special
- Add a Twist: You could include a challenge card in each bag. For example, “Today’s challenge: Build a LEGO snowman in under 5 minutes!”
- Include Personalized Notes: Write little messages or jokes on pieces of paper to include in each bag. It could be a riddle, a fun fact about Christmas, or even a clue about what the build could be.
- Holiday-Themed Colors: Use red, green, white, and gold LEGO pieces to keep the builds in line with the holiday spirit.
Family Fun Time
This project isn’t just about what you get at the end; it’s about the process. Setting aside a few minutes each day to build together is a great way to make memories as a family. You can even take turns opening the bags so everyone gets a chance to be surprised.
Here’s an idea — why not make it a competition? Set a timer and see who can build the day’s mini LEGO creation the fastest. It adds a playful twist and a bit of friendly rivalry, perfect for family bonding.
Creative Ideas for LEGO Advent Calendar Builds
If you’re stuck on what to include in your calendar, here are some fun and simple ideas:
Tiny Gifts: Use small colorful pieces to create little wrapped presents. They can double as decorations for your LEGO Christmas tree.
Santa’s Workshop Tools: Create tiny tools like hammers or screwdrivers using the smallest pieces. Imagine Santa’s elves using them in the North Pole!
Christmas Lights: A line of colorful single studs connected by a piece to represent holiday lights can be a fun little build.
Candy Cane: Red and white pieces stacked in a striped pattern make for a simple yet iconic holiday build.
Mini Snow Globe: Use a transparent piece with a small scene inside, like a tree or a snowman, to create a tiny snow globe effect.
Wrapping It Up
The beauty of a DIY LEGO Advent Calendar is that it’s completely customizable. It’s not just a countdown to Christmas; it’s a fun way to engage with your family, spark creativity, and make lasting memories. Plus, you’re not limited to a set kit, so each calendar can be a unique expression of your family’s personality.
The holidays can be hectic, but this simple project can become a cherished tradition — something everyone looks forward to each year. So this season, skip the pre-packaged advent calendars and dive into creating your own with LEGOs. It’s the perfect way to sprinkle a bit of joy, surprise, and holiday magic into each December day.
Happy building, and Merry Christmas! 🎄
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