Easiest Advent Calendar...EVER!

I have been wanting to make the kids an advent calendar to help them count down the days until Christmas. I don't know about you, but I am asked every day how many days there are until Christmas...sometimes a few times a day;) I wanted to make one with activity ideas for each day, instead of presents. So, I went into the garage to look at all of my art and craft supplies, and days like today make me glad that I'm an art and craft supply hoarder! Sometimes I think, "I should get rid of some of this stuff", but it's really difficult because I know I will be able to use it all somehow! It's really the only thing I collect. I'm not really too attached to anything else. Anyway...I found some wooden clothes pins and magnetic strips...I knew they would be PERFECT! And...Voila! I made the easiest Advent Calendar EVER:)

Really, all you have to do is write, paint, or stamp numbers on the clothes pins and stick or glue the magnets to the back. You could even pin them on a ribbon or twine if you don't have magnets:

I had to cut my magnet strips in half:

Stick them on:

Ta-Da!

I used rubber number stamps to stamp on the numbers:

For the messages, I folded a piece of paper to get the right sized strips and cut on the lines:

Write messages or activities-

fold and pin:

Here is the finished set on my refrigerator, ready to count down to Christmas with some holiday fun!:

Here are some activity ideas for your advent calendar:

Make hot chocolate

Drive around to look at Christmas lights

Go ice skating

Make Christmas cookies

Read a Christmas story

Watch a Christmas movie

Eat a candy cake

Go see Santa

Listen to Christmas music

Make an ornament

Pick out Christmas PJs

etc...etc...etc...

Do you use an Advent Calendar to count down to Christmas?