Top 10 Ways to Create a Catholic Advent Wreath with Your Child

The Advent wreath is a cherished symbol of the Catholic faith, marking the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Creating one with your child offers a meaningful way to prepare for the coming of Christ, blending faith formation with Montessori’s hands-on, child-centered approach. Here are ten Montessori-inspired ideas for making an Advent wreath together while teaching its significance.

1. Nature-Based Wreath Creation

Take a walk to collect natural materials like pine branches, pinecones, and holly. Let your child arrange these items into a circular shape, symbolizing God's unending love. This activity connects your child with nature, a key Montessori principle.

2. Candle Making

Make your own Advent candles with beeswax sheets or molds. Allow your child to help roll or pour the wax while discussing the meaning of the candles: hope, peace, joy, and love. This tactile activity enhances motor skills and reinforces the spiritual symbolism.

3. Color Sorting and Candle Placement

Teach your child about the colors of the Advent candles—three purple, one pink, and one white (optional Christ candle). Use colored paper or felt to craft candles and guide your child in placing them in the wreath, explaining the significance of each.

4. Clay Wreath Design

Use air-dry clay to sculpt a wreath base. Let your child add impressions of leaves or berries using natural items. Painting the dried wreath green encourages creativity and ownership.

5. Bible Verse Cards

Create small cards with Advent-themed Bible verses or prayers. Place one card next to each candle. Have your child practice reading or reciting these as part of your Advent wreath lighting tradition.

6. Sensory Play with Advent Colors

Set up a sensory bin with items representing Advent colors—purple pom-poms, pink ribbons, and white beads. Encourage your child to explore and use these materials to decorate a simple wreath.

7. Felt or Fabric Wreath

For a soft and reusable option, craft a wreath from green felt or fabric. Let your child cut out shapes like leaves or berries and attach them to a circular base. Add felt "candles" for a child-safe, Montessori-friendly alternative.

8. Interactive Advent Calendar Wreath

Incorporate an Advent calendar into your wreath by attaching small envelopes or boxes to the circle. Each day, your child can open one, revealing a message or activity tied to the Advent theme.

9. Prayer Bead Wreath

String beads in Advent colors onto a circular wire to represent the wreath. Use this as a visual and tactile aid to pray together as a family, fostering fine motor skills and spiritual growth.

10. Family Reflection Journal

Pair your wreath with a family journal where your child can draw or write about the Advent themes. After lighting the candles each week, discuss how your family has experienced hope, peace, joy, and love, allowing your child to record their thoughts.

By involving your child in crafting an Advent wreath, you create a powerful teaching moment that combines faith, creativity, and Montessori principles. These hands-on activities help children connect with the symbols and themes of Advent, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith and the season’s significance.