Montessori Good Deed Advent Calendar: 24 Days of Kindness for Toddlers & Preschoolers

December is a beautiful time to slow down and bring more connection, kindness, and purpose into your child’s world. At Orange Seeds Montessori, families often ask how they can bring the Montessori philosophy home — especially during the busy holiday season.

This year, we created a Montessori Good Deed Advent Calendar designed specifically for children in daycare for toddlers and preschoolers. These activities are simple, peaceful, and developmentally appropriate, helping young children experience the joy of giving through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

This calendar is a wonderful extension of what children already learn in a Montessori daycare classroom: independence, kindness, gratitude, and care for their environment.

Why Montessori Advent Activities Support Toddlers & Preschoolers

Families searching for a daycare for toddlers or daycare for preschoolers often look for programs that build:

• independence

• practical life skills

• social–emotional development

• language and grace & courtesy

• connection with nature

• peaceful routines

A Montessori Advent Calendar supports these exact skills in a gentle, non-commercial way.

Instead of counting down with candy or toys, we count down with kindness, helpfulness, and simple acts of connection.

24 Montessori Good Deeds for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Below are the 24 simple acts your child can enjoy each day. These are ideal for families in a Montessori daycare setting, as well as for toddlers and preschoolers learning independence at home.

Day 1 – Help carry your own backpack or lunch bag

A simple way to start the month: your child proudly carries their own things, building independence and responsibility.

Day 2 – Make a simple card for a family member

Provide paper, stickers, or crayons and let your child decorate. The joy is in creating something with their own hands and giving it away.

Day 3 – Collect nature items and create a small centerpiece

Go for a little walk and gather leaves, twigs, or pinecones. At home, arrange them on a tray or plate so your child can help “decorate” the table with nature.

Day 4 – Help set the table for a meal

Invite your child to place napkins, spoons, or placemats. These builds sequencing skills and helps them feel like an important part of family routines.

Day 5 – Help clear your plate after eating

After a meal, your child carries their plate or cup to the counter or dish tray. It’s a small act that says, “I can take care of my things.”

Day 6 – Help fold napkins for dinner

Show your child how to fold napkins in half or into a simple shape. It’s great for fine motor skills and brings a little elegance to the meal.

Day 7 – Help sort laundry (socks, towels, or colours)

Let them match socks or separate light and dark items. Toddlers and preschoolers love sorting, and it turns laundry into a fun “matching game.”

Day 8 – Put toys back on the shelf when finished

Choose one shelf or basket and show your child where toys “live.” This supports order, concentration, and respect for their environment.

Day 9 – Share a compliment with a friend or sibling

Help them find simple words like “I like playing with you” or “You built a nice tower.” This strengthens language and empathy.

Day 10 – Offer to share a toy or activity with someone

Today’s challenge: choose one toy and invite someone to join. Even the act of offering teaches generosity and social awareness.

Day 11 – Help water the plants

Give your child a small jug or watering can and show them how to give just a little water. This is classic Montessori “care of the environment.”

Day 12 – Help wash fruit or vegetables for a snack

Stand together at the sink with a small colander. Washing apples, grapes, or carrots is wonderful practical life work—and ends with a healthy snack.

Day 13 – Choose one toy or book to place in a “give” box

Invite your child to pick something they no longer use. Parents can donate later, but the important step is your child choosing to give.

Day 14 – Practice saying “please” and “thank you” throughout the day.

A gentle social-emotional skill that fits the season of kindness.

Day 15 – Put clothes into the laundry basket

Make it a routine: when changing clothes, they go straight into the basket. This builds responsibility and keeps the space tidy.

Day 16 – Help match lids to containers in the kitchen

Spread a few containers and lids on a mat and let your child find the pairs. It’s surprisingly satisfying and great for focus and problem-solving.

Day 17 – Help prepare a simple snack to share

Think banana slices, cucumber rounds, or spreading cream cheese on crackers. Your child practices safe food prep and then proudly serves others.

Day 18 – Bake cookies or muffins to share

Invite your child to stir, pour, or place batter into muffin cups. Afterwards, they can deliver a few treats to family, neighbours, or teachers.

Day 19 – Make a thank-you note or drawing for a teacher

Talk about what their teacher does for them, then help your child create a note or picture. This builds gratitude and recognition of others’ efforts.

Day 20 – Sort recyclables with a parent

Let them help separate paper, plastic, and cans. It’s early science and environmental awareness rolled into one.

Day 21 – Help dust a low shelf or table with a small cloth

Show them how to wipe in slow, straight lines. Children love real work, and this gives them a concrete way to care for their home.

Day 22 – Help wipe the table after a meal

After eating, hand them a small cloth to wipe crumbs and spills. It completes the cycle of “I eat here, I help clean here.”

Day 23 – Help put cutlery (safe pieces) into the drawer or holder

Sorting spoons and forks into their sections is like a real-life sorting tray—and gives them great pride in helping.

Day 24 – Choose a family member and bring them a glass of water, then give a gentle hug and say, “Thank you for taking care of me.”

This final deed combines service, independence, and gratitude—a beautiful way to end the Advent journey.

How to Present This Advent Calendar the Montessori Way

For families searching for a Montessori daycare approach at home, here are simple tips:

• Use minimalist materials like kraft envelopes and wooden clips.

• Display the cards neatly on a tray or string.

• Let your toddler or preschooler open one card independently each morning.

• Keep colours calm and natural.

• Focus on experiences, not gifts.

This keeps the process peaceful and aligned with Montessori principles.

Final Thought

The holiday season is an opportunity to help toddlers and preschoolers experience kindness in a tangible way. A Montessori Good Deed Advent Calendar brings meaning, connection, and calm into a month that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

At Orange Seeds Montessori, we believe in nurturing the whole child — heart, hands, and mind. This simple calendar is just one more way to support your child’s growth at home while connecting with the values they experience every day in our Montessori daycare environment.