For teens
24 ideas for a teen’s Advent calendar
Your teen lives on their phone? Perfect: this calendar opens with a link. 24 surprises with challenges, games and a bit of freedom, no lectures.
The “joker” voucher
One evening with no questions about homework.
The photo challenge
The funniest photo of the day, sent to the whole family.
The family quiz
Who snores the loudest? Who owns the most shoes? Score at the end.
The playlist
Ten tracks picked by you: your teen gets to rate your taste.
Dinner of their choice
Tonight it’s their menu, delivered or homemade.
The scratch card
A surprise to reveal: bowling, or a cinema ticket.
The riddle
Three questions, and the answer leads to a hidden note.
The lie-in
No alarm before noon, promise.
A day out with friends
Ice rink, laser tag or an escape room: you pay, they invite.
The brain teaser
A terrible joke to guess, the answer on the back.
A message from the grandparents
Their voices, as a voice message, wishing a good day.
The embarrassing photo
Their funniest baby photo, to scratch off.
The countdown
To the holidays, or to the next match.
The hidden gift
Earbuds, a book or a game, hidden with a clue.
The cooking challenge
Make tonight’s dessert: the things you need and the steps are in the door.
The “screen time” voucher
One extra hour of screen time, to use whenever.
The year in numbers
Their stats: goals scored, books read, miles cycled.
The (short) note
One sentence, no more: “I’m proud of you.”
The video
The music video or clip you all watch on repeat.
The secret mission
Do something kind for someone without getting caught.
The “taxi” voucher
One lift, no questions asked.
The sports challenge
Ten minutes of running, skipping or dancing.
The pop-culture quiz
Their shows, games and music: this time, you answer.
The big day
On the 24th, a treasure hunt that leads to the real present.
Tip: keep it short and funny. Teens rarely read more than two lines, but they remember a good challenge for a long time.
Put them in a 3D calendar
All these ideas fit in our 3D Advent calendar: you fill the doors (or start from a ready-written template), and the person you love opens one each day, on their phone.