An elf job for every week
- Write your letter to Santa. Draw a picture too. Elves love pictures.
- Make a paper chain. One loop for every sleep. Tear one off each morning.
- Help bake something. Pick one from the 24 Christmas recipes.
- Decorate the tree. Save the star for last.
- Learn a carol. Press the Jingle Bells button at the top and sing along.
- Open an advent gift. From 1 December, open one on the home page each day.
Watch the count
Every unit, live.
A countdown made for little elves
For children, Christmas never seems to come. That is why counting sleeps until Santa works so well: a small, falling number that they can understand. The big number above shows the sleeps left until Christmas morning, and it changes every night.
Below are simple activities that turn the wait into part of the fun. None of them need much money, and most use things you already have at home.
Make a countdown chain
A paper countdown chain is the classic kids' Christmas countdown. Make one link for every sleep left, write a tiny job inside some links, and tear one off each morning. Full instructions are on the sleeps until Christmas page. For a picture version, use the countdown image maker and add your child's name.
A kindness advent calendar
From 1 December, swap or add to the chocolate calendar with one kind act a day. Some ideas:
- Draw a picture for a grandparent.
- Help set the table without being asked.
- Choose a toy to give away.
- Make a card for a neighbour.
- Say thank you to a teacher, bus driver or shop worker.
- Leave a note in a library book for the next reader.
- Feed the birds with a pine cone covered in seeds.
On the home page, a new advent gift opens every day from 1 December with a Christmas fact to read together.
Writing a letter to Santa
- Start with a hello. Ask how the reindeer are.
- Share something good. One thing they are proud of this year.
- Keep the wish list short. Three wishes is plenty, and one can be for someone else.
- Add a drawing. Elves love pictures.
- Sign it and post it. Many national postal services run a Santa letter scheme in December, often with a reply.
Games and puzzles for the wait
When the sleeps feel long, try a round of our Christmas trivia for kids, a few Christmas jokes and riddles, or the Christmas word puzzles. Short Christmas videos, like drawing a tree or making paper snowflakes, are perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Christmas Eve for kids
On the last night, many families open a Christmas Eve box with new pyjamas and a book, leave a treat for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer, and follow Santa's journey on the NORAD tracker. Then it is bedtime: the quicker they sleep, the sooner it is Christmas. See the Christmas Eve countdown.
Questions people ask
Quick answers about this countdown.
How many sleeps until Santa comes?
The big number at the top of the page. Santa comes on the night of the last sleep, Christmas Eve.
What is a good Christmas countdown for toddlers?
A paper chain with one link per sleep is easy for little ones to see and understand.
When does Santa come in 2026?
On the night of Thursday 24 December 2026, Christmas Eve.
What can kids do while they wait for Christmas?
Make a countdown chain, do a kindness advent calendar, write to Santa, and try our trivia, riddles and word puzzles.
More for kids and families
More countdowns, tools and Christmas reading on Christmas Days Left.