In recent years, Advent calendars have become quite the phenomenon. From beauty-based options to over-the-top luxury curations, it seems like there's an Advent calendar on the market for everyone — including your little ones.
Gone are the days of candy brands dominating the Advent calendar shelves for kiddos. Now, toy brands like Lego, Funko Pop! and Play-Doh have joined in on the fun. Are they a bookworm or always on the hunt for their next sweet treat? Don't worry, we've got you covered there, too. No matter their interest, there's an Advent calendar on the market for every kid.
Toy Advent calendars | Lego Advent calendars | Sweets Advent calendars | Book Advent calendars | Unique Advent calendars for kids
Best toy Advent calendars for kids
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
While there’s no candy or flaps to unveil a hidden surprise with this countdown, this tree-shaped option from Melissa & Doug is perfect for the newest Advent calendar user in your family. With 24 magnetic ornaments, they can choose a festive design to hang on the tree and then on Christmas, place the star at the top.
“This has been a huge hit with my two year old,” said one reviewer, adding that “He loves getting to choose an ornament to add each day. The tree is durable, so I expect to use it for many years.”
Play-Doh Advent Calendar Playset
For more hands-on play that will keep them occupied for more time than a figurine set, opt for this Advent calendar play set from Play-Doh. While there are 24 flaps to open, there are more than 24 items hidden behind each one, including Play-Doh, molding shapes, stick-on accessories and instructions on how to create snowmen, reindeer, a gingerbread man and a festive star.
Bluey's Classic Christmas Surprise Pack
If they're Bluey-obsessed and can't seem to get enough of the Aussie-born show, 24 accessories, action figures and stickers await them in this Advent calendar. Once it's all said and done, the action figures and accessories can come together to create a Bluey Christmas scene, complete with presents underneath a tree.
Build-A-Bear Merry Mission Advent Calendar
What kid doesn’t love Build-A-Bear?! Every day for 25 days, they’ll reveal new surprises that include six mini plushies and 19 mini clothing and accessory items. By the time Christmas rolls around, they’ll have all of their new friends revealed (and dressed in the cutest ‘fits)!
Playmobil Trip to the Christmas Market Advent Calendar
Unveil a new Playmobil accessory each day leading up to the holiday to build a mini Christmas market. Pieces include a booth with sweet treats, a Christmas tree, a standing table with mugs and several attendees — including Santa himself!
American Girl Dolled Up 2024 Advent Calendar
From a "styling cream" to headbands, their American Girl Doll will be set for the season with 24 new hair accessories. Gift them with matching headbands for them and their doll to wear during holiday get-togethers for added fun!
Best Lego Advent calendars for kids
Lego Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar
If they won't stop trying to shoot webs from their wrists and jumping from surface to surface like one particular superhero, they'll love breaking into this Spider-Man-themed Advent everyday. Across 24 days, they'll reveal five Marvel mini figures and enough parts to put together several toys, including two small cars.
Lego Friends Advent Calendar
Another Christmas-themed Advent calendar, this edition features 272 pieces that can be used long after the holiday season is over. Recommended for kids ages six and up, they’ll have a blast with this countdown calendar that’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Lego City Advent Calendar
Perfect for children ages five and up who are just getting into the Lego craze, this 195-piece kit includes 24 Christmas-themed gifts that they can use to count down with until the big day arrives.
Lego "Harry Potter" Advent Calendar
Little muggles will enjoy playing with each of the 24 "Harry Potter" toys to play with all year long. With all of their favorite characters, from Harry Potter himself to others like Draco Malfoy, they'll also unveil festive mini builds inspired by each of the Hogwarts houses — Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
Lego "Star Wars" Advent Calendar
Not only can the little ones in your life build characters, vehicles and scenes with pieces behind each door, but they can also combine their new builds with other “Star Wars” sets! The calendar includes five different figures and various mini build vehicles and accessories from the history of the franchise that they can enjoy over the course of December.
Best sweets and candy Advent calendars for kids
Harry and David Chocolate Advent Calendar Duo
Another classic choice for those looking for an Advent calendar that simultaneously gets the job done while also avoiding being an eye-sore in their kitchen, this 24-day chocolate one (well, two!) from Harry & David is all of that and affordable.
Williams Sonoma "Elf" 12 Days of Holiday Cheer Advent Calendar
A quality option for any child who craves sweets on a regular basis, this Williams-Sonoma 12-day Advent calendar — made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the modern holiday classic "Elf" — features festive treats behind every door. Prepare ahead of the time for the sugar rush to come — peppermint taffy, mini maple syrup and twisty caramels, for starters!
XO Marshmallow 2024 Holiday Marshmallow Advent Calendar
S'mores, Mallomars, Rocky Road — marshmallows can be found in so many of kids' favorite desserts. For the little gourmand who can't get enough of that sweet chew, this limited-edition Advent calendar with 24 unique flavors should be worth the wait. (If they receive multiple Advent calendars during the holidays, we have the perfect option that'll complement these 'mallows below!)
Yawn Brew Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar
Best for a child with curious taste buds, this Etsy Advent calendar will surprise your kiddo with inventive hot cocoa flavors including candy cane and cinnamon roll. As an added bonus, the powder is dairy-free, so you can enjoy the hot chocolate no matter your milk preference.
Best book Advent calendars for kids
Sesame Street Advent Calendar Storybook Collection
Your child can count down with their favorite Sesame Street characters including Cookie Monster, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and many others. With 24 storybooks to unveil, they can read board books on "Christmas Opposites," practice their alphabet with "C is for Christmas" and learn shapes with a festive shapes book.
Pokémon Festive Calendar
Gotta catch ‘em all — and by that we mean all the surprises waiting behind each door in this Advent calendar. Your Pokémon master-in-training can count down to Christmas by flipping through mini books, crafting their own 3D Poké Balls, solving riddles and much more.
"Star Wars" Advent Calendar: A Storybook Library
Surprise the future Jedi in your life with this Advent calendar that's loaded with 23 action-packed storybooks. And on the 24th day, they'll find an exciting (and unexpected) treat: a Grogu-themed coloring book!
Disney Princess Advent Calendar Story and Activity Library
If they can't stop talking about princesses, opening this Advent calendar will be the highlight of their days. Not only are there traditional storybooks, there's also activity-based books where they can solve mazes, test their princess knowledge with quizzes and test their observation skills with spot-the-difference puzzles.
Disney 100: Storybook Advent Calendar
Make your kiddo's Disney dreams come true with this storybook Advent calendar made in celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary. From holiday-themed stories to everyday classics, it features an array of short stories wrapped in a paper sleeve for extra suspense.
Unique Advent calendars for kids
Around the World Advent Calendar
Introduce your children to different countries and cultures with this advent calendar, that includes information cards as well as "buddy ornaments" for them to decorate a tree with. Each information card includes prompts, a craft or an activity inspired by that country's holiday traditions.
Pancake the Penguin’s Christmas Adventure Advent Calendar
For 25 days, you and your child can unveil a cardboard character that they have to put together, along with a story that will continue over the course of the month. You can choose to include a customized message within or opt to leave it blank.
Through the Window Puzzle Advent Calendar
The moments leading up to Christmas are the perfect time to cozy up with a puzzle. Fortunately for your favorite jigsaw solver, there's 24 to look forward to (and all of them connect to create one mega puzzle!) in this "customer favorite" pick from Uncommon Goods.
The Thames & Cosmos Science Advent Calendar
For the child who is always taking things apart just to put them back together again or use the parts to craft something of their own, channel their creative energy in a more constructive way with this educational Advent calendar. With 24 experiments and instructions each day on how to complete them, they’ll cover all the STEM and scientific bases, from kinetic energy to the color spectrum.
National Geographic Magic Advent Calendar
Abracadabra! If you have a budding Penn & Teller in your midst, they'll be blown away by the mesmerizing magic tricks and science experiments in National Geographic's newest Advent calendar.
Kids Crafts 2024 Countdown to Christmas Felt Craft Kit Advent Calendar
For a more hands-on Advent calendar, you'll have several decorations to adorn every surface once the holiday is all said and done. Each day they'll unbox step-by-step instructions on how to create a new craft with the felt pieces included.
Meri Meri Winter Ballerina Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar Suitcase
Gift your child an Advent calendar whose contents they can enjoy for years. This ballerina-themed Advent calendar from Meri Meri comes with a charm bracelet and loads of charms to decorate it with. Whether in the dance studio or at home, your little ballerina will love this special way to anticipate the holidays.
KiwiCo Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar
KiwiCo is beloved for their age-specific bundles that help children to learn through play, whether it be crafting recipes in the kitchen or tinkering with STEM toys. Their advent calendar proves to be no different, as children have to create a winter wonderland. From a motorized sledding hill to a wooden house, each day brings with it a new part to piece together.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find every type of Advent calendar including beauty, options on Amazon, picks under $25 and more.
