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.
A classic countdown calendar$19.97$32.99
For building a wintry scene$undefined$29.99
For the puzzle-obsessed$undefined$28.00
Best toy Advent calendars for kids
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.
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, “He loves getting to choose an ornament to add each day. The tree is durable, so I expect to use it for many years.”
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!
Another Christmas-themed Advent calendar, this edition features nearly 250 pieces that can be used long after the holiday season is over. Recommended for kids ages 6 and up, they’ll have a blast with this countdown calendar that’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Fidget toys have been a popular stocking stuffer in the last several years, and this Advent calendar featuring the Shop TODAY Gifts We Love award-winning NeeDoh has plenty of them to go around hiding across 24 days.
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 them, including Play-Doh, molding shapes, stick-on accessories and instructions on how to create snowmen, reindeer, a gingerbread man and a festive star.
Children's Advent calendars are always fun in nature, but this montessori-style option also allows them to build their engineering skills and explore imaginative play. Santa, Rudolph, elves and other details of the North Pole will be constructed over the course of the days leading up to Christmas.
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Award-Winning Stocking StuffersBest sweets and candy Advent calendars for kids
Lindt's viral five-foot-tall Advent calendar may be completely sold out, but you can still get this regular-sized teddy bear version filled with the brand's signature chocolates for the young'ns in your life.
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 time for the sugar rush to come — peppermint taffy, mini maple syrup and twisty caramels await!
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.
What kid doesn't love a sweet treat? How about four of them each day? This Advent calendar lets them indulge in some of the brands bestselling candies, such as caramels, jelly bears, sour stars and more.
Best book Advent calendars for kids
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!
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.
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.
In case you've been living under a rock (or a house that may have fallen on you), the final installment of the Broadway adaptation of "Wicked" is finally hitting theaters! With that comes plenty of gravity-defying merch and drops, including this Advent calendar with 25 days of surprises and delights inspired by the tale of Elphaba and Glinda's friendship.
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.
Unique Advent calendars for kids
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.
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.
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.
The advanced puzzler will enjoy this 12-day Advent calendar. By the end, you can choose to keep the puzzles separate or you can join them all together to make one big cozy scene.
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.
One of the most beloved Christmas traditions is adorning the tree with ornaments new and old. This DIY-style Advent calendar gives kids the chance to put their own touch on the year's decorations with felt and sticker crafts leading up to the big day.
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 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.
How we chose the best Advent calendars for kids
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the best Advent calendars for kids that are sure to surprise them all month long.
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.
