The holiday season is a magical time for children, and what better way to build excitement than with a daily surprise? Advent calendars have become a cherished tradition, offering a little bit of joy each morning as kids count down to the big day. While there are countless options out there, from toys to crafts, nothing quite captures that classic festive spirit like a candy advent calendar for kids.
Imagine their faces lighting up as they discover a new sweet treat behind each door! It’s not just about the candy; it’s about the anticipation, the daily ritual, and the sheer delight of a small, special moment during a bustling season. We’ve scoured the market to bring you our top picks, ranging from classic chocolate to unique character-themed sweets, and even some fantastic non-candy countdowns that still deliver that daily dose of fun. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect advent calendar to make your child’s countdown unforgettable!
Why Choose a Candy Advent Calendar for Kids?
- Daily Excitement: A small treat every day keeps the holiday spirit alive and makes the wait for Christmas (or Halloween!) more bearable.
- Simple Joy: Sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the best. A piece of chocolate or a fun candy is a perfect little pick-me-up.
- Tradition: Many families have fond memories of their own childhood advent calendars, making it a wonderful tradition to pass down.
- Variety: From milk chocolate to gummy candies and beyond, there’s a sweet surprise for every preference.
Our Top Picks for Daily Surprises!
1. Frankford SpongeBob SquarePants Advent Calendar – 24 Days of…
Get ready to dive into a festive countdown with SpongeBob SquarePants and his Bikini Bottom pals! This unique advent calendar features 24 days of Krabby Patties-shaped candy, making it a super fun candy advent calendar for kids who love the iconic yellow sponge. Each treat brings a smile, with an assortment of shapes and flavors that are sure to delight any fan, adding a splash of undersea cheer to their holiday season.
- Key Features:
- 24 days of Krabby Patties candy surprises.
- Festive SpongeBob, Patrick, and friends holiday design.
- Individually wrapped treats for freshness.
- High-quality, vibrant packaging.
- Assortment of candy shapes (tree, snowman, hat) and flavors (green apple, blue raspberry, original, cherry, grape).
- Pros:
- Engaging theme for SpongeBob fans.
- Variety of flavors and shapes keeps it exciting.
- Individually wrapped candies maintain freshness.
- Great alternative to traditional chocolate calendars.
- Cons:
- Flavor preferences might vary among children.
- Not a traditional chocolate advent calendar.
- User Impressions: Kids absolutely adore the SpongeBob theme and the novelty of the Krabby Patties candy. Parents appreciate the individual wrapping and the vibrant calendar design, noting it makes for a fantastic and fun holiday countdown.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
2. Advent Calendar 2025 Adult Women, Men, Kids – Premium…
This premium advent calendar offers a delightful journey of tastes, perfect for families who enjoy a little bit of everything. While it caters to all ages, its thoughtful variety of sweet, salty, and savory snacks, nuts, chocolate, and candy makes it a fantastic option for kids seeking diverse daily treats beyond just chocolate. It’s an unforgettable Christmas advent calendar experience that can truly become a new family tradition, offering 24 unique surprises without repeats.
- Key Features:
- 24 unique sweet, salty, and savory snacks (including chocolate and candy).
- Premium, limited-edition gift box – no wrapping needed.
- Designed for adults, women, men, and kids.
- Aims to create new family traditions with daily surprises.
- No repeated snacks for a true “flavor journey.”
- Pros:
- Diverse range of treats appeals to varied tastes.
- High-quality presentation makes it a great gift.
- Offers a luxurious countdown experience.
- Suitable for the whole family to enjoy together.
- Cons:
- May contain items some children won’t enjoy (e.g., nuts, savory snacks).
- Higher price point due to premium selection.
- User Impressions: Customers love the sophisticated feel and the wide array of gourmet surprises. Many mentioned that while it’s great for adults, the kids in the family were equally excited by the daily discovery of new and delicious snacks, including the sweet treats.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
3. Halloween Advent Calendar Halloween Countdown Gifts for…
Ready for a spooky countdown? This Halloween Advent Calendar provides 31 days of non-candy fun throughout October, making it a unique twist on the traditional advent concept. Instead of sweets, kids unveil creepy-cute figurines and spooky toys daily. It’s a complete Halloween gift set, packed with diverse, safe, and non-toxic toys like miniature skeletons, stickers, and squishies, perfect for sparking creativity and imagination leading up to Halloween night. While not a candy advent calendar for kids, it offers immense daily excitement.
- Key Features:
- 31-day Halloween countdown with non-candy surprises.
- Features creepy-cute figurines, spooky stickers, and squishy toys.
- Made from high-quality, non-toxic materials.
- Designed to boost creativity and imaginative play.
- Festive and engaging Halloween-themed design.
- Pros:
- Excellent non-candy alternative for Halloween.
- Offers 31 days of surprises, covering the entire month of October.
- Variety of toys keeps children engaged.
- Doubles as a festive Halloween decoration.
- Cons:
- Not a candy calendar (if that’s specifically what you’re looking for).
- Squish toy assortment is random.
- User Impressions: Parents highly recommend this for kids who love Halloween and non-candy treats. They praise the variety and quality of the toys, noting it keeps children excited and engaged every day, offering a fantastic buildup to Halloween.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
4. Advent Calendar 2025 – Christmas Countdown Calendar – 24…
For a sensory and slime-tastic countdown, this Christmas Advent Calendar is a brilliant choice! Instead of daily sweets, kids get 24 surprises including scented slimes, mix-ins, and charms. It’s a vibrant, hands-on alternative to a candy advent calendar for kids, offering butter, jelly, cloud, clay, and water slimes infused with delightful scents like matcha, pineapple, and cotton candy. Safety certified and designed for ages 3+, it promises endless hours of squishing, stretching, and swirling fun leading up to Christmas.
- Key Features:
- 24 surprises: 10 scented slimes, 5 mix-ins, 16 charms.
- CPC certified for safety.
- Variety of slime types: butter, jelly, cloud, clay, water.
- Sweet scents: matcha, pineapple, orange, cotton candy, honey.
- Designed for kids aged 3+.
- Pros:
- Fantastic non-candy option for slime enthusiasts.
- Promotes sensory play and creativity.
- Variety of slime types and scents keeps it interesting.
- Safe and certified for children.
- Cons:
- Not suitable for those specifically wanting edible treats.
- Slime can be messy for some children/parents.
- User Impressions: Kids absolutely go wild for this slime calendar, loving the different textures and scents each day. Parents appreciate that it’s a creative, non-candy alternative, though some mention the need for supervision due to the potential for mess.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
5. Hershey Milk Chocolate Kisses Candy Filled 2024 Christmas…
You can’t go wrong with a classic, and this Hershey Milk Chocolate Kisses Advent Calendar delivers pure, unadulterated sweet joy! Each of the 24 doors hides a beloved Hershey Kiss, making it an ideal candy advent calendar for kids (and adults!) who cherish simple, delicious chocolate. The festive Santa Claus North Pole design on the front and a fun Christmas-themed word search on the back add extra holiday cheer, making it a delightful daily activity.
- Key Features:
- Features 24 doors, each with a Hershey Kiss.
- Classic Santa Claus North Pole Christmas design.
- Includes a Christmas-themed word search on the back.
- Suitable for both adults and children.
- Calendar size: 13 3/4″ (W) x 9 7/8″ (H) x 1″ (D).
- Pros:
- Features popular and beloved Hershey Kisses.
- Simple, classic, and universally appealing chocolate.
- Added fun with a word search activity.
- Great value for a familiar brand.
- Cons:
- Limited to one type of candy (Hershey Kisses).
- Not ideal for those seeking variety beyond milk chocolate.
- User Impressions: Reviewers consistently praise this calendar for its classic appeal and the simple joy of a daily Hershey Kiss. It’s a nostalgic choice for many parents and a guaranteed hit with kids who love chocolate, offering a straightforward and sweet countdown.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
6. Halloween Advent Calendar 2025, 24 Mochi Squishy Toys, 24…
Swap out candy for cuteness with this Halloween Advent Calendar featuring 24 adorable mochi squishy toys! It’s a non-candy countdown that’s perfect for building excitement throughout October. Kids will love discovering a new, distinct mochi squishy – ghosts, pumpkins, monsters, and more – behind each door. These safe sensory toys provide endless fun and are a fantastic way to fuel Halloween hype without the sugar rush, making it a popular non-candy alternative for the festive season.
- Key Features:
- 24 distinct Halloween mochi squishy toys.
- Non-candy countdown calendar.
- Safe sensory fun for kids.
- Includes ghosts, pumpkins, and monster designs.
- Ideal for a fun and memorable countdown to Halloween.
- Pros:
- Excellent non-candy option for Halloween.
- Mochi squishies are popular fidget toys.
- Promotes sensory engagement and collection.
- Daily surprises build excitement throughout October.
- Cons:
- Not a candy calendar.
- Mochi squishies can sometimes get dirty easily.
- User Impressions: Children are absolutely thrilled with the daily squishy surprises, often comparing their collections with friends. Parents appreciate it as a creative and fun non-candy alternative, noting that the toys are well-received and offer ongoing entertainment.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
7. Advent Calendar Milk Chocolate, Indulge in a Festive Candy…
Embrace the classic joy of Christmas with this delightful Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar. As a quintessential candy advent calendar for kids, it features 24 hidden windows, each revealing a creamy, smooth milk chocolate piece crafted to melt in your mouth. The charming holiday-themed packaging and easy-to-open numbered doors make this calendar an interactive and exciting way to count down to Christmas, creating sweet memories for the entire family from December 1st to Christmas Eve.
- Key Features:
- 24 individually wrapped milk chocolate pieces.
- Meticulously designed holiday-themed packaging.
- Numbered doors for daily discovery.
- High-quality chocolate.
- Ideal for all ages, from kids to adults.
- Pros:
- Classic and universally loved milk chocolate.
- High-quality, delicious treats.
- Engaging design for daily fun.
- Excellent gift idea that embodies the Christmas spirit.
- Cons:
- Limited to milk chocolate only.
- Some might prefer more varied candy options.
- User Impressions: This calendar consistently receives praise for its traditional charm and the quality of the chocolate. Families love the simple, daily pleasure it brings, making it a reliable choice for a festive and sweet Christmas countdown.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
8. Fun Express 10″ x 14″ Chocolate Candy Christmas Advent…
These Chocolate Candy Christmas Advent Calendars from Fun Express are perfect for sharing the holiday cheer! Each calendar features 24 pieces of classic chocolate behind a holiday-themed design, making it a straightforward and enjoyable candy advent calendar for kids. With four different designs included in the pack, they’re ideal for multiple children, classroom giveaways, or even as office gifts, ensuring everyone gets to count down the days until Christmas with a sweet treat.
- Key Features:
- Pack of 4 individual advent calendars.
- Each calendar contains 24 pieces of chocolate.
- Features four different holiday-themed designs.
- Calendar size: 10″ x 14″.
- Great for sharing, gifts, or personal enjoyment.
- Pros:
- Good value with multiple calendars included.
- Simple, classic chocolate universally enjoyed.
- Perfect for families with multiple children or gifting.
- Festive designs add to the holiday spirit.
- Cons:
- Basic chocolate, may not appeal to gourmet chocolate lovers.
- Designs are fixed, no choice for individual preferences.
- User Impressions: Customers appreciate the bulk pack for its convenience and value, especially for schools or larger families. Kids enjoy the daily chocolate surprise, and parents find them to be a simple, effective way to celebrate the Christmas countdown without fuss.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
9. JOYIN Halloween Advent Calendar 2025 with 31PCS Mochi…
Make October extra special with the JOYIN Halloween Advent Calendar, packed with 31 non-repetitive mochi squishy toys! This calendar is a fantastic non-candy alternative that introduces numbers and counting while building excitement for Halloween. Kids will love unwrapping a grinning Jack O’Lantern, a mischievous ghost, or another classic Halloween character daily. Each toy is non-toxic, non-BPA, and designed in rich, vibrant colors, ensuring safe and interactive fun all month long.
- Key Features:
- 31 non-repetitive mochi squishy toys.
- Classic Halloween designs: pumpkin, vampire, bat, ghost, etc.
- Non-toxic, non-BPA, meets US toy standards.
- Promotes counting numbers and math skills.
- Interactive and engaging daily ritual for kids.
- Pros:
- Provides a full month of Halloween countdown fun.
- Excellent non-candy option, promoting healthier habits.
- Educational aspect with number recognition.
- High variety of unique, safe toys.
- Cons:
- Not a candy calendar.
- Mochi squishies might collect dust or lint.
- User Impressions: Parents rave about this calendar’s ability to keep kids engaged and excited throughout October. The non-candy aspect is a huge plus, and children love collecting the different, adorable squishies, making it a memorable Halloween activity.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
10. Halloween Advent Calendar Halloween Countdown Gifts for…
Get ready for 31 days of spooky surprises with this Halloween Advent Calendar! Instead of sweets, this calendar offers a healthier, non-candy alternative with a new surprise toy or gift revealed each day throughout October. Its kid-friendly design makes tracking and opening each day’s surprise easy, doubling as a festive Halloween decoration. Perfect for both boys and girls who adore Halloween, it provides age-appropriate gifts and builds anticipation for the holiday in a unique, fun way.
- Key Features:
- 31 days of Halloween-themed non-candy surprises and gifts.
- Kid-friendly layout for easy tracking and opening.
- Doubles as a festive Halloween decoration.
- Suitable for all ages, boys and girls.
- Offers a healthier alternative to traditional candy calendars.
- Pros:
- Full month of Halloween countdown excitement.
- Excellent non-candy option for healthier habits.
- Interactive design engages children daily.
- Adds to holiday decor.
- Cons:
- Not a candy calendar.
- Specific toy contents are not detailed, so variety might be a surprise.
- User Impressions: Customers appreciate this calendar for its effectiveness in building Halloween excitement without relying on candy. Kids love the daily mystery of a new toy, and it’s praised as a great way to celebrate the holiday season leading up to October 31st.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
Buying Guide: What to Look For
When choosing the best candy advent calendar for kids, consider these points:
- Type of Treat: Do your kids prefer chocolate, gummies, or a mix of various candies? Some calendars offer variety, while others stick to one type.
- Theme: Character-themed calendars (like SpongeBob) can add extra appeal for fans. Seasonal themes (Christmas, Halloween) are also popular.
- Non-Candy Alternatives: If you’re looking to limit sugar, consider the excellent non-candy countdowns we reviewed, which offer toys, slime, or squishies.
- Age Appropriateness: Ensure the candy or toys are suitable for your child’s age, especially regarding small parts or choking hazards.
- Duration: Most Christmas calendars are 24 days, while Halloween ones are often 31 days. Pick one that fits your desired countdown period.
- Ingredients/Allergies: Always check the ingredient list for potential allergens if your child has dietary restrictions.
FAQ Section
Q1: What is an advent calendar?
A1: An advent calendar is a special calendar used to count down the days until Christmas, typically starting on December 1st and ending on Christmas Eve. Many modern calendars, especially for kids, also celebrate other holidays like Halloween. Each day, a small door or window is opened to reveal a treat, toy, or picture.
Q2: Why do kids love candy advent calendars so much?
A2: Kids adore candy advent calendars because they offer a daily dose of delicious excitement! The anticipation of discovering a new sweet treat each morning makes the wait for the holiday feel shorter and more magical, creating a fun and memorable daily ritual.
Q3: Are there non-candy advent calendars for kids?
A3: Absolutely! While candy calendars are popular, there’s a growing trend of non-candy advent calendars that offer toys, crafts, slime, squishies, books, or even small collectible items. These are great alternatives for parents looking to reduce sugar intake or offer a different kind of daily surprise.
Q4: What age are advent calendars suitable for?
A4: Most advent calendars are suitable for children aged 3 and up, but it depends on the contents. Calendars with small toys or choking hazards might be better for older children. Always check the manufacturer’s recommended age range.
Q5: How do I choose the best advent calendar for my child?
A5: Consider your child’s preferences: do they love chocolate, specific characters, or toys? Think about their age, any dietary restrictions, and whether you prefer a traditional candy calendar or a non-candy alternative. Our guide above offers diverse options to help you choose!
Q6: Can I make my own candy advent calendar?
A6: Yes, absolutely! Creating a DIY advent calendar is a wonderful, personal project. You can buy empty calendars or make your own pouches/boxes, then fill them with your child’s favorite candies, small toys, or even notes with fun activities. It’s a fantastic way to customize the experience.
Q7: When should kids start opening their advent calendar?
A7: Christmas advent calendars traditionally start on December 1st and conclude on December 24th (Christmas Eve). Halloween countdown calendars typically start on October 1st and go until October 31st (Halloween).
Conclusion
Whether you’re sticking to the traditional charm of a delicious chocolate calendar or exploring the exciting world of character-themed sweets and engaging non-candy alternatives, finding the best candy advent calendar for kids (or another fun countdown!) is all about bringing daily smiles. These calendars are more than just a collection of treats; they’re an experience, a way to build anticipation, and a treasured part of holiday traditions. We hope our guide helps you pick the perfect one to make this upcoming holiday season extra special for your little ones! Happy counting!