The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to build excitement than with a fantastic advent calendar? Far more than just a countdown to Christmas, these daily delights offer little ones (and sometimes even big ones!) a daily dose of joy, sparking creativity and making memories. Finding the best advent calendars for kids can be a fun challenge, with so many amazing options out there.
Whether you’re looking for imaginative play, delicious treats, or a charming collectible, there’s an advent calendar perfectly suited for your child. We’ve rounded up seven top picks that are sure to make the holiday countdown extra special. Get ready to discover some incredible children’s advent calendars that promise daily surprises and festive fun!
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
This classic wooden advent calendar from Melissa & Doug brings a timeless charm to your holiday traditions. Instead of disposable toys, your child gets to place a beautifully painted magnetic ornament onto a festive wooden tree each day, culminating in a shining star on Christmas Eve. It’s a wonderful, reusable option that encourages hands-on interaction and screen-free play, making it a beloved choice for families year after year. The attached box keeps all the pieces tidy, making setup and storage a breeze.
- Key Features:
- Magnetic Advent calendar with a sturdy wooden tree.
- Includes 24 magnetic ornaments and 1 shining star.
- Attached wooden ornament box for easy storage.
- Holiday poem on the back encourages family interaction.
- Designed for engaging, screen-free play.
- Great gift for 3- to 10-year-olds.
- Pros:
- Durable and reusable, promoting sustainability.
- Encourages fine motor skills and daily interaction.
- Creates a beautiful holiday display.
- No candy or small plastic waste.
- Fosters a wonderful family tradition.
- Cons:
- Does not offer new ‘toys’ each day, which some kids might prefer.
- Ornaments could get lost if not stored properly.
- User Impressions: Parents absolutely adore the heirloom quality and reusability of this calendar. They often mention how much their children enjoy the daily ritual of placing an ornament and how it’s become a cherished Christmas countdown tradition.
- See it on Amazon here
MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece Magnetic
Get ready for some magnetic magic this holiday season with the MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar! This unique set combines the joy of daily surprises with the endless creative possibilities of MAGNA-TILES. Inside, you’ll discover 34 new holiday-themed magnetic pieces, including adorable Santa and Conductor figures, special decorated microMAGS, and even a microChassis that can ride on a track built into the calendar’s back cover. It’s an excellent way to introduce young builders to engineering concepts and imaginative play.
- Key Features:
- 34 new holiday-themed MAGNA-TILES pieces.
- Includes Santa and Conductor figures, plus a microChassis.
- Features decorated square and isosceles triangle microMAGS.
- Calendar’s back cover transforms into a play track.
- Encourages learning through play, cause and effect, and fine motor skills.
- Ideal gift for kids ages 3+.
- Pros:
- Combines daily surprises with a high-quality, reusable toy.
- Promotes creativity and developmental skills.
- Pieces are compatible with other MAGNA-TILES sets for extended play.
- Engaging for both individual and collaborative play.
- Cons:
- Might be a bit pricey compared to single-use calendars.
- Small pieces could be a choking hazard for very young children (always check age recommendations).
- User Impressions: Families rave about the innovation of a MAGNA-TILES advent calendar. Kids are thrilled to add new pieces to their collection daily, and parents appreciate the educational toys aspect and the lasting play value beyond the holiday season.
- See it on Amazon here
LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar 2024 for Kids
Calling all Super Hero fans! The LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar 2024 is here to make your Christmas countdown extra epic. This thrilling calendar is packed with 24 daily surprises inspired by New York City street scenes from the Spider-Man movies. Kids will uncover iconic minifigures like Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Miles Morales, Ghost-Spider, and Venom, alongside fun buildable models like a hot-dog cart and Electro’s winter tree. It’s perfect for imaginative role-play and recreating favorite Super Hero adventures.
- Key Features:
- 24 daily Super Hero surprises for ages 7+.
- Includes Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Miles Morales, Ghost-Spider, and Venom minifigures.
- Small buildable models like a snow Spider-Ham and Sandman’s catapult.
- Inspires imaginative role play and scene recreation.
- Total of 246 pieces for exciting daily builds.
- Compatible with other LEGO Marvel sets.
- Pros:
- High replay value with collectible minifigures and buildable items.
- Encourages storytelling and creative thinking.
- Adds to existing LEGO collections.
- A fantastic way to build anticipation for the holidays.
- Cons:
- May be too advanced for younger kids due to small pieces and building complexity.
- Once built, the pieces can easily get mixed into other LEGO sets.
- User Impressions: Young Marvel enthusiasts absolutely love this calendar, eagerly anticipating each day’s reveal. Parents note the high quality of the LEGO pieces and the joy their children get from playing with the toy advent calendar long after Christmas.
- See it on Amazon here
Bonne Maman 2025 Limited Run Edition Advent Calendar, 24 Spreads
For the family that loves a gourmet treat, the Bonne Maman 2025 Limited Run Edition Advent Calendar offers a deliciously unique way to count down to Christmas. This highly anticipated calendar features 24 mini jars of limited-edition spreads and jams, with exclusive flavors like Caramel with Vanilla and Wild Blueberry with Maple Syrup. It’s a sophisticated festive treat that makes a thoughtful gift for food lovers, older kids who appreciate unique flavors, or a wonderful way to share a special moment with the whole family each morning.
- Key Features:
- Limited Edition 2025 calendar with 24 exclusive holiday spreads.
- Features unique flavors only available this season.
- Beautifully illustrated packaging, making it a thoughtful gift.
- Mini jars and boxes can be reused for keepsakes.
- Made with simple, premium ingredients and no artificial additives.
- Pros:
- A delicious and unique alternative to toy calendars.
- Encourages shared family breakfasts or snack times.
- High-quality, gourmet preserves.
- Environmentally friendly with reusable packaging.
- A special treat for older children or food-loving families.
- Cons:
- Not ideal for very young children who might prefer toys.
- Some flavors might not appeal to all palates.
- Sells out quickly due to its limited run.
- User Impressions: This calendar is a huge hit with adults and older kids who enjoy gourmet food. Customers frequently highlight the joy of discovering new flavors daily and turning breakfast into a special holiday event. It’s often praised as a wonderful way to create family traditions.
- See it on Amazon here
LEGO Disney Advent Calendar 2024 for Kids
Bring a touch of Disney magic to your holidays with the LEGO Disney Advent Calendar 2024! This delightful calendar is packed with 24 days of enchanting surprises featuring beloved Disney characters. Kids aged 5 and up will uncover micro doll figures of Elsa, Tiana, Ariel, Mirabel, and Moana, plus adorable characters like Pua, Snowgie, and Sven. Many doors reveal fun buildable activities like Elsa’s ice palace or Moana’s mini boat, and the calendar box even turns into a game board for extended festive fun.
- Key Features:
- 24 days of Disney characters, activities, and surprises (253 pieces).
- Includes Elsa, Tiana, Ariel, Mirabel, Moana micro doll figures.
- Features Pua, Snowgie, and Sven characters.
- Buildable activities like a seesaw, palaces, and a sled.
- Calendar box transforms into a game board for up to 5 players.
- Compatible with other LEGO Disney sets.
- Pros:
- Combines the magic of Disney with the fun of LEGO building.
- Offers a mix of figures and interactive builds.
- The game board adds extra play value.
- Perfect children’s gift for Disney fans.
- Cons:
- Small pieces may require adult supervision for younger children.
- Some pieces are quite small and can be easily misplaced.
- User Impressions: Disney fans young and old absolutely adore this calendar! Parents note how engaged their children are with the daily reveals and how much fun they have playing with the figures and builds afterward. The game board is a popular added bonus.
- See it on Amazon here
CAT Construction Toys, Little Machines Advent Calendar
For the little builder in your life, the CAT Construction Toys Little Machines Advent Calendar is a dream come true! This action-packed calendar provides 24 days of construction-themed surprises, including 10 rugged Little Machines vehicles, boulders, signs, and even “Insta-Dirt” that magically grows 15 times its size with water! The calendar box itself transforms into a play space, letting kids immediately put their new vehicles to work. It’s a fantastic way to encourage imaginative play and put little ones in control of their own construction site.
- Key Features:
- 24 peelable cutouts with CAT toys inside.
- Includes 10 Little Machines vehicles, boulders, signs, and accessories.
- Magic Insta-Dirt that grows 15 times its size with water.
- Calendar box panel becomes an interactive play space.
- Encourages engaging, interactive play for ages 3+.
- Durable, built-to-last construction toys.
- Pros:
- High play value with sturdy vehicles and accessories.
- The Insta-Dirt adds an exciting sensory element.
- Promotes imaginative and role-playing fun.
- Great toy advent calendar for budding engineers.
- Cons:
- Insta-Dirt can be messy (though fun!).
- Some parents might find the sheer number of small plastic items excessive.
- User Impressions: Kids who love trucks and construction go wild for this calendar! Parents appreciate the robust quality of the vehicles and how it sparks hours of creative play. The Insta-Dirt is often mentioned as a huge highlight, providing screen-free fun.
- See it on Amazon here
Princess Advent Calendar 2025 Girls, Princess Deformation Dolls
Let your child’s imagination reign supreme with the Princess Advent Calendar 2025! This enchanting calendar offers a thrilling countdown to Christmas with 24 daily surprises featuring beautiful princess deformation dolls and a variety of interchangeable outfits. Each day reveals a new princess or a piece of clothing, allowing for endless mix-and-match fun and stylistic exploration. It’s a perfect Christmas gift for girls who adore princesses, enjoy dressing up, and love the excitement of daily surprises.
- Key Features:
- 24 doors reveal new surprises from December 1st to Christmas Day.
- Includes 12 princesses and 12 pieces of clothing for creative DIY.
- High-quality, safe, and easy-to-clean plastic dolls.
- Easy to change clothes for varied captivating looks.
- Promotes self-expression and stylistic exploration.
- Ideal gift for girls who love princesses and dress-up.
- Pros:
- Offers a wide variety of princesses and outfits for extensive play.
- Encourages creativity and imaginative storytelling.
- Dolls and clothes are durable for repeated play.
- A magical way to build holiday excitement.
- Cons:
- Small pieces could be a concern for very young children.
- Focuses heavily on one theme, which might not appeal to all kids.
- User Impressions: Little princesses everywhere are delighted by this calendar! Reviewers often mention how much their children love the daily reveal of new dolls and outfits, leading to hours of dress-up and imaginative play. It’s seen as a truly magical holiday gift idea.
- See it on Amazon here
Frequently Asked Questions about Advent Calendars for Kids
Q1: What exactly is an advent calendar and how does it work?
A1: An advent calendar is a special calendar used to count down the days until Christmas, typically from December 1st to December 24th. Each day, a child opens a numbered door or window to reveal a small surprise inside, which can be a toy, a treat, a book, or a picture. It’s a fun and exciting way to build anticipation for the holiday!
Q2: What age group are advent calendars for kids best suited for?
A2: There’s an advent calendar for almost every age! Many children’s advent calendars are designed for toddlers (ages 3+) with chunky, safe toys. Others, like LEGO sets, are perfect for older kids (ages 5-12+) who enjoy more complex builds. Even gourmet food calendars can be a hit with teens or enjoyed by the whole family. Always check the manufacturer’s recommended age.
Q3: Are there non-toy advent calendar options for kids?
A3: Absolutely! While toy advent calendars are super popular, there are many creative advent calendar alternatives. You can find ones with mini books, art supplies, crafts, or even the delicious Bonne Maman jams we reviewed above, which are great for older kids and family sharing. Some families also create “activity advent calendars” with daily prompts for festive crafts or kindness acts.
Q4: How do I choose the best advent calendar for my child?
A4: Consider your child’s interests first! Do they love superheroes, construction, princesses, or building with LEGO? Also, think about age-appropriateness, whether you prefer reusable or single-use calendars, and if you’d like a candy-free option. Reading reviews and checking features can help ensure it’s a good fit.
Q5: What are the benefits of toy advent calendars for children?
A5: Toy advent calendars offer several benefits beyond just fun. They help children understand the concept of time and counting, build excitement and patience, and provide daily opportunities for imaginative play. Many also encourage fine motor skills, problem-solving, and can even spark new interests in hobbies like building or collecting.
Q6: Can I start an advent calendar late in December?
A6: Of course! While traditionally they start on December 1st, there’s no rule saying you can’t start later. You can always open multiple doors on the first day to catch up, or simply enjoy the remaining surprises at your own pace. The goal is to create joy and excitement, so any start date works!
Q7: How can I make an advent calendar a sustainable holiday tradition?
A7: To make it more sustainable, opt for reusable calendars like the Melissa & Doug wooden one or those with high-quality, lasting toys like MAGNA-TILES or LEGO. You can also buy fillable advent calendars and put in your own small, eco-friendly items, experiences, or notes each year.