24 Best Toy Advent Calendars for Kids Who Are Counting Down the Day Until Christmas
Because everyone wants a little treat each day.
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In my house, advent calendars are a big deal. Last year, we had six advent calendars going at one time. In fairness, some of them were gifts, and one (but only one) was chocolate. Still, my family loved the uplifting moment each night when we got to open our (many) doors and see the trinkets inside.
For families looking for a great gift for kids or who want to start a similar ritual in their houses, these are the best toy advent calendars for kids. Some are full of their favorite characters and collectibles. Others offer an activity to do each day in addition to a gift. And some are even educational, with little science lessons or brain-boosting puzzles to do every day. Grab one—or six?—and make the countdown to Christmas feel less long.
On Day 1, kids will reveal a new Barbie doll—off to a good start. For the rest of the days, they'll get accessories and other items that'll help Barbie change up her look, including fairy wings and a mermaid tail that make her more magical. Ages 3+
Kids who love to build with magnetic construction sets can add 34 small pieces to their collection with this Magna-Tiles advent calendar. They'll get the pieces they need to make a Santa figure and a conductor figure, too. Ages 3+
With this set, kids can help the Heeler family celebrate Christmas by putting up a tree, wearing holiday crowns, and even going for a Christmas swim! Bluey and Socks figures come wearing their bathing suits, plus there are other fun characters and accessories to uncover. In addition to the "Christmas Swim" theme, there is also a classic Bluey advent calendar. Ages 3+
Whether their favorite is Tuxedo Sam, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, or Badtz-Maru (my personal choice), they'll get to collect their favorite Sanrio characters with this calendar. When it's done, they'll have 18 two-inch figures, plus decorations and accessories. In addition, there's a Hello Kitty BLDR advent calendar, which comes with figures that can be built like a construction toy. Ages 6+
Kids who like stuffies will get a lift opening up a new, adorable plush every day. There are five different shapes, including seasonally appropriate ones like wreaths, and foodie favorites like fries and nuggets. Then there are five different variations on each shape, for 25 fuzzy friends in all. Each one has a loop so it can hang from a tree (or backpack). Ages 0+
This one gives kids interlocking Plus Plus pieces every day that they can use to make snowmen, reindeer, a sleigh, and Santa Claus, among others. Then, when the holidays are over, kids can disassemble them and use the pieces for open-ended play, since every piece fits with every other piece, and they can be used however kids like. Ages 5+
In my house, the unveiling of the LEGO advent calendar slate is a highly anticipated event every year. This time around, there are six LEGO advent calendar sets: LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Minecraft, LEGO Frozen, LEGO Harry Potter, LEGO City, and LEGO Friends. Each one comes with a mix of minifigures and small builds that fit the theme, and also have some seasonal touches. Ages 6+
Playmobil Advent Calendar: Trip to the Christmas Market
Playmobil figures, accessories, decorations and treats come together to make a Christmas scene set at a holiday market. This one is rated for kids ages 4+, but there's also the Playmobil Junior Snowy Christmas advent calendar with chunkier pieces for 1- to 4-year-olds that come together to make a reindeer plane set. In addtion, there's Christmas Under the Rainbow for kids who love unicorns and fairies. Ages 4+
Igloo Books Disney Stitch Advent Calendar
There are some families who look forward to the Disney storybook advent calendar every year—and every year it sells out fast—and this year, with its Stitch theme, should be no exception. There are 24 little stories intended to be read in five minutes each, all about everyone's favorite Experiment 626. If they're not Stitch fans (shocking!), they also have storybook advent calendars for Spidey and His Amazing Friends and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Ages 4+
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When they open all 24 doors of this advent calendar, they can say they caught them all! This calendar features some of their favorite Pokémon characters, including Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and others, along with some accessories to make a holiday scene. Ages 4+
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For kids who love Hot Wheels, this advent calendar will add 10 cool cars to their collections. Better yet, there are also 10 ornament clips so they can hang their favorite vehicles from the tree! Ages 3+
Thames & Kosmos EXIT: The Game Advent Calendar - The Intergalactic Race
If they love working out puzzles or trying escape rooms, they'll dig this brain-teasing advent calendar. The story centers on an intergalactic race across space, with a very lucrative prize. In order to win, they must solve a riddle or a puzzle every day, each of which brings them closer to escape. Want more brain-boosting fun? There's a similar mystery advent calendar from Clue. Or, for younger kids, Thames & Kosmos also has a science advent calendar. Ages 10+
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If the kids are into at-home science experiments, this will give them a different science-themed activity or trick to do each day. The Purple Cow also has an advent calendar for non-shocking science, or, if they're not into STEM, they have ones for magic tricks and Mr. Men or Little Miss. Ages 8+
Schleich Wizarding World of Harry Potter Advent Calendar
If re-watching the Harry Potter movies is a yearly tradition, this advent calendar lets kids re-create their favorite moments at home. It comes with 24 mini figures by Schleich, which is known for its incredible details. Ages 6+
Each day, kids can use felt and stickers to create a new ornament. They can put them on the family tree, dress up a teeny personal tree, or just use them to decorate their rooms. Ages 4+
Each day, kids will get a teeny canister of Play-Doh and a little tool that will give them inspiration for new ways to play. Which is good, because it's been shown that working with Play-Doh helps kids strengthen their hand muscles. Ages 3+
Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar
If they love everything superhero, this calendar will give them a chance to enter the DC Universe. The 24 surprises include eight DC Super Friends characters, plus accessories and one vehicle. Or, if they're not DC fans, you can also get an Imaginext Jurassic World calendar. Ages 3+
Wicked For Good: The Official Advent Calendar
This one sold like hot cakes last year, even before Wicked came out—it only makes sense that the new version for Wicked: For Good will be even more pop-u-lar. this comes with Wicked-themed trinkets like patches, magnets, coasters, and stickers. They're not exactly toys, but fun collectibles for tweens and teens (or any other Wicked fans in your life—there's even a deluxe edition for superfans).
More people to buy for on your list? You can find an Insight Editions' advent calendar to fit their fandom, including ones themed around Beetlejuice, Star Wars, Batman, Marvel, Harry Potter, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf, Home Alone or Dragon Ball Z, among others.
RELATED: The Best Gifts for Wicked Fans
Worldwide Buddies Around the World Advent Calendar
Travel the countries of the world without leaving your home with this calendar from Worldwide Buddies. Each day, kids get a new activity, recipe, or challenge inspired by traditions from around the world. They also get a paper ornament each day with pictures of different "buddies" from each country. Ages 4+
Melissa & Doug Wooden Advent Calendar
Each day, add one magnetic ornament to this tree, and, by Christmas, it'll be full! Then, pack it away and bring it out again next year. Ages 3+
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Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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