17 Best Family Advent Calendars For a Fun Countdown

Family advent calendars have become one of our favorite holiday traditions.

Instead of buying one for each person, we use a shared calendar that brings us together each day in December, whether it’s a quick puzzle, a cozy movie night, or a simple act of kindness.

Over the years, we’ve tried everything from printables to escape rooms and learned what actually works for different ages.

If you’re looking for an advent calendar the whole family can enjoy, these ideas are fun, low-prep, and a great way to make the season feel more connected.

Collage of creative and interactive family advent calendars including games, puzzles, music tokens, and personalized wooden calendars.

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Top Advent Calendars for the Family

Whether you want something interactive, low-prep, or just different from the usual chocolate countdown, these family advent calendars are designed to bring everyone together.

From puzzle-based challenges to cozy movie nights and activity cards you can reuse year after year, there’s something here for every kind of family, and every kind of December schedule.

Family Games Advent Calendar

This one was a win in our house, 24 mini games that don’t need screens and actually got us all laughing. We kept the box on the dining table and opened it after dinner each night. Some games were silly, others more strategic, but they were all short enough to hold attention and fun enough to bring everyone back the next day. Ideal for kids 6+ and families who like game nights but don’t always have time for a full board game.

EXIT: Advent Calendar – The Mystery of The Ice Cave

If your family loves puzzles and mysteries, this is the one to try. We did it when my son was around 11, and it genuinely challenged us. Each day reveals a clue or riddle, and you slowly unlock a storyline, it’s like doing an escape room in 5-minute chunks. Definitely better for older kids (10+) or teens, and great if you're looking for something screen-free that keeps everyone thinking.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Magic Advent Calendar

This one surprised me, in a good way. Each day includes a magic trick or science activity, and most of them actually worked (which isn’t always the case with kits like this). It sparked a lot of “how did that work?” conversations and even got us pulling out books on illusions. If you’ve got curious kids who love performing or experimenting, this makes a great daily moment to connect.

Christmas Family Movie Tokens

We used these tokens to build out our own December movie schedule. Every night, one of us would draw a token and that would be our movie pick. It sounds simple, but it made the routine feel special, and gave us something to look forward to each night. I paired it with hot chocolate and popcorn and called it “Family Cinema Night.” Great for all ages and zero prep.

Family Playlist Song Christmas Advent

This one works especially well for music-loving families. Each day introduces a new Christmas song to play or sing along to, some traditional, some newer. We ended up dancing in the kitchen more than once, and even made a shared holiday playlist we still listen to. It’s a fun way to keep the mood festive, especially if you’re short on time or have younger kids who love music.

Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Advent

We used this one during a particularly busy December when we didn’t have the energy for big activities. It’s classic and simple, just a bite of chocolate each day, but we made it a shared treat instead of giving each person their own calendar. Taking turns made it feel a little more special (and gave us a good excuse to slow down for a minute). If you’re looking for something low-effort that still feels festive, this is a sweet option.

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Christmas Movie Advent Calendar Printable

This printable was a game changer for us, easy to prep, totally flexible, and it helped us create a cozy nightly tradition. Each day, we’d flip over a card to reveal a holiday movie, from old favorites to new finds. I liked that we could customize it based on what we actually had time for, and my son loved being part of choosing the lineup. If you want something fun without adding to your to-do list, this is a great option.

Personalized Advent Calendar House

This wooden calendar is one of those heirloom-type pieces that just feels special. We fill the little drawers with notes, small treats, or challenges, sometimes a mix of all three. It’s become part of our December decor and something we look forward to unpacking each year. If you want something you can reuse and make your own, this adds a nice personal touch to your family’s countdown.

Family Advent Activities Card Set

We’ve used a version of this for a few years now, especially when we want to focus more on connection than gifts. Each card suggests a quick, meaningful activity, like baking cookies together or writing kind notes. Some days we swap cards to fit our schedule, but the point is that we’re doing something together. It’s great for busy families who want to make space for little moments without pressure.

The Hunt for The Golden Book

Another favorite for puzzle-loving families. This one works a bit like the EXIT calendars, but it’s more story-driven and great for younger kids too. Each day brings a small challenge that leads you closer to finding the “golden book.” We did it during a year we weren’t traveling, and it gave us a daily anchor that didn’t involve screens. Best for ages 8+ who enjoy a little mystery.

Personalized 25 Christmas Advent Tokens

These tokens gave us a lot of flexibility, we mixed in treats, mini challenges, and family activities, then pulled one each morning. I let my son help customize them, which made him even more excited to see what was coming next. They’re reusable too, so we save the ones we loved and switch out others year to year. Great for families who want to make their own traditions without starting from scratch.

Advent calendar, 25 Family challenges

We used this challenge calendar the year I really wanted to cut back on shopping and focus on time together. Each day had a simple activity—some silly, some meaningful, that we could do without much prep. Think “make a holiday snack together” or “call a grandparent.” A few made us laugh, and a few turned into new traditions. Perfect for families with kids of different ages who want something more experience-based.

The Silent Storm

This one is a great fit if your family likes working through a story together. It’s a cooperative puzzle calendar with a quiet, immersive storyline, less chaotic than some escape room styles, but still engaging. We did it in the evenings with tea and snacks, and it ended up being one of our most relaxing advents. Best for older kids or teens who enjoy logic puzzles without the pressure of a race.

An Advent Book: Crafts, games, recipes, stories, and more!

If you like the idea of mixing it up, this book has a bit of everything, recipes we could bake on the weekends, simple crafts we could squeeze in after lunch, and short stories we read aloud before bed. We didn’t do every single thing, but having a book to flip through gave us structure without being rigid. Great for homeschoolers or anyone looking for flexible advent ideas in one place.

The Advent Calendar of Kindness

This one holds a special place for us, it shifted the focus from gifts to giving. Each day suggests a small, thoughtful action, like leaving a thank-you note or donating toys. We paired it with our advent candle, and it helped us slow down and talk about gratitude. If your family wants to bring more meaning into the holidays, this is a gentle and heartwarming way to do it.

Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle Advent

We’re a puzzle-loving family, so this one was a hit. Each day gives you a new mini puzzle that eventually forms one big holiday scene. It’s satisfying without being overwhelming, we’d usually complete the day’s piece together after dinner. It became a nice way to unwind and chat at the end of busy days. A great pick for families who want a screen-free, low-stress activity to look forward to every evening.

Submarine Escape

This Ravensburger calendar was one of the more immersive ones we’ve tried. It’s a puzzle-based storyline set underwater, and each day reveals a clue or challenge. My son was completely pulled in by the theme, it felt more like an unfolding game than a calendar. We liked that it was self-paced but still gave us something to work through together. Great for older kids who enjoy mysteries with a twist.

More Advent Ideas to Explore

If you’re looking for something more tailored, here are a few other guides to help you find the right fit:

Best Advent Calendars for Teen Boys – From collectibles to challenges, these are the ones my teen actually gets excited about.
Advent Calendars for Teenage Girls – Creative, fun, and way more engaging than just chocolate.
Top Advent Calendars for Kids – Perfect for younger children who love crafts, games, and surprises.
Free Printable Advent Calendar Coloring Page – A simple, low-prep option that’s great for creative kids.

Have a favorite family advent calendar? Share it in the comments, I’m always looking for new ideas to try!

Last Updated on 23 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Top Advent Calendars for the Family

More Advent Ideas to Explore

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