39 Best Advent Calendars for Kids in 2026

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Finding the best Advent calendars for kids gets harder every year, with everything from LEGO and science kits to books, crafts, puzzles, and collectibles to choose from.

We’ve tried quite a few over the years, starting with simple chocolate calendars when my son was little and moving on to LEGO, science experiments, puzzles, and other hands-on options as he got older. Some were definitely better than others.

I’ve updated this list for 2026 with Advent calendars for younger kids, older kids, LEGO fans, budding scientists, crafters, and collectors, so it’s easier to find one that actually suits your child.

Best Advent calendars for kids including LEGO, science kits, and puzzles

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Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids

There are so many more options than the traditional chocolate calendar. I’ve included Advent calendars for different ages and interests, from LEGO and character sets to science experiments, crafts, puzzles, and collectibles.

Use the sections below to find the best fit for your child.

Advent Calendars for Toddlers and Preschoolers

These picks are easier for younger kids to enjoy, with familiar characters, simple activities, books, and toys.

Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Advent Calendar

A good choice for younger Numberblocks fans, with 24 daily surprises including figures and MathLink Cubes. There’s also a built-in game board, so kids can keep using the pieces once December is over.

Wooden Advent Calendar

We used a wooden magnetic tree calendar like this when my son was younger, and adding a new ornament became part of our morning routine. It’s reusable, easy for little hands, and a good choice for ages 3–6 if you want to avoid candy and tiny plastic toys.

Play-Doh Advent Calendar

This was a favorite in our house when my son was around 4 or 5. Each day adds another Play-Doh color, cutter, or accessory, gradually building up a festive play set. It's especially good for kids who already love Play-Doh and hands-on activities.

24 Days of Christmas Rubber Duck Set

Behind each door is a different Christmas-themed rubber duck, including Santa, reindeer, and other festive designs. My friend’s twins loved collecting them, and they work particularly well for younger kids who enjoy bath toys and small figures.

Bluey: Awesome Advent Calendar Book Bundle

Bluey fans get a new mini book to open each day in the run-up to Christmas. It’s an easy way to add a short story to your December routine and a good alternative to calendars filled with toys or candy.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar – Christmas Baking

Kids gradually build a festive kitchen scene with characters, baking accessories, and Christmas details. A friend’s daughter used the finished set alongside her dollhouse, so the pieces didn't disappear into a drawer once Christmas was over.

Magna Tiles Advent Calendar

A particularly good option for kids who already play with MAGNA-TILES. The 34-piece set adds new magnetic building pieces throughout December, which can then be mixed with an existing collection for more building possibilities.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Trip to the Christmas Market

This one builds a detailed Christmas market scene with stalls, characters, gifts, and seasonal accessories. My son enjoyed adding the pieces to his holiday village, and they can easily be reused with other PLAYMOBIL sets.

Disney: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

Each door contains a mini Disney storybook, making this an easy addition to a December bedtime routine. The stories are short enough for younger kids, and the books come in a keepsake box that can be used again.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Dario’s Work

A less traditional choice for kids who prefer knights and fantasy to Santa and snowmen. The daily pieces build out a Novelmore scene and can be added to an existing PLAYMOBIL collection after Christmas.

LEGO and Building Advent Calendars

For kids who love to build, these calendars add a new mini build, figure, or building piece each day.

Christmas Village Advent Calendar | KiwiCo

Each day adds another small project to a Christmas village, including houses, trees, and festive decorations. We tried a similar KiwiCo set and my son enjoyed having something to actually make rather than simply open.

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026

The 2026 Star Wars calendar combines mini builds with seasonal Star Wars characters and vehicles. My son always looked forward to the LEGO calendar more than chocolate, and the pieces can be added straight into an existing LEGO collection.

LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026

This is a good choice for kids who enjoy imaginative LEGO play as much as building. The daily pieces create small holiday scenes, and my niece continued using the mini pieces with her regular LEGO sets afterward.

LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar 2026

Marvel fans get a mix of characters, accessories, and small superhero-themed builds throughout December. The individual builds are fairly manageable, making this a good option for younger LEGO fans as well as older kids.

Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar

LEGO hasn’t released a new Harry Potter Advent Calendar for 2026, but the 2025 version is still available. It includes characters and mini builds from the Wizarding World and works well for kids who are already into both Harry Potter and LEGO.

Mega Construx Pokemon Advent Calendar

My son was deep into Pokémon when we tried this one. It combines small Pokémon figures with mini holiday builds, so there's a good balance of building and collecting. I'd put this one at around age 6+.

Science and Educational Advent Calendars

These hands-on calendars include experiments, gemstones, science activities, and magic tricks to try throughout December.

Gemstone Advent Calendar

Each day reveals a different rock, mineral, or fossil to add to a collection. A science-loving 7-year-old we know ended up labeling and organizing his finds, so this is a particularly good choice for kids interested in geology and collecting.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Advent Calendar

This is one for kids who would rather do an experiment than open another toy. My son did it with a friend and they loved working through the daily activities, although some experiments need adult supervision.

The Purple Cow Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar

This calendar includes a new experiment or science activity each day, with plenty of kitchen-science style projects. Some require basic supplies such as vinegar or baking soda, so it needs a little more involvement than a standard toy calendar.

SHOCKING SCIENCE Countdown Calendar

Another hands-on option, with daily experiments covering things like static electricity and color-changing reactions. It’s better suited to kids who enjoy actually doing something each day rather than simply collecting 24 small toys.

Magic Advent Calendar

This National Geographic calendar combines simple magic tricks with the science behind them. Kids get props and instructions throughout December, and some of the tricks may need a little help the first time around.

Character and Collectible Advent Calendars

From Mario and Star Wars to Harry Potter, these are good choices for kids who already have a favorite character or collection.

Super Mario Advent Calendar

Nintendo fans get a collection of Super Mario figures and accessories, including seasonal characters such as Santa Mario and Snowman Luigi. My nephew displayed his figures afterward, so this is one that lasts beyond the Christmas countdown.

L.O.L. Surprise! Advent Calendar

This calendar starts with an L.O.L. doll and adds clothes and accessories throughout December. It's best for kids who already enjoy dressing and collecting the dolls rather than someone completely new to L.O.L. Surprise.

Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Star Wars

There are 24 miniature Star Wars Funko figures to collect and display. My son lined his up on a shelf in his room, and I'd particularly recommend this one for older kids who are already Star Wars or Funko fans.

STAR WARS Micro Force Advent Calendar

This is the more play-focused Star Wars option, with small figures that kids can collect and use rather than simply display. My son used his as desk figures, and I'd put this one at around ages 5–9.

Star Wars: The Galactic Advent Calendar

Instead of 24 similar figures, this one includes a mixture of Star Wars-themed surprises and small booklets. It's a good alternative for a fan who already has plenty of LEGO or character figures.

Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis

Kids get Harry Potter figures, accessories, and mini props to build small Wizarding World scenes. My friend’s daughter displayed hers on her bookshelf, and it works particularly well for kids who already collect Magical Minis.

Harry Potter Holiday Magic

This is more of a book-style keepsake than a traditional toy calendar, with daily surprises based around magical creatures from the Harry Potter world. It's a good choice for Harry Potter readers who don't necessarily want another collection of plastic figures.

Creative Advent Calendars for Kids

These calendars give kids something to make each day, including crafts, jewelry, and other creative projects.

Charm Bracelet Calendar

Kids build their own jewelry collection throughout December, opening new charms and accessories each day. It's a good fit for children who enjoy crafts but also want something they can actually wear when they're finished.

Meet the Corkish & Co.’s 2026 Advent Calendar

This unusual 2026 calendar contains 24 different cork characters, with a new figurine to discover each day. It’s aimed at ages 13+, making it a more unusual creative option for tweens and teens who’ve outgrown younger toy calendars.

Jewelry Making Advent Calendar

The 2026 National Geographic calendar includes beads, clay, charms, and tools for making more than 24 pieces of jewelry. It’s much more hands-on than simply opening a finished charm each day and would suit kids who already enjoy making things.

Arts & Crafts Advent Calendar

Each day brings another small Christmas craft or decoration to make. My friend’s daughter used the finished pieces to decorate a mini tree in her room, so the projects become part of the Christmas decorations rather than being thrown away.

Advent Calendars for Older Kids

For tweens and older kids, these options include puzzles, games, collectibles, and other alternatives to younger toy calendars.

DND Dice Advent Calendar

A much better fit for older kids who play Dungeons & Dragons or other tabletop RPGs. The 2026 calendar includes dice and D&D-themed surprises, so the contents are actually useful after the countdown is finished.

Monopoly Token Advent Calendar

A fun choice for Monopoly fans, with a different themed surprise behind each door, including collectible tokens. I’d choose this for an older child who enjoys board games rather than someone looking for a traditional toy calendar.

Clue Advent Calendar

This one turns the countdown into a 24-day mystery, with clues and surprises revealed as December progresses. It’s designed for ages 10+ and can be played solo, making it a good option for older kids who enjoy puzzles and mysteries.

Escape Room Advent Calendar

We tried this as a family challenge one December, and it quickly became our favorite evening routine. Each day is a puzzle that builds on the last, so it’s great for older kids or tweens who enjoy solving riddles. It’s not too hard, but definitely more engaging than a toy countdown. Ideal for ages 10+.

Funko Advent Calendar: Marvel 80th Anniversary

Marvel fans get 24 mini Funko Pop figures to collect throughout December. My son displayed his afterward, and this works particularly well for tweens and older kids who already collect Funko figures.

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Christmas Movie Advent Calendar Printable

We used this to plan our December movie nights, with a different Christmas movie for each day of the countdown. It’s an easy option for older kids who have outgrown toy calendars but still want a December tradition.

Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar

A few more pieces are added each day until the full 1,008-piece Christmas puzzle is completed. It's definitely better suited to older kids than little ones and works well if they enjoy having an ongoing project throughout December.

More Advent Ideas to Explore

Looking for more ways to count down to Christmas? These are some of our other favorite Advent ideas for kids and families:

Free advent calendar coloring page – Color one section each day throughout December until the picture is complete.
Best family advent calendars – Advent calendars and activities the whole family can enjoy together.
Advent activities for teenagers – Christmas countdown ideas and activities specifically for teens.
Best advent calendars for teen boys and teen girls. – More age-appropriate calendar ideas for older kids.

Last Updated on 17 September 2026 by Clare Brown

Best Advent Calendars for Kids