49 Thoughtful Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids, Families & Adults

Advent calendar ideas can be as simple or as creative as you want them to be, and over the years, we’ve tried everything from homemade kindness cards to themed calendars packed with puzzles and treats.

What started as a fun December countdown has become one of our favorite traditions, something my son looks forward to even more than the chocolate.

Whether you’re planning for kids, teens, or adults, this list includes DIY options, printables, and curated calendars that help make the lead-up to Christmas feel more meaningful, fun, and (mostly) stress-free.

Collage of advent calendar products including LEGO, CoComelon, National Geographic, and family game sets with bold text reading “49 Advent Calendars For All.”

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Advent Countdown Ideas

A Christmas countdown isn’t just about crossing off the days, it’s a chance to build in moments of connection, joy, and a little surprise each morning.

With the right advent countdown ideas, you can turn December into something your whole family looks forward to, whether it’s opening a small treat, doing a festive activity, or sharing a simple act of kindness.

Colored advent calendar coloring page with 25 numbered holiday images, including Santa, a Christmas tree, gifts, reindeer, gingerbread man, and a fireplace.

Free Advent Calendar Coloring Page

This printable is great for younger kids or families who want a no-fuss countdown. My son liked coloring in one image each morning, it became a calming start to our day. You can hang it on the fridge or clip it to a clipboard for easy access.

EXIT: Advent Calendar

If your family enjoys puzzles and escape rooms, this one’s a standout. We tried this a couple of years ago, and it kept us genuinely excited each day. Each window reveals a clue, challenge, or riddle that leads you closer to the mystery of the Golden Book, great for older kids, teens, and adults who love a mental challenge.

shop.homeschoolof1.com

Christmas Movie Advent Calendar Printable

This printable calendar has become one of our favorite low-stress traditions. Each day suggests a cozy Christmas movie to watch, and we love pairing it with popcorn and hot cocoa. It’s a simple way to wind down together during a busy season, plus, no candy involved!

24 Family Games

This one was such a hit with my son! It includes a mix of quick-to-learn card games, brain teasers, and group challenges that are easy to play after dinner. It’s a great option if you’re looking to cut down on screen time and add some laughs to the countdown.

Personalized Advent Calendar House

A keepsake that’s both beautiful and functional, this wooden advent house can be reused year after year. We love filling it with a mix of treats and small notes. It’s especially fun if you like the idea of customizing your calendar while keeping it festive and meaningful.

Christmas Activities

These little tokens offer such a creative way to countdown to Christmas. Each one has a fun family activity printed on it, like “bake cookies” or “go look at Christmas lights.” It’s a nice way to focus on experiences over things, especially for younger kids.

Family Advent Activities Card Set

This card set includes 24 holiday activity prompts, and it’s perfect for pulling out one each evening. We’ve used it alongside our regular calendar as a fun “bonus task” for the day. It’s reusable too, so you can mix and match your favorites each year.

CoComelon Advent Calendar

Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who love CoComelon. Each day reveals a little figure or accessory that fits into a larger holiday play scene. My niece was obsessed with this last year, she played with the characters long after Christmas ended.

LEGO Friends Advent Calendar

This one’s perfect for LEGO fans who love a mix of mini-dolls and seasonal accessories. My son always looked forward to building a little scene each morning, it became part of our breakfast routine. The pieces are small, so it’s best for ages 6 and up.

Santa’s Workshop

This PLAYMOBIL calendar builds into an entire workshop scene by Christmas Eve. If your kids love imaginative play, this is a great choice, they’ll enjoy rediscovering the pieces each year, too. My son especially liked the conveyor belt and toy tools!

Rock Collection Advent Calendar

We used this during our homeschool science block and it doubled as both fun and educational. Each day includes a real rock, mineral, or fossil, and there’s a fact guide that makes it feel like a tiny discovery each morning. Ideal for curious kids who love nature.

This is also featured in our favorite advent calendars for teen girls.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Advent Calendar

This one is more hands-on with simple experiments and STEM activities that are easy to do at home. If you’ve got a kid who loves messy science kits, this adds a fun twist to the advent season. A few activities do need adult help, but nothing too intense.

Super Mario Advent Calendar

Perfect for Nintendo lovers. My son is a big Mario fan, and this calendar was a win, each day reveals a mini figure or themed accessory. He set up a whole Mario scene by Christmas Day and still keeps it displayed on his shelf.

Mega Construx Pokemon Advent Calendar

This calendar includes buildable Pokémon figures that come together to make a winter-themed display. If your kids enjoy collecting or building, this is a great mix of both. The surprise element makes it even more exciting for younger Pokémon fans.

Funko Pop! Holiday Calendar

This one’s especially fun for collectors. You get 24 mini Funko Pop! Pokémon characters in festive outfits, my teen kept them all lined up like a winter parade. It’s pricey, but the figures are adorable and hold their value for fans.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Dario’s Work

If your kids are into fantasy play, this Novelmore-themed calendar brings knights, tools, and mini scenes into the countdown. My son loved the storyline aspect, it was like building a new chapter each day. Great for ages 6–10 who enjoy imaginative play.

Bathtime Fun Magical Mermaids Calendar

This one’s a big hit with little ones who love mermaids and water play. Each day reveals a small figure or accessory that’s water-safe, making it perfect for bath time fun. It’s a nice option for younger kids who enjoy playing with what they open right away.

Pirate Cove Treasure Hunt

My son went through a pirate phase, and this calendar was perfect for it. You slowly build up a pirate scene with ships, treasure, and characters. He loved creating little adventures with it each day. Definitely a fun one for imaginative play lovers.

LEGO City Advent Calendar

A classic pick that changes slightly every year. The LEGO City calendar includes mini builds like snowmobiles, trees, and festive characters. It’s one we’ve used multiple times, it works well for boys and girls and encourages a little creative time every morning.

L.O.L. Surprise! Advent Calendar

For kids who love unboxing surprises, this one delivers. It includes a doll plus mix-and-match outfits and accessories. My niece couldn’t wait to open each compartment, it was like a mini gift every day. Best for kids already into the L.O.L. Surprise world.

Play-Doh Advent Calendar

We used this when my son was younger, and it was such an easy win. It comes with mini cans of Play-Doh and little tools or stampers. Great for keeping little hands busy in the lead-up to Christmas, especially if you're avoiding sugary treats.

Disney: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

This calendar includes 24 mini books with classic Disney stories, one for each night of December. We used it as a bedtime tradition for a few years, it was a cozy way to wind down and brought back favorite characters. Plus, the books are reusable.

The Purple Cow Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar

If your kids are into quirky science tricks, this one is packed with fun. Each day includes a hands-on experiment or activity, some are silly, some are genuinely educational. My son loved this one when he was about 9; it added a cool twist to our usual advent lineup.

Magic Advent Calendar

This calendar mixes magic and science in a really clever way. It’s perfect for kids who enjoy performing or showing off new skills, my son practiced the tricks in secret and surprised us during dinner. Great for ages 7+ who love STEM and surprises.

Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar

This one’s ideal for kids who enjoy jewelry-making or creative crafts. Each day reveals a new charm or accessory, and by Christmas, you’ve got a full bracelet set. My niece wore hers all season and loved picking the charm to match her mood.

Star Wars: The Galactic Advent Calendar

This isn’t a toy calendar, it’s more like a fan gift. It includes small collectibles, trivia, and Star Wars-themed surprises. A fun pick for older kids, teens, or even adults who love the franchise. We added this one to our movie night tradition last year.

Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Star Wars

Packed with 24 mini Funko figures, this calendar was a big hit in our house. The characters are styled in festive outfits and come in blind-box style compartments, which made the unboxing extra fun. My teen now displays them every December.

This is also featured in our advent calendar for teen boys.

Star Wars Enamel Pins Advent Calendar

Perfect for collectors or older kids who want something they can keep and wear. Each day comes with a high-quality enamel pin featuring a Star Wars character. My husband ended up stealing a few of these for his backpack!

STAR WARS Hasbro Micro Force Advent Calendar

This one’s geared more toward younger fans. Each day reveals a small figure from the Micro Force collection, think fun-sized characters you can line up or battle with. It’s a nice mix of cute and collectible.

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar

This calendar is a staple for any LEGO Star Wars fan. You get mini builds, vehicles, and exclusive characters, all themed for the holidays. We’ve done this one a few times, and it never gets old. My son especially loved the festive Darth Vader in a Christmas sweater!

Harry Potter™ Trivia Advent Calendar

Great for fans of the wizarding world, this calendar includes trivia questions and jelly beans to go with them. We used it as a dinner table challenge last year, whoever got the answer right got to pick a treat. It was a fun way to mix up the countdown.

Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Advent Calendar

This one includes mini figures and accessories to build out your own Harry Potter scene. My niece played with this well past December, she turned it into a full Hogsmeade display. A great pick for younger Potter fans who love collecting.

Harry Potter Holiday Magic

If magical creatures are their favorite part of Harry Potter, this one’s perfect. Each day brings a different creature-themed surprise. It’s more collectible than play-based, so probably best for older fans or teens.

Harry Potter Advent Calendar Countdown to Christmas

This pop-up style calendar makes a beautiful keepsake. The little doors open to reveal ornaments, and by Christmas, you have a full Hogwarts-themed display. It’s more decorative than interactive, but still a magical addition to any fan’s December.

LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar

This one’s heavy on mini-builds and figures, with a new Hogsmeade-themed setup this year. We used it alongside our Harry Potter movie nights and matched the build to scenes from the films, it made the countdown feel extra fun and themed.

Fisher-Price Imaginext Advent Calendar

Best for preschoolers who love hands-on play. Each day reveals a chunky figure or accessory that’s easy for little hands to hold. When my son was younger, this kept him happily occupied while his older cousins opened their more detailed calendars.

Funko Advent Calendar: Marvel 80th Anniversary

This calendar is a favorite for superhero fans. Each day includes a mini Funko Pop! vinyl figure featuring a different Marvel character. My teen displayed the full collection on his bookshelf, it’s one of those calendars that turns into a keepsake by the end.

LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar

Packed with Spider-Man mini builds, villains, and accessories, this is a fun way to bring a favorite superhero into your holiday countdown. My son loved building little battle scenes each day. It’s great for creative kids who already love LEGO.

Marvel: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

If you’ve got a young Marvel fan who enjoys reading, this calendar offers 24 short stories, one for each day. We used it as a bedtime tradition and it was a great alternative to candy or toys. The books are small but make a fun holiday library.

Funko Pop! Advent Calendar – DC Super Heroes

This one’s for DC fans, Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and more, all in cute, collectible Funko style. It’s a solid choice for older kids or teens who like DC over Marvel. My nephew lined them up on his windowsill and made a little superhero display.

Fishing Christmas Countdown

This was such a fun one for my husband. Each compartment includes lures, tools, or gear, nothing gimmicky, all stuff he could actually use. It felt personal and practical, and he said it made the countdown feel “like Christmas morning for grown-ups.”

K Cup Advent Calendar

Perfect for coffee lovers who want a daily treat with zero effort. Each day features a new K Cup to try, we gifted this to a family friend last year and she raved about it. It’s simple, useful, and makes mornings a little more festive.

MAN’STUFF – Toiletry Advent Calendar

This one is full of small grooming items, think beard oil, body wash, and face scrub. We got it for my teen as a lighthearted gift and he actually used most of it. It’s a fun twist on the traditional calendar for guys who like a bit of self-care.

Jewelry Advent Calendar

This calendar is great for kids or tweens who enjoy crafting. Each day includes charms, beads, or pieces to build necklaces and bracelets. My niece loved designing her own jewelry, by the end of the month, she had made gifts for her friends too.

Crystal Advent Calendar

This one’s ideal for anyone who’s into gemstones or natural elements. Each day reveals a polished crystal with a little description card. I gave it to a friend who collects rocks and she said it was both calming and fun to open each morning.

Christmas Advent Bags

If you’re more into creating your own experience, these reusable fabric bags are a great starting point. We’ve used them with activity cards, small gifts, or kindness notes. Easy to hang on a string or place in a basket, definitely a favorite if you love DIY.

24 Cardboard Treasure Boxes with 1-24 Number Stickers

These little boxes are great for building your own calendar from scratch. We’ve filled them with everything from puzzle pieces to jokes and treats. You can stack them, hide them around the house, or use them as part of a holiday scavenger hunt.

Christmas Felt Advent Calendar 3D Santa

This felt wall calendar has 24 pockets you can fill however you like. It adds a festive touch to your decor and works well for families with mixed ages. We’ve used ours for candy canes, Lego figures, and even handwritten riddles.

Liquor Advent Calendar

Perfect for grown-up December evenings. Fill each compartment with a mini bottle of whiskey, rum, or your favorite spirits. My husband and I made one of these a few years ago and took turns opening the compartments, definitely added some holiday cheer.

What are your favorite advent calendar ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

Last Updated on 23 July 2025 by Clare Brown

3 Comments

Kim Carberry says:

6 October 2019 at 11:06 am

Never mind the kids, I want that Lego Harry Potter advent calendar. I think my fella would want the Star Wars one too. lol

The Queen of Collage says:

7 November 2018 at 12:34 pm

There are some truly creative advent calendars out there. It seems that everyone will have a favourite.

mackenzieglanville says:

7 November 2018 at 8:13 am

I simply can not believe I didn’t know so many awesome calendars existed!!!! I would love the Molton Brown one,

Advent Countdown Ideas

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