39 Best Advent Calendars for Kids (That Make December Fun!)

Finding the best Advent calendars for kids has become one of my favorite ways to make December feel a little more magical, without adding stress.

When my son was younger, we tried everything from the classic chocolate ones to science kits, puzzles, and toy-filled surprises. Some were a hit. Others… not so much.

This list pulls together the calendars that actually held his attention, and a few newer ones I wish we’d found sooner.

Whether you’re shopping for toddlers, creative kids, or older ones who’ve outgrown the basics, these ideas offer daily surprises that make the countdown to Christmas something everyone looks forward to.

Collage of kids' advent calendars including LEGO, CoComelon, National Geographic, charm bracelet, science kits, and Harry Potter options.

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Top Kids Advent Calendars

From building kits and puzzles to storybooks and STEM, these advent calendars aren’t just fun, they’re tailored to what your kids actually love.

After testing out dozens over the years (and retiring a few duds), I’ve pulled together the ones that felt worth it, whether you’ve got a curious preschooler, a LEGO lover, or a tween who’s over chocolate calendars.

CoComelon Advent Calendar

If you’ve got a toddler who’s deep in the CoComelon phase, this calendar will probably be a hit. The little JJ and Cody figures are surprisingly detailed, and my friend’s 3-year-old played with them well past Christmas. Each day brings a new mini item, from cookies to chairs to holiday accessories, which helps keep it fresh. It's especially good if you're trying to ease screen time and offer something tactile.

Wooden Advent Calendar

We used a wooden magnetic tree calendar like this when my son was younger, and it became part of our morning routine. He’d race to the fridge (where we kept it) to add a new ornament. It’s simple but sweet, and perfect if you want a reusable option that feels more intentional than candy or plastic toys. Great for ages 3–6.

LEGO Friends Advent Calendar

This LEGO Friends set is one of the better advent calendars if your kid loves storytelling as much as building. My niece loved arranging all the little holiday scenes on her windowsill, she still uses the mini pieces in her regular LEGO play. It’s especially good for kids who like detail and creativity more than just quick builds.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar – Santa’s Workshop

Playmobil always nails the cozy holiday feel, and this Santa’s Workshop calendar delivers. There are elves, toys, and a full North Pole scene by the end. It’s more about imaginative play than fast action, which made it a calming part of our December afternoons. Definitely one for kids who love setting up scenes and playing out stories.

Play-Doh Advent Calendar

This one was a favorite in our house when my son was around 4 or 5. Each day you get a new color or cutter, and by Christmas you’ve got a full creative set. If you’ve got a sensory-seeking kid or one who already enjoys Play-Doh, this adds a festive twist. Bonus: it kept him occupied while I got holiday stuff done.

24 Days of Christmas Rubber Duck Set

If your child loves bath time, this one’s such a fun (and honestly unexpected) pick. My friend’s twins got this last year, and they were obsessed with the festive ducks, there’s everything from a Santa duck to a reindeer duck. It’s silly, simple, and perfect for kids around 3–6 who like collecting cute little toys.

Super Mario Advent Calendar

For Mario fans, this calendar is a total win. It includes exclusive figures like Santa Mario and Snowman Luigi, which were a big hit with my nephew. He lined them up on his bookshelf and even brought a few to school. It’s a bit of a splurge but feels special if your child is into Nintendo.

Mega Construx Pokemon Advent Calendar

My son was deep in his Pokémon phase when we tried this one, and it didn’t disappoint. You get mini builds and figures that are themed for the holidays, which makes it feel more seasonal than some of the other toy-based calendars. It’s a good mix of building and collecting, best for ages 6+.

Arts & Crafts Advent Calendar

This one is a dream for crafty kids. Each day has a small ornament or decoration to make, and my friend’s daughter used hers to decorate a mini Christmas tree in her room. It’s great for kids who enjoy hands-on projects and don’t mind a little mess. You’ll want a craft caddy nearby to keep things organized.

LEGO City Advent Calendar

This is a classic pick for LEGO fans who aren’t into the licensed themes. My son liked it because it had mini scenes like a police dog with a sleigh and little Christmas builds. It’s easy to blend into their existing LEGO sets and doesn’t feel overly branded, great if you’re looking for a solid, no-fuss option.

Funko Pop! Holiday Calendar

If you’ve got a Pokémon collector in the house, this calendar is a great way to build excitement all month. A neighbor’s teen has been collecting these Pocket Pops! for years, and this was his favorite advent gift last December. The mini figures are detailed and adorable, and they work well as desk decor too.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Dario’s Work

This one’s less traditional holiday and more imaginative play. It’s part of the Novelmore fantasy series, so if your child is into knights, battles, and castles, it’s a fun surprise each day. A friend's son used the pieces to expand his regular Playmobil set, and he liked that it wasn’t overly Christmas-y.

L.O.L. Surprise! Advent Calendar

This is a big hit with kids who love fashion and collecting. You get a doll and lots of mix-and-match clothes and accessories, so each day feels like a little unwrapping event. It can get a bit messy, but for L.O.L. fans, it’s worth it. One mom told me her daughter even saved the little doors to reuse next year.

Family Games Calendar

We tried something like this last year, and it ended up being one of our favorite evening rituals. Each window reveals a small game or challenge, great for mixed ages or screen-free family time. A friend of mine even packed a few of the games to bring when visiting grandparents. Super useful if you like quality time more than candy or toys.

Advent Calendar Bathtime Fun Magical Mermaids

This under-the-sea-themed calendar is a sweet choice for younger kids who love mermaids. The tiny accessories and sea creatures make it feel like an underwater treasure hunt. One mom told me her daughter added the mermaids to her bath toys afterward, so it definitely got more use than just for December.

Rock Collection Advent Calendar

This one was a total win for a science-loving 7-year-old we know. Every day reveals a new rock, mineral, or fossil, he ended up labeling and organizing them like a real collection. It’s perfect if your child is into geology or just loves collecting little treasures. Bonus: no batteries, no noise, just pure curiosity.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Advent Calendar

This one is bigger and a bit messier, but in a good way. My son did it with a friend last year, and they loved the daily experiments (even if I had to supervise a few of the more ambitious ones). It’s ideal for kids who enjoy hands-on learning and don’t mind getting their hands dirty for science.

Playmobil Advent Calendar – Pirate Cove Treasure Hunt

If you’ve got a pirate-obsessed kid, this calendar is pure gold. A friend’s son couldn’t wait each morning to see which treasure or character he’d get next. By Christmas Eve, they’d built a full pirate scene that lived on the playroom shelf for weeks. A fun mix of storytelling and daily surprise.

Disney: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

This one is perfect for a bedtime routine. Each day gives you a mini Disney book, and we ended up reading two or three per night just because my son couldn’t choose. The stories are short but cute, and they come in a little keepsake box you can reuse next year. Great for ages 3–7.

The Purple Cow Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar

This calendar leans into quirky science fun. A fellow homeschool mom said her 9-year-old was all in, he loved the weird experiments and little tricks. Some need setup (like vinegar or baking soda), so it’s not entirely hands-off, but if your kid likes “kitchen science,” this is a solid pick.

Magic Advent Calendar

This one’s a great mix of science and magic, my son loved showing off the tricks to anyone who’d watch. The calendar includes props and instructions for simple magic experiments, so it’s both entertaining and educational. Some tricks need a little adult help at first, but that made it a fun parent-kid activity too.

Charm Bracelet Calendar

If you’re looking for something sparkly and hands-on, this calendar is a lovely option. One mom told me her daughter couldn’t wait to open each charm and build her bracelet throughout December. It comes with jewelry-making supplies like a bracelet, necklace, and earrings—fun for crafty kids who like accessories with meaning.

Escape Room Advent Calendar – The Hunt for The Golden Book

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+.

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Christmas Movie Advent Calendar Printable

This printable was a game-changer during our busiest December. We used it to plan cozy movie nights as a family—everything from animated classics to newer favorites. It’s low-prep, flexible, and helps create a festive routine without more “stuff.” I especially recommend it if your kids are past toys but still love tradition.

Star Wars: The Galactic Advent Calendar

If your child is into Star Wars, this calendar is packed with surprises beyond just candy or figures. My nephew loved opening daily booklets and little Star Wars-themed items that felt fresh and collectible. It has a nice variety and works well for fans young and old. Definitely one of the more unique options.

Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Star Wars

This calendar is a favorite among Star Wars collectors, my teen displayed all 24 mini Funkos on a shelf in his room, and they looked awesome. The figures are small but detailed, and it’s fun to see which character pops up each day. Works well for older kids or anyone who's a fan of the franchise.

Star Wars Enamel Pins Advent Calendar

This one’s definitely more niche but super cool for kids who like to accessorize. A friend’s daughter pinned the enamel pieces to her backpack and pencil case throughout December. They’re sturdy, collectible, and a fun alternative to toys, probably best for tweens and up who’ll appreciate the style.

STAR WARS Hasbro Micro Force Advent Calendar

If you’re after something more play-based, this Micro Force calendar is great for younger Star Wars fans. The little figurines are fun to collect and easy to carry around (my son used them as desk buddies during school time). It’s more toy-like than decorative, and ideal for ages 5–9.

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar

This one’s a classic and sells out fast for good reason. Each day includes either a mini build or Star Wars figure, my son looked forward to it more than chocolate. He especially liked combining the tiny vehicles into a bigger scene. If you’ve got a LEGO lover in the house, this one’s a solid bet.

Harry Potter™ Trivia Advent Calendar

We had so much fun with this one, it mixes trivia questions with jelly beans, and let’s just say some flavors were… interesting. Perfect for Harry Potter fans who love a bit of a challenge and don’t mind weird candy surprises. We used it during dinner and made it a mini quiz game each night.

Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Advent Calendar

If your child’s into tiny collectibles, this calendar is full of little Harry Potter surprises, figures, accessories, and cute mini props. My friend’s daughter loved building little Hogwarts scenes on her bookshelf. It’s great for ages 6–10 and especially fun for kids who already enjoy Magical Minis sets.

Harry Potter Holiday Magic: Official Advent Calendar: Creatures of the Wizarding World

This one’s a bit different, it focuses on magical creatures and includes pop-up-style surprises. My niece is a huge Hagrid fan and adored discovering new animals each day. It feels more like a keepsake calendar and less like a toy, which gives it a bit of a special, bookish charm.

Harry Potter Advent Calendar Countdown to Christmas

This pop-up calendar was one of our favorite low-effort, high-impact options. It unfolds into a decorative Hogwarts scene, and each day you add a tiny ornament. It’s more about visual magic than toys, ideal for decorating a kid’s room or even as a shared calendar between siblings.

LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar

A strong pick for LEGO + Harry Potter fans. The Hogsmeade builds were surprisingly detailed, and my son loved guessing which mini-figure would show up next. You can combine the pieces into a wintry Hogwarts scene by the end, which makes it feel like a full activity set rather than just daily trinkets.

Fisher-Price Imaginext Advent Calendar

We used this one when my son was in preschool and it was a hit. The figures are chunky and durable, perfect for younger kids who love imaginative play. He made a whole Christmas rescue squad by the end of the month. Great for ages 3–5 and surprisingly long-lasting even past the season.

Funko Advent Calendar: Marvel 80th Anniversary

This one’s a collector’s dream. My teen (big into Marvel) got this last year and proudly lined up every mini Pop figure on his windowsill. Each day feels like a little collectible surprise, and the anniversary theme adds a cool retro vibe. It’s best for older kids or tweens who’ll appreciate the tiny details.

LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar

If your child loves superheroes and building things, this calendar is a great combo. My son loved seeing which Spidey-themed mini build he’d get each day, some were vehicles, others were little accessories. It’s also not too hard to put together, so even younger LEGO fans (age 5–6) can enjoy it without much help.

Funko Pop! Advent Calendar – DC Super Heroes

This DC version is another great choice for comic fans. You’ll get heroes, villains, and festive versions of both. One mom told me her son used the figures for pretend battles under the Christmas tree. It’s a fun mix of fandom and play, and works for kids who like to collect or create little scenes.

Jigsaw Puzzle Advent Calendar

This calendar takes a more relaxed, family-style approach. You get a handful of puzzle pieces each day, and by Christmas you’ve completed the full 1008-piece image. It’s not ideal for really young kids, but for older ones or parents who want a shared activity, it’s a lovely way to slow down together.

More Advent Ideas to Explore

Still planning your December countdown? Here are a few more ideas we’ve loved over the years:

Free Advent calendar coloring page – A fun, creative project perfect for kids who enjoy coloring their way to Christmas.
Best family advent calendars – Thoughtful calendars designed to bring everyone together with activities the whole family will love.
Advent activities for teenagers – Keep older kids engaged with activities tailored for their interests and energy.
Best advent calendars for teen boys and the best advent calendar for teen girls. – Find the perfect calendar for both boys and girls, from sports-themed options to collectibles they’ll treasure.

Last Updated on 23 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Top Kids Advent Calendars

More Advent Ideas to Explore

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