49 Thoughtful Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids, Families & Adults

Discover a variety of advent calendar ideas that can make each December day feel a little more special.

In our family, these calendars aren’t just about counting down, they’re about creating small moments of joy we can share together.

Whether it’s toys for the kids, fun activities for teens, or sweet treats for adults, there’s a calendar for everyone to enjoy.

They’re also a thoughtful addition to Christmas gifts, adding an extra layer of excitement to the season.

No matter how your family celebrates, these ideas offer a chance to make the holidays even more meaningful.

**This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.**

Advent countdown ideas

A Christmas countdown isn’t just about marking off days, it’s about turning December into a time of connection and excitement.

With thoughtful Christmas countdown ideas, every family member can enjoy small moments that build anticipation.

Whether you choose an advent calendar filled with activities, sweet treats, or acts of kindness, these traditions bring joy and meaning to the holiday season.

For a free option, you can enjoy our free advent calendar coloring page.

EXIT: Advent Calendar

This family-friendly advent calendar offers a unique at-home escape room experience over 24 days. Solve riddles together to uncover the mystery of the Golden Book, suitable for ages 10 and up.

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Christmas Movie Advent Calendar Printable

Make this December unforgettable with this Christmas movie advent calendar printable!

Every day unveils a heartwarming Christmas film, transforming each night into a cherished tradition.

Handpicked classics and family-friendly favorites ensure a month of festive movie nights. Start the magic now!

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24 Family Games

Enjoy 24 of the best-ever family games all in one box, making it the perfect screen-free bonding experience for kids aged 6 and up. This calendar includes a step-by-step picture guide, ensuring hours of fun for the entire family.

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Personalized Advent Calendar House

This personalized advent calendar house is a cherished Christmas keepsake. Each day, open a tiny door to reveal a surprise, creating joyful anticipation for the whole family throughout December.

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Christmas Activities

These Christmas activity tokens offers a creative way for families to count down to the big day. Each day reveals a unique holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy together, adding excitement and memorable moments to the season.

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Family Advent Activities Card Set

Features a set of family-friendly activity cards to be enjoyed year after year. Count down to Christmas by pulling out a card each day, and engage in various holiday-themed activities to create lasting memories with your loved ones.

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CoComelon Advent Calendar

This Christmas toy playset features 24 pieces, including articulated character figures like JJ and Cody, making it an exciting gift for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids to enjoy imaginative play throughout the holiday season.

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LEGO Friends Advent Calendar

Kids can count down to Christmas with this LEGO set, which includes 24 collectible surprises, including mini-dolls and pet figures, providing a fun building experience and imaginative play.

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PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar – Santa’s Workshop

This advent calendar offers kids the opportunity to create their own Santa's Workshop scene with 24 daily surprises, fostering imaginative play during the holiday season.

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Collection Advent Calendar

This educational advent calendar for kids includes 24 gemstones, minerals, and fossils, offering a unique and educational way to explore the world of geology during the Christmas countdown.

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

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Advent Calendar

This jumbo advent calendar contains 24 science experiments, rocks, fossils, and a mini gemstone dig kit, making it a captivating and educational way for kids to discover the wonders of science.

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Super Mario Advent Calendar

This Amazon exclusive advent calendar features never-before-seen Santa Mario, Snowman Mario, and Luigi figures, delighting Super Mario fans as they count down to Christmas.

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Mega Construx Pokemon Advent Calendar

Kids can enjoy building Pokemon-themed surprises every day with this advent calendar, which includes 24 holiday-inspired Pokemon figures and accessories.

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Funko Pop! Holiday Calendar

This advent calendar includes 24 Pocket Pop! Figures featuring beloved Pokemon characters, making it a fantastic gift for Pokemon enthusiasts and collectors.

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PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Dario’s Work

With this advent calendar, kids can immerse themselves in the world of Novelmore and discover 24 daily surprises, fostering imaginative storytelling and play.

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PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar Bathtime Fun Magical Mermaids

This magical mermaid-themed advent calendar is perfect for kids aged 4 and up, offering daily surprises that bring underwater adventures to life.

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Playmobil Advent Calendar – Pirate Cove Treasure Hunt

Join the pirate treasure hunt with this Playmobil advent calendar, where kids can uncover daily treasures and embark on a swashbuckling adventure.

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LEGO City Advent Calendar

Count down to the holiday season with this LEGO City advent calendar, featuring daily collectible surprises that inspire adventure and creativity.

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L.O.L. Surprise! Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is filled with over 25 surprises, including a collectible doll with mix-and-match outfits, making it a fantastic holiday gift for kids who love L.O.L. Surprise!

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Play-Doh Advent Calendar

Kids aged 3 and up can enjoy daily surprises with this Play-Doh advent calendar, complete with accessories, playmats, and 24 cans of non-toxic Play-Doh in assorted colors.

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Disney: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

Dive into the magical world of Disney with this advent calendar, featuring 24 Disney storybooks that bring beloved characters and tales to life throughout December.

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The Purple Cow Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar

Perfect for young scientists, this calendar includes 24 exciting science tricks and experiments, providing hours of educational and fun-filled activities for ages 8 to 99.

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Magic Advent Calendar

This jumbo advent calendar combines magic tricks and science experiments, offering a captivating and educational way for kids to count down to Christmas.

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Christmas Advent Calendar Charm Bracelet

This jewelry-themed advent calendar includes 24 days of surprises, with a bracelet, necklace, earrings, and DIY charms, making it a delightful gift for kids.

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Star Wars: The Galactic Advent Calendar

Star Wars fans can enjoy 25 days of surprises, including booklets, trinkets, and more, with this official Star Wars advent calendar, adding a touch of the Force to their holiday countdown.

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Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Star Wars

Celebrate the holiday season with this Star Wars-themed advent calendar featuring 24 unique, festive Funko Pop! vinyl figures, making it a must-have for Star Wars fans of all ages.

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

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Star Wars Enamel Pins Advent Calendar

This exclusive advent calendar offers Star Wars enthusiasts 24 unique enamel pins to collect and display throughout the holiday season.

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STAR WARS Hasbro Micro Force Advent Calendar

This advent calendar includes Hasbro Micro Force figures for kids to discover and collect daily, adding to their Star Wars micro universe.

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LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar

With this LEGO advent calendar, fans can enjoy daily surprises featuring 9 Star Wars characters and 15 mini building toys, creating a memorable holiday countdown.

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Harry Potter™ Trivia Advent Calendar

Harry Potter fans can test their knowledge with this trivia advent calendar, complete with 6.7 oz of jelly beans for a sweet treat during the countdown.

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Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Advent Calendar

This advent calendar offers 24 magical gifts and surprise toys, making it a perfect Christmas countdown for kids aged 6 and up.

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

Dive into the magical world of Harry Potter with this advent calendar featuring creatures from the wizarding world, providing a unique and enchanting holiday experience.

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Harry Potter Advent Calendar Countdown to Christmas

This pop-up advent calendar includes 25 days of surprises, with ornaments featuring Hogwarts houses, making it a delightful holiday gift set for Harry Potter fans of all ages.

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LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar

Count down to Christmas with this LEGO set featuring 18 Hogsmeade Village mini builds and 6 minifigures, allowing kids to discover new experiences in the wizarding world.

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Fisher-Price Imaginext Advent Calendar

Designed for preschool kids ages 3 and up, this advent calendar offers 24 figures and accessories for imaginative play and holiday fun.

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Funko Advent Calendar: Marvel 80th Anniversary

Marvel fans can celebrate 80 years of iconic superheroes with this Funko Pop! advent calendar featuring 24 pocket-sized vinyl figures.

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LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar

The LEGO Spider-Man Advent Calendar offers a fun, buildable countdown to the holidays, featuring 24 days of surprises. Each day reveals mini Spider-Man-themed builds, accessories, or characters, allowing fans of all ages to engage with the Marvel universe throughout the season. Perfect for Spider-Man enthusiasts, this set combines festive excitement with creative LEGO building fun.

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Marvel: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

This advent calendar features a collection of Marvel storybooks to entertain and engage young fans throughout the holiday season.

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Funko Pop! Advent Calendar – DC Super Heroes

DC Comics enthusiasts can enjoy 24 pocket-sized Funko Pop! vinyl figures of their favorite superheroes and villains with this advent calendar.

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Fishing Christmas Countdown

The Fishing Advent Calendar provides a unique countdown to Christmas for fishing enthusiasts, offering 24 days of exciting fishing gear surprises. Each day reveals a new tool, lure, or accessory, enhancing your fishing kit and adding to the thrill of anticipation. Perfect for hobbyists or avid anglers, this advent calendar blends holiday cheer with practical and fun fishing items, making it an ideal gift for those who love the sport.

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K Cup Advent Calendar

Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy a daily caffeine fix with this K Cup advent calendar, which includes coffee pods for a delicious brew throughout the holiday season, making mornings merrier one cup at a time.

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MAN’STUFF – Toiletry Advent Calendar

Designed to help men feel good and look great during the festive season, this toiletry advent calendar by Technic's MAN'STUFF offers daily grooming surprises, ensuring they're ready to shine throughout the holidays.

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Jewelry Advent Calendar

This Jewelry Advent Calendar offers a stylish and interactive way to countdown to Christmas, featuring 24 unique jewelry-making surprises. Each day unveils a different charm, bead, or accessory, allowing you to create personalized bracelets and necklaces throughout the holiday season. Ideal for DIY enthusiasts, this calendar provides a fun and creative gift option that combines the joy of Christmas with the art of crafting custom jewelry.

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Crystal Advent Calendar

The Healing Crystal Advent Calendar offers a unique and enchanting way to countdown to Christmas, featuring 24 hidden gemstone surprises. Each day reveals a different crystal, adding a touch of beauty and positivity to the holiday season, perfect for collectors or anyone who appreciates natural minerals. The festive design and the mystery of unwrapping a new gemstone daily make this calendar a delightful and thoughtful gift.

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Christmas Advent Bags

These charming advent bags are a DIY enthusiast's dream, allowing you to create a customized countdown to Christmas. Fill the numbered bags with your choice of treats, gifts, or messages to make each day leading up to Christmas extra special for adults, kids, or anyone on your gift list.

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24 Cardboard Treasure Boxes with 1-24 Number Stickers

These fillable cardboard boxes are a fantastic way to craft your own advent calendar, perfect for adults, kids, teens, and everyone in between. Create a personalized holiday countdown by filling these boxes with candies, small gifts, or heartfelt notes, making it a fun and festive decoration for the holiday season.

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Christmas Felt Advent Calendar 3D Santa

Hang this reusable felt Santa advent calendar on your wall to create a festive holiday atmosphere. With 24 pockets, it allows you to fill them with your chosen surprises, creating a charming and decorative Christmas countdown for your home.

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Liquor Advent Calendar

This personalized liquor advent calendar lets adults create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Fill the tree-shaped compartments with your favorite spirits or liqueurs to enjoy a daily dose of holiday cheer in the lead-up to Christmas.

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

Last Updated on 14 May 2025 by Clare Brown