The Best Kids’ Advent Calendars to Get the Countdown Started
As soon as we stand up from the Thanksgiving dinner table, the kids start asking how long it’ll be until Santa makes an appearance. So yeah, we basically have no choice but to rely on advent calendars to tide them over until it’s actually gifting season. (That’s right, we’re not above bribery.) And this year, we’re upping our game beyond the standard chocolate ones we usually buy at the grocery store. Here, 18 kids advent calendars that are sure to impress even the most discerning six-year-old.
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1. Funko Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Ages: 6+
Got a Potterhead on your hands? They’ll have a blast collecting new vinyl figures of their favorite characters each day. The Funko Pocket Pops include Harry, Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore and other reader favorites your child will want to stage on their bookshelf.
2. Oriental Cherry Fluffy Slime Advent Calendar
Ages: 4+
The only thing kids love more than toys? Slime. So, you’ll basically win Christmas before it’s even begun by giving them this slime-filled advent calendar which contains 12 different scented slimes, plus 22 accessories (think foam beads, glitter and charms). The only loser in this scenario? Your couch cushions. Sorry, not sorry.
3. IglooBooks Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
This giant advent calendar comes filled with 24 paperback books featuring stories from Frozen II, 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast and other Disney classics. “This is phenomenal. A new tradition [has been started] in our house,” writes one dad on Amazon.
4. Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
Ages: 7+
Star Wars fans of all ages (yup, even Dad) will appreciate this assortment of Lego figures, mini figures and accessories, including Darth Vader and Poe Dameron. A few of the characters come decked out in festive apparel to really bring the Christmas spirit.
5. Playmobil Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar
Ages: 4+
This 24-piece Playmobil advent calendar has amassed over 2,500 five-star reviews thanks to its cute design and high-quality toys. From a backdrop for Santa’s workshop to a reindeer and sleigh to transport the finished toys, the brand truly thought of everything. Just note that it’s currently backordered until November 13, so you’ll want to place your order ASAP.
6. Paw Patrol Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
Is it classy? Not particularly. Is it a guaranteed hit-maker. You betcha. According to PureWow SVP of content Jillian Quint, this Paw Patrol-themed advent calendar was a huge hit with both her son and daughter last year.
7. Chronicle Books Eric Carle’s Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
Hesitant to add to the kids’ ever-growing toy collection? We totally get it. Which is why we’re fans of this Dream Snow calendar. Each day contains a paper ornament so the kids can help pop-up Santa decorate the tree.
8. Disney Frozen II Lip Smacker Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
Frozen advent calendars are extremely hard to come by, but this 12-day Lip Smacker one is still in stock. It comes with three lip balms, three lip shines, two water-based nail polishes, two hair clips and two rings—all covered in images of Elsa and Anna, of course.
9. Dibsies Personalized Santa Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
This handmade advent calendar is so cute, it doubles as Christmas décor. The Etsy seller adds a sweet personal touch by stitching your family’s name on the rim of the Santa hat. Hang it in the kitchen, fill each pocket with the kids’ favorite candies and you’ll start a fun new family tradition.
10. Olive & June 25 Days of Mani Magic Advent Calendar
Ages: 10+
Your beauty-obsessed tween will go nuts when you present them with this manicure-themed advent calendar from Olive & June. It includes nine festive shades of polish, seven nail art sticker packs, plus all the nail care tools they need to create their very own at-home salon.
11. Elf Advent Calendar
Ages: 4+
If you’re one of those families that watches Elf at least three times every December, then you can’t go wrong with this countdown based on the movie. One thing to note, though? These figures are straight-up tiny, so they could be a choking hazard for little kids.
12. IglooBooks Marvel Storybook Collection Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
Similar to the Disney Storybook one, this giant advent calendar is stocked with 24 paperback books for some epic storytimes. And yup, you guessed it, each one is about the Avengers or Spiderman.
13. Battop Squishy Toy Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
Parents of kids ages 4 all the way to 13 promise this squishy toy calendar will be a total hit. Behind each flap, they’ll find all kinds of adorable (and ultra squishable) animals, from elephants to penguins.
14. Dylan’s Candy Bar Christmas Candy Countdown Advent Calendar
Ages: 5+
Filled with fancy milk chocolate snowmen, Santas and presents, this countdown from Dylan’s Candy Bar is a major step up from your traditional chocolate advent calendar. Even better? Each flap makes a suggestion like “watch your favorite Christmas movie with some popcorn” or “go look at the sparkly, beautiful Christmas lights.”
15. Schleich Horse Club Advent Calendar
Ages: 5+
Your aspiring vet will be so excited to see what’s behind each of the 24 flaps, they might have a hard time limiting themselves to one a day. When December 24 finally arrives, they’ll have a 24-piece set of toys including a vet, two horses, two cats, a bunny and accessories to play with.
16. Advent Calendar Coloring Book
Ages: 10+
Coloring books can be super relaxing…except when it takes five hours to complete a single page. Luckily, that’s not the case with this simple page-a-day advent calendar coloring book. As long as your child is 10 or older, they should be able to fill in each Christmas-themed image fairly quickly.
17. Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Advent Calendar
Ages: 3+
Her Thomas the Tank Engine obsession doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon, so why not fuel it with this Thomas and Friends-themed calendar. Every day she’ll get a new mini train, which you know she’ll put to good use immediately. Fingers crossed you don’t end up stepping on one again.
18. Haribo Advent Calendar
Ages: 5+
If your kids prefer gummy candy to chocolate, this Haribo advent calendar is definitely the way to go. It’s filled a variety of chewy candies, marshmallows, licorice and gummies they’re bound to love.
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