The Toy Advent Calendars for Kids Sure to Go Viral This Year

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It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of year, and if your kids are anything like mine, they’re practically dying to open some gifts. Before the pre-Christmas excitement created by the sneaky yet beloved Elf on a Shelf, there were advent calendars. These classic Christmas countdowns were traditionally filled with religious materials, chocolates, or just an image to help create a festive buzz during the 24 days leading up to one of the biggest holidays of the year. You can now find them across a variety of categories, interests, and niches, from treats for wine lovers and furry friends to beauty must-haves, and, of course, tiny toys to delight your mini-me.

Aside from just being something fun for the kids to look forward to, advent calendars are a great excuse for your whole family to step back, take a few minutes together, and share in the magic of the holiday, for just a little bit each day. And let’s be real: Your little ones are likely already counting down the days until Christmas, so why not get them an actual calendar filled with tiny toy gifts so they can stop asking you a million times to unwrap everything under the tree?

Whether you have a Barbie lover in the house or a LEGO-obsessed little one, we found a fun-filled toy advent calendar for every type of kid, ranging in all budgets.

Fidget Advent Calendar 2023 for Kids

Fidget toys are as popular as ever, so why not grab a fidget toy Advent calendar? And this is no simple toy advent calendar — it’s a gift of relaxation and stimulation for kids at a time when they need it most — the hectic time surrounding the holidays.

Let your kid find their inner chill every day with this special toy Advent calendar, which is full of 50 fun and festive fidget toys, including holiday-themed stress relief balls, stretchy strings, anxiety tubes, and so much more.

More: The Best Fidget Spinners and Toys

National Geographic Science Advent Calendar 2023

There are few Advent calendars that are as nifty as this one. It’s full of 13 fascinating science experiments, including creating instant snow, digging for gold and growing crystals. Kids will also collect 11 different gemstones and specimens to add to their growing rock collection. It’s hidden learning, obvious fun, and kids will be excited to open a new wonder each day!

Encanto Madrigal Family Surprise Advent Calendar

Your kids have already been singing the song all year, so why not indulge them over the days of Advent? This toy advent calendar has 24 different characters from the movie, the magic door, and a few other Encanto-themed figurines.

Cocomelon 2023 Holiday Advent Calendar for Kids

Be honest, you just heard the intro in your head, didn’t you? Yeah, me too. This Cocomelon advent calendar is an obvious choice for the little ones who love the show. All the main characters, plus holiday-themed figures made from molded PVC, are a part of this soon-to-be-sold-out advent calendar.

Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar

Get them into the holiday spirit while ensuring they don’t destroy your actual Christmas tree with this super cute Melissa & Doug Wooden Advent Calendar that lets them do all the decorating.

Each door on the tree reveals a cute magnetic wooden ornament that can be placed on the tree or stored at the bottom.

Thames & Kosmos Exit Game Advent Calendar

This toy advent calendar is totally genius: It’s a combination of a game and an advent calendar with a theme that makes each day build on the last. Think of it as an escape room game, but instead, it’s figured out over 24 days.

You’ve never seen an advent calendar like this, but it might just become your favorite, especially if you have kids over age 8.

DIY Ornament Advent Calendar

So you have a little one who is obsessed with crafting? I get it — I was that kid. This is a gift and a toy advent calendar all in one for a crafty kid.

Kirsten Field has designed a series of DIY Christmas tree ornaments that are ready to be personalized every day leading up to the big day. Plus, these ornaments can be brought out year after year!

Christmas Advent Calendar with DIY Slime

OK, it’s not the least messy option out there, but your kiddos will absolutely love the chance to sink their hands into some slime this Christmas.

With multiple containers of slime and lots of glittery sprinkles to add in, this will provide hours of oozy, sticky, fun. Just make sure everyone washes their hands after and that nobody touches their hair!

Star Wars 2023 Advent Calendar

May the force be with you this holiday season with this absolutely magical 24-piece Lego Star Wars advent calendar. The Lego Star Wars series is famous for good reason, and this calendar allows your kids to build up their collection of mini-figures and accessories one day at a time.

Santa's Workshop Advent Calendar

Yes, this advent calendar is pretty much a toy in and of itself, but it’s totally worth the splurge. Your own little kiddo will be stoked to “help” Santa and his elves get all the toys finished in time for Christmas.

This very expansive calendar includes a backdrop, multiple holiday figures like Santa and the elves, his sleigh, reindeer, and of course, presents. It’s perfect for hours of pretend play.

My First Games Bear Cave Advent Calendar

If you’re into high-quality, low-maintenance toys, look no further than Haba’s animal-themed board game calendar, which comes with 22 wooden characters and features 24 short stories, plus a fun game the whole family can play every fourth day.

Best of all, it’ll teach your kid early math concepts, like searching, stacking, sorting, and counting, all while they play. So, you know, it’s educational without feeling like work.

Buildable Train Station Advent Calendar

This set is unique in that it’s actually one big set that comes together in pieces. Each day your child opens another piece of a gorgeous wooden train set, including the background. It’s something they can pull out year after year every holiday.

There’s truly a magical element in this calendar, feeling a bit like sugarplum fairies could come into it at any time.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” Advent Calendar

For those of us who go right from Halloween to Christmas with little between, this advent calendar is transparent perfection. Follow Jack and the Oogie Boogie Man as they make their way toward Santa Claus.

Best of all, we love that this set also doubles as a board book that’s dynamically designed to encourage learning and reading with your child.

Christmas Advent Calendar Bracelets

Have a kiddo who loves crafts and dressing up? This advent calendar is perfect for mini DIY-ers, letting them unveil a new charm every day so that by Christmas, they’ll have two personally designed charm bracelets to wear for the big day.

And don't you just love that adorable little Santa hut on the front? So cute.

D-Dinosaur Advent Calendar for Kids

Merry Christmas to your little dinosaur fanatic! This calendar lets your tot find a new dino every day, from hatching babies to fossils to big T. rexes, for a roaring good time.

From the Jurassic to the Cretaceous time period, this is the best set for your little dinosaur stan.

Dreamtopia Doll and Advent Calendar

What’s even better than Weird Barbie? This Dreamtopia Doll and Advent Calendar, duh. It features a fairytale Barbie doll and 24 surprise fashion and accessory gifts to play dress up with.

Kids can mix and match to create the perfect magical holiday looks. And the fun doesn't stop when Christmas is done — just add everything to their growing Barbie collection for pretend play all year long.

Alloy Construction Engineering Vehicle Toy Advent Calendar

This is the best toy advent calendar for the kid who really digs diggers. If they’re deep into that toddler car and construction vehicle stage (you know the one), you honestly can’t go wrong with this highly-rated toy advent calendar for tiny engineers.

They’ll get a new construction vehicle or road sign every day and a giant floor road map to set up their own construction site.

Hair Accessories Advent Calendar

Deck the halls as well as their hair this holiday season. Meri Meri makes the absolute cutest hair accessories, and while they’re not exactly toys per se, they’re sure to thrill your stylish mini-me.

Open a new accessory each day, from glittery hair clips and pompom iridescent ties to holiday-themed hair slides.

Advent Calendar Toy for Kids

Get this if you need more Play-Doh in your house. We kid, we kid. But seriously, theirs is all probably a weird color brown by now, so start fresh with this popular Play-Doh Advent Calendar, which comes with 24 mini cans for all the festive fun, plus surprise stampers like candy canes and Christmas trees.

Inside, you’ll also find two tear-off playmats to craft their own snowman and gingerbread scenes. Some days include little creation cards with ideas to spark their imagination too.

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