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The 18 Best Kids’ Advent Calendars to Get the Countdown Started

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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 Christmas morning. (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. From toy advent calendars, like LEGO and Playmobil, that can be used long after the holidays are over to candy-filled countdowns that'll sweeten up the days leading up to December 25th, here are 18 kids advent calendars that are sure to impress even the most discerning six-year-old.

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best kids advent calendars harry potter
Amazon

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.

best kids advent calendars oriental
Amazon

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.

best kids advent calendars lego
Walmart

3. 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.

best kids advent calendars playmobil
Amazon

4. 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.

kids advent calendar new 1
Amazon

5. Melissa & Doug Countdown To Christmas Advent Calendar

Ages: 3+

This sturdy wooden design should last you a few seasons (unless they start begging for an advent calendar that involves chocolate). Parents say you’d be surprised by how many hours of play the kids will get out of sticking the magnetic ornaments on and off the tree over and over and over...

best kids advent calendars eric carle
Amazon

6. 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.

best kids advent calendars frozen
Walmart

7. 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.

best kids advent calendars disney
Barnes & Noble

8. 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.

new kids advent calendar 3
Etsy

9. Kikakids Personalized Advent Calendar

Ages: 3+

This handmade advent calendar is so cute, it doubles as Christmas décor. Hang it in the kitchen, fill each pocket with the kids’ favorite candies and you’ll start a fun new family tradition.

new kids advent calendar 4
Sephora

10. Ciaté London Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Advent Calendar

Ages: 10+

Your beauty-obsessed tween will go nuts when you present them with this manicure-themed advent calendar from Ciaté London. It includes 22 mini nail polishes, one full-size polish and a mini watermelon lip oil.

best kids advent calendars elf
Walmart

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.

best kids advent calendars marvel
Barnes & Noble

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.

best kids advent calendars battop
Amazon

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.

best kids advent calendars dylan candy bar
Dylan’s Candy Bar

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.”

best kids advent calendars schleich horse club
Amazon

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.

$29 at Amazon

best kids advent calendars colouring book
Amazon

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.

new kids advent calendar 5
Amazon

17. D-fantix Kids Christmas Animal Advent Calendar

Ages: 3+

His animal obsession doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon, so why not fuel it with this animal-themed calendar. Every day he’ll get a new mini animal figurine, which you know he’ll start playing with immediately. Fingers crossed you don’t end up stepping on one again.

best kids advent calendars haribo
Walmart

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.



purewow author

Assistant Commerce Editor

From 2019 to 2021 Kara Cuzzone held the role of Assistant Commerce Editor covering sales and deals across beauty, fashion, home and wellness.