26 Best Kids’ Advent Calendars for Infants and Toddlers

The base of this heirloom-quality advent calendar is made from 100 percent linen and features felt pockets decorated with cheerful characters and seasonal motifs. The 25 pockets are perfect for filling with cards, small toys or, as your little one gets older, sweet treats. You can even add your last name or your children’s names to the top to make it extra special—your family is bound to look forward to taking out this kids’ advent calendar every year. Simply use the O-rings at the top of the hanging calendar to set it up almost anywhere in your home.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 24" (L) x 44" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

Next up is a unique advent calendar from West Elm. The vibrant canvas design is handcrafted from 100 percent cotton and decorated with a busy, colorful city scene. Among the neighborhood’s joyful houses and residents are 25 built-in pockets that can hold holiday treats in the weeks leading up to the big day. This reusable, lightweight wall hanging would work anywhere in your home, but we think it would be especially sweet as a Christmas nursery decoration.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 30" (L) x 19" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

With this soft Santa advent calendar for babies, toddlers and big kids, you can use the attached candy cane to mark the date—or fill the pockets with little surprises so that your kiddos look forward to every new day in December. Thanks to the loop on top of Santa’s flannel hat, you can set him up anywhere you’d like. Plus, if your family has an Elf on the Shelf‚ how cute would it be for your kids to wake up and find their holiday friend beside a plush Santa?

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 26" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

If you adore all things Nutcracker-related during the holidays, you can’t go wrong with this family advent calendar from Rifle Paper Co. The cotton canvas hanging is embroidered with characters and details from the classic ballet, as well as 25 pockets complete with gold-threaded numbers. Move the felt Nutcracker figurine from day to day to count down to Christmas and fill the pouches with small treats, if you’d like. The elegant design also features a gold cord and wooden dowel along the top for easy displaying, and it can even be cleaned in the washing machine, so you can count on it to look fresh each year.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 15" (L) x 24" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

Looking for a budget-friendly reusable advent calendar? Opt for this festive garland from Target’s in-house Wondershop label. On the delightful wall hanging, your kiddos will find mini mittens, hats and vests. Each numbered garment doubles as a pouch where small treats can be hidden. Thanks to the unique, lengthy design, it’s sure to stand out in your living space. We think it would look especially cute displayed on the mantel of a fireplace or along cabinets in your kitchen—the possibilities are endless. Best of all, it’s just $20.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 72" (L) x 4.3" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

Unlike most other Christmas countdowns that hang on the wall, this smiling snowman stands on his own. The plush toy is crafted from 100 percent wool, with a wooden interior to ensure it stays sturdy year after year. Leading up to Christmas, your family can move the candy cane counter (which has been thoughtfully attached to the snowman’s hand) to keep track of each passing day. Parents with young toddlers will also appreciate that the numbered pockets have been created with small hands in mind. This way, they’ll be easy for your little ones to open independently.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 8.9" (L) x 9.5" (W) x 17" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

Melissa & Doug is known for their standout wooden toys, and this advent calendar is no exception. You and your kids can decorate this miniature magnetic tree by placing a new ornament on it every day. Then, on December 25th, use the sparkling star magnet to top off the tree. The reusable wooden advent calendar—complete with a Christmas poem on the back—will kickstart a fun family tradition to look forward to year after year.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 11.5" (L) x 4.5" (W) x 15.7" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar and 25 magnetic pieces

This modern advent calendar is sure to be a hit with your kids—plus, it won’t be an eyesore in your home. The festive design is made from medium-density fiberboard. As a result, it’s lightweight enough to move around and store when needed but still sturdy enough for daily use leading up to Christmas. The evergreen has 24 small drawers that are perfect for sweet treats and trinkets.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 16.3" (L) x 14.5" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

Made from buttery-soft vegan leather, this chic advent calendar for babies can be easily wiped down, so it’s a great option for households with little ones. Parents who are fans of minimalism will also appreciate the simple, modern design, which can be easily adapted to meet your family’s changing needs. As an alternative to candy and toys, Gathre also offers advent cards to place in each pocket. The set includes a variety of holiday-themed activities to inspire more fun family moments during the season.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 20" (L) x 33" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar

With this set from Wonder & Wise, you’ll receive a wooden, tree-shaped frame and 25 small canisters decorated to look like festive ornaments. Each year, you can fill the containers with sweet treats, mini toys or other surprises, making this reusable design one that will easily grow with your family. Another highlight: The timeless design is sure to blend in with the rest of your Christmas decor.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 17.7" (L) x 3.2" (W) x 18.7" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar and 25 wooden canisters

If you’re on the hunt for a truly unique advent calendar this year, this option is sure to impress. Instead of a traditional calendar, this set from Etsy comes with 25 gingerbread house-themed boxes that can be set up and displayed to your liking. You’ll receive stickers for each day up to December 25th and pieces of white cord to number the boxes and wrap up surprises inside. An added bonus: Thanks to the tied-top closure, you can reuse them year after year. They could even be repurposed as gift boxes for presents under the tree on Christmas morning.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 3" (L) x 3" (W) x 5.5" (H) to 2.3" (L) x 2.3" (W) x 7.3" (H) | Includes: 25 boxes, 25 stickers and 25 pieces of cord

With this DIY kids’ advent calendar, your little one can create up to 25 felt ornaments over the course of the season. No sewing or glue is required, and each craft comes with kid-friendly picture instructions that they can follow independently. The set even includes bonus activities, like a word search, for added fun. While it isn’t a traditional toy advent calendar, the arts-and-crafts projects are sure to spark festive joy in your household.

Age rating: 4+ years | Dimensions: 12.5" (L) x 8.5" (W) x 2.5" (H) | Includes: 25 DIY felt ornament crafts

It’s no secret that Squishmallows makes one of the most popular kids’ advent calendars on the market. With this set, you’ll receive a box that features 24 tiny doors. Behind each is a limited edition mini Squishmallow stuffed animal decked out in festive flair. Some of the cute characters you can expect to find are a friendly yeti, a candy cane-colored reindeer, a cheerful penguin and so much more. Keep in mind: This toy advent calendar tends to sell out quickly, so be sure to add it to your cart while you can!

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 15" (L) x 5" (W) x 11" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar and 24 mini Squishmallows

Searching for an advent calendar for your dino-loving child? Check out this rawr-some pick by Meri Meri that’s sure to delight your kiddo leading up to Christmas. The imaginative design features 24 pieces, including multicolored dinosaurs and foliage figurines. Each day, your little one will receive a new wooden piece to add to their growing prehistoric scene. Then, on December 25th, they’ll have a full set of dinosaurs to play with, even after the holidays draw to a close. This calendar also comes with a suitcase for straightforward storage.

Age rating: 8+ years | Dimensions: 9" (L) x 4" (W) x 6" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar, 20 wooden dinosaurs and 3 wooden foliage pieces

If Bluey is a favorite in your household, then you can’t go wrong with this toddler advent calendar. The simple, fun design lets eager kiddos open a new window every day. Each tab features a festive surprise gift inspired by their go-to TV show. And when kids make it to Christmas Eve, they’ll have a ton of tiny toys to create Bluey-themed holiday scenes.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 14" (L) x 2" (W) x 10" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar, 3 figures, 18 accessories and 3 stickers

The best toddler advent calendars are educational, festive and fun. That’s why we’re fans of this farmyard-themed design by HABA. Thoughtfully created for kids between the ages of 2 and 4, this set includes 24 wooden animal figures behind each window. The calendar even pops open to create a festive 3D scene that your little one can add to all December long. It also comes with a book that follows the story of Theo the Raven and his mission to save Christmas. Every chapter ends with a question to engage toddlers and strengthen their literacy skills, all while having fun.

Age rating: 2 to 4 years | Dimensions: 12" (L) x 2.9" (W) 16" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar, 24 wooden figures and a storybook

KiwiCo creates awesome, STEM-inspired play kits for all ages, which is why we’re hyped about their kids’ advent calendar. The unique set comes with 24 envelopes, each of which is filled with art supplies, like felt shapes, sticker sheets, peg people, beads, jingle bells and pipe cleaners. Starting on December 1st, your little one can open a new envelope each day and make the project inside. Throughout the month, their winter wonderland display will grow—and by Christmas Eve, they’ll have made a whole festive village to play with.

Age rating: 5+ years | Dimensions: 36" (L) x 12" (H) | Includes: 24 envelopes with art supplies

If your child loves to get creative with LEGO, check out this unique set that’s full of festive fun. The brand releases a new toy advent calendar annually, and this year’s Christmas countdown comes with 272 pieces for your kiddo to unwrap and construct. It’s sure to keep your little builder busy and smiling as they assemble a cozy scene of a family celebrating the holidays together. There are even interactive elements, like a mini snowball launcher and a desk where you can write letters to Santa, for your little one to discover.

Age rating: 6+ years | Dimensions: N/A | Includes: 1 calendar and 272 LEGO pieces

Spark your kiddo’s creativity this December with this kids’ advent calendar. Behind each door on the display, your little artist will find a bag of clay and a QR code that leads to video instructions. As they build figures like a smiling pig, an adorable elephant and a friendly whale, they’ll learn clay-molding techniques while nurturing their creativity and fine motor skills along the way. After they finish their daily sculpture, add the included hook and string to create one-of-a-kind ornaments for the Christmas tree.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: N/A | Includes: 1 calendar, 23 small characters and 2 large characters

Have a beary merry Christmas season with this toddler advent calendar from Build-A-Bear. In total, six mini plush toys and 19 clothing pieces are behind each peel-back flap. Your little one will love dressing their new fuzzy friends up in fun outfits as December 25th gets closer.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: N/A | Includes: 1 calendar, 6 mini plush toys and 19 mini clothes and accessories

Encourage your little one’s passion for reading with this unique toddler advent calendar. The collection comes with 24 different stories for 2- to 6-year-old bookworms to enjoy. That’s one bedtime story for every night leading up to Christmas. Each small paperback tells a timeless Disney tale—some they may be familiar with, others will surprise and delight them.

Age rating: 2 to 6 years | Dimensions: 14" (L) by 21.3" (H) (calendar); 3.9" (L) x 4.7" (H) (books) | Includes: 1 calendar and 24 books

This kids’ advent calendar is perfect for sticker-obsessed little ones. The clever fold-out design resembles a cabin decorated for Christmas with ornaments, gifts and a wreath. Behind each numbered widow is a festive sticker depicting holiday icons like a smiling gingerbread man and a shining star. Even better, when opening the flaps of the front door, you’ll find a cozy interior with a waving Santa in front of a crackling fireplace. The paper advent calendar comes with an envelope, so you can easily post it to the little one in your life before December 1st.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 16" (L) x 0.3" (W) x 17.4" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar, 1 envelope and 24 stickers

With this kids’ advent calendar, your family can look forward to uncovering a chapter of a magical holiday story in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It comes with 25 pouches, each of which contains a mini paper pop-up sculpture and part of Pancake the Penguin’s tale. With every envelope, your little one will join Pancake on his wonder-filled holiday adventure. Plus, they’ll be able to build the scene and play with the characters along the way.

Age rating: N/A | Dimensions: 6.5" (L) x 2.2" (W) x 4.8" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar, 25 pouches and 38 mini paper pop-up sculptures

A playtime staple is now more festive than ever before. With this Play-Doh toddler advent calendar, children can mold their way to Christmas day as they sculpt festive designs. The kit comes with playmats, tools and all kinds of surprises, including a can of sparkly white Play-Doh that can be used as faux snow. A red-nosed reindeer, a mistletoe-adorned star and a smiling gingerbread man are a few of the creations included in this set.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 15" (L) x 2.6" (W) x 13" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar, 24 accessories and 24 mini Play-Doh cans

This toy advent calendar for toddlers is a great way to get your little one acquainted with the tradition. From December 1st to 24th, your child can open one of the doors, revealing a fun Little People friend or holiday-themed accessory inside. On Christmas Eve, they’ll have the complete set to play with—plus, they may even learn more about numbers and counting along the way.

Age rating: 1 to 5 years | Dimensions: 22.5" (L) x 15.9" (W) | Includes: 1 calendar and 24 figurines and accessories

You can count down to Christmas with baby’s favorite characters, thanks to this storybook advent calendar. The Sesame Street-themed set comes with 24 mini books for you and your little one to enjoy throughout December. Each festive story focuses on an educational theme, like counting, colors and the alphabet. The versatile calendar is also suitable for tots, so older siblings can join in on the fun too.

Age rating: Newborn to 3 years | Dimensions: 11.8" (L) x 0.5" (W) x 17.6" (H) | Includes: 1 calendar and 24 mini books