24 Kids’ Advent Calendars to Count Down to Christmas

The countdown to Christmas is almost as fun as the holiday itself, and with every passing day, your kid’s excitement will only escalate as Santa’s arrival nears. Fun, interactive kids’ advent calendars help you make the most of this special time—but with so many styles and brands to choose from, it’ll be hard to pick only one children’s advent calendar from the bunch. Check out a few of our favorites below.

In this article:
Toy kids’ advent calendars
Craft kids’ advent calendars
Character kids’ advent calendars
Classic kids’ advent calendars
Fill-them-yourself kids’ advent calendars
Free kids’ advent calendars

Toy Kids’ Advent Calendars

Keeping kids busy on cold December days isn’t always easy. Luckily, the perfect toy advent calendar can get the job done. Brought to you by popular preschool toy brands your family knows and loves, these kids’ advent calendars have a play value a step above the rest.

VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Advent Calendar

Kids can create a snowy scene day by day with this super-fun toddler advent calendar. The wintery setting on the box doubles as a playmat (genius), complete with ultra-interactive SmartPoints. Whenever toddlers roll a Smart Wheels vehicle over these sensored locations, they’ll be enchanted by songs and phrases.

Age: 1 to 5 years old
Buy it: $25, Amazon.com

Fisher-Price Little People Advent Calendar

With this toy advent calendar, kids can peep behind a new door every day to reveal a fun surprise. Each window holds a Little People friend or a holiday accessory to add to their playtime story.

Age: 1 to 5 years old
Buy it: $31, Amazon.com

Playmobil Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar

Get kids pumped for Santa’s visit by bringing his workshop home. This toy advent calendar reveals Santa, elves, reindeer and, of course, lots of toys. Once each treat has been unveiled, your child can help Mr. Claus pack up his sleigh for his Christmas ride.

Age: 4 to 10 years old
Buy it: $25, Amazon.com

LEGO City Advent Calendar 2019 Building Kit

This toy advent calendar will keep little builders busy with 24 different buildable presents to unwrap, from a toy Christmas tree to a play snowmobile. The unique children’s advent calendar will add a fun twist to a classic family tradition.

Age: 5 years old+
Buy it: $30, Amazon.com

Craft Kids’ Advent Calendars

The best advent calendars for kids don’t always come with toys. These children’s and toddler advent calendars double as art projects instead. The activity-based countdowns inspire little ones to channel their imaginations all month long.

Play-Doh Xmas Advent Calendar

A playtime staple is now more festive than ever before. With this Play-Doh toddler and kids’ advent calendar, children can mesh and mold their way to Christmas day as they sculpt festive designs. The kit comes with a playmat and all kinds of surprises, including two cans of shimmery Play-Doh.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $33, Amazon.com

Crayola Christmas Countdown Calendar

When it comes to Crayola products, creativity is king—and this toy advent calendar is no exception. The colorful countdown comes with everything kids need to make tons of fun crafts. Better yet, it’ll keep little ones busy so you can prep for the holidays distraction-free (or close to it).

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $22, Crayola.com

Meri Meri Railway Advent Calendar

Give your kids a unique advent calendar they can build on all month long. The set features 24 wooden pieces that create a dreamy railroad scene. All aboard the Christmas crafts express!

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $35, TheTot.com

Character Kids’ Advent Calendars

Is your toddler obsessed with Nick Jr. and Disney Junior? Get them to hit pause for a while with these kids’ advent calendars, which incorporate their favorite characters.

Peppa Pig Advent Calendar

The two-sided toddler advent calendar lets eager kiddos open a new window every day. Each tab features a Christmas-themed surprise gift. When kids make it to the final day, they’ll have a ton of tiny toys to create Peppa-themed holiday scenes with.

Age: 2 years old+
Buy it: $30, Amazon.com

Paw Patrol 2019 Advent Calendar

Enlist your kids’ favorite pups to help them gear up for the holidays. With a new surprise awaiting them every day, little ones will unbox holiday-themed collectibles to help them create Adventure Bay right in their own home.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $25, Amazon.com

Disney Jr. Exclusive Advent Calendar

This toddler and kids’ advent calendar celebrates the magic of Disney one December day at a time. It’s filled with little figurines of all the classic characters, including Goofy, Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse—the last of which comes with an exclusive, glittery, holiday-themed version of her iconic bow.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $30, Amazon.com

Funko Pocket POP! Harry Potter Advent Calendar

Or, bring them the magic of Hogwarts instead—don’t forget about their favorite movies! This cute, limited edition 2019 kids’ advent calendar includes tiny toy versions of the most popular Harry Potter characters for them to play with for years to come.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $38, Target.com

Thomas & Friends Fisher-Price Minis 2019 Advent Calendar

If they’re obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine, they’ll be obsessed with this kids’ toy advent calendar. Each day, they’ll open up a new mini engine to choo-choo around. There are even 6 extra-collectible trains with Christmas-exclusive designs.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $35, Amazon.com

Igloo Books Disney: Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

Encourage their passion for reading with this unique kids’ advent calendar. The collection comes with 24 different stories for them to flip through. 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 that may just surprise and delight them.

Age: 6 to 10 years old
Buy it: $30, BarnesandNoble.com

Classic Kids’ Advent Calendars

If you don’t like to stray from tradition, these kids’ advent calendars are right up your alley. Based on holiday customs and classic designs, the calendars will introduce your little one to seasonal staples you hold near and dear.

Chronicle Books Eric Carle’s Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar

Here’s another way to turn your daily family countdown into storytime. Based on the popular Christmas story Dream Snow by Eric Carle, this pop-up advent calendar reveals a surprise behind each window. Together, they make a colorful paper Christmas tree to put on display.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $10, Amazon.com

Petit Collage Festive House Pop Out Advent Calendar

This pop-out kids’ advent calendar lets their imagination run wild thanks to the wintery play scene and pop-out figures. It’s a simple, timeless activity they’ll thoroughly enjoy. Bonus: It’s made from recycled paper and vegetable ink, so it’s eco-friendly.

Age: 4 years old+
Buy it: $23, WorldMarket.com

Melissa & Doug Wooden Advent Calendar

You and your kids can decorate this miniature magnetic tree by discovering a new ornament every day. The reusable wooden advent calendar will create a fun family tradition to look forward to year after year.

Age: 4 years old+
Buy it: $20, Amazon.com

Wondershop Fabric Santa Advent Calendar

Simply want to count down to Xmas? This jolly Santa-shaped calendar is an adorable (and affordable) option. The decoration features a candy cane that fits right into the 25 pockets—one to keep track of each day through Christmas.

Buy it: $10, Target.com

Fill-Them-Yourself Kids’ Advent Calendars

Want to DIY a toy advent calendar or fill your toddler’s advent calendar with other age-appropriate treats? These super-cute empty options can be stuffed with whatever your heart desires, be it notes or special snacks.

HearthSong Wooden Gingerbread House Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar

You can reuse this gingerbread house-shaped advent calendar every holiday season. Fill the interchangeable drawers with candy, small toys or sweet messages, and rearrange them each year for an extra surprise.

Age: 3 years old+
Buy it: $43, Amazon.com

Pier 1 Imports LED Light-Up Truck Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar

This rustic, kid-friendly decoration is shaped like a festive pickup truck. The calendar displays 24 burlap bags you can fill for your child. It’s the perfect idea for a tot who loves anything on wheels.

Buy it: $45, Pier1.com

Hide and Seek Textiles Fabric Kids’ Advent Calendar

Personalize this hanging children’s advent calendar with your kid’s (or kids’!) names. The pockets are large enough to hold items like candy canes, small stuffed animals or even chunky toddler crayons.

Buy it: Starting from $107, Etsy.com

Shutterfly Winter Bear Activity Calendar

Customize this decorative advent calendar with photos of your munchkin(s) to make them feel even more special around the holidays. It has 25 pockets to stuff.

Buy it: $50, Shutterfly.com

Free Kids’ Advent Calendars

While December is the most wonderful time of the year, it also tends to be the most expensive. If you’re looking for a toy advent calendar to inspire play but keep your budget in check, these free printable kids’ advent calendars are just the ticket.

Delia Creates Free Printable Advent Calendar

This countdown calendar lets you customize the message for each day to fit your family’s personality. You can write whatever you want in the blank spaces, like random acts of kindness or fun winter bucket list activities.

Get it: DeliaCreates.com

iMom Printable Advent Calendar for Kids

This kids’ advent calendar helps create unforgettable family memories through daily activities, which encourage you to read Christmas stories together or enjoy a tasty mug of hot cocoa. It’ll also teach your little one what the holiday season is all about, with certain tasks encouraging her to pay it forward.

Get it: iMom.com

LoveToKnow Printable Advent Calendar

There aren’t any gimmicks with this classic children’s advent calendar. Kids can kick off their excitement every day by coloring a new box. By the end of the month, they’ll have a vibrant refrigerator-worthy holiday masterpiece.

Get it: LoveToKnow.com

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, some of which may be sponsored by paying vendors.

Updated November 2019

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best DIY Advent Calendars to Make with Your Kids

12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Holiday Treats for Kids (And Grown-Ups Too!)

The 22 Best Family Christmas Movies