These 9 Advent Calendars Might Make Your Kids Forget About Christmas
I've loved Advent calendars since I was a kid, back when they were just 9-by-11-inch cardboard boxes decorated like Christmas trees with chocolate behind each door. These days, I'm actually shocked and amazed by how elaborate they've become. There are calendars filled with everything from Lego sets and collectible toys to fully built wooden masterpieces filled with high-end snacks, jewelry, luxury makeup, skincare, crafts, books, and even liquor. I've become a bit of a collector myself, and I love them so much that I buy extras to open throughout the year (because there's no better way to fight January scaries).
Now that I'm a mom, I love sharing that same excitement with my daughter, especially when I find calendars filled with everything from doll accessories to candy and adorable little Barbie shoes. And thankfully, there are plenty that don't cost a small fortune. These eight Advent calendars for kids deliver 24 days of surprises without putting a huge dent in your holiday shopping budget, which, if you're anything like me, is already busting.
Magnatiles
A Magna-Tile masterpiece
My daughter is eight, and she still plays with her Magna-Tiles just as much as she did when she was three. In fact, they're one of the few toys in our house that have never lost their appeal, which is why I love this Advent calendar so much. It comes with 34 holiday-themed pieces, including festive magnetic tiles, a Santa figure, a train conductor, and a miniature train chassis that kids can use to create their own Christmas train. There's even a track on the inside of the packaging to foster even more imaginative play! My favorite part is that all the pieces work with existing tile sets, so kids can continue playing with them long after the holidays are over.
Melissa & Doug
A vintage-inspired wooden display
We've been big Melissa & Doug fans since my 8-year-old was really small, and she still loves to play with some of the brand's toys to this day. A great alternative if you're trying to find a calendar without candy, this engaging calendar provides years of play with the long-lasting quality the brand is known for. Designed for kids ages 3 to 10, it comes with 24 magnetic ornaments that kids can add to the Christmas tree one day at a time, plus a shiny star to place on top on Christmas Day. I especially love that it's reusable, so you can bring it out every December, and the attached storage box keeps all the ornaments together (a huge plus for parents). At under $25, it's an affordable holiday tradition you can enjoy for years.
For the "Bluey" aficionado
I think "Bluey" might be one of the few kids' shows that parents love just as much as their children (I am no exception), so this Advent calendar is bound to be a hit with the whole family. Behind its 24 doors are adorable little surprises, including three figures of Bluey, Bingo, and Bartlebee, along with 16 holiday accessories and five stickers. (My favorite detail is that Bluey and Bingo are dressed in tiny Christmas sweaters.) There's even a miniature Christmas tree kids can decorate with all the new accessories. I also love that everything can be used for imaginative play long after December is over, especially if your kids already have a collection of "Bluey" toys (because who doesn't).
For the science lover
I was the kind of kid who collected rocks, plucked flowers from the garden to feed my plastic alligators and even brought home random fossils. So this National Geographic Advent calendar instantly warmed my heart. It's perfect for curious kids who love getting their hands dirty (like my bug-obsessed 8-year-old). Behind the 24 doors are 13 hands-on science experiments and 11 real gemstones and fossils, including amethyst, tiger's eye, and an assortment of geodes. Kids can make a test tube glow, grow a colorful crystal tree, and even excavate their own fool's gold on the final day. I especially love that it celebrates the joy of science, and the gemstones are something kids can keep and collect long after the holidays are over. Plus, it's a great way to sneak a little learning into the holiday excitement without anyone realizing it, which is key when your kid has a few weeks off between Christmas and New Years.
The ultimate STEM Advent calendar
If your kid loves to build things, take them apart, and figure out how they work, this KiwiCo Advent calendar is a must-have. We bought this last year, and I've already purchased it again this year. As a mom who's constantly trying to find fun alternatives to screen time, I especially love that it gives kids something to actually do versus just something they'll unbox and throw away or lose under the couch. This box features 12 hands-on engineering projects that kids can assemble into moving Christmas ornaments, including a flopping reindeer, a snowball-throwing polar bear, and a snow globe with falling snow. Since there are 12 projects instead of 24, you can space them out every other day leading up to Christmas. Plus, these creations look super cute on the Christmas tree, and gives them something to show off every time you have company.
Our Generation
A more affordable option for American Girl fans
If your child is obsessed with American Girl dolls, you know how expensive all those adorable little accessories can get. That's why I love this Advent calendar from Our Generation, which costs a fraction of the $60 American Girl version and promises to fit any 18-inch doll brand. Designed for kids ages 3 and up (although I'd recommend it for 6 and up), it comes with 24 days of surprises and 37 pieces, including miniature ice skates, festive treats, jewelry, and holiday decorations. I especially love that these aren't just little trinkets they'll forget about once Christmas is over.
A Lego lover's dream
I grew up with two Lego-obsessed brothers, so I know the magic these sets bring to the holidays. And since having my daughter and buying presents for birthday parties and such, I've yet to find a kid who doesn't still love them. Unlike traditional Advent calendars, where you open a new surprise each day, this one lets kids construct an entire holiday scene, complete with a rosy-cheeked Santa climbing down a snow-covered chimney with his sack of presents. With 873 pieces, it's a pretty substantial project for older kids (the brand recommends it for kids ages 10 and up), and once it's finished, you can turn the numbered blocks on the chimney each day to count down to Christmas. I especially love that it doubles as holiday decor, and you can take it apart and rebuild it every December. It's a fun way to make Lego part of your family's Christmas traditions.
For sweet treat lovers
As much as I love the elaborate toy-filled Advent calendars — which I love, a lot — there's something nostalgic about opening that little cardboard door to find a sweet treat inside. And if your kids love gummy candy, this Haribo calendar is a pretty safe bet. Behind its 24 doors are individually wrapped gummy surprises, with fruity, cherry, and cola flavors from the beloved German candy brand. I especially love this one for younger kids who aren't quite ready for complicated Lego sets or craft projects, and it's a fun alternative to the traditional chocolate calendars. Plus, you won't have 24 more tiny toys scattered around your house come Christmas morning, and you can always sneak a quick gummy bear for yourself, too.
Harry & David
A sweet splurge for the whole family
This one is definitely a splurge, but if you're looking for an Advent calendar that you can bring out year after year, this one is far worth the price. I'm a sucker for Advent calendars (or gifts) that are pretty enough to become part of your Christmas decorations, and this one from Harry & David is absolutely gorgeous. Inspired by "The Nutcracker," the wooden calendar features a festive Christmas scene that lights up and even plays "March of the Toy Soldiers" when you wind it up. Behind its 24 little drawers are delicious edible treats, including milk chocolate truffles, peppermint chocolates, and buttery shortbread cookies. But what I really love is that the calendar itself is a true keepsake. Once the treats are gone, you can refill the drawers with your own surprises each December, making the higher price tag a little easier to justify.
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