20 Best Kids Advent Calendars 2024

It can be hard for children to manage their excitement come the holiday season, and it's understandable—there's a lot of fun and festivities packed into a short amount of time. If you're looking to give your child a praise-worthy holiday gift but also teach them about patience, time and variety, a kids advent calendar is a brilliant idea.

From Play-Doh to fishing toys, Barbie to dinosaurs—there's something for every type of little reveler.

What are advent calendars for kids?

Traditionally, advent calendars were used in the Christian faith to count down the days during Advent until Christmas. An advent calendar has 24 little numbered flaps that children can open on each day in December. It's since morphed into more of an agnostic concept, and one that can teach excited children about more than just religion.

Janene Russell, senior product development manager of preschool toys and games for Educational Insights, is a former elementary school teacher and a mom herself.  She likes advent calendars for their ability to help children with timelines.

"Time is such an abstract idea to kids and advent calendars make time visible while counting down to a big holiday. To level up from the traditional chocolate candy and picture calendars, the rise of unique toy advent calendars has been making its way onto kids’ wish lists."

Advent calendars can help children build patience, teach children variety and help them channel the excitement that comes along with delayed gratification. Russell has even seen recent advent calendars that don't focus on toys, such as ones that promote self-confidence and kindness.

"Parents are always looking for more tangible tools to foster mindfulness and empathy and I think advent calendars provide a magical experience to learning such crucial skills," she says.

Our favorite kids advent calendars 2024

Get that festive, faithful feeling—we rounded up all the best kids' advent calendars for 2023. They're popular picks that may sell out though, so hurry up! Most of these are available through Amazon and offer free shipping with Prime.

No Prime membership? No problem. Here's how to get one for free plus loads of other free stuff from Amazon.

Play-Doh Advent Calendar

Take the classic preschool toy Play-Doh and up your child's excitement by offering it every day during the month of December. The advent calendar includes everything your child needs to complete two scenes from the box, a snowman one and a gingerbread one. Expect molds, tools and of course, Play-Doh.

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar - Christmas Baking

If your child loves PLAYMOBIL toys for imaginative play and baking, then this is the calendar for you. It has figurines including a Santa, kids and an adult, as well as a snowman, kitchen accessories and other holiday decorations, as well as three cookie cutters and a cookie stamp for real baking.

Matchbox Advent Calendar

Boys and girls who love Matchbox cars will adore this kids advent calendar, which comes with 24 vehicles and holiday accessories to get kids in the mood for the festivities. The front panel of the box can be used as a playmat for cars at any time. 

Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

For Disney fanatics who are also fiction fans, this storybook collection advent calendar will elicit squeals of joy. There are 24 short stories included pulling from Disney and Pixar classics like The Lion King, Finding Nemo and more. Each book is 24 pages long, which will capture your child's attention span nicely.

National Geographic Daily Science Kit & Rock Collection Advent Calendar 2024

Kids eight and older will love exploring scientific topics with this science and rock collection kit. There are 11 fossils and gemstones mixed in with 13 experiments such as making a test tube glow and growing a crystal tree. On the last day, there's a finale piece featuring a pyrite (fool's gold) rock that they can dig up, just like a real geologist.

Christmas Jigsaw Puzzles Advent Calendar 2024

Puzzle fans of all ages can get in on the action for this advent calendar, which features 24 miniature jigsaw puzzles, each with 42 pieces. When completed, all the mini puzzles fit together for one giant 1,008-piece puzzle depicting a holiday scene. It's a great way to get the entire family involved and have dedicated family time each night as you try to finish the puzzle together.

My Little Pony: Snow Party Countdown Advent Calendar

My Little Pony fans of the movie and the toy alike will love this pastel- and gemstone-themed advent calendar, which includes ponies, pets, stickers and critters. Characters include Sunny Starscout, Izzy Moonbow and more, which kids will love playing with while watching My Little Pony: A New Generation.

Madrigal Family Surprises Advent Calendar

Mirabel fans will go crazy for this Madrigal Family-themed advent calendar, filled with 14 characters like Bruno, Abuela, Dolores and more, plus 13 accessories like animals and magic doors. Kids will be able to recreate their favorite scenes from the movie as well as create new ones.

Peppa Pig Peppa’s Kids Advent Calendar

 While we can't guarantee that your child will start talking in a British accent, we can guarantee they'll love this advent calendar. Preschoolers will love playing with the winter wonderland-themed calendar, which includes four coveted Peppa Pig family figurines, as well as holiday accessories like a snowman, wrapped present and sled.

Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar

If you're more inclined towards a wooden toy, this Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar fits the bill. It has 24 magnetic ornaments and a star topper for the tree. Children match an ornament to the date until the entire tree is decorated.

Barbie Dreamtopia Advent Calendar

 Over 4,000 people on Amazon have rated this advent calendar, perfect for any Barbie fans. It kicks off with a Barbie on day one, and then there are accessories, clothes and more throughout the month to keep your child delighted and entertained. Barbie can be dressed up as a princess, mermaid or fairy with accessories like tiaras, shoes, a wand and more. There are even three pets included: a bunny, a baby dragon and a unicorn. Love this?

ChapStick Holiday 12-Day Advent Calendar

Chapped lips are no match for the ChapStick Holiday 12-Day Advent Calendar. It's ideal for kids, teens and adults alike. We love the array of sweet, dessert-themed ChapStick flavors in this set.

D-FantiX 24 Days Dinosaur Advent Calendar 2024

Dinosaur devotees will love this advent calendar, which features 24 small, large, fossil and baby dino figurines. It comes with a fold-down play flap to set the scene.

24 Days of Surprises Fidget Toys Advent Calendar 2024

Fidgeters will love the variety offered in this 24-piece advent calendar. It includes a bear pop bubble, a sensory ball, two wacky tracks, four stretch noodles and more, all made from non-toxic plastic. Kids who love sensory play or who need fidget distractions will love the anticipation of seeing which toy is next in the lineup.

Playfoam Snowy Friends Preschool Advent Calendar

Non-toxic play foam and snowy friends are at the center of this 25-piece kids advent calendar, aimed at pre-school-aged children. It comes with 12 snowy friends and 13 bricks of play foam in a variety of colors like white, sparkly and glow-in-the-dark.

They can sculpt the Educational Insights playfoam into a winter wonderland scene and add figurines for endless hours of fun. It doesn't dry out, so you don't have to worry about hard, dried piles of "snow" around your house.

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Step2 My First Advent Calendar

Toddlers and younger kids will delight in this house-themed advent calendar. Parents can hide 25 fun surprises in the numbered bins that encourage little ones learn the countdown to Christmas. It's made of sturdy plastic and can be used season after season. While you're at it, check out the Step2 My First Christmas Tree.

Disney Princess DIY Jewelry Activity Necklace Advent Calendar

Budding crafters and princess fans alike will love this DIY jewelry advent calendar combo. It comes with 12 princess charms, beads, cords and rings to make all sorts of jewelry. The advent calendar includes 300 pieces that can be used over and over again as a fun and engaging Christmas countdown.

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024

Kids obsessed with Star Wars will appreciate this LEGO advent calendar. This building set contains 368 pieces, including 6 characters and 18 mini models from the series.

Funko Pop! Pokemon 24 Pocket Pop! Holiday Calendar

Pokémon lovers will enjoy this Funko Pop! advent calendar. It features 24 of the most beloved Pokémons including Pikachu, Charizard and Eevee. Be sure to check out our parents' guide to Pokémon.

Harry Potter Micro Magical Moments Glow in the Dark Advent Calendar 2024

Kids can immerse themselves in the Wizarding World with this Harry Potter advent calendar. It's truly magical—using a flashlight, kids shine light over the Marauder's Map to discover the hidden numbers. There are 24 micro toys waiting inside, including 16 figures from the and accessories to go with them.

Sources:

Janene Russell, senior product development manager of preschool toys and games for Educational Insights,