Make December Magical with These Amazing Advent Calendars for Kids
The countdown to Christmas has never been more exciting! If you're searching for the perfect advent calendars for kids this year, I've got so many fresh ideas for you. These advent calendars for kids speak to each child's unique interests and offer opportunities for play, extended use, and more! These advent calendars for kids will make every December morning feel like pure magic.
My 16 favorite advent calendars for kids show just how creative this tradition can be! From cozy socks to mini monster trucks, from princess jewelry to Minecraft surprises, these calendars prove that advent calendars for kids can match any interest or passion your child has. Let me walk you through my top picks that will make this holiday season absolutely unforgettable!
My Top 16 Advent Calendars for Kids (With Details About Each One!)
1. American Girl® Baking Spirits Bright™ 2025 Advent Calendar
This advent calendar is absolutely perfect for American Girl fans or for kids who love to bake! Here's what makes it special:
- 24 mini baking-themed surprises
- Includes miniature kitchen accessories, tiny food items, and adorable baking tools
- High-quality
- Creates opportunities for imaginative play and storytelling around baking themes
This is one of those advent calendars for kids that parents love because the pieces don't end up as clutter - they are perfect additions to your child's doll collection!
2. The SEPHORA COLLECTION Advent Calendar
Yes, advent calendars for kids can include fun beauty products, and this one is fantastic for tweens and teens:
- Includes 24 beauty surprises including makeup, skincare, and accessories
- Perfect for kids who love to experiment with beauty products
- Introduces high-quality brands in sample sizes, perfect for younger users
- Teaches good skincare habits and self-care routines
For kids interested in skincare and makeup, this is such an exciting way to let them experiment and explore, with each day revealing a new product to try!
3. MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar
If you're looking for a STEM advent calendar for kids that gives them hands-on learning tools that last far beyond December, this one's for you!
- 34 magnetic pieces including tiles, shapes, and accessories
- Features MAGNA-TILES quality in mini format
- Each day reveals a new piece to add
- Encourages STEM learning through hands-on building and engineering
- Compatible with existing MAGNA-TILES sets for endless building possibilities
This is one of those advent calendars for kids that combines daily excitement with serious educational value - perfect for budding engineers and creative builders!
4. Joyfy 12 Days of Cozy Holiday Socks Advent Calendar
This advent calendar for kids is perfect for bigger kids or relatives, and features 12 days of cozy goodness!
- 12 pairs of fun Christmas socks
- Great for kids who love festive fashion
- Socks can be worn throughout the winter season, not just during holidays
This is one of those advent calendars for kids (especially teens) that delivers real value - they actually wear and enjoy these socks all winter long!
5. ChapStick Cozy Countdown Holiday Lip Balms
A practical and fun advent calendar for kids that they will love to use!
- 12 flavored ChapStick in festive holiday scents (peppermint, sugar cookie, hot cocoa, and more!)
- Great lip care during dry winter months
- Small enough to fit in backpacks for school
If you're looking for advent calendars for kids that offer practical items in a fun and festive way, this one hits the sweet spot between useful and exciting!
6. Disney Princess Jewelry Activity Advent Calendar
Disney Princess fans will absolutely flip over this calendar:
- 24 jewelry-making activities that combine daily surprises with hands-on creativity
- Over 300 pieces total including beads, charms, clasps, and string
- Kids can design and create their own princess-inspired jewelry
- Encourages fine motor skills and creative expression
- They can gift some of their creations to family and friends!
This is one of my favorite advent calendars for kids because it's both an activity and a gift in one - kids stay engaged and creative throughout December!
7. Nee-Doh Advent Calendar
Sensory-seeking kids will absolutely love this squishy calendar:
- 24 Nee-Doh stress balls in festive holiday colors and designs
- Each ball offers that satisfying gooey, squishy texture Nee-Doh is famous for
- Perfect for fidgeting, stress relief, and sensory input
- Durable construction that withstands squeezing, stretching, and squishing
- Great for kids who need tactile stimulation during homework or quiet time
- Comes in fun holiday shapes like snowmen, ornaments, and winter themes
Of all the advent calendars for kids focused on sensory play, this one is my favorite!
8. Monster Jam Holiday Calendar
Truck-loving kids go wild for this action-packed calendar:
- Features mini Monster Jam trucks and accessories behind each door
- Kids can create their own Monster Jam arena as the month progresses
- High-quality die-cast vehicles that withstand rough play
- Introduces kids to different Monster Jam trucks and characters
- Vehicles work with other Monster Jam playsets for extended play value
For kids obsessed with big trucks and stunts, this is one of the most exciting advent calendars for kids you can find!
9. Squish-a-longs Squishmallow Holiday Advent Calendar
Stuffy and Squishmallow fans will love this adorable advent calendar for kids:
- 24 mini, pocket-sized squishy toys in holiday and winter themes
- Soft, satisfying texture that kids love to squeeze
- Great for sensory input and stress relief
10. Play-Doh Advent Calendar
This Play-Doh calendar is absolutely perfect for creative little ones, plus each day adds to your craft and activity stash!
- 24 cans of Play-Doh in festive and classic colors
- Includes specialty tools, molds, and accessories throughout the month
- Features playmats with holiday scenes for imaginative creation
- Non-toxic and safe for young children ages 3+
- Encourages creativity, fine motor development, and sensory play
For families who go through Play-Doh regularly, this is one of the most practical advent calendars for kids because you're stocking up on supplies you'll use anyway!
11. Jingle, All the Way Home: An Advent Countdown Story
This beautiful book-based calendar will give you a moment to connect with your kids each day when you open a new chapter and read together!
- 24-chapter story, with each chapter being "sealed", it's designed to be read one chapter per day
- Encourages daily reading time and family bonding
- Great for families who want an enriching advent calendars for kids
This calendar proves that advent calendars for kids don't have to involve toys or treats - sometimes the best gift is a shared story!
12. Step2 My First Advent Calendar
Perfect for families who love advent calendars for kids that are beautiful, durable, and customizable.
- 26 empty compartments that parents can fill with their own surprises
- Includes the calendar structure with numbered doors designed for little hands
- Reusable year after year - customize treats and trinkets to match your child's age and interests
- Teaches counting and calendar concepts in a playful, hands-on way
- Durable plastic construction
- Freedom to choose exactly what goes inside - small toys, treats, stickers, or notes
Among advent calendars for kids designed for the youngest age group, this one wins for flexibility, durability, and the ability to create a perfectly personalized experience!
13. Paw Patrol Holiday Rescue 2025 Advent Calendar
Paw Patrol fans ages 3+ will absolutely love this daily countdown to Christmas!
- 24 surprise Paw Patrol toys
- Includes mini figures, vehicles, and themed accessories
- Kids can recreate their favorite rescue missions with new toys each day
- High-quality, durable toys that coordinate with other Paw Patrol playsets
- Features holiday-themed rescue scenarios and winter accessories
For preschoolers obsessed with Chase, Marshall, and the crew, this is one of the most exciting advent calendars for kids on the market!
14. LEGO Minecraft Advent Calendar 2025
Minecraft-loving builders will be so excited about this calendar!
- 24 LEGO builds inspired by Minecraft worlds and characters
- Includes mini-figures, creatures, and holiday-themed Minecraft scenes
- Each day brings a new building challenge that takes just minutes to complete
- Compatible with all other LEGO sets for endless combination possibilities
This is one of those advent calendars for kids that perfectly combines two beloved activities - LEGO building and Minecraft adventures!
15. Wondershop™Christmas Wood Triangle Advent Countdown
A beautiful, reusable option for families wanting sustainable advent calendars for kids:
- Gorgeous wood design that will look beautiful with any holiday décor
- Fillable compartments let you customize the surprises, treats, or whatever you choose!
- Sturdy construction means this calendar is made to last
Among advent calendars for kids focused on sustainability and custom family experiences, this wooden beauty will bring holiday magic for years to come!
16. LEGO City Advent Calendar 2025
This is the perfect LEGO calendar for kids who love building:
- 24 mini-builds featuring LEGO City characters and holiday scenes
- Includes Santa and Mrs. Claus minifigures plus holiday vehicles
- Creates an entire holiday cityscape by Christmas Eve
- Compatible with your existing LEGOs
For LEGO-loving kids, this is one of the most exciting advent calendars for kids because each day brings a satisfying building challenge!
Advent Calendars for Kids Make Every Day of December One to Remember
I hope this guide to the 16 best advent calendars for kids has helped you discover the perfect option(s) for your family! Whether you go with the sensory Play-Doh or Nee-doh calendar, the exciting LEGO builds, the cozy sock countdown, or any other option from this list, you're setting up December for daily moments of joy and excitement!
Here's your next step: Pick your favorite calendar from this list (or choose two!) and order it soon before the best options sell out. Set a reminder on your calendar for December 1st to start your countdown tradition.
Remember, the best advent calendars for kids aren't necessarily the most expensive or elaborate - they're the ones that match your child's interests, fit your family's lifestyle, and create those little moments of joy that make December truly special. The countdown to Christmas has never been more fun, creative, or perfectly tailored to what your kids genuinely love!
These advent calendars for kids prove that the anticipation really can be just as magical as the destination. Happy counting down to Christmas! 🎄
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on items I personally use and love with my own children.
Written by Brittany, Stay at Home Activity Mom
Brittany is a former elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom of three. Passionate about children learning through play, she began sharing her simple, hands-on, and education activities on her Instagram @stayathomeactivitymom so that other parents could see how fun this type of at-home learning can be.
