Kids Advent calendars - A fun way to countdown to Christmas

Here are 10 of THE BEST kids advent calendars (plus another 11 as we couldn't stop at 10)! Avoid the chocolate and sugar with these fabulous toy and activity advent calendar ideas for kids. Ok, they are a little more expensive than the chocolate advent calendars, but they will definitely last longer. There are so many fun advent calendars to choose from and we love them all! This was going to be a top 10 list, but here are our top 21. Enjoy the countdown to countdown!

As well as looking at our collection of kids advent calendars below you might like to take a look at our advent calendar activity ideas,  they are so fun and will fill advent with lots of Christmas memories! (we have printable advent calendar ideas too!)

We also have a DIY advent calendar and a homemade countdown to Christmas calendar that you can make if you are feeling crafty!

Below you will find a list of our favourite advent calendars for kids. We have tried to include some unique advent calendars as well as fun toddler advent calendars, calendars for preschoolers and some that can be used year after year! 

I've supplied links to Amazon for easy purchasing! Just click the links below to be taken to the product pages. As an Amazon Associate if you use the links I will earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. 

Kids Advent calendars - A fun way to countdown to Christmas

1. Lego City Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is perfect for young lego fans. The recommend age is 5 -12 years. Behind each door you will find an easy to assemble model vehicles, building, seasonal item or mini figure. There are 6 mini lego figures included in this set including a cute santa with glasses on.

2. Melissa and Doug Classic Wooden Nativity Set 

This first nativity set is a perfect advent calendar to bring out for the kids at the beginning of advent for little ones to play with. It includes an easy-to-assemble 4-piece stable and 11 wooden figures as well as a retelling of the Christmas story to help create a treasured family tradition.

3. VTech Toot Toot Animals Advent Calendar

This is a great toddler advent calendar. Toddlers will love counting down to Christmas with the fabulous Toot-Toot Animals advent calendar. The recommended age is 1-5 years, 2 and 3 year olds would love it. There are 24 fun play pieces including a cute Toot-Toot Animals Reindeer and baby, Christmas decorations and more.

4. Playmobil Advent calendar - Royal Ice Skating Trip 

Build up a skating scene with this adorable playmobil advent calendar. The recommended age is 4-8 years. Each window holds a different surprise each day to help build your scene. There are 3 playmobil figures included along with a snowman, animals and a tree.

5. Melissa and Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar

This wooden advent calendar for kids can be used year after year. The set includes a magnetic wooden tree, 24 magnetic ornaments and 1 shining star for the top of the tree. Each day kids can pick an ornament to add to the wooden Christmas tree, following the numbered outlines to fill the tree.

6. 24 North Pole Advent letters

Opening a letter each day of advent from a North Pole elf is a fun alternative to an advent calendar that the whole family can enjoy together. There are 24 letters included in this pack, which are to be read in order. Kids will love hearing of all of the fun, adventures and mayhem at the North Pole.

7. Lego Friends Advent Calendar 

Open a compartment each day and count down to Christmas with buildable lego gifts. There are 24 surprises including furry friends and their homes, a Christmas tree, gifts and all sorts of surprises. The recommended age for thid kids advent calendar is 5-12 years old.

8. Play-Doh Advent Calendar 

Get creative with this Play-Doh holiday countdown calendar. This set includes 5 Play-Doh pots, including 2 sparkly pots. There are lots of little Christmas cutters behind the doors as well as a pair of plastic scissors and a mini rolling pin. The recommended age is 3 +.

9. Fabric nativity advent calendar

This beautifully crafted kids advent calendar can be used year after year. Each day you take a piece from one of the numbered pockets to build up a nativity scene.

10. Playmobil Advent Calendar - Santa's Workshop 

Help Santa load his sleigh with the Santa's workshop advent calendar. This set includes a backdrop, four figures, a sleigh, work bench, reindeer, slide, bike, tons of toys, and plenty of other accessories. It is recommended for 4-10 year olds.



We couldn't stop at 10 so here are a few more!


Paw Patrol Advent 
Hatchimals Holiday Advent 
Barbie Careers Advent Calendar 
Mega Bloks TMNT Advent 
Hot Wheels Advent 

Elf on the shelf 

Another fun countdown to Christmas tradition is Elf on the shelf 

Elf on the Shelf is a tradition that the whole family will enjoy in the run up to Christmas. Children adopt their own scout elf who flies to the North Pole each night to tell Santa about all the days adventures. Each morning children come down to find the shelf has moved or been up to mischief. (Take a look at some of our easy elf on the shelf ideas)

The Kindness Elves (buy them at The Kindness Elf Shop) 

A fun alternative to the well know Elf on the Shelf, the kindness elves are magical elves that sprinkle kindness and joy wherever they go. These little elves come with their own house and encourage children to carry out daily acts of kindness.

Christmas Book Advent

Instead of buying a kids advent calendar another alternative is to do a Christmas book advent, where you buy 24 Christmas books, wrap them and open one each day of advent. Here are some Christmas books for children. 

Whether you decide to buy a kids advent calendar or follow a different Christmas tradition the important thing is to have fun enjoying time together as a family! Merry Christmas!