The excitement of counting down to Christmas takes on a whole new meaning with advent calendars. Gone are the days of simple chocolate calendars – today’s options bring magic to every December morning with toys, activities, and surprises that cater to every interest and age group.

Why Should You Get an Advent Calendar for Your Child?

Advent calendars do more than just count down the days to Christmas. They:

• Create daily moments of joy and anticipation
• Help children learn patience and time concepts
• Offer opportunities for family bonding
• Can align with your child’s specific interests
• Provide alternatives to daily candy or sweets

Let’s explore the top 50 advent calendars across 10 different categories, perfect for every child’s interests and age level.

1. LEGO & Building Sets: Brick-by-Brick Excitement

LEGO advent calendars represent the perfect blend of holiday tradition and creative play. These calendars have become increasingly sophisticated over the years, with each daily reveal designed to be part of a larger holiday narrative. What makes LEGO advent calendars particularly special is their ability to combine collectibility with active play – each day’s build can be enjoyed independently or as part of a growing holiday scene. Parents particularly appreciate that these calendars have lasting value beyond December, as the pieces integrate seamlessly with existing LEGO collections.

The builds are carefully designed to be completable in a short time, making them perfect for busy December mornings before school. Many of the miniature builds also teach new construction techniques that children can apply to their other LEGO projects. For collectors, these calendars often include exclusive seasonal minifigures and pieces that aren’t available in regular sets, adding extra excitement to each day’s reveal.

2. Beauty & Spa: Perfect for Tweens

The emergence of beauty and spa advent calendars specifically designed for tweens represents an understanding that young people are increasingly interested in self-care and personal grooming. These calendars offer a safe, age-appropriate introduction to beauty products, with formulations specifically designed for young skin and supervised use. Unlike adult beauty calendars, these versions focus on fun, gentle products that encourage positive self-expression rather than correction or enhancement.

What makes these calendars particularly valuable is their educational component – many include tips about skincare, hygiene, and self-care routines appropriate for young people. The products are typically designed to be gentle, often featuring natural ingredients, and many are fragrance-free or specially formulated for sensitive skin. Parents appreciate that these calendars can spark conversations about self-care, hygiene, and healthy beauty routines in an age-appropriate way.

3. Candy & Treats: Sweet Surprises

While candy advent calendars might seem traditional, today’s versions have evolved significantly to meet modern preferences and dietary requirements. These calendars now go beyond simple chocolate shapes to include a variety of confectionery innovations, from sugar-free options to organic treats and allergen-free varieties. Many modern candy calendars also incorporate an educational element, with facts about chocolate making, the history of different candies, or cultural holiday traditions around the world.

Parents particularly appreciate that many brands now focus on portion control, with appropriately sized treats that don’t overwhelm daily sugar intake. Some calendars even combine treats with small toys or activities, creating a more balanced approach to the daily surprise. For families with multiple children, these calendars often feature easily shareable portions, making them a practical choice for siblings.

4. Preschooler Favorites: Perfect for Ages 3-5

Preschoolers represent a magical age for advent calendars – old enough to understand the concept of counting down to Christmas, yet young enough to be filled with wonder at each daily discovery. These calendars are specifically designed to capture the imagination of 3-5 year olds while supporting key developmental areas like fine motor skills, early numeracy, color recognition, and social-emotional learning. What makes preschooler advent calendars special is their ability to combine play with learning opportunities that align with early childhood development milestones.

The best advent calendars for this age group incorporate elements of choice and independence, allowing children to practice decision-making skills as they interact with each day’s surprise. Many feature items that encourage imaginative play scenarios, which is crucial for preschoolers’ cognitive and social development. Parents particularly value calendars that include interactive elements that can be used for storytelling, sorting, or simple problem-solving activities – all key skills for this age group. The size and complexity of items are carefully considered to challenge but not frustrate young children, building confidence and competence throughout the month.

5. Hot Toy Brands: Trending Favorites

The world of trending toys moves quickly, but advent calendars from popular brands offer a curated experience of the year’s most sought-after playthings in miniature form. These calendars typically feature exclusive holiday versions of favorite toys, making them particularly special for young collectors. What makes these calendars unique is their ability to combine the excitement of trending toys with holiday traditions, creating a bridge between contemporary play preferences and seasonal celebrations.

Many of these calendars are designed with collection and display in mind, often including special display bases or backgrounds that create a complete holiday scene as December progresses. The items are typically chosen to complement existing collections while offering something unique to the holiday season. Parents often find these calendars particularly valuable because they combine the appeal of popular toys with the tradition of advent counting.

6. Character & Entertainment

Character-based advent calendars tap into children’s emotional connections with their favorite entertainment franchises, making the countdown to Christmas even more engaging. These calendars are carefully designed to tell a story throughout the month, often featuring exclusive holiday versions of beloved characters or special seasonal narratives. What makes these calendars particularly special is their ability to bring familiar characters into the holiday season in unique ways.

The items in these calendars are typically designed to work together, creating opportunities for imaginative play that extends beyond December. Many include special holiday storylines or challenges that incorporate the characters, adding an extra layer of engagement to the countdown experience. Parents appreciate that these calendars often promote storytelling and creative play while celebrating both the holiday season and children’s favorite characters.

7. Arts & Activities

Arts and activities advent calendars transform the countdown to Christmas into a creative journey, making them perfect for children who love to make and do. These calendars stand out because they offer a different kind of advent experience – instead of just revealing a surprise, they provide a daily creative challenge or project. Each day brings new materials, techniques, or artistic opportunities, building a comprehensive creative skill set throughout the month.

What makes these calendars particularly valuable is their focus on process over product. The daily activities are designed to be completed independently or with minimal supervision, fostering confidence and creative independence. Many include variations for different skill levels, making them suitable for a wide age range. Parents appreciate that these calendars create daily opportunities for screen-free engagement and often result in handmade decorations or gifts that can be shared with family and friends.

8. Educational & Science

Educational and science advent calendars transform the holiday countdown into a learning adventure, perfect for curious minds and budding scientists. These calendars stand out because they combine the excitement of daily discovery with genuine educational value. Each day typically features a new experiment, puzzle, or learning activity that builds upon previous days’ knowledge, creating a comprehensive learning experience throughout the month.

What makes these calendars particularly special is their ability to seamlessly blend entertainment with education. The activities are carefully designed to support STEM learning objectives while maintaining the fun and excitement of an advent calendar. Many include detailed explanations and real-world applications, helping children understand the science behind each activity. Parents appreciate that these calendars provide structured learning opportunities during a time when regular educational routines might be disrupted.

9. Family Activity Calendars: Creating Daily Moments Together

Family activity advent calendars transform the countdown to Christmas into an opportunity for daily connection and memory-making. These innovative calendars go beyond simple reveals to provide structured family experiences that combat the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with intentional together time. What makes these calendars particularly special is their ability to create meaningful traditions that involve the whole family, from younger children to teens and parents.

These calendars typically combine physical items with activity cards or challenges that families can complete together. Many are designed to fit into busy schedules, with a mix of quick activities for school nights and more elaborate projects for weekends. Parents especially appreciate how these calendars help maintain family connection during the busy holiday season while creating opportunities for authentic engagement away from screens. The activities often contribute to holiday preparation in meaningful ways, making them both fun and practical for the season.

10. Collectibles

Collectible advent calendars elevate the tradition of counting down to Christmas by creating a curated collection of miniatures and figures. These calendars are designed with both play and display in mind, often featuring special presentation options that turn the calendar itself into a holiday decoration. What makes these calendars particularly special is their focus on building a cohesive collection that tells a story or creates a scene as December progresses.

The items are typically exclusive to these calendars, featuring special holiday variations or rare pieces that add extra excitement to each day’s reveal. Many include display stands or backgrounds that create a festive showcase for the growing collection. Parents appreciate that these calendars often have lasting value beyond the holiday season, as the items can be treasured and displayed year after year.

Create Your Own Custom Calendar

Want something truly unique? Consider creating a DIY advent calendar tailored to your child’s specific interests. This option allows you to mix and match items from different categories and include personal touches that make the countdown even more special. Check out our guide to creating your own advent calendar here with 9 DIY ideas.

Remember to order early – the best advent calendars often sell out months before December begins. Happy counting down!