GiftMe Ideas is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
GiftMe Ideas is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This never changes our recommendations. Learn more.
The best advent calendars for kids match the child’s age and what they love, from wooden animals for toddlers to science kits for big kids.
Use this list to find the right calendar quickly.
Quick Answer: The Best Advent Calendars for Kids
- Best for Toddlers: HABA My First Advent Calendar Farmyard
- Best for Preschoolers: Bluey Advent Calendar 2026
- Best First LEGO: LEGO City Advent Calendar (2024)
- Best for Car Fans: Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar
- Best LEGO Calendar: LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456)
- Best Science Calendar: National Geographic 2026 Science Advent Calendar
- Best Craft Calendar: ArtSkills 25 Day Christmas Craft Advent Calendar
- Best Book Calendar: The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection
- Best Doll Calendar: Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar
- Best for Tweens: Brain Teaser Puzzle Advent Calendar
The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar and National Geographic Science Advent Calendar are our top best advent calendars for kids. HABA suits toddlers.
Best Advent Calendars for Kids Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HABA My First Advent Calendar Farmyard | Best for Toddlers | Toddler advent calendar | 24 wooden farm figures and a storybook | Check Price |
| Bluey Advent Calendar 2026 | Best for Preschoolers | Character advent calendar | Bluey, Bingo and Bartlebee figures with holiday accessories | Check Price |
| LEGO City Advent Calendar (2024) | Best First LEGO | LEGO advent calendar | Santa, Mrs. Claus and a fold-out snowy village playmat | Check Price |
| Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar | Best for Car Fans | Car advent calendar | 10 die-cast cars plus wintery accessories | Check Price |
| LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) | Best LEGO Calendar | LEGO advent calendar | The Mandalorian themed builds with 8 mini vehicles | Check Price |
| National Geographic 2026 Science Advent Calendar | Best Science Calendar | Science advent calendar | 13 experiments and 11 gems or fossils | Check Price |
| ArtSkills 25 Day Christmas Craft Advent Calendar | Best Craft Calendar | Craft advent calendar | 25 holiday ornament crafts | Check Price |
| The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection | Best Book Calendar | Book advent calendar | 24 illustrated storybooks behind each window | Check Price |
| Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar | Best Doll Calendar | Doll advent calendar | Color Reveal doll, 3 pets and 25 surprises | Check Price |
| Brain Teaser Puzzle Advent Calendar | Best for Tweens | Puzzle advent calendar | 17 wooden and 7 metal puzzles | Check Price |
The 10 Best Advent Calendars for Kids
Below are our picks for the best advent calendars for kids, with who each one suits best and why it makes a thoughtful gift.
HABA My First Advent Calendar Farmyard
1The HABA My First Advent Calendar Farmyard reveals a wooden figure behind every window.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- High-quality wooden figures
- Story for each day
- Becomes a farm toy set
Cons
- Higher price
- Figures are small
📄 Detailed Review
- Brand: HABA
- Figures: 24 wooden characters
- Bonus: 24-chapter storybook
- Best for: Toddlers
It also includes a 24-chapter storybook, Theo the Raven Saves Christmas.
The figures become a farm toy set after the holidays.
2The Bluey Advent Calendar 2026 has 24 surprises with Bluey, Bingo and Bartlebee figures.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Festive Bluey figures
- 16 accessories and stickers
- Fun for preschool fans
Cons
- Mostly accessories
- Small pieces
📄 Detailed Review
- Theme: Bluey
- Surprises: 24
- Figures: Bluey, Bingo and Bartlebee
- Age: 5–8
Kids also unwrap holiday accessories and stickers for an Aussie Christmas scene.
It is a hit with young Bluey fans.
3The LEGO City Advent Calendar has 24 festive surprises and a playmat that turns the box into a snowy village.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fold-out village playmat
- Santa and Mrs. Claus figures
- Good first LEGO calendar
Cons
- Earlier edition
- Limited stock
📄 Detailed Review
- Theme: LEGO City
- Surprises: 24
- Includes: Santa and Mrs. Claus minifigures, fold-out playmat
- Age: 5+
Younger LEGO fans can build mini Christmas scenes and act out stories with Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends.
It is a good first LEGO advent calendar for ages 5 and up.
4The Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar reveals a winter-themed car or accessory behind each of 24 doors.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ten collectible cars
- Exclusive snow globe car
- Great for car fans
Cons
- Some doors are accessories
- Track sold separately
📄 Detailed Review
- Brand: Hot Wheels
- Surprises: 24 doors
- Cars: 10 1:64 scale vehicles
- Exclusive: Snow globe car with a yeti driver
Ten doors hold 1:64 scale Hot Wheels cars, including an exclusive snow globe car with a yeti driver.
It is a top pick for kids who collect die-cast cars.
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456)
5The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 brings The Mandalorian to a 24-day countdown with minifigures and mini vehicles.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Mandalorian characters in holiday sweaters
- Eight mini vehicles including the Razor Crest
- Huge fan favorite
Cons
- Small mini builds
- Pieces add up quickly
📄 Detailed Review
- Theme: LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian
- Surprises: 24 days
- Highlights: Mando and Grogu in holiday sweaters, 8 mini vehicles
- Age: 6+
Kids collect Mando, Grogu, Moff Gideon and droids, plus mini builds such as the N-1 Starfighter and Razor Crest.
It is one of the most popular LEGO calendars every year.
National Geographic 2026 Science Advent Calendar
6The National Geographic 2026 Science Advent Calendar mixes 13 experiments with 11 gemstones and fossils.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real experiments
- Gems and fossils to keep
- Great STEM countdown
Cons
- Needs adult help for some days
- Uses small parts
📄 Detailed Review
- Brand: National Geographic
- Experiments: 13
- Specimens: 11 gemstones and fossils
- Age: 8–12
Kids try secret messages and other experiments while building a mini rock collection.
It is one of the best STEM calendars for ages 8 to 12.
Check National Geographic Science Advent Calendar Price on Amazon
ArtSkills 25 Day Christmas Craft Advent Calendar
7The ArtSkills Christmas Craft Advent Calendar includes 25 holiday craft projects for kids.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- A new craft every day
- Makes keepsake ornaments
- Good for family time
Cons
- Some crafts need adult help
- Can be messy
📄 Detailed Review
- Brand: ArtSkills
- Crafts: 25 projects
- Result: Ornaments and decorations
- Age: All ages with help
Most crafts become ornaments and decorations kids can hang on the tree.
It is a fun calendar for creative families.
The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection
8The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection hides an illustrated storybook behind each of 24 windows.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful illustrations
- 24 festive stories
- Books to keep for years
Cons
- Pricier than toy calendars
- Short books
📄 Detailed Review
- Publisher: Usborne
- Books: 24
- Format: Luxury advent calendar
- Best for: Ages 3–7
The festive stories build excitement and make reading part of the countdown.
It is a keepsake calendar families can reuse each year.
Check Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection Price on Amazon
Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar
9The Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar includes a Color Reveal doll, three pets and fashion surprises.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Water color reveal on day 1
- Fashion and pet surprises
- Great for Barbie fans
Cons
- Needs warm water
- Small accessories
📄 Detailed Review
- Brand: Barbie
- Surprises: 25
- Includes: Color Reveal doll, 3 pets, clothes
- Age: 3+
On day one, kids reveal the doll in warm water, then add outfits and accessories over the month.
It is a fun calendar for doll lovers.
10This puzzle advent calendar includes 17 wooden and 7 metal brain teasers.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real brain challenge
- No screens or candy
- Great for tweens
Cons
- Some puzzles are hard
- Small pieces
📄 Detailed Review
- Puzzles: 24
- Materials: Wood and zinc-plated steel
- Challenge: Each needs a different solution
- Best for: Tweens and up
Each one has a different solution, keeping tweens busy every day.
It is a smart non-candy calendar for older kids.
How We Chose the Best Advent Calendars for Kids
To choose the best advent calendars for kids, we chose calendars by age group and interest, with no candy and lasting play value.
We also follow the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s advice to respect age labels, add helmets for riding toys and keep small parts away from children under 3. See the CPSC toy safety tips.
Product details in this guide come from manufacturer specifications, age grading and verified owner feedback. Read more on our How We Test page.
How to Choose the Best Advent Calendars for Kids
Use these pointers to narrow down the best advent calendars for kids for the family you are shopping for.
Match the Advent Calendar to the Age
Toddler calendars should have large pieces and simple surprises, while LEGO, science and puzzle calendars suit kids 6 and up. Always check the age label because many calendars include small parts.
Choose the Right Type of Advent Calendar
Toy calendars build a playset or collection, book calendars create a daily reading ritual, craft calendars make decorations and science calendars turn December into a lab. Pick the type that matches how the child likes to play.
Choose the Right Type of Advent Calendar
Toy calendars build a playset or collection, book calendars create a daily reading ritual, craft calendars make decorations and science calendars turn December into a lab. Pick the type that matches how the child likes to play.
Match the Advent Calendar to the Age
Toddler calendars should have large pieces and simple surprises, while LEGO, science and puzzle calendars suit kids 6 and up. Always check the age label because many calendars include small parts.
Buy Advent Calendars Early
Popular advent calendars sell out by late November. Order early, store the box somewhere safe and set it up by November 30 so day one starts on time.
Choosing an Advent Calendar for Kids
A few simple ideas make the best advent calendars for kids feel even more personal:
- Start with the child’s age.
- Pick a type: toy, book, craft or science.
- Check for small parts.
- Order early.
- Keep the box for next year.
Still have questions about the best advent calendars for kids? Here are quick answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best advent calendars for kids?
Our top best advent calendars for kids are the HABA My First Advent Calendar Farmyard, Bluey Advent Calendar 2026, LEGO City Advent Calendar (2024) and the Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar.
What are the best advent calendars for kids?
LEGO, Hot Wheels, NatGeo Science, HABA and book calendars.
Which advent calendar is best for young kids?
HABA wooden figures or Bluey.
Which advent calendar is best for older kids?
Science, gem or puzzle calendars.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best advent calendars for kids is the HABA My First Advent Calendar. Choose the Bluey Advent Calendar 2026 if you want a science advent calendar, or the LEGO City Advent Calendar if they love LEGO.
Related Gift Guides
Want more ideas beyond the best advent calendars for kids? Explore these related gift guides:
- Best Book Advent Calendar
- Best Craft Advent Calendar for Kids
- Best Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
- Best Lego Advent Calendar
- Best Non-Candy Stocking Stuffers
Product details are based on manufacturer information at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!