25 of the Coolest Advent Calendars for Kids

Sorry parents, but slime isn’t going anywhere. This kid craze for a solid, yet liquid substance, turned toy-in-a-jar, has become a cultural phenomenon that almost no child would turn down. So what best of the Advent calendars for kids out there than one that gives you 12 slimes, and 12 mix-ins to create your own favorite combos?

We can always count on Crayola for some fun when it comes to crafting, and this Advent calendar brings it. Each numbered door reveals a Crayola product and corresponding activity to help fill the time watching the calendar for Santa’s big day. After the holiday activities are over, children can use the supplies again and again. It’s the gift that keeps giving.

Another kid favorite, Play-Doh, has created a countdown calendar featuring five cans of this delightful dough (two even sparkle!), and 24 accessories/tools. Kids can shape, squish, create, and build with unlimited possibilities, even beyond the holiday season.

LEGOS are a great toy, and now they make great Advent calendars for kids. With 342 pieces included, how can one go wrong with this LEGO City box? Build festive creations like Santa’s sleigh, a Christmas tree, and more for the mini-figure characters from the LEGO City TV series, and act out fun holiday adventures on the snowy city play mat.

LEGO also doesn’t disappoint with its LEGO Friends Advent calendar. For those who are into the Friends collection, this 24-day calendar surprises kids with 236 pieces of creative thinking and holiday fun. Play along with Mrs. Claus, two elf mini-doll figures, a toy penguin, and more. It’s a great way to add the festive touch to other LEGO Friends sets currently owned. Happy holidays!

The Force is strong with this one. The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar is holiday fun in a box. Star Wars fans will love the mini-figures like Poe Dameron and Darth Vader (complete with festive holiday sweater), as well as a mini-Millennium Falcon, Droid Control Ship, and so much more, with its 311 pieces.

Muggles, half-bloods, and wizards will be over the moon for this LEGO Harry Potter Advent calendar. 335 pieces make up this collectible play scene from the Hogwarts Yule Ball (Goblet of Fire). The set includes all the main characters, like Harry, Hermione, and Ron, but also the Patil twins, Cho Chang, and plenty of buildable models like the ice castle centerpiece.

Chug along counting down to the Christmas holiday with Thomas & Friends. All little train lovers will love opening a new mini-train or car each day, including six holiday-themed engines. Set them up on display, or push and play with them throughout the season.

Hot dog, hot diggety dog! Little Disney Junior fans will love counting down to Christmas with their favorite characters. Open a new surprise each of the 24 days, complete with eleven mini-figures, five holiday accessories, five stickers, and three holiday gift boxes. Children will be able to celebrate with Minnie and Mickey, Bingo and Rolly, Doc McStuffin’s and more!

Our favorite toy for little hands is in Advent calendar form too, including special holiday edition characters. Toddlers will love opening the doors, as well as fun characters (including Santa, Mrs. Claus, an Elf, and more!) and holiday-themed accessories that will work great with all their existing Fisher-Price Little People toys.

Get kids excited for the impending holiday by including them in a family Advent calendar. Both big and little children will love pulling out the hook and loop backed felt ornaments to decorate the tree year after year. There’s even room to add in a small candy or treat for each day, to make the surprise extra special.

Little ladies who love all things that glam will love Purple Ladybug Advent Calendars for kids, with tons of glitter tattoos, makeup, hair accessories, stickers, and more. Behind each door hides a fun surprise to glitz up this holiday, plus a fun seasonal riddle, and more. What girl wouldn’t love to get this on December 1st?

The Barbie Dreamtopia collection has become so popular, that it even has it’s own Advent calendar. December 1st starts with opening door #1, which partially hides a full-size Barbie doll! The following 23 days gives girls a new surprise each day that includes a piece of clothing, accessory, or storytelling item. It’s so much fun to lead up to Christmas with Barbie.

Polly Pocket may be tiny, but she brings the fun with this Advent calendar. Act out holiday fun with Polly and her friends on the snowy scene built into the package. Each door opens to a doll, animal, home, vehicle, or another fun accessory to outfit the display.

Calling all unicorn enthusiasts! Count down to the best holiday of the year, with Unicorn Fun Advent calendar. It’s chock-full of real makeup and jewelry, which is perfect for those who love dress up and make-believe.

The best type of pets are the ones who don’t need to be fed, walked, or cleaned up after. Littlest Pet Shop pets fit the bill, and for collectors, their Advent calendar is the perfect gift. Get 12 pets and 12 accessories to count down to the big day.

Get one of the hottest Advent calendars for kids, with a Hot Wheels 24 Days Advent Calendar. If getting eight awesomely decorated Hot Wheels wasn’t enough, you’ll also get 16 themed accessories hidden within the packaging, along with a built-in play mat. Vroom your way to the Christmas holiday in style!

Dinosaurs are always popular with little kids. So 24 dinosaurs, one for each day leading up to the big day, is a gift in itself! Get a variety of styles, including large, small, and even fossil and dinosaur eggs!

“It’s a-me, Maarrrio!” That’s right. Everyone’s favorite Italian plumber is in Advent calendars for kids too! With 17 figurines and seven accessories, it makes a great playset gift for video game lovers.

For a kid who just love all types of fun and games, gift them a fun treasure box full of fun fidget surprises for 24 days. Open a door each day to reveal a toy, stamp, game, puzzle, or more. It’s plenty of play in a box.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Heighten the holiday anticipation this year with an Advent calendar filled with an array of zoo and jungle animals. The 24 plastic min-animals are not only educational but are also toys kids will love to play with all year.

If there’s a child in the family who just LOVES the holidays, an Advent calendar filled with ornaments may be right up their alley. Work together as a family to decorate the Christmas tree with a unique selection of fun small ornaments, or have children decorate their own small tree. They’ll love it.

For tiny hands or families that love decorating their fridge, a Fridge Magnet Advent Calendar is the perfect countdown. Each day, a new magnet is revealed, from fun holiday shapes to rainbows and rockets. There’s a magnet included for everyone.

Older kids and adults alike will enjoy revealing brain teaser puzzles in their Advent calendar. Included in the box are 24 metal brain teasers at five various levels of difficulty, so everyone from kids to grandparents can get in on the fun.

Scientists in the making will love these 24 experiments leading them through December. Keep kids engaged for hours with an experiment in each box. Who knew physics, chemistry, and biology could be so much fun?