30 Best Advent Calendars for Kids in 2025: Magical Ways to Countdown to Christmas
Christmas is hands down my favorite season of the year—the twinkling lights, cozy nights in with the kids, baking cookies, and watching our favorite holiday movies. In our house, the real start of the season is marked by our mischievous elves, Star Bright and Pancake, who arrive on December 1st with a special surprise: Advent calendars for the kids.
This tradition has been part of our family for so long my kids can’t even remember a Christmas without it. Some years I’m super prepared and have their Advent calendars picked out early. Other years? I’m frantically scrambling the night before, grabbing whatever’s left at Walmart!
But not this year. In 2025, I’m determined to be ahead of the holiday chaos and make sure my kids get something truly magical. So today, I’m sharing my top picks for the best Advent calendars for kids 2025—the ones that bring joy, excitement, and a little Christmas magic to every December day.
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Advent Calendars for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Fisher-Price Barbie Little People Advent Calendar
Little People toys have always been a huge hit in my daycare—they’re chunky, easy for little hands to hold, and perfect for pretend play. This Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Advent Calendar is a fun twist, giving toddlers and preschoolers a Barbie-themed world that’s totally age-appropriate. Each day adds a new figure or accessory, so by Christmas they’ve built up a whole little holiday Barbie house to play with.
MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar
Magna-Tiles were one of those toys I thought my kids would outgrow, but honestly—they’ve been a favorite for years. This Magna-Tiles microMAGs Advent Calendar makes the countdown to Christmas extra fun by adding holiday-themed builds and little magnetic characters each day. It’s one of those calendars that sparks creativity and keeps little hands busy (a gift for them and for us parents).
Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princesses Advent Calendar
If there’s one toy line I’ve seen kids never tire of in my daycare, it’s Little People—and add Disney Princesses to the mix, and you’ve got pure magic. This Advent calendar includes pint-sized versions of beloved princesses plus little accessories that are perfect for toddler hands. It’s a gentle, screen-free way for the littlest Disney fans to count down to Christmas (and let’s be honest—watching toddlers play “royal ball” with these is just plain adorable).
Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar
Superheroes have always been a huge hit in my daycare, and the Imaginext figures are the perfect size for little hands. This DC Super Friends Advent Calendar gives kids 24 days of Batman, Superman, and their friends (all dressed up for winter, of course). It’s one of those calendars that sparks big, imaginative play—suddenly the block area becomes Gotham City, and the superheroes are saving Christmas.
Fisher-Price Imaginext Jurassic World Advent Calendar
Dinosaurs have a way of capturing kids’ imaginations—especially in my daycare, where T. rex roars can be heard daily. This Fisher-Price Imaginext Jurassic World Advent Calendar gives little dino fans 24 days of surprises, from tiny dinosaurs to characters and gear. It’s basically a mini Jurassic adventure leading up to Christmas, and the kind of toy that keeps kids busy long after the countdown is done.
Playmobil Junior Advent Calendar: Snowy Christmas
Playmobil Junior sets are a lifesaver for toddlers and preschoolers who want “big kid” toys but still need chunkier pieces that are safe and easy to handle. This Snowy Christmas Advent Calendar comes with animals, figures, and holiday decorations that are just right for little hands. I’ve had sets like this in my daycare, and the kids loved creating little winter scenes and stories with them—simple play that feels magical in December.
Bluey Advent Calendar Pack
My own kids never got into Bluey, it was a bit after their time. But running a home daycare meant I saw plenty of this little blue dog—and honestly, I fell in love with the show myself. It’s such a sweet, wholesome series, and the toys always kept the little ones busy. This Bluey Advent Calendar Pack is packed with figures and accessories so kids can recreate their favorite Christmas episodes and make up their own holiday adventures too.
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
This Melissa & Doug wooden Advent calendar is one of those pieces you can pull out year after year. Instead of candy or trinkets, kids get to add a little magnetic ornament to the tree each day until Christmas. I’ve had one in my daycare before, and the kids loved taking turns putting up the decorations—it became a sweet part of our morning routine in December.
Play-Doh Advent Calendar
I’ve gone through more tubs of Play-Doh than I can count thanks to my daycare crew, and it’s always worth it for the quiet, focused play it brings. This Play-Doh Advent Calendar gives kids a new color, cutter, or tool each day so by Christmas they’ve got a full holiday play set. Just be prepared for lots of tiny snowmen and Christmas trees covering your kitchen table (and maybe a little glittery Play-Doh ground into the rug).
Advent Calendars for Boys
LEGO Minecraft Advent Calendar
Charlie had one of these LEGO Minecraft Advent Calendars a couple years back, and it was such a hit. If your kid already collects the Minecraft LEGO sets, this is the perfect add-on—each day comes with a mini build or character that fits right in with their existing world. By the time Christmas rolls around, they’ve got a whole little winter scene to play with, complete with mobs, animals, and festive details.
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar
Charlie’s also had the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar, and I would definitely recommend it. Each day comes with a mix of mini builds, ships, and classic characters in fun holiday themes (because nothing says Christmas like Darth Vader in a festive sweater). It’s such a fun way for kids to expand their Star Wars LEGO collection without needing a giant new set.
LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar
I’ve always thought the LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar was one of the most fun ones they make. Each day reveals a character, prop, or little Hogwarts-themed build, so by Christmas kids have their own mini wizarding world to play with. Between the Sorting Hat, magical creatures, and tiny details (like the goblet of fire), it’s a dream for Harry Potter fans young and old.
Pokémon Advent Calendar
Pokémon is one of those things that never seems to go out of style—Charlie was into it for years, and I still have daycare kids who come in wearing Pikachu shirts. This Pokémon Advent Calendar is packed with little figures and accessories so kids can build a holiday scene with their favorite characters. If you’ve got a Pokémon fan at home, this countdown will feel like catching a new surprise every single day.
Hot Wheels Cars Advent Calendar
Hot Wheels have been a favorite in my house and my daycare for years—something about those little cars just never gets old. This Hot Wheels Advent Calendar comes with 8 cars and a bunch of accessories, so by Christmas kids have their own mini holiday racetrack set up. It’s the kind of calendar that gets hours of play, not just a quick unboxing moment each day.
Monster Jam Advent Calendar
Got a little one who loves monster trucks? This Monster Jam advent calendar is packed with mini trucks and fun accessories to build excitement each day. It’s a great option for kids who like action and racing toys—I can already imagine the daycare boys lining them up for their own holiday Monster Jam showdown!
Funko Pop! Pokemon Holiday Calendar
If the Pokémon card craze hasn’t hit your house yet (or if your kids are still a little too young for it), the Funko Pop! Pokémon Holiday Calendar is such a fun alternative. Each day reveals a mini vinyl figure—adorable, collectible, and way less likely to end up scattered under the couch like trading cards. My son has had this one before, and he loved lining up his little Pokémon army on the bookshelf—it basically turned into holiday décor.
Star Wars Advent Calendar
For Star Wars fans, this Advent calendar is packed with 24 mini surprises featuring favorite characters, creatures, and ships. It’s such a fun way for kids (or grown-up fans!) to count down to Christmas while building their own little galaxy. I love how it mixes the magic of the holidays with the adventure of Star Wars—it’s sure to be a hit in any fan household.
Jurassic World Dinosaur Advent Calendar
This Jurassic World Advent calendar is dino-sized fun for kids who love dinosaurs. With 24 days of mini figures and accessories, it’s like building your own prehistoric adventure one day at a time. My kids always loved anything dinosaur-related, and this one would have been a total hit for the countdown to Christmas!
Funko Pop! Marvel Comics Holiday Calendar
Marvel fans will love counting down the days with this Funko Pop! Bitty Advent Calendar. Each window hides a mini version of a favorite hero or villain—Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, even Loki. These little guys are perfect for lining up on a dresser or bookshelf, and if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll immediately start acting out epic battles between the tiniest Avengers you’ve ever seen.
Advent Calendars for Girls
Funko Pop! Disney Princess Holiday Calendar
Disney Princess fans will flip for this Funko Pop! Bitty Advent Calendar. Each day kids get a teeny-tiny princess figure, and by the end they’ll have a whole lineup of their favorites. I can totally picture daycare kids swapping who gets to be Belle or Ariel during playtime—though let’s be real, there’s always a little squabble over Elsa.
Funko Pop! Stitch Holiday Calendar
Stitch has always been one of those characters kids can’t help but love—mischievous, funny, and just a little bit chaotic (kind of like December with kids, right?). This Funko Pop! Bitty Advent Calendar gives you 24 mini Stitch figures, each one dressed up for the holidays in different outfits and poses. It’s quirky, cute, and bound to make any Lilo & Stitch fan smile all month long
Polly Pocket Doll Advent Calendar
Polly Pocket feels like such a throwback—I had one of these tiny doll sets when I was a kid, and now they’ve brought the magic into an Advent calendar. Each day, kids get a new piece to add to their wintery Polly world, and by Christmas they’ve got a full playset to enjoy. If Harlow had this when she was little, I know she would’ve carried it around everywhere.
Barbie Advent Calendar
Harlow was never much of a Barbie girl, but my 3- and 4-year-old daycare crew? Oh, they were obsessed. The Barbie Advent Calendar is like a dream come true for kids who love dressing up dolls—each day reveals accessories, outfits, or even a little pet. By Christmas, Barbie is fully decked out for a magical holiday adventure, and the kids are busy mixing and matching pieces to create new stories.
Disney Mini Brands Advent Calendar
Mini Brands are like kid treasure—tiny, collectible, and traded back and forth a hundred times. Add Disney into the mix, and you’ve got pure magic. This Disney Mini Brands Advent Calendar comes with 24 surprise minis, from classic characters to Pixar favorites. My daycare kids could spend ages just lining these little toys up, and I’ll admit—even I think they’re pretty cute.
LEGO Friends Advent Calendar
LEGO Friends has always been a favorite with the preschool and early elementary crowd in my daycare—they love the little characters and all the cozy, everyday-life details. This Advent calendar gives them 24 mini builds that feel like pieces of a holiday story—sledding, baking, decorating the tree, and more. By Christmas, kids have created their own little LEGO holiday village to play with.
LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar
If you’ve got a Frozen fan in your house, this LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar will be the highlight of December. Each day brings a mini build or character—Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven—so by Christmas kids have a whole little Arendelle winter wonderland to play with. I’ve seen so many daycare kids sing “Let It Go” at the top of their lungs while building with Frozen toys, and honestly, it never gets old (well… almost never).
American Girl Baking Spirits Bright Advent Calendar
The American Girl Baking Spirits Bright Advent Calendar is a little baker’s dream come true. Each day kids get a tiny accessory—mixing bowls, rolling pins, even pretend holiday cookies—that fits perfectly with their dolls. Harlow was never super into American Girl, but I’ve known plenty of kids who treat their dolls like part of the family, and this set makes December feel extra magical for them.
Hello Kitty and Friends Advent Calendar
Hello Kitty is one of those timeless characters that somehow manages to charm every generation. This Hello Kitty and Friends Advent Calendar comes with 24 mini figures and accessories so kids can set up their own cozy Christmas scene. I’ve had daycare kids who were completely enchanted by Hello Kitty—and honestly, I get it. She’s just so darn cute, and this calendar makes December feel extra sweet.
My Little Pony Advent Calendar
If you’ve got a My Little Pony fan in the house, this advent calendar is pure magic. Each day reveals a new pony or accessory, and by Christmas they’ve got a whole herd ready for adventures. I know so many kids who go through a big My Little Pony phase, and this would make December extra special for them.
Girls Jewelry Advent Calendar
This jewelry advent calendar is such a sweet pick for kids who love dress-up and sparkle. Each day reveals a new charm, necklace, or bracelet piece so by Christmas they’ll have a full collection to wear and mix-and-match. I know my daycare girls would’ve been thrilled to open one of these—it’s like a holiday countdown and a jewelry box in one.
Squishmallows Micromallows Holiday Plush Advent Calendar
This one is sure to be a hit! The Squishmallows Micromallows Advent Calendar includes 24 tiny, squishy plushies—each one cuter than the last. They’re the perfect pocket-sized buddies for kids who love collecting Squishmallows. I can just imagine how excited little ones would be to open a new squishy friend every morning in December.
Mini Brands Books Advent Calendar
Mini Brands are always a huge hit, and this Books Advent Calendar is such a fun twist! Instead of food or toys, kids get 24 tiny, detailed miniature books that look just like the real thing. They’re perfect for collectors or for little ones who love imaginative play—I can see these becoming instant favorites in dollhouses too.
STEM Advent Calendars for Kids
National Geographic Science Kit & Rock Collection Advent Calendar
If your kids are like mine, they’ve probably got a rock collection tucked away somewhere—Charlie still has pebbles he swears are “rare gems.” This National Geographic Science Kit & Rock Collection Advent Calendar turns that curiosity into daily excitement, with crystals, experiments, and stones that feel like real treasures. It’s messy, hands-on fun that sneaks in learning (and keeps them off screens for a little while).
National Geographic Magic Advent Calendar
My son, Charlie went through a phase where he was super into learning magic tricks from YouTube—most of them ended with me pretending to be amazed while picking cards up off the floor. This National Geographic Magic Advent Calendar would’ve been perfect for him back then. It comes with 24 days of tricks and props, giving kids the chance to put on little shows all December long (bonus: it doubles as after-dinner entertainment for the whole family).
National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
If you’ve got a kid who collects “special rocks” from every walk (I can’t tell you how many I’ve pulled from Charlie’s pockets over the years), this one’s going to be their dream calendar. The National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar comes with 24 genuine specimens—everything from sparkly crystals to polished stones—and even a little bag to keep their treasures safe. It’s like building their own rock collection, one December day at a time.
Religious Advent Calendars for Kids
Christmas Nativity Scene
I love the idea of Advent calendars that focus on the real meaning of Christmas, and this Nativity Scene Advent Calendar does exactly that. Each day reveals a new piece—Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, animals—until the whole nativity story is complete. It’s such a sweet way to weave faith into the holiday countdown, and little ones especially love moving the figures around and retelling the story themselves.
Wrapping Up the Magic 🎄
Advent calendars have been such a special tradition in our home, and I love how many amazing options are out there now for kids of all ages. Whether you’re looking for something hands-on and educational, a calendar filled with toys, or a way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, I hope this list of the best advent calendars for kids 2025 helped you find the perfect fit for your family.
If you’re shopping for older kids, don’t miss my upcoming guides to advent calendars for tweens and advent calendars for teens. And if you found this helpful, please save it on Pinterest so other parents can find it too!