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    19 Advent Calendars for Kids and Grown-Ups

    Chosen by GiftExperts, published by Peter MattssonRechecked dailyNo brand pays to be on our listsHow we pickAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. You buy on Amazon.

    Show first

    Who is it for?
    A blue helper carries a big arrow pointing to the start

    Start here: one from each theme

    *Paid link

    Pick 1 of 19

    LEGO Disney Princess holiday countdown building set

    LEGOAges 5+

    A Disney Princess LEGO countdown calendar holding small surprise builds to open and snap together day by day through the holiday season.

    292 pieces · set 43298

    Why we like it

    This LEGO Disney Princess calendar tucks a tiny brick model behind every December door for a girl who stages royal tales.

    The heroines she plays out with her dolls now turn up in bricks she can put together herself. On Saturday, she can gather that week's finished models on the living room rug and invent a palace story around them.

    See price at Amazon.com* (LEGO Disney Princess 43298 holiday countdown building set)
    Pick 2 of 19

    Penguin Young Readers Bluey advent calendar of storybooks

    Books

    An advent calendar bundle of Bluey storybooks to unwrap through December and share aloud in the countdown to Christmas.

    Why we like it

    If the preschooler you're shopping for asks for Bluey nonstop, these books carry that favorite into the weeks before the holidays.

    A child who already repeats favorite lines gets fresh stories with the same characters each day. On the couch after lunch, a grown-up can read the newest book while the preschooler turns pages.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Penguin Young Readers Bluey advent calendar of storybooks)
    Pick 3 of 19

    PicassoTiles magnetic tile advent calendar

    Building sets

    A holiday countdown calendar of magnetic building tiles, with a surprise to open each day of December and snap into new builds.

    Why we like it

    PicassoTiles pieces match a child who spends long stretches stacking walls and towers that click together on the kitchen table.

    A fresh door each day hands that steady stacker more material for whatever is still standing from yesterday. The magnetic pieces pull apart easily, so last week's tower can turn into a garage for toy cars.

    See price at Amazon.com* (PicassoTiles magnetic tile advent calendar)
    Pick 5 of 19

    Harry Potter wizarding holiday countdown calendar

    A Harry Potter themed advent calendar for the December countdown, with a small surprise to open each day before the holiday.

    Why we like it

    A preteen devoted to Harry Potter gets a wizarding surprise to open each December morning before heading off to school.

    It trades the cartoon mascots of a little kid's calendar for the wizarding world they already chat about with friends. Over winter break, they can spread the finds across a desk and decide what rides along in a backpack.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Harry Potter wizarding holiday countdown calendar)
    Pick 6 of 19

    Mattel Games advent countdown calendar

    Games and puzzles

    A holiday countdown calendar from Mattel Games with a door to open every day of Advent, marking the wait for Christmas.

    Why we like it

    The family member who calls everyone to the table for game night will have a Mattel Games door to open each December morning.

    A games maker's calendar matches that rounding-up habit, turning the December wait into a daily call to the table.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Mattel Games advent countdown calendar)
    Pick 7 of 19

    HABA farmyard toy advent calendar

    Dolls and figures

    A farmyard toy advent calendar for counting down to Christmas, with something new to open and play with each day of December.

    Why we like it

    HABA's farmyard calendar works for a child who moos at every cow in her picture books and wants an animal to hold daily.

    Each animal behind a door becomes a toy she keeps, rather than a chocolate gone in a bite. Her growing herd ends up lined along the bookshelf by Christmas Eve.

    See price at Amazon.com* (HABA farmyard toy advent calendar)
    Pick 8 of 19

    Cra-Z-Art Grinch slime advent calendar

    Arts and crafts

    A holiday countdown calendar built around the Grinch, with slime to open, squish and stretch as the days lead up to Christmas.

    Why we like it

    The Grinch fan who kneads slime at the kitchen table can count down to Christmas with something gooey behind each door.

    It pairs the grumpy character they quote all December with the messy, hands-on play they reach for anyway.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Cra-Z-Art Grinch slime advent calendar)
    Pick 9 of 19

    Yankee Candle Signature candle advent calendar

    For grown-ups

    An advent calendar of small jar candles, each opened and lit in turn to count down the days to Christmas.

    Why we like it

    Yankee Candle's countdown calendar puts a small jar candle behind each door for a home-fragrance lover.

    Rather than chocolate, the wait for Christmas then brings a new scent to light and enjoy every evening.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Yankee Candle Signature candle advent calendar)
    A red helper sits on the line hugging a teddy bear

    Dolls and figures

    *Paid link

    Pick 10 of 19

    Peppa Pig Christmas advent calendar

    A Peppa Pig advent calendar featuring Peppa and Evie, with a surprise behind each door to open day by day through December.

    Why we like it

    At snack time each afternoon, a fan who acts out the show with stuffed animals has a new door to open.

    Evie and the show's heroine bring the cartoon into the pretend episodes that fan stages with toys. Each opened compartment becomes a little stage for the latest find.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Peppa Pig Christmas advent calendar)
    Pick 11 of 19

    Paw Patrol toy figure advent calendar

    A holiday countdown calendar with Paw Patrol toy figures to open across December and gather into a playset for pretend rescue play.

    Why we like it

    On the playroom floor, a kid who acts out Paw Patrol episodes has a new character to send on a mission.

    The rescues replayed from the show gain a bigger crew as the month goes on.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Paw Patrol toy figure advent calendar)
    Pick 12 of 19

    Littlest Pet Shop toy countdown for December

    A toy countdown calendar with a Littlest Pet Shop surprise tucked behind each door, opened day by day through December.

    Why we like it

    Naming every Littlest Pet Shop pet on her dresser, a young collector gets a new find each Advent morning.

    She can unwrap the latest surprise, choose a name for it and find it a spot beside the others.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Littlest Pet Shop toy countdown for December)
    Pick 13 of 19

    L.O.L. Surprise! festival-themed advent calendar

    An L.O.L. Surprise! advent calendar with a festival theme, where each day before Christmas brings a fresh door to open and a hidden find inside.

    Why we like it

    The L.O.L. Surprise!

    Music Festival calendar suits a fan who dresses and restyles their dolls every day. Doll dress-up is already how that fan plays, so each opened door becomes part of the styling game. On a Saturday morning, they can line up the week's finds beside their dolls on a bedroom shelf.

    See price at Amazon.com* (L.O.L. Surprise! festival-themed advent calendar)
    A teal helper fits a big yellow jigsaw piece

    Games and puzzles

    *Paid link

    Pick 14 of 19

    Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Christmas advent calendar

    An advent calendar themed around the Monopoly game, with a door to open on each day of the countdown to Christmas.

    Why we like it

    This Monopoly advent calendar carries a household's favorite board game through each December day for its regular players.

    Those players already gather around that board, so the countdown keeps their game close all month. After dinner, the family can take turns opening the next door before the board comes out.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Christmas advent calendar)
    Pick 15 of 19

    Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle advent calendar

    Ages 12+

    An advent calendar of jigsaw puzzles, with a new one to assemble each December day.

    Why we like it

    This Ravensburger puzzle calendar suits jigsaw lovers aged 12 and up, from older kids to grown-ups.

    The wait for Christmas becomes a daily puzzle to piece together, not a sweet to eat. At the kitchen table after dinner, each finished picture can stay out until the next door opens.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle advent calendar)

    For grown-ups

    *Paid link

    Pick 16 of 19

    Taylors of Harrogate advent calendar of teas

    A festive countdown calendar of British tea bags, with a fresh door to open and a cup to brew on every day before Christmas.

    Why we like it

    This Taylors of Harrogate calendar suits the grown-up who starts every morning with a proper brew.

    Each door hides tea to make, so the countdown to Christmas happens at the kettle with the first mug of the day.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Taylors of Harrogate advent calendar of teas)
    A blue helper sits on the line reading a red book

    Books

    *Paid link

    Pick 17 of 19

    Insight Kids Nightmare Before Christmas holiday countdown calendar

    A licensed advent calendar themed on The Nightmare Before Christmas, opened day by day through December as a countdown to the holiday.

    Why we like it

    A Nightmare Before Christmas advent calendar fits a fan who would rather decorate for Halloween than hang tinsel.

    It keeps the ghoulish side of the season they already love while still marking the wait for the holiday. Each night at bedtime, they can open the next door and set whatever waits inside on a dresser.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Insight Kids Nightmare Before Christmas holiday countdown calendar)
    Pick 18 of 19

    Farshore PAW Patrol Christmas countdown calendar

    A PAW Patrol-themed Christmas countdown calendar, opened day by day through December as the holiday draws closer.

    Why we like it

    Farshore's PAW Patrol countdown calendar gives a pup-loving fan a story-led way through December.

    The wait for Christmas then runs on characters they already know, one door at a time. At bedtime, you and that fan can open the next door and read the find aloud together.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Farshore PAW Patrol Christmas countdown calendar)
    Pick 19 of 19

    Usborne book advent calendar

    A December countdown of books from Usborne, with a fresh book to open each day and read aloud while waiting for Christmas.

    Why we like it

    Usborne's book advent calendar brings a new story to each December day for a bedtime-story lover.

    Story time is the part of the day that reader asks for, so books fill the countdown. On the couch, you can open the newest book together and read it aloud.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Usborne book advent calendar)

    Which advent calendar suits which age?

    Go by the age on the box first. Then pick a theme they already love.

    • Under 3: chunky figures, board books or a calendar you fill yourself.
    • 3 to 5: playsets, dough and magnetic tiles. LEGO calendars start at 5.
    • 6 to 8: building sets and figures. Science and gem calendars start at 8.
    • 9 to 12: building sets, science kits, and puzzle or mystery games from 10.
    • Teens and grown-ups: beauty, puzzles, treats or a brand they already like.

    Can a 2-year-old have an advent calendar?

    Yes, when the maker labels it for under 3. A calendar marked 3+ can hold pieces small enough to choke on.

    • Skip light-up or musical pieces unless the battery sits behind a screwed cover. A swallowed button battery is an emergency.
    • Skip hard candy and gummies. A toy or book calendar needs no candy.

    When should you buy an advent calendar?

    In October or early November. The most wanted calendars can sell out before December 1.

    Questions and answers

    Is there an advent calendar here for a grown-up?

    Yes. The Ravensburger puzzle calendar gives older kids and adults a small jigsaw to piece together each December day.

    What can you choose for a young fan who asks for the same show every day?

    The Bluey storybook calendar carries a favorite cartoon into each morning, and the Peppa Pig calendar gives a fan who acts out the show a new door at snack time.

    Which calendar works for a whole family that loves game night?

    A household that already gathers around Monopoly gets the Monopoly advent calendar, while the Mattel Games calendar opens a door each morning for whoever calls everyone to the table.

    What changed recently

    October 2026 · 18 added · 9 removed

    Added

    and 6 more

    Removed

    • advent calendar with buildable tree ornaments
    • toy car advent calendar for the holiday countdown
    • hanging advent calendar to fill yourself · not the right fit for this list
    • sock advent calendar for Harry Potter fans · not the right fit for this list
    • makeup advent calendar for a December countdown · not the right fit for this list
    • holiday countdown calendar with gnome tree decorations · not the right fit for this list
    • Yankee Candle Signature candle advent calendar · not the right fit for this list
    • Wera Christmas countdown advent calendar · not the right fit for this list
    • Freshcut Paper nativity jigsaw advent calendar
    September 2026 · 15 added

    Added

    and 3 more

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    We recheck every pick daily and swap out anything that’s no longer available.Rechecked daily

    Chosen by our team from store data and what readers pick, not hands-on tests. Nothing is paid to be on this list. Recall notices checked . How we pick

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.