When I was a kid, my mom used to buy me and my brother a chocolate advent calendar every December.
I would open the little door on December 1st, eat the chocolate, then proceed to drive her nuts asking her when I could open the next door. (Usually after talking my brother out of his chocolate.)
I was like a little chocolate junkie trying to negotiate my next fix and I certainly would have immediately failed that delayed gratification marshmallow test as a child.
So when I had kids, I resolved to find advent calendars that created a fun daily 'countdown to Christmas' ritual with less 'jonesing' for chocolate. (Although my kids never seemed to have the same restraint issues I did.)
Here are some of the best advent calendars for 2025.
My goal was to find calendars that had actual play value instead of a cheap plastic gadget – 'wow, a plastic Santa whistle', don't create a mess (I'm looking at you, slime), and have a bit of a 'surprise and delight' factor.
Here are my picks:
HABA My First Advent Calendar
(Age 2+)
If you're online for more than 10 seconds, you will be served plenty of advent calendar suggestions that are full of cheap choking hazards that are "perfect for babies."
Haba is a German company known for making some of the best toys and games for toddlers on the market, and their advent calendar features high quality wooden pieces and a fun story to read together every day.
The little animals are safe for small hands, encourage pretend play, and can be used long past Christmas (or even packed up and used next year.)
You can find it on Amazon and Target.
Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar
(Age 3+)
I love this Melissa & Doug wooden advent calendar because it removes some of the anticipation of a 'surprise' every day (this one would have been helpful for my poor mother). Each day, you put a magnetic ornament on the tree so the tree is decorated by Christmas Day.
You can make this advent tree as big or little an event as you want it to be. For example, when your toddler adds an ornament, talk about the colors on the ornament or what's on it. Pair "hanging" the ornament with reading a favorite book with your child. Get cozy with a blanket and let them choose a book every day. Or you can just let them go nuts and remove and add ornaments as they please.
I prefer this one to the Step2 calendar because I feel like this can stick around longer and it's a little more affordable.
You can find it on Amazon and Target.
Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection
(Age 3+)
This advent calendar comes with a set of 24 miniature books that appeal to little boys and little girls. They include both holiday-themed and classic stories. For example, Beauty and the Beast is included as well as The Christmas Carol.
Perfect for growing attention spans, building early literacy skills, and creating a cozy daily reading ritual (they would make great bedtime stories). They have a few variations, so you could get a different version if you are buying calendars for more than one book lover.
You can find it on Amazon.
KiwiCo 12 Day Advent Ornaments
(Age 5+)
This ornament advent calendar is perfect for crafty or mechanical kids who love hands-on activities. While it's a 12-day calendar rather than the traditional 24, it's packed with creative projects that result in beautiful, keepsake ornaments.
This is a nice one to save for the last week of Christmas when you're kids are out of school and need a little somethin' somethin' to keep them busy.
You can find it on Amazon.
Schleich Horse Club Advent Calendar
(Age 5+)
Schleich is known for their attention to detail and durability, and the Horse Club advent calendar features high-quality, detailed figurines that are perfect for horse nuts and imaginative play.
Each day reveals beautifully crafted horses, riders, and accessories so by the end of the month, your child will have an entire holiday-themed stable scene. They also make dinosaur and Harry Potter versions.
I still have all the Schleich animals my kids played with – they really are beautifully made.
You can find them on Amazon.
LEGO Advent Calendars
(Age 7+)
These Calendars need no introduction. They're fantastic and always a delightful experience.
On each day, there are mini builds and figures to find, and each window features easy-to-understand instructions on how to build the figures. I've chosen the LEGO Minecraft edition, but they have a billion versions that will appeal to most LEGO enthusiasts.
You can find them at Amazon, Target and Walmart
(Note: these often go on sale mid'ish November so keep an eye on the prices.)
National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
(Age 8+)
Each window contains a real gemstone or mineral specimen, along with educational information about what makes each one unique. (Sadly, no diamonds.)
It's perfect for budding geologists, rock collectors, or any child whole fills your pockets with random rocks. The specimens are high quality and can be added to a growing collection or used for school projects.
Uncommon Goods Experiment a Day Science Advent Calendar
(Age 8+)
If you have a young scientist in your life, this advent calendar features a hands-on science experiment that's both educational and entertaining.
The experiments are designed to be completed with common household items, making it easy to dive into daily discoveries. From chemistry to physics, your child will explore different branches of science while counting down to Christmas.
You can find it on Uncommon Goods
Hidden Games Professor Charlie's World Tour Advent Calendar
(Age 14+)
Professor Charlie is missing. To find him, you'll go on a 24 day journey reading letters that help you follow his trail. Each day has a new puzzle to solve taking anywhere from 5-15 minutes.
The puzzles are unique and have many cool elements I haven't seen in these types of games before. It's challenging enough to keep older kids and adults engaged, but accessible enough that families can solve the puzzles together.
You can find it on Amazon.
Uncommon Goods Craft Project Advent Calendar
(Age 14+)
Okay, get ready for the sticker shock on this one but I just had to mention it because it's soooo cool.
This Advent calendar is packed with sparkling pens, paints, with everything you need to bring 6 mini masterpieces to life. It's definitely top of the line, but art lover in your life will love this one.
You can find it on Uncommon Goods.
Bonne Maman Limited Run Edition Advent Calendar
(Age 1+)
I know I was steering clear of food here but something about jam feels different. My kids were picky eaters growing up and one of the ways I got them to flex their 'try it' muscle was with sweet things (which then snowballed into bigger food adventures like, oh I don't know, spaghetti sauce).
This calendar felt fun for families because everyone can enjoy a special breakfast or snack together each morning. The spreads include a variety of flavors from classic strawberry to unique seasonal options. Plus, those jars are so cool for reusing.
It looks like the calendar is nut-free, but some contain milk (things like caramel) and one contains honey (Apricot and Honey spread) so keep that in mind if anyone has allergies.
You can find it on Amazon.
Crate & Barrel Wooden Christmas Market Holiday Advent Calendar
(Age 5+)
If you want to skip the pre-filled calendars, you can also opt for a calendar that you can fill yourself. I always fill ours with Hershey's Kisses now that everyone is older (and I can control myself).
This wooden advent calendar Christmas market is from Crate & Barrel and it is all kinds of impressive. If you have the space to display and store it (and the bucks to buy it) it's bound to become a family heirloom that your kids will fight over when you're dead. (Oh, holy niiiiight!!)
I've noted this as 5 and up, but if you have a gentle toddler, I'm sure this could go younger. Just not under 3 because some of the bits look a little chokeable.
You can find it on Crate & Barrel
If you want something a little more upright and affordable, I love this Christmas Gingerbread House Countdown from Target.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of advent calendars is that they help us slow down during what can be the busiest, most hectic month of the year. They give us an excuse to pause, gather together, and focus on the anticipation and joy of the season (and buy some quiet time for everyone).
Whether you choose wooden animals for your toddler, gemstones for your budding scientist, or gourmet spreads for the whole family to enjoy, an advent calendar is more than just a countdown; it's a gift of time, attention, and togetherness.
What advent calendar traditions does your family love? I'd love to hear about your favorites!
Also check out: 12 Meaningful Traditions to Start on Baby's First Christmas
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