The countdown to Christmas is a special time for kids and families. Our family has made DIY advent calendars which encourage sibling kindness and reading advent poetry, but we also love more traditional choices. Incorporating an unique advent calendar for kids into your Christmas routine–with a little surprise for each day of December–makes the holiday season even more enjoyable.
I have a history of being cheap frugal but one year I finally broke down and spent money on an advent calendar for the kids and it was so much fun that I've never looked back. This year I even bought myself my very own advent calendar! Alternatively, you can invest in a reusable advent calendar so you don't have to buy one every year.
Here's a tip: if you love one of these unique advent calendars for kids, don't wait! The most popular advent calendars sell out quickly!
I chose fun advent calendars in the following categories:
- Pop-Up advent calendars
- Surprise variety calendars
- Toy advent calendars
- Arts & Craft advent calendars
- Reusable advent calendars
Scroll down to see them all! (Note: this post contains affiliate links.)
Pop-Up Calendars
Pop-up advent calendars range from simple to complex. Take a look at these fun choices!
Harry Potter Pop-Up Advent Calendar
This amazing Harry Potter Pop-Up Advent Calendar is new this year and my kids were so excited when Insight sent us one to try out! A large, sturdy book opens and up pops a huge Christmas tree. 24 doors open to reveal ornaments to hang on the tree each day. The final door reveals a large star for the top. There is also an unnumbered door that conceals a booklet filled with interesting facts about Harry Potter and the Harry Potter films.
Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar
Find it: Amazon
You loved the book, now extend the fun for 24 days. Each day's door opens to reveal a small paper ornament to hang on the pop-up Christmas tree. Pop-up Santa and gifts complete the scene.
Winter's Night Pop-Up Advent Calendar
You may recognize the work of Caldecott award-winning artist Beth Krommes, who illustrated House in the Night and Swirl by Swirl. The calendar opens with a pop-up tree and each day's window reveals a sticker to add to the scene. Plus, it is gorgeous.
Surprise Variety Calendars
Each of these marvelous surprise calendars features beloved characters and themes from popular movies. The calendars open like a book to reveal 24 envelopes. Inside each envelope is a small gift. The gifts are items such as ornaments, key chains, buttons, door hangers, booklets and more.
These advent calendars will turn the countdown to Christmas quite magical for a fan of any of the themes.
Star Wars: The Galactic Advent Calendar
Harry Potter: Holiday Magic
The Official Batmanâ„¢ Advent Calendar
Marvel: The Official Advent Calendar
The Best Toy Advent Calendars
Find it: Amazon
This has got to be one of the coolest advent calendars I've seen and it's a great choice for older tweens and teens! Each day kids get a new wire puzzle so they can spend the rest of their day working on the brain teaser!
LEGO Advent Calendars
Find it: Amazon
We absolutely adore the LEGO advent calendars, and I started buying one for each kid every year. My youngest always wants Star Wars, and my oldest got the CITY set. Each door opens to reveal a minifigure or a mini-build. Some of the figures are exclusive to the set. The boxes fold out to create a scenic mat for pretend play. The best part of this set is that it keeps your kid busy for more than 30 seconds. This year there is also a new LEGO Marvel advent calendar (which my husband may be getting this year).
LEGO also has a new Harry Potter advent calendar. I may have bought one for myself. (Okay, I did.)
Playmobile Calendars
Find it: Amazon
Playmobil has LOADS of advent calendar themes. I like this one because I didn't see many other sports-themed advent calendars. Some of the other choices include:
Daily Advent Crafting Fun!
You can probably tell that I am super into advent calendar ideas that provide an activity! I bet you are always looking for easy ways to keep your kids busy and an art themed calendar is a great choice.
The Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar
Find it: Amazon
A science advent calendar is such a great idea. Inside 24 paper gift boxes is a different science experiment. It also includes a substantially sized book with detailed instructions on how to conduct each experiment.
Purple Cow Arts & Crafts Countdown
Find it: Amazon
This groovy artsy calendar is from the same company that created the science advent boxes above. Each day a different and festive project, is hidden inside a paper gift box. Also includes a how-to book. A great way to keep kids busy while the cookies are in the oven.
Crayola Advent Calendars
Find it: Amazon
There are two choices: the Christmas Tree and the Marker Factory. Each calendar includes art supplies to keep your kids creative all month long.
Reusable Advent Calendars
No need to buy a new calendar each year. These cute choices will last for a lifetime.
Magnetic Wooden Christmas Tree
Find it: Amazon
Leave it to Melissa and Doug to come up with a charming reusable wooden advent calendar. This tree is so adorable I can hardly stand it.
Felt Nativity Advent Calendar
Find it: Amazon
For those of you who want a nativity scene, this felt calendar will provide joy year after year. The felt figures sit in numbered pockets and stick to the scene with velcro.
Enjoy the season!
More Christmas fun:
- Christmas activity coloring page
- Christmas read alouds for the whole family
- Timeless Christmas picture books
- Brain teasers advent calendar
Andrea says
I started making our own advent calendar when we lived in Pakistan where getting our hands on ready made ones was not an option, and we've stuck with it. The kids get second hand book shop books, activities (including a lot of family activities that have become tradition), and on occasion a candy or chocolate. They've already started guessing what will be in this year's calendar and counting down the days until mummy hangs it up!
Erica says
What a fun idea!
Cheryl D says
I buy LEGO sets and then give each kid the parts for a page or two along with photos on a tablet of those instructions. I make sure they don’t get to see anything that will give away what they are making. That is the surprise as they sometimes don’t figure it out for quite a while. They like this better than the LEGO advent calendars.
Erica says
What a fun idea!