What Is an Advent Calendar?

An Advent calendar helps countdown the days until Christmas, usually with a small item or devotional phrase that is revealed on each day. Traditional calendars are rectangular cards or boxes you can hang on the wall or sit on a table with small sealed doors or windows meant to be opened in order on each day of Advent. Depending on the type of calendar, you might find holiday sweets, Bible verses or devotions, small toys or gifts, or other surprises behind each window.

Most Popular Types of Advent Calendars:

• Toys: While you’re enjoying a sample from a new vineyard, toy Advent calendars will offer a fun surprise for the kids each day of December. 

• Sweet Treats: One of the favorite kinds of Advent calendars are the ones that reveal chocolates, candy, or other fun snacks behind each day’s window. 

• Daily Devotions: The most traditional Advent calendars provide a kind of guided reflection on one’s religious values in the form of Bible verses, prayers, or devotions to be read each day.

• Puzzles or Games: Some Advent calendars can be activity-based for a fun twist on the daily “sweets” versions that are more common. 

• Beer or Wine: There are plenty of different options to choose from if you want something to open at night instead of in the morning, including a variety of alcoholic Advent calendars. 

When Should I Put Out My Advent Calendar?

Traditionally Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, referred to as Advent Sunday (or the First Sunday of Advent). This means that depending on the year Advent could start any day between November 27 and December 3. Advent calendars that are custom made for a specific year may start on Advent Sunday in order to directly correspond to the liturgical calendar.

However, most common Advent calendars just start on December 1 and run through December 24 (or sometimes the 25th). This makes it convenient to start your calendar at the beginning of the month and count down the 24 (or 25) days until Christmas. It also means that if you choose to get a reusable Advent calendar, you can refill it with new goodies and fun surprises every holiday season!

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Top Toy Advent Calendars for Kids 2025 

1.Lego "Star Wars" Advent Calendar

Price:$44.99 @ LEGO + 3% Super Cash Back

A super holiday gift idea for Star Wars fans aged 6 and up, the calendar contains 16 mini builds, such as an ARC-170 Starfighter, Bad Batch Shuttle, V-35 Landspeeder and a moisture vaporator. 

Fans will discover a surprise brick-built toy behind every door of the 2025 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar (75340) in the run-up to Christmas. It features 8 LEGO Star Wars characters, including C-3PO and R2-D2 in holiday sweaters decorated with each other's portraits, a Gonk Droid dressed as Santa and Darth Vader in a summer outfit from LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation on Disney+.

• Dimensions:15.04 x 10.32 x 2.78 inches

• Weight:1.06 pounds

• Pieces:329
  

• Recommended age:7+

2.Lego "Harry Potter" Advent Calendar

Price:$44.99 @ LEGO + 3% Super Cash Back

Give Harry Potter fans aged 7+ a magical buildup to Christmas with the movie-themed LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar (76404). 

Starting December 1st, there’s a door to open each day with a surprise Harry Potter toy hidden inside. The toys include 7 minifigures – Harry Potter, Sirius Black™, Moaning Myrtle™, Lord Voldemort™, Horace Slughorn, Nymphadora Tonks™ and Neville Longbottom™ – and iconic items from the Harry Potter movies. The first 3 toys make a scene from the first movie, the next 3 days make a scene from the second movie, and so on. As Christmas Day approaches, kids will be able to create more magical movie moments and combine the toys to conjure up endless enchanting adventures of their own. 

• Dimensions:15.04 x 10.32 x 2.78 inches

• Weight:14.4 ounces

• Pieces:334

• Recommended age:7+

3.Lego Friends Advent Calendar

Price:$34.99 @ LEGO + 3% Super Cash Back

Another Christmas-themed advent calendar, this edition features 312 pieces that can be used long after the holiday season is over. Recommended for kids ages six and up, they'll have a blast with this top-rated Advent calendar that's a gift that keeps on giving.

Each day kids aged 6+ discover a new gift that all combine to create a delightful Christmas scene in which Olivia is visiting a Christmas market with her family. There are lots of fun activities, such as building a snowman, ice-skating and karaoke. There are also stalls selling tasty holiday food and one where Olivia can build a rocket toy to give as a Christmas gift. Before getting their pictures taken with Santa, the characters feed his reindeer some hay.

• Dimensions:‎15.24 x 10.43 x 2.83 inches

• Weight:14.4 ounces

• Pieces:312

• Recommended age:6+

4.Disney Encanto Madrigal Family Surprises Advent Calendar

Price:$39.99 @ Walmart + 4% Super Cash Back

Your kids have already been singing the song all year, so why not indulge them over the days of Advent? This toy Advent calendar has 24 different characters from the movie, the magic door, and a few other Encanto-themed figurines.

Madrigal Family Surprises Advent Calendar - This set makes a great holiday advent calendar gift for Encanto fans! Countdown to holiday festivities for 24 days, and reveal the final surprise! 24 Days of surprises - Open up an amazing new surprise every day for 24 days! 14 Characters & 13 Accessories - Set includes 14 Madrigal family member figurines and 13 accessories to recreate your favorite story moments! Celebrate the story of Disney’s Encanto - Play out your favorite movie scenes! Reveal a new character or accessory each day, and play out new story scenes from the film! Rare Characters - Set includes hard-to-find characters like Bruno, Mariano, Young Mirabel, Augustin, Camilo, Abuela, Dolores, and MORE!

• Included:Madrigal Family Surprises Advent Calendar Includes 14 Madrigal Family Member Figurines & 13 Accessories, 24 Days of Surprises!

• Dimensions:‎11 x 3 x 13 inches

• Weight:1.28 pounds

• Recommended age:36 months - 7 years
  

5.Disney Storybook Collection 2025 Advent Calendar

Price:$36.58 @ Walmart + 4% Super Cash Back

Count down to Christmas with all your Disney and Pixar friends. Unwrap 24 books this holiday season and enjoy a magical tale every day from December 1st through December 24th!

Twenty-four of your family's favorite Disney and Pixar characters star in their own stories, perfect for bedtime reading each night leading up to Christmas. Each paperback book comes wrapped in a paper sleeve like its own little present. You can also order the Disney Princess Storybook Collection or the Marvel Storybook Collection Advent Calendar. 

• Included: 24-page small paperback books, each individually wrapped in a paper sleeve to keep every story leading up to Christmas a surprise! Content includes both holiday-themed and everyday stories featuring beloved Disney and Pixar characters. 

• Dimensions:‎13.98 x 0.5 x 21.26 inches

• Weight:3.85 pounds

• Recommended age:2 - 6 years

6.Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Classic Disney 2025

Price:$36.58 @ Walmart + 4% Super Cash Back

Unveil 24 miniature Funko Pop Disney figurines dressed in Christmas attire each day leading up to the holiday. With common characters such as Mickey Mouse and Pluto the dog, your child will have a whole collection once the month is over.

Open the tiny doors to reveal 24 unique Funko Pocket Pops! featuring Mickey and his pals dressed in their holiday finest. Each collectible brings a festive twist to their typical look, making a swell addition to your holiday décor. Who will join in on your merrymaking?

• Included: 24-page small paperback books, each individually wrapped in a paper sleeve to keep every story leading up to Christmas a surprise! Content includes both holiday-themed and everyday stories featuring beloved Disney and Pixar characters. 

• Dimensions:‎9.75 x 7.00 x 7.75 Inches

• Weight:3.85 pounds

• Recommended age:2 - 6 years

7.Fidget Advent Calendar 2025 for Kids

Price:$32.99 @ Amazon

Fidget toys are as popular as ever, so why not grab a fidget toy Advent calendar? And this is no simple toy Advent calendar — it's a gift of relaxation and stimulation for kids at a time when they need it most - the hectic time surrounding the holidays.

The Fidget Advent Calendar will be a hot item for Christmas 2025, and every child will want to have it. The countdown to Christmas is an exciting time for children. One way to display the calendar is to increase holiday expectations. The new calendar toy hides many surprises.

• Included: 1 Set x Toys,1 Pcs x Calendar Box

• Dimensions:‎15.37 x 13 x 2.56 inches

• Weight:1.62 pounds

• Recommended age:2 - 6 years

8.Playmobil Advent Calendar - Santa's Workshop

Price:$58.49@ Amazon

Yes, this Advent calendar is pretty much a toy in and of itself, but it's totally worth the splurge. Your own little kiddo will be ready to meet her own magical friend at the ball with this set from Playmobil.T

his very expansive calendar includes a backdrop, multiple holiday figures like Santa and the elves, his sleigh, reindeer, and of course, presents.

• Included: backdrop, four figures, sleigh, work bench, reindeer, slide, bike, tons of toys, and plenty of other accessories

• Dimensions:‎10.08 x 16.42 x 12.44 inches

• Weight:1.63 pounds

• Recommended age:36 months to 180 months

9.Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends MINIS Advent Calendar 2025

Price:$37.99@ Amazon

This one’s for all the little engines. The Thomas & Friends Advent calendar is perfect for young conductors 3 and older. Filled with 24 days of mini engines, it inspires pretend railway play.

Kids can countdown to Christmas with their favorite Sodor Railway pals with the Thomas & Friends MINIS Advent Calendar from Fisher-Price. From December 1st to the 24th, young conductors can open a new window to discover a surprise toy inside. By Christmas Day, they’ll have a whole railway of miniature toy trains, rail vehicles, and other push-along characters from the Thomas & Friends show to create their own exciting Sodor stories!

• Included: 24 surprise toys, including miniature train engines and other railway vehicles

• Dimensions:‎ 0.98 x 1.96 x 1.37 inches

• Weight: 1.43 pounds

• Recommended age: 3 years and up

10.Christmas Village Advent Calendar

Price:$49.95 @ KiwiCo + 15% Super Cash Back

Count down to Christmas with 24 days of presents — and create a cozy Christmas village, piece by piece! Open a new envelope each day, then follow the step-by-step instructions inside to build a new piece of your merry mini village every day — from a reindeer to an evergreen tree to a cute little house. What will you uncover next? Maybe a bell tower? Maybe a reindeer barn? Anything is possible in this Christmas crate that keeps on giving!

Dimensions for completed display: approximately 36 x 12 inches (92 x 31 cm) or more

• Included:  a jam-packed supply kit full of markers, sticky foam, thick paper, pipe cleaners, and more 

• Dimensions for completed display: approximately 36 x 12 inches (92 x 31 cm) or more

• Weight:  ‎1.65 pounds

• Recommended age: 3 years and up

11.Play-Doh Advent Calendar Toy for Kids

Price:$37.99 @ Walmart + 4% Super Cash Back

For more hands-on play that will keep them occupied for more time than a figurine set, opt for this Advent calendar play set from Play-Doh. 

Discover 24 days of surprises behind each numbered and perforated door, including one can of Play-Doh modeling compound for a creative holiday activity each day. Once they've collected all of the surprise Play-Doh tools and cans, they create their own fantastical winter scenes with the playmats and creation cards! This arts and crafts advent calendar toy for kids 3 years and up makes a great gift to spark their creativity all season long.

• Included:  23 stampers, 5 accessories, 4 cards, and 24 cans of Play-Doh Brand Modeling Compound

• Dimensions: 2.64 x 15 x 12.99 inches

• Weight:  ‎2.04 pounds

• Recommended age: 3 years and up

12.Cry Babies Magic Tears Claus' Advent Calendar

Price:$19.99 @ Target

Cry Babies Magic Tears Claus's Advent Calendar makes a perfect gift that features ton of surprises! Open up a door each day to discover all 24 surprises to lead up to Christmas day! Open to discover the stage where you can display all your accessories or decorate you Christmas tree with your Cry Babies surprises! This advent calendar includes an exclusive Claus doll It comes with the exclusive Claus doll and his pet reindeer! And includes more than 24 surprises. Make the wait until Christmas arrive more sweeter with this advent calendar. 

Each day you can discover a different surprise making the countdown to Christmas even more special! Kids - girls and boys age 3 and up will have fun celebrating the holidays. This will get them in the festive spirit and will make a perfect gift for any kids!

• Included:  Advent Calendar, Cry Babies Magic Tears Pet, Cry Babies Magic Tears Collectible Ruthy Doll, Assorted AccessoriesAdvent Calendar, Cry Babies Magic Tears Pet, Cry Babies Magic Tears Collectible Ruthy Doll, Assorted Accessories

• Dimensions: 5.91 Inches (H) x 3.74 Inches (W) x 1.97 Inches (D)

• Weight:  ‎1.62 Pounds

• Recommended age: 3 years and up

13.Buildable Train Station Advent Calendar

Price:$39.99 @ Overstock

Count down the days until Santa arrives with a fun new twist this holiday season with the Hape Kids Wooden Grand Station Christmas Advent Calendar Set w/ 24 Pieces. This holiday toy remains fun and fascinating year after year, featuring 24 different figures and accessories to make the train station come alive. 

The advent calendar has a different door for each day: open the door, pull out the figure, and add it to the working wooden train track set. The calendar has a reversible backdrop that features a train station interior decked out with trees, stockings, and garland, setting the scene for your adventures. Each piece in the Christmas advent calendar set is made from smooth-sanded wood and painted in bright, festive colors. 

• Included:  Advent Calendar, Cry Babies Magic Tears Pet, Cry Babies Magic Tears Collectible Ruthy Doll, Assorted Accessoriesa box with a reversible advent calendar/backdrop and 24 pieces
  

• Dimensions: 29.13 in. D X 11 in. W X 3 in. H

• Weight: 2.2 pounds

• Recommended age: 3 years and up

14.Barbie Color Reveal Advent Calendar

Price:$44.99 @ Walmart + 4% Super Cash Back

The first gift on day one is a Barbie doll and an included tube, which your child can then fill with warm water and watch the doll's appearance change in real-time. Each door on the Advent calendar reveals different accessories and outfits that your child can dress the doll up with to add a winter Barbie to their collection. 

The surprises continue for the next 24 days as kids open each door to find a Color Reveal pet husky puppy covered in a shiny silvery coating, two ponytail hair extensions, six winter-themed fashions, three pairs of shoes, three accessories and winter wonderland-themed pieces like hot chocolate, a polar bear pet friend and a snowman. There is even a child-sized charm bracelet with two charms! 

• Included:  1 Barbie Color Reveal doll and 1 Color Reveal pet husky puppy

• Dimensions: 3.31 x 3.31 x 12.80 Inches

• Weight: 1.57  pounds

• Recommended age: 3 years and up

15.Micro Machines 2025 Holiday Advent Calendar

Price:$39.99 @ Amazon

Countdown to Christmas with The Micro Machines Holiday Advent Calendar! Open mini holiday surprises everyday with small scale versions of classic cars and vehicles! The Christmas countdown playset comes with 14 exclusive cars & 11 accessories, to create endless fun all holiday season! 

The Micro Machines Holiday Advent Calendar is a great gift for kids, boys or fans of Micro Machines who want the ultimate collection! Bring home this nostalgic toy and create fun for the whole family!

• Included:  14 Exclusive Classic Miniature Vehicles, 11 Accessories with Race Track

• Dimensions: ‎17.8 x 12.76 x 3.15 inches

• Weight: ‎1.47 pounds

• Recommended age:  Ages 4 and up

More Advent Calendars：

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How to Use an Advent Calendar? 

• First choose an advent calendar you love. The simplest can be posted on the wall, the fridge, or anywhere in your home; others range from tabletop devotionals to themed and decorative choices. Some families make an advent calendar to suit their taste, which brings a personalized touch to the celebrations.

• Choose a time each day to connect spend time as a family around the calendar. Hit “pause” on the chaos of the day, and slow down to connect around a devotion or a bit of the Nativity story together.
  

• Personalize your Advent celebration with traditions that are meaningful to your family. Some families celebrate with a sweet treat or a small gift each day, or by lighting a candle each Sunday.

• The last, most important step—prioritize the time each day! Keep your commitment to come together each day to remember and celebrate the reason for the season.

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