We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
39 Best Toy Advent Calendars for Kids Counting Down the Days Until Christmas
Open up a Lego, squishy or Disney surprise every day!
Pop quiz: Which month is the longest? Adults will tell you that there are plenty of months with 31 days. But kids know better, and they'll tell you December is the longest month, because waiting for Christmas takes forever.
For kids who just can't stand the suspense, you can always get them a fun advent calendar with little surprises that'll tide them over every day from December 1 to December 25. But if you want to get those doors opening right when December begins, you have to order your calendars soon.
And which one to choose? There are so many options out there now, it's easy to find one that matches their greatest interest, be it Disney, LEGO, Roblox, fidget toys or making slime. (Or, you know, you can stick with a traditional chocolate advent calendar, but the joys of those are fleeting!) If you're creative or crafty, you can even get a reusable advent calendar that you can fill and re-fill with items of your own choosing. But if the idea of filling 24 drawers is too much holiday stress, there are plenty of pre-made options ready to delight children each day. These are the best toy advent calendars for kids in 2022. From toddlers to tweens, there's sure to be one that satisfies that craving to open up something before Christmas morning.
And maybe you should pick up an advent calendar for yourself, too? We've got inspiration for cool advent calendars for beauty mavens, wine drinkers, sock collectors, booze drinkers, men, cheese fans and more. Because kids shouldn't have all the fun!
Hot Wheels Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
Hot Wheels Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
This comes with 24 surprises, including lots of cars to add to their Hot Wheels garage, along with some holiday items. (Love that Yeti.) The box even folds out to become a playmat with roads. Ages 3+
Jazwares CoComelon Holiday Advent Calendar
Now they can play with their favorite CoComelon friends without firing up the Netflix. It comes with nine characters, including JJ, Cody, YoYo, Nina, TomTom, CeCe, Bingo, Grandma and Grandpa, along with accessories to make a holiday scene. Ages 3+
Mattel Barbie Advent Calendar
Start off the month with a new, 12" Barbie doll, then spend the rest of the days unboxing outfits and accessories that take her from a day look to a night look. Ultimate Barbie fans might also enjoy the Dreamtopia advent calendar or the Color Reveal advent calendar. Or, if Barbie isn't their favorites, Mattel also has advent calendars for American Girl, Jurassic World, Polly Pocket, Minecraft, Matchbox and much more.
The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Advent Train
The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Advent Train
Fans of the Elf on the Shelf will thrill to this train-themed advent calendar filled with Elf-sized trinkets. Inside are surprises like mini Elf figures and accessories to help get ready for Santa's arrival. Ages 3+
Igloo Books Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar
Igloo Books Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar
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. Ages 2+
Elover Mochi Squishies Advent Calendar
Give them just a little something to squish every day. By the end, they'll have a menagerie of squishy animals, along with some seasonal squishies like Santa or a snowman. Ages 3+
Funko Funko Pop! Marvel Advent Calendar
Kids love to collect Funko Pop! figures, and this advent calendar gives them 2.25-inch "Pocket Pops" featuring all of their favorite Marvel characters. Some of them are even in their festive holiday garb! If they're not into the MCU, there are also Funko Pop! advent calendars for Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter or The Office.
LEGO LEGO 'Star Wars' Advent Calendar
LEGO LEGO 'Star Wars' Advent Calendar
LEGO always puts out a series of advent characters, each with a series of small models to build, mini figures to find and holiday scenes to create. This year includes Star Wars (love the droids in their festive sweaters!), Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter, LEGO Friends and LEGO City. Ages 5+
RELATED: Star Wars Gifts for Fans of All Ages
Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends MINIS Advent Calendar
Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends MINIS Advent Calendar
Choo-choo! There are so many engines and other rail yard vehicles to collect in this 24-day character, they'll never be without a locomotive again. Ages 3+
Just Play Disney Junior Advent Calendar
Just Play Disney Junior Advent Calendar
This countdown set features characters from kids' favorite Disney Junior shows, like T.O.T.S., Mickey Mouse Mixed Up Adventures and Puppy Dog Pals. It comes with 11 mini surprise figures, five card decorations, five sticker sheets, five stickers and three stickers in three gift boxes. Ages 3+
HABA My Very First Advent Calendar
For real little ones, this one offers 24 wooden farm animals, so they can practice their "baas" and "moos." The pieces are almost block-like, so kids can set them up themselves. Ages 2+
Fisher Price Little People Advent Calendar
Fisher Price Little People Advent Calendar
For those looking for a good first-ever advent calendar, this one comes with 24 Little People figurines and accessories, which are perfectly chunky for little hands. There's also a nativity version. Ages 1+
Jakks Super Mario Advent Calendar
See Mario and Luigi as you've never seen them before — as snowmen! When they've unboxed all the figures, they can make their own super adventures. Ages 3+
RELATED: The Best Gifts for Gamers
Skillmatics Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar
Skillmatics Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar
Every day brings a new activity, be it stickers to put on a tree or a new card game to play. The activities are designed to boost memory, social-emotional and communication skills. Ages 5+
JOYIN Mini Animal Plush Advent Calendar
For the stuffie-obsessed child, this advent calendar will give them 24 fuzzy friends to play with. This one is also good as a group or class advent calendar, where everyone can take home a prize. Ages 3+
Jazwares Pokémon Holiday Advent Calendar
Jazwares Pokémon Holiday Advent Calendar
When they open all 24 doors of this advent calendar, they can say they caught them all! This calendar features some of their favorite Pokémon characters, including Pikachu, Eevee, Piplup, Growlithe, Torchic and others, along with some holiday accessories. Ages 4+
Zuru 5 Surprise Mini Brands Disney Advent Calendar
Zuru 5 Surprise Mini Brands Disney Advent Calendar
If they're into the trends of collecting small versions of their favorite things, this advent calendar will supply them with 24 miniature versions of Disney Store items, including three exclusive minis. Or, if they're not Disney fans, you can get the 5 Surprise Mini Brands Series 4 Limited Edition Advent Calendar or the 5 Surprise Toy Mini Brands Limited Edition Advent Calendar. Ages 3+
Insight Editions Harry Potter: Hedwig Pop-Up Advent Calendar
Insight Editions Harry Potter: Hedwig Pop-Up Advent Calendar
This advent calendar is filled with 25 little paper surprises, which also come together to form a holiday centerpieces with Hedwig perched on top of a tree-shaped pile of presents. If they're not potter fans, you can also opt for Star Wars: The Life Day Pop-Up Book and Advent Calendar; Dungeons & Dragons: The Official Countdown Gift Calendar; Dragon Ball Z: The Official Advent Calendar; or American Girl Pop-Up Advent Calendar. No age recommendation given
Jakks 'Elf' Advent Calendar
Jakks 'Elf' Advent Calendar
Get this Elf advent calendar and re-create your favorite parts of the holiday movie. If Elf isn't their favorite, you can also get A Christmas Story. Ages 4+
Crayola Christmas Countdown Activity Advent Calendar
Crayola Christmas Countdown Activity Advent Calendar
Their art supplies probably need a refresh anyway. In addition to markers, crayons, paint pots and craft supplies like eyes and glitter glue, this also comes with activities to do each day. Ages 3+
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Watch Next
52 Christmas Advent Calendars for the Whole Family
Every 'Friends' Fan Needs This Advent Calendar
The Best LEGO Advent Calendars 2022
7 Best Coffee Advent Calendars of 2022
