December 1st is the unofficial kickoff to the countdown to Christmas. For revelers who like to soak up every bit of the season they can, that leaves 24 days of merriment, togetherness, and holiday spirit that can be enhanced by a small treat each day in the form of an advent calendar.
We’ll be bringing you our favorite advent calendars pertaining to beauty, liquor, sweet treats, and more throughout the season, but let’s start with something for the children first: toys.
Below you’ll find a smattering of the thousands of calendars made with a younger audience in mind, from the fun paper art of Lovepop’s offerings to the adventurous collection of Pokemon waiting to rest under your tree this season. Keep scrolling to see which will keep your children smiling throughout December this year.
Christmas Village Advent Calendar
Create your own Christmas village piece by piece with this cozy kit from KiwiCo. Starting December 1st, you’ll have a project a day in a conveniently marked envelope that comes with step-by-step instructions so it’s easy for builders of all learning levels to grasp. Carolers, trees, and even Santa’s sleigh will join together in the end for a heartwarming scene that puts the whole family in the holiday spirit.
UPDATE: Kiwi Co.’s advent nativity is now sold out, but you can still join the waiting list for a restock and check out their Santa’s Light-Up Workshop in the meantime. It’s fully customizable and provides the same hands-on learning as the Nativity!
Buy now £49.95, KiwiCo
Advent Calendar: Nativity
Lovepop is a perennial favorite of ours at Wishlist, which is why you’ll find two of their fantastic advent calendars here today. This nativity version follows in similar footsteps to the Pancake the Penguin’s Christmas Adventure we loved so much last year (which is still available fyi) by providing 25 individual pouches you open with your little ones each day leading up to Christmas to reveal a full scene that tells the story of Jesus’ birth.
Buy now £39.00, Lovepop
Play-doh® Advent Calendar
Play-doh might be designed to inject a healthy does of creativity into children’s play, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun for adults, too! Gather the whole family around for a cheery seasonal movie each evening during the countdown to Christmas and pluck open a door to discover goods like a snowflake stamper, a tree mold, and 22 other surprises for a December full of inventive play.
Buy now £10.00, Five Below
Pokemon 24 Battle Figure Pack 2021 Holiday Advent Calendar
If your kid has to do as they’re told and “catch ‘em all,” you’re looking at the right calendar. It comes with 16 dynamically posed figures plus eight holiday accessories so your Pokemon can battle it out in seasonal fashion.
Buy now £20.99, Gamestop
PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar - Christmas Toy Store
With its promise of a “Christmas Toy Store backdrop, four figures, Christmas tree, snowman, gift boxes, tricycle, skateboard, and tons of other toys and accessories,” Playmobil’s annual advent calendar continues to be a much-anticipated favorite every holiday season. Enjoying opening each piece with your kids until you’re finally ready to see the full toy store scene on Christmas Even, sure to inspire even more dreams of the merriment to come.
Buy now £41.91, Amazon
Advent Calendar: Figg and Jammi's Christmas Wish Machine
For the more secular celebration, Lovepop offers Figg and Jammi’s Christmas Wish Machine. These precious characters lead you on a 25-day adventure that introduces twists, turns, and new friends each day until Figg and Jammi’s full invention is unveiled on Christmas morning! As with all Lovepop paper art, these are easy to pop back into their envelope for years use after year in what’s sure to become a sweet family tradition.
Buy now £39.00, Lovepop
LOL Surprise! Holiday Countdown Chocolate Gift Bundle
For a young doll lover who enjoys chocolate, cocoa, and the cute look of the L.O.L. Surprise! gang, pick up this holiday countdown calendar with 24 pull tabs featuring a sweet surprise each day.
Buy now £18.89, Macy's
2021 Peppa Pig Holiday Advent Calendar for Kids, 24-Pieces
If your kid can’t get enough of that adorable little British pig Peppa, give them 24 days of joy with this 2021 holiday calendar. The whole family–Peppa Pig, George, Daddy Pig and Mummy Pig–are here, and they have everything from a doll house to a drum set to keep them busy ‘til Santa shows up with his sleigh.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
24 Day Advent Art Calendar
It’s not exactly a toy, but artistic minds young and mature alike will enjoy the daily inspiration to create when opening the packages in this calendar from Arteza. Inside you’ll find paint, markers, gel pens, watercolors, brushes, and more to get your family started on a picture-making journey to add something special to your countdown.
Buy now £31.99, Arteza
Barbie Dreamtopia Advent Calendar
If your little one already has Barbie dolls to spare, treat them to a plethora of accessories with this hot pink advent calendar full of clothes, accessories, a doll, and more storytelling pieces that help the original cool gal and all her friends live their most stylish doll lives.
Buy now £48.75, Amazon