Best Advent Calendars for Kids – 2025 Reviews

I was genuinely blown away by how this calendar captures the Disney magic in miniature form. The attention to detail in those tiny builds—from Elsa’s ice palace to Ariel’s undersea scene—is absolutely remarkable for their size. My kids couldn’t wait to wake up each morning to discover which character they’d get, and the fact that everything works together to create a complete playset means the fun continues long after December 25th.

The variety is spectacular—some days you’re building, other days you’re collecting characters, and the transformation into a game board adds this wonderful layer of replay value that most advent calendars completely miss.

The lack of specific building instructions for some of the mini creations can be slightly confusing for younger children who need more guidance.

For Disney-loving families who want a building adventure that lasts beyond the holiday season, this advent calendar delivers magical moments every single day.

Where do I even begin with this one? The sheer volume of creative possibilities here is incredible—24 full cans of Play-Doh plus all those fun tools means your kids will be occupied for hours. I loved watching how each day’s discovery built upon the previous ones, with the playmats gradually transforming into complete winter scenes. The perforated doors are satisfying to open, and there’s something so wholesome about watching children create their own holiday memories with their hands.

What really stood out was how it encourages independent play while still feeling like a shared family activity—my younger ones could happily create while I supervised from nearby.

Some of the doors can be tricky for little fingers to open independently, and the Play-Doh can dry out if not stored properly.

This calendar delivers outstanding creative value at a price that won’t break your holiday budget.

As someone who’s always looking for ways to make learning fun, I was thoroughly impressed by how this calendar blends education with excitement. The gemstones are genuinely beautiful—much higher quality than I expected—and each one feels like discovering a little treasure. The educational aspect is handled perfectly; it doesn’t feel like homework but rather this wonderful exploration of earth science.

The final day digging activity is pure genius—it builds anticipation beautifully and gives that satisfying hands-on discovery moment that kids adore. The jewelry settings included mean the fun continues long after Christmas, which I really appreciate.

A few of the gemstones might be smaller than expected, and there’s occasional variation in the stone quality between calendars.

For families who want to combine holiday magic with genuine educational value, this gemstone calendar is an absolute treasure.

There’s something so charming about watching a complete holiday village come to life day by day. The character designs are absolutely adorable—the polar bear in its little holiday outfit just melted my heart—and the building instructions being right there in the windows is such a smart touch for independent play. I loved how each surprise felt substantial and meaningful, not just random pieces thrown together.

The quality is exactly what you’d expect from LEGO—durable, well-designed, and endlessly engaging. The playmat integration means kids can immediately start acting out holiday scenarios, which really extends the play value beyond the simple countdown.

The piece count is lower than some other LEGO calendars, so builds are simpler and quicker to complete.

This calendar perfectly captures the cozy, festive spirit of a LEGO City Christmas with daily building joy.

If you have a little car fanatic in your house, this calendar will be an absolute month-long celebration of automotive joy. The vehicle designs are vibrant and detailed—exactly what you’d expect from Hot Wheels—and the winter-themed accessories like snowplows and trees add this wonderful seasonal touch. I was particularly impressed by how the playmat encourages narrative play; it’s not just about collecting cars but creating stories with them.

The quality is outstanding—these aren’t flimsy knockoffs but proper Hot Wheels cars that will last for years. The daily surprise element works beautifully because each discovery feels substantial and exciting.

Some of the accessory pieces are quite small and could be easily lost if not carefully stored.

For kids who live and breathe cars, this advent calendar delivers reliable daily excitement that fuels their passion.

As someone who’s watched Minecraft captivate an entire generation, I was genuinely impressed by how well this calendar translates the game into physical form. The character designs—from the Creeper to the Santa villager—are instantly recognizable and wonderfully detailed. The building approach captures that Minecraft aesthetic perfectly, and watching the winter village gradually take shape throughout December feels like leveling up in real life.

The compatibility with other LEGO Minecraft sets is a huge plus for serious collectors, and the fold-out playmat really enhances the immersive quality of the experience.

The building complexity might be challenging for younger children without adult assistance.

This calendar successfully bridges digital and physical play for Minecraft enthusiasts who want to build their holiday adventures.

There’s something so satisfying about the tactile quality of wooden blocks—they just feel substantial and educational in a way that plastic sometimes doesn’t. This calendar does a beautiful job of introducing basic engineering concepts through play, with the city theme providing a wonderful framework for imagination. I was particularly impressed by how the pieces are designed to work together; it’s not random blocks but a cohesive building system that makes sense to young minds.

The safety aspects are outstanding—smooth edges, non-toxic materials, and pieces that are the perfect size for little hands without being choking hazards.

The assembly required for some elements might need adult help for the youngest builders.

This wooden blocks calendar offers wholesome, educational fun that grows with your child’s developing skills.

The emotional intelligence aspect of this calendar is absolutely brilliant—each plushie with its different expression becomes a conversation starter about feelings, which is so valuable for young children. The quality surprised me; these aren’t cheap throwaways but well-made, detailed plushies with adorable holiday outfits. I loved how portable they are—perfect for car rides, quiet time, or even just keeping on a nightstand for comfort.

The variety is fantastic too, from Christmas trees to gingerbread men, each with their own personality that kids can connect with.

The random color assortment means you can’t guarantee specific plushies, which might disappoint children with strong preferences.

This plush calendar delivers daily comfort and emotional connection that extends far beyond the holiday season.

The magnetic connections on this train set are nothing short of genius—they’re strong enough to stay together during play but easy for little fingers to connect and disconnect. I watched my youngest absolutely mesmerized by how the train grew longer each day, and the Christmas scenes on the carriages added this wonderful narrative element. The wooden construction feels substantial and timeless—exactly the kind of toy you’d keep for younger siblings or even pass down.

The safety considerations are clearly well-thought-out, from the rounded edges to the non-toxic finishes.

The train cars are smaller than they appear in photos, which might surprise some parents.

This magnetic train calendar offers engaging, developmentally appropriate fun for the youngest holiday celebrants.

The level of detail in these 3D printed creations is genuinely impressive—you can see every scale on the dinosaurs, every branch on the Christmas trees. I appreciated how the mix of holiday themes and fantasy creatures gives kids this wonderful range of storytelling possibilities. The durability surprised me too; these aren’t fragile novelties but substantial toys that can withstand actual play.

The variety keeps things exciting—one day you’re getting a sea creature, the next a holiday ornament, so there’s always something new to discover.

Some of the smaller pieces might have sharp edges that need adult inspection before play.

This 3D printed calendar offers unique, detailed toys that spark imagination in creative young minds.