The Best Advent Calendars for Kids 2026
There is something magical about that first little door on 1st December. But if you have ever watched a chocolate coin disappear in four seconds flat, you will know the excitement does not always last. That is why we have rounded up the best advent calendars for kids in 2026: toy advent calendars, reusable keepsakes and story-filled countdowns that keep little ones playing long after Christmas Day.
Whether you have a toddler who adores Peppa, a pony-mad six-year-old or a LEGO builder who wants something bigger every year, there is a calendar here for them. We have split our picks into four groups so you can jump straight to what suits your family: reusable advent calendars, picks for little ones, dolls and ponies, and calendars for collectors and builders.
One quick tip before you scroll: the most popular kids' advent calendars sell out well before December, so if one catches your eye, it is worth ordering now.
Reusable Advent Calendars to Treasure Year After Year
A reusable advent calendar is the one you will bring out every December. Fill it with treats, tiny gifts or little notes, then pack it away with the decorations for next year. A perfect way to personalise it to your little one!
Christmas Dolls House Advent Calendar
Rockahula is the playful kids' accessories brand that started life at founder Harriet's kitchen table in 2012, and everything they make is bright, joyful and designed to spark imagination. Their reusable advent calendar brings that same sparkle to your Christmas countdown. Fill it with hair clips, mini treats or small surprises, and it becomes a family tradition rather than something that ends up in the recycling.
Avery Row Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
If you love a nursery that looks beautiful as well as feeling cosy, Avery Row will already be on your radar. Their reusable advent calendar is just as pretty on the wall as it is fun to open, so it doubles as a festive decoration all month. Fill it your way: a sweet treat one day, a small toy the next, or a note promising a Christmas film night.
3. Tonies Advent Calendar
For Toniebox families, this is the one. The Tonies fabric advent calendar is shaped like a gingerbread house, made from 100% cotton and covered in sweet Tonies prints. Its 24 pockets are big enough to hide a Tonie figure alongside a little treat, so you can build a countdown around stories instead of sugar (Tonies are sold separately). Pair it with an Advent Calendar Tonie, which switches back into Advent mode on 30th November 2026 to unlock a new story chapter every day.
If you'd rather skip the filling and let the surprises do the work, these toy advent calendars come packed and ready to open. From Play Doh and Peppa Pig for little ones to LEGO and Pokémon for older collectors, every door hides a toy they'll keep playing with long after the last one is opened.
4. Play-Doh Advent Calendar
Little makers will love the Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar. Behind its 24 numbered doors are tubs of Play-Doh and fun modelling tools, plus a playmat for building snowy winter scenes. It's a creative activity for every day of December, and by Christmas Eve your child has a full Play Doh kit to keep them busy through the holidays. Suitable for ages 3+.
5. Numberblocks Advent Calendar
Count down to Christmas with Numberblocks One to Five! Behind each of the 24 tear-to-open doors is a festive surprise, from MathLink Cubes to build the characters to Christmas hats and accessories, and there's a Numberblocks board game and spinner to play over the holidays. It quietly builds counting and number recognition skills, and little CBeebies fans won't even notice they're learning. Suitable for ages 3+.
6. Peppa Pig Advent Calendar
Count down to Christmas with Peppa and her family! Peppa's Advent Calendar hides a surprise toy or sticker behind each of its 24 numbered doors. Little ones will discover Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig in their cosy Christmas jumpers, a Santa figure, and festive accessories like a Christmas tree, a snowman and sleds the figures can actually sit on. Fold down the playmat to set up Peppa's living room, and by Christmas Eve there's a whole holiday scene ready for play. Suitable for ages 3+.
7. The Gruffalo and Friends Advent Calendar
A book a day keeps the chocolate away. This advent calendar is a collection of 24 mini books based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved stories, including The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The Snail and the Whale. Inside are colouring, drawing and activity books, plus songs and rhymes to enjoy together. The back covers match up to make festive puzzle scenes, and it all stores in a hardback presentation case with a ribbon tie.
8. Polly Pocket Advent Calendar
The Polly Pocket Advent Calendar 2026 is a compact gingerbread house that opens up into a festive playset. Day one reveals a Polly doll, day two the house itself, and the rest of December brings tiny holiday accessories to play with inside. Like every Polly Pocket, it all packs away neatly, so the fun carries on long after Christmas. Suitable for ages 4+.
9. Barbie Advent Calendar
Perfect for budding stylists, the Barbie Advent Calendar comes with a Barbie doll and 24 fashion surprises to get her party-ready. She wears a pink bodysuit that becomes a top when paired with the included skirts, and there's a black jacket, a silver top, plenty of accessories and even a pet puppy to discover. Open one a day, or all at once if the excitement wins! Suitable for ages 3+.
10. Schleich Horse Club Advent Calendar
Horse-mad kids will be in heaven with the Schleich Horse Club Winter Wonderland Ride advent calendar for 2026. Behind the doors, Horse Club rider Tori gets ready for a snowy ride at Lakeside with her Arabian mare and little foal, both exclusive to this calendar. Day by day, children collect everything for the trip: a saddle, saddle pad and bridle, a riding helmet, a grooming box with brushes and a hoof pick, plus hay, straw, a carrot and an apple for the horses. There's even a kitten and a mouse to find. With 32 pieces in total, it's a brilliant way to grow a Horse Club collection. Suitable for ages 4+.
11. Disney Frozen Advent Calendar
Frozen fans can count down with 24 days of Arendelle magic. The Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2026 includes three small dolls, Anna and Elsa as young children and their mother Queen Iduna, plus an Olaf figure. Other doors reveal a seesaw, a snow slide and pop-out play pieces, so little ones can play out snowy adventures all winter. Suitable for ages 3+.
12. Pokémon Advent Calendar
Gotta catch them all, one door at a time! The Pokémon Stationery Advent Calendar 2026 swaps chocolate for 24 Pokémon-themed surprises, with character erasers, sharpeners and mini toys hidden behind the doors. It's a fun one for school-age fans, as everything they collect can go straight into their pencil case for the new term. A great pick for Pokémon lovers who aren't quite ready for the trading cards yet.
13. Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
The Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar packs 34 pieces behind its 24 doors: 10 die-cast cars, 14 wintery accessories like a reindeer and a gingerbread house, and 10 ornament clips so the cars can hang on the Christmas tree. The star of the show is an exclusive snow globe car with a yeti behind the wheel. Suitable for ages 3+.
14. LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar
he LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 is a 317-piece superhero countdown with six minifigures: Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Ghost-Spider and Doctor Doom. Behind the doors are festive mini builds including a Helicarrier, an X-Jet sleigh, a snowball cannon and a Christmas tree made from Wolverine's claws. A brilliant pick for LEGO builders aged 6+.
Our Take
The best advent calendar is one your child will still be playing with in January. If you want a tradition you'll bring out every year, invest in a reusable fabric calendar from Rockahula, Avery Row or Tonies. For toddlers, the Play-Doh, Numberblocks, Peppa Pig and Gruffalo calendars are guaranteed hits, while older children will love Schleich, Pokémon, Hot Wheels and LEGO Marvel. Whichever you choose, buy early: the most popular kids' advent calendars sell out well before December.
Advent Calendar FAQs
When should I buy a kids' advent calendar? As early as you can. Popular toy advent calendars and reusable designs like Avery Row tend to sell out in November, so October is the sweet spot.
What can I put in a reusable advent calendar? Small toys, hair clips, stickers, mini books, a sweet treat or little notes with festive activities like "bake gingerbread" or "Christmas film night."
What age are toy advent calendars for? Most toy advent calendars are designed for ages 3 and up because of small parts. Book and fabric calendars are usually the best choice for younger toddlers.
