Emily Flores
Kids take the December countdown seriously. Those little doors become a daily mission, and the excitement hits the second they hear the soft pop of a compartment opening. Advent calendars have come a long way since early cardboard versions in the late 1800s, yet the charm hasn’t changed. Kids still want one thing each morning: a tiny surprise that feels special. So picking one early helps avoid the late-November scramble and keeps December 1 stress-free. Let’s walk through the best options so your child gets a fun start every single day.
Classic Picks Kids Always Love
Chocolate calendars never go out of style. A simple chocolate advent calendar gives kids a quick bite of sweetness before school and stays budget-friendly if you’re buying for multiple children. The bright wrappers and small surprises are enough to keep energy high from the first door to the last.
Connecting from those traditional treats, LEGO calendars add a little more hands-on excitement. These give kids something to build and play with instead of something they eat.
Here are the specific calendars parents reach for:
- LEGO City Advent Calendar
- LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar
- LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar
The builds stay small enough for quick morning fun but interesting enough for kids to keep playing after school. Each one adds characters, accessories, or tiny scenes that stack up into a little holiday world by Christmas Eve. Kids can even compare pieces and proudly show off finished setups.
Fun And Quirky Calendars Kids Talk About All Month
If your child likes mornings filled with crafts or sensory play instead of sweets or bricks, a few other options jump to the top of the list. These are great picks for kids who like surprises that feel hands-on.
Here are the standout favorites in that category:
- Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar
- Squishmallows 24-Day Micromallows Advent Calendar
- NeeDoh Kids Sensory Advent Calendar
- Sugarfina Snoopy Holiday Advent Calendar
Each one brings its own kind of excitement, just in different ways that match how kids like to play. Play-Doh sets them up with colors, molds, and little tools so they can build holiday scenes right on the kitchen table. Squishmallows reveal soft mini characters that kids slip into pockets or trade at school, while the NeeDoh calendar fills mornings with squishy textures that help energetic kids settle in before the day starts. Sugarfina adds candy wrapped in bright packaging with flavors kids talk about long after breakfast.
Together, these calendars create a month filled with surprises that feel fresh instead of repetitive. All of these keep kids curious because every door feels so different from the last.
A Few Smart Moves Before December Hits
These calendars tend to sell out faster than parents expect. Retailers usually restock in early November, then watch everything fly off shelves. Ordering sooner saves you from the last-minute rush and gives you far better choices. Pay attention to size too, since some calendars run almost 18 inches tall while others stay compact for families who split time between homes.
Pick the calendar that fits your child’s style—sweet, squishy, creative, or collectible—and get it before everyone else remembers the date. A little planning now makes December mornings something your kid will jump out of bed for.