Which Advent calendar is best for kids?
Christmas is a big event. In fact, it is so big that people celebrate not only the holiday itself but also the anticipation of the holiday as well. Besides putting up lights, decorating and buying presents, many people countdown the days leading up to Dec. 25. To do this, they use an Advent calendar.
The best Advent calendar for kids will be one that has a theme that excites the recipient. If it is a child, for instance, the LEGO Friends Advent 2024 Calendar is an excellent choice. This surprise-a-day calendar allows your child to assemble an entire festive playset one piece at a time until Christmas arrives.
What to know before you buy an Advent calendar for kids
What is an Advent calendar?
An Advent calendar is a special calendar designed to build anticipation as you count down the days until Christmas. These calendars often feature a number of compartments that are opened, one each day, for 24 days. Inside the compartment, you will find a treat or a little toy surprise.
When is the first day of Advent?
While most commercial Advent calendars simply begin on the first day of December, Advent actually begins four Sundays before Christmas. So, if you get a calendar specific to the year, it may begin anywhere between Nov. 27 and Dec. 3.
One-time-use vs. refillable advent calendar
Not all Advent calendars offer a surprise each day. Some merely provide a way to countdown the days until Christmas. However, when considering the Advent calendars that do offer a treat, you will find that there are two types: one-time-use and refillable ones.
- One-time-use: Advent calendars that are made to be used once are often manufactured using flimsy materials, such as cardboard, and have perforated compartments that you must tear to open. Because of this, they may be more affordable than refillable Advent calendars. However, as indicated by the name, you can only use these calendars once, and you must buy a new calendar the following year. Hence, you will have an annual expense.
- Refillable: A refillable Advent calendar is made of durable materials, such as wood, so it can be used year after year. Because of this, it is often more expensive than a one-time-use Advent calendar. Although you will not have to buy a new refillable Advent calendar every year, you will have to purchase the treats, which go inside the compartments.
What to look for in a quality Advent calendar for kids
Size
Some Advent calendars are small, lightweight items made of fabric that can be hung on a wall. Other models are larger items that must be placed on a table for display. The larger an Advent calendar is, the larger the prizes it can accommodate. Consider the amount of room you have in your home so you can purchase an Advent calendar of the proper size.
Order
While this may seem like a minor feature, some kids love hunting for the next surprise and prefer an Advent calendar that is not laid out in sequential order. If you have a model with removable drawers, and all the drawers are the same size, you can arrange them in whatever order you prefer.
Themes
Advent calendars are such popular items that they have extended beyond use for religious purposes and can be used to celebrate the winter season in general. Because of this, you can purchase Advent calendars that have a wide variety of themes.
- Religious advent calendars: These calendars are for Christians who want to celebrate the birth of Jesus. They may feature figures from the nativity scene, Bible verses, iconic religious symbols and more.
- Christmas Advent calendars: For the individual who celebrates a secular Christmas, these Advent calendars may feature Santa Claus, Christmas trees, presents, toys, candy and other traditional holiday themes.
- Winter Advent calendars: There are Advent calendars with a number of winter themes available for individuals of other faiths or people who just want to enjoy the season.
How much you can expect to spend on an Advent calendar for kids
While the general price range for a kids’ Advent calendar is between $12 and $50, it is possible to find ones with more expensive surprises that cost as much as $150 or more.
Advent calendar FAQ
Are there adult advent calendars?
A. Of course! Advent calendars for adults can feature ornaments, tea, makeup, wine, collectibles, chocolate, fruit spreads, bath bombs, jewelry, socks and more.
Is a typical Advent calendar 24 or 25 days?
A. While an Advent calendar featuring 24 days is common because Christmas is the day you are anticipating, some calendars also feature a surprise for Dec. 25.
What are the best Advent calendars for kids to buy?
Top Advent calendar for kids
LEGO Friends Advent 2024 Calendar
What you need to know: If your child likes LEGO, this smartly designed kit contains enough items to assemble a seasonal wonderland by Christmas.
What you’ll love: With 272 pieces, this LEGO kit helps ensure your child will have something to look forward to each day in December. Hidden behind the doors, your child will find LEGO toys such as micro figures, pet figurines, a mini snow catapult, Christmas cookies, a station to write letters to Santa and more. Many of these buildable toys have moving parts, making them even more fun.
What you should consider: While not every day is a stellar surprise, the pieces of this Advent calendar for kids do combine to create an impressive set.
Top Advent calendar for kids for the money
Bluey’s Exclusive Advent Calendar Pack
What you need to know: If your child is a fan of Bluey, this affordable Advent calendar is the best you can get.
What you’ll love: It includes a mini Christmas tree that kids can put together as part of the calendar. It’s great for families who love to watch “Bluey” and want to put the set together. It has five stickers and 16 accessories, including toy figurines of different characters from the show.
What you should consider: Not all the prizes are toys. Some are stickers, which may disappoint some kids.
Worth checking out
The Purple Cow The Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar
What you need to know: This educational Advent calendar for kids is perfect for the inquisitive child who has a thirst for knowledge and wants to better understand the world around them.
What you’ll love: There are 24 activities in this Advent calendar along with a full-color instruction book and a board game. Each experiment comes packaged in its own colorful little box to help you keep things organized. The activities included in this Advent calendar are suitable for kids ages 6 and up.
What you should consider: Some activities require a few common household items that do not come with the Advent calendar.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
