Spoiler Alert: Get them an advent calendar with their favorite characters (and toy)!
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Advent calendars actually started in the church but, most recently, they’re in everyones house as a fun way for the kiddos to countdown the number of days until Christmas and get a little surprise treat or two each and every day. Similar to The Elf on the Shelf, realistic parents use these calendars as a way to bribe their kids to “be good” and “stop fighting with their sister” or else “you won’t be able to open your calendar box today!” Isn’t parenting grand!?
Typically, you’ll start using your calendar on December 1st and each day the kiddos will open up the surprise box for that day and see what kind of little toy or gift is inside. This fun little activity will take place each day until Christmas (or the 24th if actual Christmas morning trumps your calendar gift which, to be honest, it usually does). Some of these advent calendars will come with the little gifts as part of the package and others are empty (and more ‘box-like’) and you can fill it with whatever you want. One thing we know for sure is that you typically need to get yours ASAP because it’s nearly impossible to find one once November rolls around. Check out some of our favorites (so far) this month.
The Harry Potter LEGO Advent Calendar – Buy It Here
It’s the latest from Harry Potter and LEGO and one that’s filled with some many surprises that it’ll keep all the Potter fans well behaved all Christmas long! It comes with 7 mini figures, 24 different holiday gifts, and even the Hogwarts Express! Learn more here!
The New Marvel 80th Anniversary Advent Calendar – Buy It Here
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It’s new from Marvel and a great way to countdown the holidays! It’s from the uber-popular Funko company and even comes with six different figurines of your kiddos favorite Marvel characters.
The New LOL Surprise Winter Disco #OOTD – Buy It Here
If they love LOL Surprise (and we know they do) this is the must-have this season. It’s the latest release in the Winter Disco series and it comes with more than 25 different surprises and an exclusive LOL doll! Grab this one while you still can. Learn more here!
The Frozen ‘Olaf’s Adventure’ – Buy It Here
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Off the heels of super popular Frozen 2, now your kiddos can have a countdown adventure with Olaf! It even includes 25 fun figures inside!
The Super Mario Brothers Holiday Calendar – Buy It Here
Super Mario fans unite! We may be the most excited about this one because we grew up with Mario and Luigi so there’s even a bit of nostalgia for us. This one comes with 17 different surprise figures, 7 accessories, and more. Get ready for 24 days of surprises! Learn more here!
The Harry Potter Advent Calendar – Buy It Here
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Calling all true-blue Harry Potter fans! This one comes with pocket-pops of all their favorite Harry Potter characters like Harry, Hermione, Ron, and more!
The Paw Patrol Calendar – Buy It Here
This one is super cute and perfect for the little ones who love Paw Patrol. Inside there are 24 different gifts to discover that will be a total surprise and they’ll totally love!
The Fortnite Advent Calendar – Buy It Here
At this this is one Fortnite way to get them off their devices! This is Funko’s take on Fortnite and comes with 24 different surprise pieces your kiddos can discover each and every day. Learn more here!
The L.O.L Surprise Advent Calendar for 2021 – Buy It Here
Perfect for the kiddos who are 100% obsessed with all things L.O.L right now (there are so many LOL Surprises on the holiday toy list this year). This one comes with 24 different LOL surprises and even comes with 1 exclusive doll! Learn more about the LOL OOTD calendar here.
The Star Wars LEGO Building Kit – Buy It Here
This one also comes with 24 different surprise gifts, plus they can totally build this one themselves and play with it! It comes with 11 different vehicles (our favorite is The Phantom) and seven little LEGO people, including a holiday themed one!
The Disney ‘Tsum Tsum’ Countdown Calendar for Advent – Buy It Here
They’re still obsessed with those Disney Tsum Tsum characters and, well, so are we! This super fun option comes with a total of 18 different figures they can play with (all in holiday garb!). Plus, there are 6 different Christmas head pieces and 6 different Christmas themed accessories. They’ll enjoy all 31 pieces in total and, hopefully, they’ll behave!
The ‘Fill It Yourself’ Christmas Tree Box Drawers – Buy It Here
This is the perfect option for when you want to add the little toys or gift yourself. There are 24 different drawers to open and once they do they can turn the drawer around, place it back inside, and reveal a cute holiday themed picture!
More: Shop Some of the Hot Toys for Christmas Right Now!
The ‘Christmas on the Farm’ by PlayMobil – Buy It Here
This super fun playset comes with 72 pieces! Even better, it comes with 24 different items (that are a total surprise) for each day that leads up to the big event…Christmas! Plus, the little figures are super fun to play with any day of the week.
The LEGO City ‘Build It’ Advent Calendar – Buy It Here
This option is one of our favorites because your kids can build a real winter wonderland! It comes with 24 different surprise gifts, really cool vehicles (like a drone, spaceship, etc), 5 little LEGO people (like a snowman and Santa!), and 313 pieces! They’ll be able to build this one themselves, but you can always help them too because, let’s be honest, it’s fun and it basically like meditation for us at this point.
The Little Sprouts ‘Cabbage Patch Kids’ – Buy It Here
Oh yes, this one comes with 25 surprise inside! Cabbage Patch Kids really reminds us of our youth and your kids will love it too! This one comes with 9 figures, 16 accessories and even a really cool collector guide. We love a Cabbage Patch countdown to Christmas!
The Wooden Countdown to Christmas by Melissa & Doug – Buy It Here
This is one of the nicer options because is made of wood, which really sets it apart from most of the others. It’s super easy to use too because all the ornaments and star are magnetic so it’s perfect for the real little ones.
The NHL ‘Rivalry on the Pond’ Hockey Countdown – Buy It Here
This is the perfect option for all the little hockey fans out there, whether they love to watch it on TV or love to play it themselves! Like many of the others, this one comes with 24 surprises, 2 hockey people, Santa (who’s the ref!), two kid figures, the goal, the Stanley Cup, and so much more!
The LEGO Friends 217 Piece Building Kit – Buy It Here
This one is geared towards girls, but boys can enjoy it too (welcome to 2018!). It has 24 different gifts, exclusive holiday figures, a Christmas tree, snowman, and so much more! Enjoy all 217 pieces while building it!
→ Scroll Through More Advent Calendars on Amazon →
More Holiday Ideas:
Super Fun Toys For Kiddos of All Ages
The Best Christmas Gifts For Your Kids in the 2021 Season
Your Tweens are Actually Asking For These This Christmas
Pretty Cheap (and Cool) Stocking Stuffer Ideas
What to Get Your Secret Santa This Year