Deena Shinn Contributor
Deena Shinn is a freelance writer and editor. When she’s not writing or wrangling her two feisty daughters, you can find her experimenting with sourdough bread or exploring northern California.
Expertise Deena has over a decade of experience writing and editing, covering everything from celebrity news to child development to wedding trends.
Natalia Lusinski Contributor
Natalia is a contributing writer for CNET. Her work can also be seen in places like Business Insider, Yahoo and Forbes. She spent several years living abroad, from goat-sitting in the Swiss Alps to staying with nuns at a monastery in Venice. Back in Los Angeles, she runs a popular pizza Meetup and is still on a quest to find her favorite slice.
Written by Deena Shinn ,
Natalia Lusinski
Why You Can Trust CNET
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Best candy Advent calendars
Williams Sonoma Color-in Cookie Advent Calendar
Most of the time, Advent calendars involve opening a little cardboard window and devouring a piece of candy in one quick bite. And that’s great but it’s also fun when there’s a longer interactive element, like with this Williams Sonoma color-in cookie countdown calendar. It contains 12 tasty vanilla sugar cookies and a set of edible-ink pens so your kiddo can create their own masterpiece, then chow down.
Close
Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Advent Calendar
Lindt is a classic for a reason — the velvety smooth chocolate is a fan favorite among kids and adults alike. From individually wrapped chocolate teddy bears to hazelnut chocolate balls. there’s plenty of delicious variety in this Advent calendar.
Close
The Grinch Advent Calendar
Who doesn’t love the Grinch? And it’s even better when he’s bringing a sweet treat to enjoy each day. This calendar is filled with delectable milk chocolates, gummies and caramels.
Close
Kinder Mini Santa Advent Calendar
Kids love Kinder chocolate and, lucky for them, this one is full of Kinder treats. Each chocolate has a milky filling and they’re the perfect size for a chocolate a day.
Close
Dylan’s Candy Bar Oh Christmas Tree
This candy calendar from Dylan’s is filled with all sorts of classics from the New York sweets shop, including candy canes, gummies and a snowman lollipop.
Close
Williams Sonoma Peanuts Advent Calendar
If your child prefers a candy Advent calendar — and also happens to love Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang — this is the one to get. It’s packed with such sweets as milk chocolate squares and milk chocolate toffee crunch squares. Each day offers a new tasty delight for the young Charles Schulz fan in your life.
Close
Williams Sonoma Elf Advent Calendar
Any kids who loved the movie Elf will love this calendar. For 12 days straight, they’ll get sweet treats like chocolate, caramel, candy canes, marshmallows and more.
Close
Sugarfina’s North Pole Toy Shop Advent Calendar
For kids who are craving candy in their Advent calendar versus chocolate or toys, Sugarfina’s the choice for them. Each of the 24 squares houses four pieces of a select candy, including ones like Sparkle Pops and Raspberry Cereal Balls.
Close
Best Lego Advent calendars
Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
Kids (and kids at heart) will be captivated by the new Lego Star Wars Advent calendar and all the goodies that come with it — like BB-8 dressed as a snowman. The 263-piece set also includes eight buildable droids (holiday versions of a Medical Droid and a Mouse Droid, for starters). Plus, the mini builds and characters can be combined with other Lego Star Wars sets for even more creative possibilities.
Close
Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter and Lego is always a winning combination and that’s especially true with this year’s Advent calendar. It features 10 mini builds (the Sorting Hat and a Hogwarts acceptance letter, for example), six buildable figures (Hedwig, Buckbeak etc.) and eight minifigures in Christmas sweaters, obviously. Lego Harry can pull off an ugly holiday sweater with the best of ’em.
Close
Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar
Minecraft fans, rejoice! This Advent calendar is packed with favorite minifigures like Alex, Steve, a Creeper, zombie and even a Santa villager — each with accessories and wintry touches. You can bet that your kiddo will continue playing with these toys long after Santa comes to visit.
Close
Lego Friends Advent Calendar
We love how Lego switches things up a bit with its Friends calendar each year. If you’ve got a kid who’s really into Lego Friends, this is a great choice. For this year’s, kiddos will receive five minidolls and five LEGOanimals to build their very own sleepover story. Activities include writing to Santa, decorating the tree, singing karaoke — and making hot cocoa, of course.
Close
Best Disney Advent calendars
Disney Stitch Advent Calendar
For the Lilo and Stitch lover in your life, you can’t go wrong with this Stitch Advent calendar. It includes nine mini toy figurines, 10 holiday accessories and five stickers for plenty of festive fun. Kids will even enjoy playing with the toys beyond December, which is usually a welcome benefit of bringing 24 little objects into your home.
Close
Disney Princess Jewelry Activity Advent Calendar
Disney Princess fans will be overjoyed when they open a door each day and add to their collection of beads, charms, cord and rings. Whether they use the Advent calendar supplies to make bracelets and necklaces for themselves or to give as gifts, it’s sure to keep children busy all through December. A little creativity can go a long way with this fun and easy set.
Close
Mattel Disney and Pixar Cars Mini Racers Advent Calendar
Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez and other vehicles and accessories from Cars? Yes, please. Your child will look forward to opening a new Advent calendar window each day to see who — or what — comes out next.
Close
Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar
Disney fans will love building their favorite holiday-inspired Frozen scenes with this Advent calendar, like Olaf’s sleigh and a fireplace with stockings. The Lego set includes 24 days’ worth of characters and fun surprises. It even transforms into an interactive game board where players can help their character collect holiday treasures.
Close
Best Funko Pop Advent calendar
Funko Pop Bitty Countdown Calendar: Disney Princess
There’s something irresistibly cute about tiny Disney Princesses in the form of Funko Pop figurines, especially when they’re holding miniature gifts. This Advent calendar has 10 of them, plus stackable display pieces, holiday accessories, a keychain case and a pin case. It’s a great way to grow any Funko Pop collection and the festive touches make the countdown to Christmas even more magical.
Close
Funko Pop Harry Potter Calendar
For kids who want to count down to Christmas with Harry Potter and his Wizarding World friends, this super cute Funko Pop Advent calendar is the way to go. And once the figures are unveiled, they can stand in front of the calendar’s backdrop, Diagon Alley.
Close
Funko Pop Marvel Advent Calendar
Two trends combine in this cool Advent calendar. Funko Pop figurines are popular collectibles, and Marvel and Spider-Man are still going strong. Twenty-four mini Marvel figures are included here, creating quite the menagerie. Kids will love discovering Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Hulk, Iron Man — and many more that will soon become favorites.
Close
Funko Pop Star Wars Advent Calendar
A red-and-green Darth Vader? These Star Wars figures are dressed in ways you’ve never seen them before and are ready to help your child get in the Christmas spirit.
Close
Best Barbie Advent calendars
Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Toddler Toy Advent Calendar
Many Advent calendars are geared toward older kids — they’re often full of candy or teeny-tiny pieces that aren’t toddler-friendly. A fun option for younger kiddos is this Little People Barbie set — it’s fun, festive and none of the pieces are choking hazards, by design. It includes six Barbie Little People figures, 17 play pieces and even a cute ornament to hang on a real tree.
Close
Mattel Barbie Advent Calendar With Barbie Doll
Barbie is timeless and eternally popular — and this Advent calendar comes with a Barbie doll that kids get on the first day. Each day after, a clothing item or accessory is revealed, like a heart-shaped purse or trendy dress. This calendar will provide hours of fun for your child — and for you as you see what clothing combinations they come up.
Close
Mattel Barbie Doll And Fashion Advent Calendar
This Barbie Advent calendar is all about her getting glammed up. In addition to a Barbie doll, the calendar comes with fun accessories for her to wear, like a chic floppy hat, sparkly silver jacket and various pairs of high heels.
Close
Mattel Fantasy Barbie Advent Calendar
Barbie with pink hair? Who wouldn’t be a fan? Kids who are also into mermaids, unicorns and fairies will love this Advent calendar. It comes with fun fantasy accessories too, like a mermaid tail skirt and clip-on butterfly wings.
Close
Best DIY Advent calendars
KiwiCo Motorized Christmas Train Advent Calendar
This holiday season, your child can put together this train set over the course of 12 days. For added fun, it can even circle the Christmas tree.
Close
KiwiCo Christmas Village Advent Calendar
This Advent calendar gives kids the opportunity to build their own mini village. Each day offers up a new part of the village to assemble, including a house, an evergreen tree and a reindeer. With 24 surprises, your kids will get plenty of play-based learning while having fun.
Close
HearthSong Wooden Gingerbread House With Reusable Drawers
This sturdy wooden Advent calendar doesn’t come with toys — you fill the 24 little drawers yourself. It may be a little extra work, but this colorful gingerbread house could be the start of a DIY Advent calendar family tradition. Just add notes, chocolate, tiny toys, ornaments or any other itty-bitty holiday trinkets your child will love. And they’ll probably enjoy helping you fill the drawers too.
Close
Hasbro Play-Doh Christmas Advent Calendar
This Advent calendar is perfect for kids who enjoy creative play. Behind each of the 24 doors is a can of Play-Doh and various tools and cutters to help your little one craft holiday decorations. It comes with a set of cards suggesting craft ideas, but most kids will have a blast just using their imaginations.
Close
Best science Advent calendars
MindWare 12 Days of Science Advent Calendar
If your child is into creative science experiments, this Advent calendar is for them. Each day, they’ll open a new test tube to reveal the day’s experiment, whether it’s making instant snow or water disappear.
Close
The Purple Cow Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar
Little scientists will love counting down to Santa with daily STEM activities. This comes with 24 boxes containing materials (with the exception of some common household ones) for projects and experiments. Bonus gift: The empty boxes come together after Christmas to form a board game.
Close
National Geographic Rock, Mineral and Fossil Advent Calendar
For the science kid who loves collecting gemstones, this National Geographic Advent calendar is great for exploring the wonders of the world through rocks, minerals and fossils. From shiny to matte, there’s a special surprise behind 25 doors, including a special rose quartz on the 25th day that kids get to dig out themselves.
Close
The Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar
Any budding kid scientist into chemistry, biology or physics will love these 24 days of experiments. Each one comes in a nice box with the necessary materials and instructions — and it’s fun for the whole family.
Close
Best toy Advent calendars
American Girl Baking Spirits Bright Advent Calendar
American Girl fans will love uncovering each day’s gingerbread-themed goodie — whether it’s a pretend gingerbread cookie, stick of butter, mixing bowl or a doll-sized half-apron. Kiddos will love creating tiny cozy confections with this adorable miniature set.
Close
Mattel Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
Every day feels like Christmas with this Advent calendar, especially if your kiddo is into cars. Each door reveals a new Hot Wheels car or accessory, which they can add to the holiday-themed track. Kids will get tons of imaginative play out of this one and the toy cars will last well beyond Christmas.
Close
Sesame Street Advent Calendar Storybook Collection
Any child would love to celebrate the countdown to Christmas with all their favorite Sesame Street characters. From Elmo to Cookie Monster, they’ll find all their favorites in these 24 tiny — and adorable — storybooks.
Close
Super Mario Advent Calendar (Amazon Exclusive)
Mario, Princess Peach and Luigi are still as popular as ever. So if you have a Super Mario lover in your household, this Advent calendar will hit the mark. Pop open the little doors and discover 24 video game-themed action figures and accessories, including Santa Mario, Snowman Luigi and many more.
Close