Kids Advent Calendar Ideas

These are the Sweetest Kids Advent Calendars and Christmas Countdown Calendars around…

Did you have an advent calendar when you were a child? I have vivid memories of opening that little kid’s advent calendar each day in December.

Back then, it felt as if December lasted for an eternity. What I wouldn’t give to get that feeling back, do you know what I mean?

These days, the holidays fly by so fast that it’s hard to catch a breath, slow down and take just a moment to enjoy the memories as they are sailing past.

Since that little kid’s advent calendar was one of my favorite Christmas traditions, we’ve always had some of them in our home. In fact, one that we have in our home was made for me as a child by my grandmother. And you can still find the pattern for them in a few spots online.

It’s called a “Berry Merry Christmas” advent calendar, and it’s one of the awesome Christmas countdown calendars that I’m sharing with you all today.

I’ve updated this list for Christmas 2023 and pulled together a bunch of fantastic kids advent calendars to help make your family’s Christmas countdown even more special. Some are lighted. Some play music and even tell the Christmas story. Many of these are Christmas countdown calendars that can be used year after year.

In the past few years, there’s also been a surge in the number of toy companies putting out their own Christmas countdown kids advent calendars. While they can’t be used year after year very easily (most have paper doors), they can be really fun for the kids.

Are you looking for a traditional Christmas story kids advent calendar? Or maybe you want something non-traditional, like a LEGO advent calendar, or Harry Potter advent calendar. In either case, there are options for you here!

I know…LOTS to choose from, right? I’m going to highlight a number of these kids’ advent calendars that we either have or have used in our own home. And I’ll also point out some standouts that I see amongst this crowded field!

1. Large Fabric Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

We have an older version of this large fabric tree calendar, and it’s beautiful! It has held up really well over the years. The colors are really vibrant, and you can personalize it with your family name. The kids love this one.

2. LEGO Advent Calendar

My mom found discovered LEGO advent calendars about five years ago. At that point, I had no idea they made such things! She got the boys each the Star Wars version.

The boys enjoyed them so much that these sets have become an annual tradition.

At this point, we’ve tried Star Wars, Lego City, Lego Friends, Lego Marvel, and Lego Harry Potter versions, and the kids truly love them all.

3. Barbie Countdown Calendar

There’s no denying that Barbie is big this year, and the Christmas Countdown makers took notice. There is actually more than one version of a Barbie countdown calendar that you could grab for your Barbie aficionado, so give them a gander.

4. Classic Kurt Adler Nativity Advent Calendar

We have an older version of this classic advent calendar as well, which I love. The wooden design is sturdy, and each day, a little drawer opens with a new magnetic figurine to add to the nativity scene.

In our older version, there is sound, and you actually hear the nativity story narrated. But in this newer version, it lights up (but doesn’t have sound).

5. Beary Merry Christmas Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is no longer being manufactured, so you have to find a completed one, or the fabric panel to sew it. It’s a 1980’s vintage advent calendar, and my grandmother sewed one for us when I was a child.

There are still a few of them available here and there, so grab one if you’re able (I’ve linked a source)! You do have to sew this, but it’s not a hard sewing project at all. The instructions are on the pattern (as you can see in the image below).

And there you have it! Our favorite kid advent calendar ideas from my family to yours! Opening an advent calendar is truly one of my favorite Christmas traditions. I hope that one of these calendars makes the season a bit more special for your family, as well. Happy holidays!

Pin this project for later! And if you decide to try it, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!

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