Toddler and baby advent calendars offer a good alternative for parents who don't want to start their day by spiking their kid's sugar levels. Whilst we don't want to sound like the Grinch, too much chocolate isn't a good idea for young children.
If you're looking to replace chocolate Advent calendars, there are many great alternatives for your little one, including Disney-themed calendars, toy options, keepsakes, and books. You can also create your own Advent calendars using fabric hangings or wooden shapes with drawers, allowing you to fill them with your chosen treats and toys each year and reuse them.
Best toddler and baby advent calendars at a glance:
So, if you're looking for something different from your typical Advent calendars for your little one, we've rounded up some of the best choices. While it may feel like Christmas is still a little while away, we predict that these advent calendars will fly off the shelves faster than Santa's sleigh, so be quick to avoid disappointment.
The best toddler Advent calendars 2024
Best interactive Advent calendar
tonies.com
This adorable reusable Advent calendar features 24 pockets you can fill with any treats you like, including Tonies! It’s made from 100 per cent cotton, easy to wash, and measures 100 x 50 cm, making it a great space-saver on your walls.
Online reviews praised the large pockets, which easily accommodate tonie figures. We also love the super cute design, which complements any home aesthetic, whether you prefer a festive look or a more modern holiday decor.
While we were a bit disappointed that Tonies are sold separately, we appreciate that this calendar can be reused year after year. Although adding Tonies does increase the overall cost, they can be enjoyed long after the holiday season, making this purchase more of an investment than just a one-time December buy.
Pros
- Washes easily
- Good sized pockets
- It can be reused for future Christmases
- Neutral design
Cons
- tonie figures sold separately
Best for creativity
This Christmas plasticine Advent calendar is a little different from most. It comes with all the colours you need to create new models every day. Behind each window is a set of easy-to-follow instructions that will help your toddler create figures such as Santa, Rudolph, and more!
Plasticine provides a rich sensory experience. The texture, smell, and feel of the material can be stimulating and enjoyable for young children. We love that this advent calendar benifits your child's development. Manipulating plasticine helps toddlers strengthen hand muscles and improve dexterity, which is essential for tasks like writing and buttoning clothes when they're a little bit older.
Online parents really liked that there are different things to make each day and plenty of plasticine because there's nothing worse than the plasticine running out before Christmas day.
Pros
- Little ones can make new models every day
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- The plasticine doesn't dry out and there's enough for every day (450g)
Cons
- Not suitable for children under three
Suitable for ages: | 5+ years |
Best Advent calendars for toddlers
www.elfforchristmas.co.uk
Countdown to Christmas with Personalised Elf Letters, revealing their exciting adventures straight from Santa's workshop. Detailing the mischief, mishaps and funny stories happening at the North Pole as the elves prepare for Christmas, the letters arrive in 24 individual brown envelopes, each dated and personalised with your Elf and child's name.
Our Senior Writer, Samantha Ball tried this out for herself and said: "These Advent calendars are absolutely beautiful and very well presented. I love that they are all numbered so it's easy to work out which letter is for which day! The personal element is wonderful too, and the overall presentation just adds to the experience."
Pros
- Helps create the magic of Christmas
- Can be used alongside the Elf on the Shelf
- Fantastic presentation
Cons
- No gifts or toys included
- 24 x individual advent letters
- Personalised with child's name
Best for Disney fans
www.boots.com
Filled with 24 classic Disney characters dressed with a Christmas twist, the Funko Advent Calendar is the perfect way for kids and adults to count down to Christmas. The figurines can be played with or used as Christmas ornaments.
Each day brings a fun surprise as your child discovers a new character, which parents online said is perfect for little Disney fans. It's worth noting that the figures are designed in the Funko style, so they may look slightly different from the traditional characters. However, we think they're still instantly recognisable and super cool.
Pros
- Characters have a festive twist and are collectable
- Different Disney characters in the Funko design
- Can be played with or used as decoratin
Cons
- Some are difficult to stand up
Suitable for ages: | 3+ years |
Best for Bluey fans
Perfect for Bluey fans, this Bluey: Awesome Advent Book Bundle contains 24 story and colouring books to change up each day in the countdown to Christmas. It's a fun little collection that's a brilliant change from the usual chocolate advent calendars.
We think this is perfect for afternoons and evenings, as each book helps children wind down while also getting excited for Christmas. Although a few parents online wished the books were more interactive, we liked that these Bluey stories are ideal for the end of the day rather than the morning, when most advent calendars are typically opened.
Pros
- Includes a mix of storybooks and colouring books
- Features everyone's favourite Heeler puppy
- Perfect for bedtime and quiet time
Cons
- A few parents wished that the books were more interactive
Suitable for ages: | 2 to 7 years |
Best non-christmas themed advent calendar
The Original Mr Men and Little Miss Calendar contain a mixture of Mr Men figures, ink stamps, phone charms, and fridge magnets. So, if you're a fan of this beautiful book collection, it is a great choice to count down to Christmas with! It's also not a very festive design, so if your little one is unsure of the Christmas season, it's still a perfect choice.
This is the best option for children who aren't celebrating Christmas but still want an advent calendar. Online reviews mention it's "not themed for Christmas at all" and is more of a general "countdown calendar." This makes it an excellent choice for families whose beliefs don't align with traditional Christmas traditions but who still want to enjoy the fun of an advent calendar.
Pros
- It contains the 12 popular book figures
- Includes 12 other gifts
- Books can be enjoyed throughout the year
Cons
- Not too Christmassy
Best wooden advent calendar for babies and toddlers
Each day, your little one will discover a new wooden character behind the Advent calendar doors. By Christmas Day, they'll have an exciting new Peter Rabbit-themed playset from the Beatrix Potter Advent Calendar, complete with a charming little wooden Christmas tree.
We love the concept of this wooden advent calendar and think the figures make lovely decorations for a toddler’s bedroom. We were thrilled to see online reviews praising the high quality and beautiful craftsmanship of the characters.
Pros
- Good quality figures
- Beautifully decorated
- Sturdy
- Perfectly sized for little hands
Cons
- Not all Beatrix Potter story characters available
Suitable for ages: | 12+ months |
Best doll Advent calendar
Baby Annabell dolls will be well prepared for Christmas parties with this sweet advent calendar. It includes 24 different pieces of festive clothing and accessories, such as a gold frilly top and white tiered skirt, a pink fluffy jumper and bobble hat, plus a lovely red dress and even some additional accessories like mini cupcakes.
Pros
- Festive clothing
- Can double up as a Christmas present
A must-have for Peppa Pig fans, this advent calendar reveals a mini storybook behind each door, including a special Christmas story for Christmas Eve. Stories, like Hide and Seek, Daddy Pig's Birthday, School Play, Bedtime Stories, New Shoes, and Peppa's Perfe__ct Christmas, will delight your little one daily. Even better, the books can be returned to the windows for reuse the following year, making this calendar a gift that keeps giving.
Parents love how it offers a fun alternative to chocolate advent calendars, with familiar Peppa Pig episodes in book form that can be re-read and enjoyed for years to come.
Pros
- Educational
- Great for Peppa Pig fans
- Reusable
Cons
- The books are a little flimsy
Parents love the value this calendar offers, with each book containing a complete story—not just a few pages. Though the books are small, they’re perfect for little hands, and kids enjoy reading them all year round, making it an exciting and lasting gift.
Perfect for Hey Duggee fans, this advent calendar lets you count down the days to Christmas with your favourite Hey Duggee characters. Behind each door is a mini storybook, including a special Christmas story for Christmas Eve. Stories include The Snowman Badge, The Paddling Pool Badge, The Jam Badge, The Bubble Badge, The Mystery Badge, and The Tinsel Badge.
Pros
- Educational
- Books are suitable for year-round reading
- Hey Duggee characters featured
Cons
- Small books can be difficult to read
Calling all Barbie fans! This Fisher-Price advent calendar is perfect for little fashionistas. Toddlers can create a fun and festive scene with the Little People Barbie Advent Calendar, featuring Barbie figures and holiday-themed play pieces.
It includes six figures, 17 play pieces, and a special holiday memento for decorating the tree. Designed for little hands, these Fisher-Price figures stand up independently, making imaginative play even easier.
Parents love that the pieces are compatible with the Little People Barbie house, adding extra fun to playtime. The calendar comes in a generously sized box, offering great value, and the adorable pink design is sure to make the Christmas countdown even more exciting for your child!
Pros
- Festive toys
- Great for Barbie fans
- Perfectly sized for toddlers
Cons
- Small pieces not suitable for children under 18 months
What age should you start buying an Advent calendar?
Anyone can enjoy an Advent calendar, regardless of their age. If your baby is really young they may not remember opening their daily boxes - but you probably will. Christmas is a great time to focus on your family. Spending a little time each morning to enjoy some Christmas magic is just what Santa ordered.
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Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.