We love a good countdown! Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah or a birthday, marking off days to the big day can be as joyous and memory-filled as the occasion itself. Here are advent calendars that help count down to the holidays.
Count Down to Christmas
The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus or “coming.” To Christians, Advent is (in part) in anticipation of Christ’s birth. The tradition of counting down the four Sundays leading to the Advent of Christmas began in the fourth century, but paper Advent calendars with windows for 24 days prior to Christmas emerged in Germany in the early part of the 20th century.
8 Nights of Light
In the Jewish faith, Hanukkah is not as important as many other holidays, but due to its proximity to Christmas, some modern Jewish families have adopted December gift giving. The focus is the nightly lighting of the menorah—a memorial to the rededication of the second temple, where a small amount of oil miraculously lasted eight nights. The modern Hanukkah menorah is a candelabra of nine candles. The tallest candle at the center is referred to as the servant candle, as it is used to light the other candles. One candle is lit, starting from the left side, on the first evening. Another is lit each evening for eight nights.
ADVENT CALENDARS FOR ALL AGES
Little People, Big Dream Advent Calendar Book Collection
$29.99; Quarto.com
Inside each envelope, children will find stories about inspirational people from across the world, from trailblazing musician Harry Styles and eco hero David Attenborough, to freedom-fighter Rosa Parks and visionary artist Yayoi Kusama.
DM Snacks 24 Days of Nuts & Snacks Advent Calendar
$60; www.dmsnacks.com
This festive countdown calendar is packed with bold, gourmet flavors ranging from spicy jalapeño peanuts to sweet maple stix. Behind each of the 24 doors lies a single-serve portion of a delectable gourmet nut or snack blend, crafted with premium ingredients and creative seasoning combinations to surprise your tastebuds every day. This limited-edition 2025 release is a flavorful celebration of savory, sweet, smoky, and spicy sensations. From Cheddar Jalapeño Clusters to Wasabi Taproom Mix, Maple Gold Snack Blend to Buffalo Blue Blaze Stix, you’ll discover everything from traditional favorites to adventurous new pairings. Whether you’re into heat or prefer a gentler treat like Buttery Bliss Bites, there’s a daily delight for everyone.
EXIT: The Game - Advent Calendar - The Intergalactic Race
$49.95; 10+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com
The Advent calendar is an EXIT® game and an adventure story in one: To take part in the intergalactic race, you must open a little calendar door every day. Behind each, you will find a new exciting riddle, the solution to which will help you move on to the next room. Only if you follow the clues, and solve all 24 riddles, will you make it onto the winner’s podium.
The Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar Vol. 3
$39.95; 8+
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com
‘Tis the season for science! Christmas time is experimentation time. Discover something new and amazing every day leading up to the holiday. With this advent calendar, children open a new box each day to find new equipment or materials and the instructions for a science experiment. The experiments can be done quickly and only require additional items that are commonly found in every household. Each of the 24 beautifully designed boxes includes unique experiment materials and expertly written and illustrated instructions.
National Geographic Outer Space Advent Calendar
$29.99; 8+
https://www.amazon.com//dp/B0DPJMJT5M/
This exciting countdown features 24 space-themed activities for kids to explore, including painting all 8 planets, creating constellations that glow, making bouncy balls, molding cosmic shapes, and digging for real pyrite. With crafts, experiments, and hands-on discoveries behind every door, this calendar brings learning and fun together in a galactic way. Includes kid-friendly instructions and a full-color Learning Guide.
Updated: September 2025
