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
Winter Chalet Advent - 12 Days Of Cozy Teas
$40; www.teaforte.com
Stay warm and cozy with a different tea each day. This limited-edition Advent Calendar contains 12 cozy teas, each hidden behind a numbered door. Countdown to winter bliss with a curated collection of warming teas that evoke the comfort and rustic luxury of a snowy retreat. Great as a winter gift, or anytime you want to explore new blends. All teas in this collection are Kosher Certified.
12 Puzzles Before Christmas Advent Calendar
$24.99; 8+
https://projectgeniusinc.com/products/christmas-countdown-book
Make the countdown to Christmas unforgettable with the 12 Days Before Christmas Advent Calendar, filled with holiday-themed metal brainteasers. Each day reveals a new puzzle inspired by classics like The Little Drummer Boy and A Christmas Carol. Perfect for older kids, teens, and adults, this screen-free activity builds problem-solving skills while creating joyful moments together.
Fanroll Holiday Dice Advent Calendar
$59.99; FanRollDice.com
Our FanRoll Advent calendar has 25 days of dice madness and includes: One Exclusive elf-themed dice set; Two full sets of Assorted Resin dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20); One Exclusive Mini Set; One Exclusive Metal 20-sided dice. A holiday-themed FanRoll dice bag to carry your loot.
National Geographic Jewelry Making Advent Calendar
$31.99; 8+
Amazon.com
Celebrate the season with creativity and style! The National Geographic Jewelry Making Advent Calendar turns the countdown to the holidays into a hands-on crafting experience. Behind each of the 24 doors, kids will discover materials to create their own unique jewelry—over 24 pieces in total, including necklaces, bracelets, rings, and more. They'll even design and bake their own clay beads!
Spin Master's PAW Patrol Holiday Rescue Advent Calendar
$39.99; SpinMaster.com
Unleash the spirit of adventure with PAW Patrol's Holiday Rescue Advent Calendar, a thrilling way to count down to the holidays with 24 surprise toys to discover. Packed with tons of fun, figures, miniature vehicles & PAWsome holiday-themed accessories, like Rubble's bulldozer, Santa's sleigh and so much more. The set features a lineup of figures such as Chase, Marshall, Skye, and even Santa Claus, along with accessories like Santa's workshop and a snowman. For added play-value, the box even transforms into a scene scape for a thrilling snow day, encouraging creativity and pretend play.
Mudpuppy Happy Hanukkah! Countdown Puzzle Set
$19.99; Mudpuppy.com
The Happy Hanukkah! Countdown Puzzle Set features eight mini puzzles of cute puppies participating in traditional Hanukkah festivities to complete during each day of the holiday.
Meowy Christmas 12 Days of Puzzles 500 Piece Collection
$26.99; Galison.com
This festive advent calendar offers a unique holiday countdown experience with 12 individual cat-themed puzzle sections totaling 500 pieces. The "Meowy Christmas" collection presents a progressive puzzle challenge, with each day revealing a new feline-inspired design of increasing complexity. Join all the puzzle sections to create one 24" x 17" puzzle. Expertly crafted with premium materials, this countdown calendar combines the anticipation of holiday traditions with the cognitive benefits of puzzling, making it an ideal seasonal activity for cat enthusiasts and puzzle aficionados alike.
Googly & Bright Holiday Ornament Countdown Calendar
$25; https://brassmonkeygoods.com
Googly eyes make everything better - even the holidays. That’s why Brass Monkey’s ‘12 days of Christmas’ inspired countdown calendar features a new googly-eyed wooden ornament to hang every day, perfect for adding just the right touch of seasonal snark to your holiday festivities. Includes 12 unique googly-eyed ornaments made of wood with full color artwork, each hidden behind a perforated door. The ornaments are approximately 3” x 3" and feature ribbons for hanging.
Mudpuppy Ho Ho Howl! Countdown Puzzle Set
$23.99; Mudpuppy.com
The Ho Ho Howl! Countdown Puzzle Set features 12 mini puzzles of cute puppies participating in traditional holiday festivities to help you countdown to the holiday.
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.
Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Advent Calendar
$31.99; Amazon.com
Step into the eerie charm of Halloween Town with this spook-tacular storybook advent calendar, inspired by Tim Burton’s classic holiday tale. With 24 mini storybooks to unwrap—one for each day—this countdown to Christmas is filled with spooky surprises, festive fun, and all your favorite characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Behind each numbered door is a bite-sized book, perfect for fans of all ages who love a little fright with their festive cheer. Join Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, Oogie Boogie, and the rest of the gang as they prepare for a Christmas like no other—complete with ghostly gifts, skeleton snowmen, and plenty of mischievous holiday spirit. Beautifully designed and full of Halloween-meets-Christmas charm, this advent calendar makes every day a delightfully spooky treat.
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: October 2025
