Christmas is hurtling towards us and if you've not yet bought your child an advent calendar, take this as your sign to do so. With K Pop Demon Hunters being the talk of the playground, a K-Pop advent calendar is bound to feature high on their wish list, not to mention the traditional chocolate advent calendars for kids, jewellery, LEGO and more.
The anticipation and build-up to the special visit from Father Christmas is almost as magic as the big day itself, and opening a new window and getting a treat as they count down the days just adds to the magic. And if anything, there's almost too much choice out there. So we've compiled an edit of advent calendars for kids, some personally tried and tested by the children of the HELLO! team.
- K Pop Demon Hunter fan: Demon Hunters Advent Calendar, £9.99 / $18.99
- Bluey: Bluey Hair Accessories Advent Calendar, £11.99 / $26.99
- Girls: Polly Pocket Advent Calendar, £25 / $22.99
- Boys: Hot Wheels Advent Calendar, £25.99 / $26.99
- Chocolate: Lindt Teddy Chocolate Advent Calendar, £15 / $23.99
- Minecraft: Minecraft Keepsake Box Advent Calendar, £35 / $31.99
- One to inspire them: Little People, BIG DREAMS: Advent Calendar Book Collection, £15.99 / $23.99
- Harry Potter: Harry Potter Hogwarts Jelly Belly Advent Calendar, £23
We've only included the very best, as rated by our tiny testers and there’s something for everyone, whether you’re after something for a little one who loves LEGO or a Polly Pocket fanatic who can't get enough of the mini dolls. The more popular advent calendars for kids often sell out – so it's a good idea to get in there and order them early. Keep scrolling to see them all...
What will be the trending advent calendar for kids in 2025?
HELLO!'s Shopping Editor Carla Challis predicts the K Pop Demon Hunters advent calendar will be hugely popular - the movie is now the most popular Netflix film of all time. "My six-year-old and her friends are still K Pop Demon Hunters obsessed, and I predict this keyring advent calendar with a character charm behind each door will become one of the most popular for children.
"Plus the popularity of Minecraft in the playground signifies that an advent calendar celebrating all things Minecraft will be in big demand. From Minecraft figure advent calendars to chocolate, there's a range to choose from.
"And you can't deny the appeal of a beauty advent calendar, especially for tweens. They'll love ones like the Baylis & Harding Beauticology Advent, packed with bath products, bath fizzies and hair accessories."
© Carla ChallisIf it's chocolate your child would prefer, Cadbury's or Lindt is always popular, and affordable at under £9. There's plenty with the trending toys of the moment too, including Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket and everyone's favourite, slime."
How we chose the best advent calendars for kids
- Price: We wanted to cater to all budgets in this gift guide, from those wanting a budget advent calendar to those with a bit more to spend.
- Personal experience: Several of the HELLO! team, myself included are parents with years of experience of buying advent calendars for our children of all ages. We've included the tried and tested calendars we love, and we're constantly reviewing new releases.
- Reviews: Where it wasn't possible to try the advent calendars ourselves, we only included options with a high volume of positive reviews from verified shoppers
- Variety: Some kids love dolls and sparkly things, others are animal or game-obsessed. We tried to include something for everyone in our gift guide to suit all ages.
Best advent calendars for kids 2025
1/18
Demon Hunters Advent Calendar
© Amazon- Best: Trending advent calendar for kids
- Type: Toy
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Suitable for all ages
Why kids will love it: The merch for the Netflix movie is definitely on this way and this advent calendar is such an easy buy for a kid who's obsessed.
This advent has 24 keychains inside for your child to pop on their school bag or share with friends.
2/18
Lindt Chocolate Teddy Advent Calendar
© Lindt- Best: Cute chocolate calendar
- Type: Chocolate
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Suitable for all ages
Why kids will love it: Who doesn't love a Lindt teddy at this time of year?
Inside, there's a mini Lindt chocolate teddy or snowball every day and a larger teddy behind door number 24.
3/18
Bluey Advent Calendar with Hair Accessories
© Amazon- Best for: Bluey fans
- Type: Accesories
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Ages 3 and up
Why kids will love it: When it comes to kids' TV shows, Bluey is up there with one of the best - and this hair accessories filled advent calendar is sure to delight your little Heelers.
4/18
Minecraft 24 Days Keepsake Box Advent Calendar
© Menkind- Best: For younger kids
- Type: Toys
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: 3 years and above
Why kids will love it: This fun calendar filled with Minecraft merch is perfect for children who love it.
"The box can be used as a keepsake for children to store their bits and bobs, and inside they'll find Minecraft themed games and accessories.
5/18
Little People, BIG DREAMS: Advent Calendar Book Collection
© Amazon- Best: For inspiring them and encouraging them to dream big
- Type: Books
- Reusable? Yes
- Age suitability: Suitable for all ages
Why kids will love it: In world full of iPads and overstimulation, it’s easy to forget how imperative books are, especially for children.
"This houses 24 envelopes, each with a miniature version of the brand’s most famous, best-loved books. The books are designed in bite-sized, easy-to-digest information and have the most beautiful illustrations.
6/18
Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
© John Lewis- Best: Boy advent calendar
- Type: Toys
- Reusable? Yes
- Age Suitability: 3+
Why kids will love it: The set includes 34 pieces in total for the Hot Wheels fan. There's 10 vehicles with one that's exclusive to the set, 10 ornament clips to put each car on display and 14 surprise accessories such as a yeti or gingerbread house.
7/18
Slime Advent Calendar
© Sesameless- Best: Sensory advent calendar for kids
- Type: Slime
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: 3 years and above
Why kids will love it: These colourful pots with sprinkles and charms will bring so much joy. They came in little pots with lids, so once you had them out of the windows, you could easily stack them and keep them to play with later.
"The slime was super soft too. A must for slime lovers."
8/18
Meri Meri x Laduree Advent Calendar
© Meri Meri- Best: For 'girlie' girls
- Type: Accesories
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Ages 3 and up
Why kids will love it: What do little girls love more than chocolate? Jewellery! And so do their mothers because it's so cute.
This gorgeous advent calendar by Meri Meri houses the prettiest collection of accessories in collaboration with Laduree. It’s such a treat for your little one. Also, having a keepsake item each day for the month of advent is super special.
9/18
Beauticology Cosmic 24 Days of Beauty Calendar
© Beauticology- Best: For girls
- Type: Beauty and bath
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Ages 3 and up
Why kids will love it: If they're a budding tween, let them live out their beauty fascination with this child-friendly, magical advent, packed with Beauticology treats including bath bombs, body wash and shower gel in sweet scents like unicorn candy and candy floss.
10/18
LEGO City Advent Calendar 2025
© LEGO- Best: For ages 5-7
- Type: LEGO
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Ages 5 and up
Why kids will love it: Kids have to add mini characters to the LEGO Christmas scene each morning, and it comes with a snowy winter scene playmat to place all the figurines on.
Each door also has a guide showing you how to build your gift.
11/18
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Gemstone Advent Calendar
© NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC- Best: STEM advent calendar for kids
- Type: Gemstones
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: 3 years and above
Why kids will love it: There are 24 beautiful specimens behind the doors and a pouch to keep them safe. The last day will bring even more excitement - a rose quartz gem that has to be extracted from a min dig, just like a real geologist does!
The calendar also comes with five jewellery settings so kids can make necklaces, clip-on earrings and rings.
12/18
Polly Pocket Advent Calendar 2025
© John Lewis- Best: For girls
- Type: Toys
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Ages 4+
Why kids will love it: Each day throws up a new surprise, which builds the festive Polly Pocket scene ready for plenty of play come December 25.
13/18
Play-Doh Advent Calendar
© Play-Doh- Best: To encourage imaginative play
- Type: Play-Doh
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: 3 years and above
Why kids will love it: You get a 28g tub of Play-Doh and a tool behind each door, plus there are festive idea cards to help little ones complete the snowy scene that the box folds out to.
14/18
Disney Princess Small Doll Advent Calendar
© Very- Best: For Disney Fans
- Type: Toys
- Reusable? Yes
- Age suitability: 3+
Why kids will love it: Includes three dolls, three character friends and over 20 accessories - plus a sweet festive themed scene.
15/18
The Naked Marshmallow Advent Calendar
© The Naked Marshmallow- Best For: Those with a sweet tooth
- Type: Food
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Not specified
Why kids will love it: This advent calendar will give their winter hot chocolate the ultimate upgrade with 25 gourmet - and delicious - marshmallows. Think cookies and cream, candy floss and fizzy watermelon.
16/18
Pokémon Deluxe Holiday Calendar
© Pokémon- Best: For Pokemon fans who DON’T collect the cards
- Type: Toys/figures
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Ages 3 and up
Why kids will love it: The figures included are practically indestructible and is great if you have a child who loves watching the Pokémon cartoons but isn’t fussed about collecting the cards.
17/18
Thornton's Personalised Chocolate Children's Advent Calendar
© Thornton's- Best: Luxury chocolate advent calendar for kids
- Type: Chocolate
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: Suitable for all ages
Why kids will love it: This luxurious advent calendar is perfect for those kids who love something personalised, as their name can be added for free on the chocolate slab.
18/18
Disney Crystal Art Advent Calendar
© Craft Buddy- Best: Craft advent calendar for kids
- Type: Craft
- Reusable? No
- Age suitability: 6+
Why kids will love it: One for kids over six, this sweet crafty advent calendar has 24 mini crystal art kits for them to make every day in the lead up to Christmas.
Each advent surprise features a beloved character, Mickey Mouse to Elsa from ‘Frozen’ and of course, Stitch! Each kit fits onto a Christmas tree, which once finished at 24 days, becomes its own piece of art.
