The 16 Best Kids’ Advent Calendars to Get the Countdown Started

• Ages: 6+

Got a Potterhead on your hands? They’ll have a blast collecting new vinyl figures of their favorite characters each day. The Funko Pocket Pops include Harry, Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore and other reader favorites your child will want to stage on their bookshelf.

• Ages: 4+

The only thing kids love more than toys? Slime. So, you’ll basically win Christmas before it’s even begun by giving them this slime-filled advent calendar which contains 12 different scented slimes, plus 22 accessories (think foam beads, glitter and charms). The only loser in this scenario? Your couch cushions. Sorry, not sorry.

• Ages: 7+

Star Wars fans of all ages (yup, even Dad) will appreciate this assortment of Lego figures, mini figures and accessories, including Darth Vader and Poe Dameron. A few of the characters come decked out in festive apparel to really bring the Christmas spirit.

• Ages: 4+

This 92-piece Playmobil advent calendar has amassed nearly 2,000 five-star reviews thanks to its cute design, plus the lasting reward that comes from assembling the complete holiday playset within. Best of all, the advent calendar comes with three full-size cookie cutters so your Star Baker in training can help make cookies for Santa (and maybe satisfy their sweet tooth at the same time).

• Ages: 3+

This sturdy wooden design should last you a few seasons (unless they start begging for an advent calendar that involves chocolate). Parents say you’d be surprised by how many hours of play the kids will get out of sticking the magnetic ornaments on and off the tree over and over and over...

• Ages: 8+

For an advent calendar that comes with a side of STEAM, check out this popular pick from the smarty pants at National Geographic. Each day, your budding scientist will discover a new experiment (think: making a test tube glow or growing a colorful crystal tree) or gemstone specimen to add to their collection. Rock on.

• Ages: 10+

Your beauty-obsessed tween will go nuts when you present them with this advent calendar from Benefit Cosmetics. Whether there’s a pimple to banish or lashes to lengthen, this one has it covered. Is it a splurge? Yes. But it includes 24 of the beloved beauty line’s most coveted skincare and makeup products in fun-, mini- and even full-size, so if the kid in question already has a Sephora habit, you will certainly get your money’s worth.

• Ages: 4+

If you’re one of those families that watches Elf at least three times every December, then you can’t go wrong with this countdown based on the movie. One thing to note, though? These figures are straight-up tiny, so they could be a choking hazard for little kids.

• Ages: 3+

Big news for MAGNA-tile fans (and which kid isn’t?)! The beloved brand has launched its own advent calendar featuring 34 new holiday-themed tiles including a Santa and conductor (the whole set builds into a festive train). The mini tiles are compatible with other MAGNA-tiles so your kid can create an entire holiday-themed world. File this one under ‘gift that keeps on giving’.

• Ages: 3+

Parents of kids ages 4 all the way to 13 promise this squishy toy calendar will be a total hit. Behind each flap, they’ll find all kinds of adorable (and ultra squishable) animals, from elephants to penguins.

• Ages: 5+

Filled with assorted candy of all kinds, including red velvet and s’mores milk chocolate squares, this countdown from Dylan’s Candy Bar is a major step up from your traditional chocolate advent calendar. Better still, the elevated packaging design is worthy of putting on display.

• Ages: 5+

Your aspiring vet will be so excited to see what’s behind each of the 24 flaps, they might have a hard time limiting themselves to one a day. When December 24 finally arrives, they’ll have a 24-piece set of toys including a vet, two horses, two cats, a bunny and accessories to play with.

• Ages: 10+

Coloring books can be super relaxing…except when it takes five hours to complete a single page. Luckily, that’s not the case with this simple page-a-day advent calendar coloring book. As long as your child is 10 or older, they should be able to fill in each Christmas-themed image fairly quickly.

• Ages: 3+

His animal obsession doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon, so why not fuel it with this animal-themed calendar. Every day he’ll get a new mini animal figurine, which you know he’ll start playing with immediately. Fingers crossed you don’t end up stepping on one again.

• Ages: 5+

Football enthusiasts and trading card collectors will be thrilled to receive this advent calendar, which features comic book style pop-up packaging and one three-card pack for 24 days. The artwork on the cards is great and, like all collectibles, their value might appreciate over time—assuming your kid can keep them in mint condition, that is. Plus, nothing but Christmas can compete with the excitement that comes from opening a pack of cards and *maybe* finding your favorite player inside.