The Best Advent Calendars for Kids in 2026: LEGO to Squishies, Dumplings, Bluey, and More
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Advent calendars have gotten way more fun than the chocolate-filled versions I remember as a kid (although, I still love those, too!). This year, there are LEGO builds, Hot Wheels cars, gemstones, books, squishies and plenty of other surprises kids will actually get excited to open.
One already has my attention: the dumpling squishy Advent calendar. My daughter is currently obsessed with dumplings, so I have a feeling this one is going to make an early appearance at our house this year.
We rounded up some of the best Advent calendars for kids we’ve found for 2026, including fun picks for LEGO fans, younger kids, collectors and kids who would rather build, create or play than open another piece of chocolate.
Our Favorite Advent Calendars for Kids
Not sure where to start? These are six of the Advent calendars that immediately stood out to us this year.
⭐ THE ONE WE’RE EYEING
Dumpling Squishy Advent Calendar
24 mini dumpling squeeze toys for the Christmas countdown.
💎 FOR CURIOUS KIDS
National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
24 gemstones plus a final-day dig brick.
🐶 FOR BLUEY FANS
Bluey Advent Calendar 2026
24 surprises with Bluey, Bingo, holiday accessories and more.
🏎️ FOR CAR LOVERS
Hot Wheels Advent Calendar 2026
10 vehicles plus winter accessories and ornament clips.
🎁 FOR YOUNGER KIDS
Little People Barbie Advent Calendar
24 toy figures and accessories. Ages 18 months+.
Best LEGO Advent Calendars for Kids
LEGO has several 2026 Advent calendars to choose from, so you can match the calendar to whatever your kid is into right now, from Star Wars and Marvel to Disney Princesses.
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026
293 pieces with festive Star Wars minifigures. Ages 6+.
LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar 2026
317 pieces with festive Marvel minifigures. Ages 6+.
LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026
211 pieces with three minidolls and six animal figures. Ages 6+.
LEGO Disney Princess Advent Calendar 2026
290 pieces with four Disney Princess microdolls. Ages 5+.
Fun Advent Calendars for Kids
For kids who already have a favorite character, toy or collection, these calendars make the countdown feel a little more personal.
Bluey Advent Calendar 2026
24 surprises including Bluey, Bingo, Bartlebee, holiday accessories and stickers.
Hot Wheels Advent Calendar 2026
10 Hot Wheels vehicles plus 14 winter-themed accessories and 10 ornament clips.
Funko Disney Advent Calendar
24 days of mystery Disney Pocket Pop figures.
Harry Potter Official Advent Calendar
25 days of Hogwarts-themed stationery, key chains, washi tape and more.
Squishy Advent Calendars
Squishy Advent calendars are one of the more fun options we’re seeing this year, with everything from cute characters to tiny dumplings hidden behind the doors.
GOODERIE PICK · THE ONE WE’RE EYEING
Dumpling Squishy Advent Calendar
My daughter is obsessed with dumplings right now, so this was immediately one of my favorite finds. There are 24 mini dumpling squeeze toys inside, and I have a feeling this one may be arriving at our house well before December.
Cute Squishy Advent Calendar
24 days of surprise sensory squishy toys.
Fidget Squishy Advent Calendar
A 24-day Christmas countdown filled with squishy toys.
Advent Calendars for Toddlers & Younger Kids
For younger kids, we looked for recognizable characters, books and toys that make the daily countdown easy to enjoy.
Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Advent Calendar
24 toy figures and accessories for kids ages 18 months+.
Little Golden Books Advent Calendar
24 winter holiday books for a story-filled Christmas countdown.
Rubber Duck Advent Calendar
24 festive rubber duck bath toys for ages 3–8.
Magnetic Dinosaur Train Advent Calendar
A 12-day magnetic wooden dinosaur train countdown.
STEM & Activity Advent Calendars for Kids
Not every Advent calendar has to be another collection of little toys. These options give kids something to build, discover or create throughout December.
National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
24 polished gemstones, jewelry settings and a final-day dig brick.
Flower & Succulent Building Advent Calendar
12 flower and 12 succulent building kits. Ages 6+.
Slime & Charms Advent Calendar
10 slime pots plus 19 mix-ins for a hands-on countdown.
Dinosaur Monster Truck Advent Calendar
21 pull-back dinosaur vehicles plus play accessories and a built-in play map.
Chocolate & Treat Advent Calendars for Kids
And sometimes the classic chocolate Advent calendar is exactly what you’re looking for.
Kinder Chocolate Advent Calendar
A 24-piece Kinder chocolate countdown.
Gooderie Tip: Prices and availability can change quickly as the holidays get closer, so always check the current listing before you buy.
Which Advent Calendar Should You Choose?
The best Advent calendar really comes down to what your kid already loves. LEGO fans have several great 2026 options, while younger kids may get more excited about Bluey, Little People or a new book every day. And if your house is currently in its squishy era like ours, there are plenty of fun options for that, too.
We’ll keep updating this guide as we find more Advent calendars worth adding for 2026.
KJ is the co-founder of The Gooderie, which she runs with her husband, Kyle, and an ecommerce, marketing, and SEO expert with 17+ years of experience. After nearly two decades working behind the scenes with retail data, pricing, digital publishing, and online shopping, she turned her professional experience and lifelong love of shopping and deal hunting into a resource for smarter shoppers. At The Gooderie, KJ specializes in finding and verifying deals, researching products, testing finds firsthand, and sharing the shopping strategies she’s learned throughout her career.
