The countdown to Christmas is an exciting time and there are so many Christmas activities for toddlers that you can enjoy together. Perhaps you are looking for a toddler advent calendar as these are a great way to count down to the big day with young children. I’ve rounded up a selection of the best advent calendars I can find so you don’t have to spend ages hunting for the perfect one for this holiday season.
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Advent calendar ideas for toddlers
There are lots of different types of fun advent calendars for kids of all ages. You do need to check the age recommendation of each one if your toddler is under 3 as they may contain small parts so many are only suitable for 3 and above.
Perhaps you want to keep it simple with an advent calendar with flaps and pictures like * this one. Or perhaps you’ll pick up a simple chocolate-filled advent calendar which are available in every supermarket. What toddler won’t enjoy getting a piece of chocolate every day of December?
Reusable advent calendars
Another great option is a reusable advent calendar that you can reuse each year. The one pictured above is one I picked up many years ago for my eldest. We still use it each December.
There are lots of advent calendar fillers available. I fill ours with little chocolates or sweets, hair clips, little decorations for the tree and other little things that fit in the small boxes. It’s a really fun tradition in our family.
Reusable advent calendars available in the UK
- * Christmas advent calendar hanging sacks, NOTHS, £20
- * Personalised Fabric Advent Calendar Wall Hanging Reusable Snowman Christmas Countdown, Etsy, £15.40
- * Personalised wall hanging advent calendar, M&S, £19.50
- * Black, white and gold advent calendar, The Range, £14.99
Another idea is to put slips of paper in each day with a new surprise activity that you can do together. Things like writing a letter to Santa, baking gingerbread biscuits or Christmas tree play dough.
This makes a really unique advent calendar that is tailored to your child. You can plan simple activities for your busy days and add in any festive treats or days out you have booked on the specific day. They’re a great way to make the festive season magical. Find more ideas here – activity ideas for your reusable advent calendar
There’s more to advent than advent calendars though. Find loads more Advent activities for kids here.
If you want the convivence of buying a ready-to-go toddler advent calendar, filled with 24 mini-collectables then keep reading. I’ve found some great book and toy advent calendars.
If you want the convivence of buying a ready-to-go toddler advent calendar, filled with 24 mini-collectables then keep reading. I’ve found some great ones. Unfortunately, to make the pieces small enough to fit, many of these calendars are 3 years plus. I have found a few that are suitable from 18 months, the book ones, Playmobil, Toot Toot and Fisher Price little people
The best non-chocolate advent calendars for toddlers
This is one of my favourite Christmas traditions that I started when my eldest was a baby. Simply wrap up a book for each day that you unwrap with your toddler and read one together each day. Find out to make your own book advent calendar here including the types of books to include, how to put one together without spending a lot of money and how to organise it easily.
Playmobil is great for toddlers and their toys are really well made and stand the test of time. Your toddler will gain a new piece each day which builds up to a really fun Christmas scene that your toddler will love to use in imaginative play. Then at the end of Christmas, pack it away and you can get it out for them to play with again next Christmas too.
Another Playmobile 123 advent calendar but this one includes bath toys that you can use all year around. The set of 25 pieces includes lots of fish and other floating accessories.
This December why not count down to Christmas with Sesame street? Behind each of the 24 doors is a new 16-page Sesame street mini-book to read together. Each book has a Christmas theme too.
CoComelon is incredibly popular with this age group so they will love this advent treat. Behind each door is a piece that builds up into a 24 piece playset. There are lots of familiar characters and Christmas accessories too.
Toddlers love play dough. This advent calendar includes a play mat and 24 mini pots of play dough and 24 tools or accessories for use with the play dough.
Again this one is suitable for ages 3 and up. It includes 24 figures of their favourites characters from the show and other activities along with a play mat to build a festive play scene.
This advent calendar has 24 days of Holiday surprises which includes cars and accessories. Suitable for children ages 3 and older. Perfect if you have a car mad 3 year old!
Elf on the shelf is a fun way to count down to Christmas. Have your very own cheeky elf come to stay for the run-up to Christmas and watch your toddler's delight each day as they see what fun he has been up to. The product says recommended from 3 years but I started when mine were toddlers and kept it simple and fun and they loved it!
If you love and your toddler love Disney, then a Disney book advent calendar might be the right choice for you. This one contains 24 min-books. A new mini storybook for you to read together, every day in the run-up to Christmas. Perfect if they love Mickey mouse and all the other Disney characters.
This Melissa & Doug Christmas advent calendar is a lovely way to count down to Christmas. There are 24 magnetic Christmas decorations, one to add to the tree each day. Again this one is suitable from 3 years old but you could decide to let your younger child add a decoration each day, under adult supervision and then keep it out of reach. It would only get rearranged every two minutes or all the baubles hidden if you did leave it within a toddler's reach anyway!
UK only toddler advent calendars
If you’re based in the UK, I’ve found some more ideas for you.
Little people advent calendar
This one is perfect for smaller children as it is suitable from aged 1. It contains a surprise behind each door that builds up to a play set. The play set featuring 7 character figures and 17 holiday-themed play pieces.
Available to * buy here.
Hey Dungee, book advent calendar
This is a great choice for toddlers featuring one of the most popular CBeebies characters. It includes a mini paperback book with a new Hey Dugee story behind every one of the 24 doors.
Available from The Works here – * Hey Dugee book advent calendar. It’s included with many others in a 2 for £20 offer making it a great choice if you need two advent calendars.
Find the full collection of great value advent calendars from The Works here – * The Works. There are loads to choose from including Disney, Peppa pig, the Gruffalo, CoCoMelon, Marvel and more.
Toot Toot advent calendar
Another UK only, one but it is suitable from 12 months is the * Toot toot advent calendar. There are a couple of different Toot Toot advent calendars to choose from featuring friends and drivers.
So there you have my favourite advent calendars for toddlers 2022. Which is your favourite?
More Christmas fun for toddlers
- Find my favourite Christmas books for babies here. These board books are great for toddlers too.
- How about making some homemade Christmas cards? these simple DIY marbled Christmas cards are fun and simple enough for toddlers.
- Find lots of Christmas cards for kids to make. There are ideas for all ages including toddlers.
- These ideas are specifically designed for todders – Christmas card ideas for toddlers.
- Find the best Christmas gifts ideas for toddlers here.
Find more seasonal activities for kids here.
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