Shop our guide to the best advent calendars of 2026!

Shop the best & most highly rated 2026 advent calendars for everyone to count down to the holidays in style. Beauty, toys, foodies, & more!

Check out our Christmas shopping challenge post to see the other gift guides you’ve missed so far.

Shop our list of top 2026 Advent Calendars:

1. Squishies

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for kids ages 3+ who love squishies, fidgets, and getting a tiny surprise every day leading up to Christmas.
• Why it made the list: With 24 colorful squishy and fidget toys in different shapes, textures, and Christmas-themed designs, this countdown is basically 24 days of sensory fun.
• The scoop: Open a numbered door each day to reveal a new squishy surprise that’s perfect for quiet time, travel, stocking stuffers, or just because!

2. MAGNA-TILES

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for kids ages 3+ who love building, creating, and getting a new little surprise to add to their magnetic tile collection each day.
• Why it made the list: This 34-piece countdown includes holiday-themed microMAGS, 10 decorated squares, 3 decorated triangles, a Santa, a Conductor, and a microChassis for building festive creations.
• The scoop: Open a new door each day to build out a holiday adventure, then use the microChassis on the track inside the package for an extra dose of hands-on fun!

3. Rubber Ducks 

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for kids, duck collectors, or anyone who thinks bath toys are way more fun when they’re dressed for Christmas.
• Why it made the list: This calendar includes 24 individually boxed rubber ducks featuring festive designs like Santa, reindeer, snowmen, elves, Christmas trees, and more.
• The scoop: There are no peek-through windows here, so each numbered box is a total surprise and the ducks can be used for bath time, holiday decor, party prizes, or stocking stuffers!

4. Play-Doh

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for creative kids ages 3+ who would rather spend their countdown making colorful Christmas creations than just opening another little trinket.
• Why it made the list: With 24 cans of Play-Doh in assorted colors plus 24+ surprise tools, accessories, and creation cards, there’s a new activity to discover behind every door.
• The scoop: Kids can use their daily surprises to bring the included snowman and gingerbread playmats to life while building a festive Play-Doh collection they can keep creating with all season long!

5. Bonne Maman 

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for foodies, hosts, jam lovers, or anyone who would happily trade a chocolate a day for a tiny jar of something delicious.
• Why it made the list: Behind each of the 24 doors is a mini glass jar filled with a different limited-edition holiday spread made with real fruit and seasonal flavors.
• The scoop: Made in France and packed in those iconic red-check-lid jars, this is a delicious countdown with reusable keepsakes you can repurpose long after Christmas!

6. Uno

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for UNO fans, game-night families, kids, or that friend who somehow turns every casual card game into a full-on competition.
• Why it made the list: This 24-day countdown is packed with a full UNO deck on day one plus special cards, surprise rules, and festive twists revealed throughout December.
• The scoop: Open a new door each day to add to the fun, then bring all the surprises together with the included instruction sheet for endless UNO game nights!

7. National Geographic Magic 

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for curious kids who love a little mystery, magic, and hands-on experimenting, especially those who are always asking “but how does that work?”
• Why it made the list: This 24-day calendar includes 15 classic magic tricks and 9 science experiments, from making coins disappear to creating magic snow and color-changing solutions.
• The scoop: Each day brings everything needed for a new trick or experiment, plus access to pro magician tutorial videos so kids can wow the whole family!

8. Anthropologie Beauty

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for beauty lovers, fragrance fanatics, or anyone who wants 24 days of little luxuries instead of the usual holiday treats.
• Why it made the list: This limited-edition calendar has 24 premium beauty favorites spanning skincare, haircare, makeup, fragrance, nails, and more, with a $300+ value.
• The scoop: From Living Proof and Sunday Riley to Juliette Has a Gun, Supergoop!, Caudalie, and Stila, every door brings a new beauty find to try, love, or gift!

Shopping around? Amazon just launched a Beauty Advent Calendar for $109 with a whopping $525 value! 😱

9. LEGO City 2026

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for LEGO-loving kids ages 5+ who want their Christmas countdown to include a new mini build or character every single day.
• Why it made the list: This 24-day calendar includes festive mini builds, Santa, Mrs. Claus, three elves, a snowman, a baby reindeer, and accessories for creating holiday adventures.
• The scoop: The box even folds out into a Santa’s workshop playmat, giving kids a festive setup for imaginative play as they build their way through December!

10. KiwiCo

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for crafty, curious kids who love hands-on projects and would rather make, build, and create.
• Why it made the list: KiwiCo has several Advent Calendar options, including Maker, Craft, Science, and Holiday themes, with each packed with hands-on activities and many priced under $50 for a seriously solid value.
• The scoop: Each box comes loaded with crafts and projects to keep kids busy throughout the countdown, making these a fun alternative to calendars filled with tiny trinkets!

11. Fly By Jing

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for spice lovers, adventurous foodies, Chinese flavor fans, or anyone who thinks a little heat makes everything better.
• Why it made the list: This 12-day countdown includes a mix of Fly By Jing fan favorites, returning classics, never-before-seen sauces, discontinued spice blends, and a limited-edition ornament.
• The scoop: With a brand-new 2026 assortment and festive Sichuan panda packaging, every door brings a vegan flavor surprise with nothing artificial, making this a seriously fun countdown for your kitchen.

12. National Parks Puzzles

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for national park lovers, puzzle fans, travelers, or anyone who’d rather spend December piecing together something beautiful than eating another chocolate.
• Why it made the list: This 24-day countdown builds into a 1,008-piece puzzle featuring 63 iconic U.S. national parks, with vintage-inspired artwork of favorites like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon.
• The scoop: Open a box each day to reveal 42 puzzle pieces and a new section of the masterpiece, then break it down and reuse the calendar year after year for a seriously cool holiday tradition!

13. Kitsch 

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for the beauty lover, hair accessory fan, or friend who deserves a little something fun to unwrap throughout the holiday season.
• Why it made the list: This 12-day countdown is filled with Kitsch favorites, from cute hair accessories to haircare treats, giving you a little self-care surprise behind every drawer.
• The scoop: With 12 festive surprises and 35% in savings, this is an easy pick for gifting or treating yourself to a daily dose of hair-loving goodness!

14. Fortnum & Mason Tea

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for tea lovers, cozy-season enthusiasts, or anyone who thinks December mornings deserve a fancy little cup of tea.
• Why it made the list: This elegant countdown features 24 individually wrapped teas from Fortnum & Mason, with a mix of classic blends, fragrant infusions, and festive flavors to discover.
• The scoop: Open a new tea surprise each day and sip your way through December with a delicious assortment that makes the countdown feel extra cozy and luxe!

Shopping around? This Tea Forte Advent Calendar is just $40 and still comes with all the cozy vibes.

15. Book Lovers

• Who’s it perfect for: Perfect for bookworms, cozy readers, or that friend whose idea of a perfect night involves a good book and absolutely no interruptions.
• Why it made the list: This literary-themed countdown is packed with bookish goodies like magnetic bookmarks, stickers, ornaments, and other fun surprises.
• The scoop: Instead of chocolate, open a numbered pocket each day to reveal a new little treat for your reading life, making December feel extra cozy and bookish!

All things Christmas starts here.

About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara’s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.