Non-chocolate Advent calendars for children have become a staple of the holiday season, offering daily surprises that range from collectible toys to creative activities. This year's selection includes options from LEGO, Bluey, Barbie, and more, all tested by children to assess quality and value for money.
Top Picks for Every Age and Interest
The Little People, BIG DREAMS Advent calendar stands out for its educational value, featuring 24 mini books about notable figures like David Beckham, Agatha Christie, and Harriet Tubman. Priced at £22.99 from Anthropologie, it opens into a giant book and is ideal for bedtime reading.
For Barbie fans, the Mattel Advent calendar starts with a full-sized doll behind the first door, followed by outfits and accessories to transform her into a mermaid, fairy, or princess. At £24 from Amazon, it includes a mini unicorn and other surprises, and is not Christmas-themed, so it can be enjoyed year-round.
Interactive and Collectible Options
The Clickeez Advent calendar offers 20 collectible toys with a satisfying click, including four exclusive Christmas-themed characters. Priced at £31.20 from Amazon, it comes with keychains for carrying and attaching the characters together.
The UNO Advent calendar, at £13.49 from Amazon (down from £17.99), includes a full deck of cards and unique game pieces behind 24 doors, though the cards are not full-sized. The LEGO Marvel Advent calendar, reduced to £24 from Argos, features Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Wolverine, with a play scene that unfolds from the box.
Creative and Traditional Alternatives
The Monsoon jewellery Advent calendar, priced at £18, reveals beads and charms over 12 days to build a Christmas-inspired bracelet. The JoJo Maman Bebe traditional Advent calendar, at £56, allows younger children to build a nativity scene with Velcro-backed characters.
The Bluey Fuzzies Advent calendar, at £18.17 from Amazon (down from £19.99), includes eight exclusive mini figures with a soft finish, plus stickers and trading cards. The Orchard Toys colouring and activity book, at £4, offers 25 festive activities and a template for writing to Santa.
Reusable and Personalised Calendars
The Avery Row Christmas Tree fabric Advent calendar, at £85, has 24 embroidered pockets that parents can fill with treats each year. The My 1st Years personalised Advent calendar house, at £62, can be customised with a name and sits on a shelf or windowsill, with 24 small drawers suitable for chocolate coins or surprises.
For PAW Patrol fans, the Advent calendar at £19.99 from Boots includes 10 collectible figures and seven vehicles, unfolding into a snowy Adventure Bay scene. The Hot Wheels Advent calendar, at £20 from Argos, features 10 cars and 14 accessories, including a snow globe car with a Yeti driver.
The Littlest Pet Shop Glam Glacier Advent calendar, at £22.99 from Amazon, includes six bobble-headed pets, accessories, and stickers, though some may prefer more pets over stickers. Overall, the best picks for 2026 are the Little People, BIG DREAMS for education, UNO for family fun, and Clickeez for collectors.
