12 best craft advent calendars 2023: From sewing and plasticine to stationery and felt

(Image credit: Future)

last updated 26 October 2023

As best craft advent calendars go any keen crafters in your life will love our festive round up of - from felt and plasticine to sewing and painting.

It's fair to say that non chocolate advent calendars have evolved over the years, with demand through the roof for perfume advent calendars and the best toy advent calendars (though we are STILL fans of the classic and best chocolate calendars). And we've noticed a fair few craft-based advent calendars cropping up this year that are sure to keep both kids and adults entertained.

First, here's how we chose the best craft advent calendars;

Reviews: We try to review all products we deem 'best' but where we've been unable to test ourselves, we have dug deep into comments to check what consistently scored highly from verified shoppers who rated them for value for money and quality items.
Price: We have included calendars to suit all budgets. It's worth noting though that, craft advents can cost more than your average advent calendar.
Variety: Crafting includes many different forms and techniques, from cross stitch to Hama beads. We have included something for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro after a 24-day sewing project, wanting to try something new - like a paint-along watercolour calendar - or looking for something unusual to keep the kids occupied during advent, there’s a whole host of options out there. Read on to discover our pick of the best craft advent calendars for 2022.

12 best craft advent calendars 2023:

Why you can trust GoodtoKnow. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.

1. Mini Envelope Advent Calendar

Delivery: Standard | Available: Now

This one's a great choice for those who prefer a homemade advent calendar. The sweet gold and white set comes with a stand with feet, a sticker sheet, 24 envelopes, and 24 note cards. Write on the note cards, and fill each envelope with a personalised treat - from vouchers and small trinkets to meaning full messages - and open them every day in the run-up to Christmas.

2. Christmas Tree Pop and Slot Advent Calendar

Delivery: Next day/Standard | Available: Now

Tired of watching re-runs and playing board games to pass the time over Christmas? Round up the family to construct this adorable treehouse advent calendar from greetings card manufacturer Roger La Borde. Another great thing about this advent sturdy calendar is that you can reuse it year after year, or simply keep it as a special Christmas decoration once it's fully assembled.

3. Digital Download Watercolour Advent Calendar

Delivery: Free download | Available: Now

We love the interactive element to this watercolour advent calendar, that's had hundreds of five-star reviews on Etsy. Once you've downloaded the calendar sheet and printed it out, you then follow a daily watercolour YouTube tutorial on the countdown to Christmas, painting your creation onto the calendar. A lot more wholesome than chocolate advent calendars, perfect for those new to painting.

4. Plasticine Christmas Advent Calendar

Delivery: Express/Standard | Available: Now

Learn how to make a new and fantastically festive model each day in the countdown to Christmas with this fun 24 door plasticine calendar. From a reindeer to a Christmas pudding to crackers and presents. And, this particular plasticine never dries out, meaning you can recreate your favourites again and keep it in the cupboard until next year's festivities. Suitable for ages five and over, it's great for creative kids and adults.

5. The Purple Cow Arts and Crafts Advent Calendar

Delivery: Next day/Standard | Available: Now

There's nothing like some Christmas crafts for kids to get them into the festive spirit. And thankfully this handy calendar has a seasonal craft wrapped up and ready to go for every day during the lead up to Christmas. Kick things off on day one with an easy beaded star Christmas tree decoration and progress all to a homemade Reindeer card. You'll find all the bits needed to craft, plus a colourful manual.

6. Hama Bead Advent Calendar

Delivery: Next day/Standard | Available: Now

This Hama bead advent calendar is sure to keep kids quiet for half an hour or so in the build-up to Christmas. The sweet set features beads, stencils and behind each door is a Hama bead inspired festive design to recreate, including a Christmas tree, a penguin and a star. Once finished, the creative decorations are perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree or using as gift tags. Irons at the ready mum and dad!

7. Aquabeads Advent Calendar

Delivery: Next day/Standard | Available: Now

If you like the idea of the Hama bead advent calendar but aren't sure about getting the iron out every day, this Aquabead advent calendar might be for you. Similar to ironing beads, these magically connect, but by spraying water. The set includes beads with 24 Christmassy templates, as well as a stand for the finished creations, there's a farm-themed version too.

8. Fluffy Slime Advent Calendar

Delivery: Standard | Available: Now

For kids who can't get enough of slime time, this advent calendar is perfect. The 24 door set gives includes 12 pre-made slimes in various vibrant colours, and on the other 12 days you'll find fabulous accessories to pimp up the slime - think foam balls, different colour glitter and little toy charms. Have your kids mix up the components and see what special slime they can create.

9. Play-Doh Advent Calendar

Delivery: Next day/Standard | Available: Now

Young crafters will love getting their hands busy with this fun Play-Doh advent calendar. With 24 surprises in total, including five tubs of Play-Doh plus two Sparkle cans for some extra Christmas dazzle, and fun moulds, cute Christmas accessories and a pair of plastic scissors to construct colourful creations.

10. Christmas Advent Calendar Hand Embroidery Kit

Delivery: Standard | Available: Now

This embroidery kit encourages the whole household to get involved with creating a festive project for advent. The set includes needles and eight colours of floss as well as two square of fabric, though you can stitch the designs wherever you like - perhaps onto a set of napkins ready for Christmas dinner. The step-by-step instructions included are designed to accommodate beginners.

11.The Make Arcade Craftvent Advent Calendar Sewing Kit

Delivery: Standard | Available: Now

This whole advent calendar gave very DIY vibes, the paper striped bags, the sticker numbers showing which one to open next - we loved it. "My son loves felt crafting," Sam mum-of-two, tells us. I'd say they take around 45 mins to an hour to do each one, so sometimes we save a few for the weekend. But the decorations will last a lifetime which we love."

12. Sew Your Own Felt Advent Calendar

Delivery: Standard | Available: Now

These cute projects are quick to make using a few pieces of felt, stuffing, thread and ribbons. Best-selling author Sachiyo Ishii shows you how with an easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and templates for 24 tiny felt toys to place in the pockets. Mum-of-two, Louise tells us this was a great focus activity. "My girls loved this so much, they're far from perfect but they tried their hardest which is all that mattes."

What to look for in a craft advent calendar

"The best craft advent calendars for kids aren’t always the most expensive ones,” says our consumer editor, Heidi Scrimgeour. “Very often the simplest craft activities are the ones that children find most absorbing. My top tip before you buy is to think about what kind of activities truly engage your child. If they lose interest easily in time-consuming crafts, for example, don’t waste your money on a calendar that might overwhelm them. Instead, pick one that plays to your child’s individual creative strengths and interests. For some kids the fun is in the crafting activity itself while others are all about the end result. And above all, to get your money’s worth, remember that the best craft advent calendar is one that you enjoy together. Even if it’s jus a few minutes of fun creating together, what kids really love about crafts, in my view, is that they slow us down and make us get involved too.”

And now it's time to get ahead for Christmas with Argos' latest Top Christmas toys to buy (most are under £30!) the best chocolate advent calendars and the LEGO discount codes you need to know about, not to mention the cutest Christmas traditions to try.

Heidi Scrimgeour

As a parenting specialist, Heidi has written for Prima Baby, Gurgle and Practical Parenting and was baby gear editor of Mother & Baby magazine for six years, looking after regular consumer features for the shopping pages as well as specialist consumer content such as buying guides and gift guides.

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Ellie is GoodtoKnow’s Family News Editor and covers all the latest trends in the parenting world - from relationship advice and baby names to wellbeing and self-care ideas for busy mums. Ellie is also an NCTJ-qualified journalist and has a distinction in MA Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and a first-class degree in Journalism from Cardiff University. Previously, Ellie has worked with BBC Good Food, The Big Issue, and the Nottingham Post, as well as freelancing as an arts and entertainment writer alongside her studies. When she’s not got her nose in a book, you’ll probably find Ellie jogging around her local park, indulging in an insta-worthy restaurant, or watching Netflix’s newest true crime documentary.