Baby advent calendar: 17 of the best baby advent calendars from Disney to Lego, and Paw Patrol

A baby advent calendar can help get your little one excited for Christmas

Baby advent calendar a montage of products
(Image credit: Future)
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Baby advent calendars are a brilliant way to introduce your little one to the magic and wonder of Christmas. 

The world of advent calendars is growing now, alongside chocolate advent calendars, there are now dog advent calendars, advent toy calendars and non-chocolate advent calendars - the ballerina charms in this roundup are adorable for older kids. Advent calendars are a tradition for most families, and if you're looking for one for your baby aged 0-24 months the best ones usually have books, bath toys, keepsakes, sensory toys, or a fill-your-own is great as you know what your baby likes. Plus you can fill with little toys they already own and may have forgotten about.

Before 12 months old it's likely your baby won't know what's going on or what you've bought them, but they do pick up on your energy so if you're excited about it each day they will know. And, if you want to do something nice because you want to, then go for it. Just know that you don't have to spend money, mum-of-twins, Dionne told us; "I remember wrapping up 24 different coloured blocks when my two were 10 months old as their 'advent calendar' they loved it."

Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley agrees; "Picture advent calendars can also be a nice way to countdown the days for babies, or 24 Christmas themed things to do with your baby each day - so making Christmas cards, singing Christmas songs, visiting a Christmas event together, that sort of thing. Babies won't remember an advent calendar, but they will get a lot out of doing activities and experiences with you."

Baby advent calendars 2022

0-6 months

1. Christmas advent calendar house: View at JoJoMamanBebe

1. Christmas advent calendar house: View at JoJoMamanBebe

RRP: £20 | Delivery: £4.50, 3-5 working days | Age suitability: 3 years+

At 0-6 months there's not much a baby will recognise. And, while this baby advent calendar is sat at 3 years + suitability, it could be a buy to kick start the advent tradition, an investment into memories for years to come. And, in the meantime pop some chocolates you like in the 24 drawers and let your little one have fun with the crinkly sensory sound of the discarded wrapping.

2. Baby's first advent calendar: View at Black & white Book Project

2. Baby's first advent calendar: View at Black & white Book Project

RRP: £25 | Delivery: 3-5 days, £3.95 | Age suitability: From birth

Introduce your newborn to the family Christmas tradition with this sensory flash cards. Made from paper you get two complete sets of full sized flash cards, in 24 envelopes to slide into the calendar for each day December on the lead up to Christmas.

3. My first advent calendar high contrast baby book: View at Amazon

3. My first advent calendar high contrast baby book: View at Amazon

RRP: £4.99 | Delivery: Free, 3-5 days | Age suitability: Newborn

Stark black on white are perfect for newborn babies, pick up with paperback and hold a page a day up to your baby for 24 days on the run up to Christmas. Start the festive tradition early.

  • View My first advent calendar high contrast baby book- Amazon
4. BIBS Baby advent calendar: View at nibbling

4. BIBS Baby advent calendar: View at nibbling

RRP: £110 | Delivery: From £4.75, within 14 days| Age suitability: 2 months +

A beyond useful advent calendar for baby and parents. Stylish and packed with 24 baby gifts. Including 16 dummies in pastel unisex colours, x14 BIBS Loops to secure dummies or toys over prams, a Nibbling Christmas Dummy Clip.

  • View BIBS baby advent calendar - Nibbling

6-12 months

5. Christmas memories advent calendar: View at Etsy

5. Christmas memories advent calendar: View at Etsy

RRP: £9.50 | Delivery: 3-5 days | Age suitability: Any age

Making memories is a huge part of growing up and this beautifully designed calendar allows you, the parents, to do just that. Whether it's enjoying hot chocolate wrapped in blankets looking at the stars, watching Elf, baking mince pies or clearing out old toys to donate, make a note and save each year. 

  • View Christmas memories advent calendar - Etsy
6. Personalised wooden advent calendar: View at Etsy

6. Personalised wooden advent calendar: View at Etsy

RRP: £22.95 | Delivery: 3-5 days| Age suitability: 3 years +

While the age is stated at 3 years + with direct supervision this beautiful handmade wooden countdown is a great way to involve your little one. Show them, with your hand over theirs, how to move the reindeer each day. "My little one loved this," says, Lisa mum-of-one. "She'd point to it each morning, so I'd lift her to it to move it. She's four now and does it herself each day."

  • View personalised wooden advent calendar - Etsy
7. The Gruffalo and Friends advent book collection: View at Amazon, The Works, JoJoMamanBebe, 

7. The Gruffalo and Friends advent book collection: View at Amazon, The Works, JoJoMamanBebe, 

RRP: £19.99 | Delivery: 3-5 days | Age suitability: 6 months+

The Gruffalo is a firm favourite for many kids. Ant this giant 'book' has 24 individually wrapped mini books form the Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler range, such as Monkey Puzzle, Room on the Broom and Gruffalo's Child. All presented in a beautiful red bow. Dad-of-one, Rob tells us how his son loved this last year; "we got something very similar last year, with mini books, and he was just so excited to get a new one to read each morning. I had to start factoring in an extra 10 minutes before nursery to read them."

8. Disney Storybook collection advent calendar: View at Argos, WH Smith, Amazon

8. Disney Storybook collection advent calendar: View at Argos, WH Smith, Amazon

RRP: £21.99 | Delivery: Free | Age suitability: 6 months+

Christmas will feel like it's come early for Disney fans with this immaculate collection of mini books, including - Mickey Mouse and friends, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story,  The Lion King, Luca and more. 

9. Cocomelon advent calendar: View at The Works, Amazon

9. Cocomelon advent calendar: View at The Works, Amazon

RRP: £21.99 | Delivery: £2.99 within 3 days | Age suitability: 6 months+

Cult classic Cocomelon in advent calendar form - the kids will love it. Main man, Cocomelon and the gang are all here with 24 days of festive-fun including: songs, stories, colouring, learning and much more.

12 months+

10. Noah's Ark wooden-character advent calendar: View at Selfridges

10. Noah's Ark wooden-character advent calendar: View at Selfridges

RRP: £30 | Delivery: £5, 3-5 days  | Age suitability: 12 months+

Made from 100% wood this beautiful 'Orange Tree Toys advent calendar includes 24 wooden characters, all hand painted. Start with the ark on Dec 1 then slowly add a piece a day on the run up to Christmas. 

  • View Noah's Ark wooden-character advent calendar - Selfridges
11. Kids Play Dough advent calendar Playset: View at Boots, Amazon

11. Kids Play Dough advent calendar Playset: View at Boots, Amazon

RRP: £28 | Delivery: Free, 5-10 days| Age suitability: 3 years +

As baby advent calendar's go, most kids of all ages love the never-ending fun of Play-Doh so this is  bound to be a hit advent calendar this year. There are 24 secret doors hiding a different surprise for each day on the run up to The Big Day. Including, five Play- cans featuring two Sparkle cans to let your season shine.

  • View Kids Play Dough advent calendar Playset - Boots, Amazon
12. Christmas countdown toys for kids: View at Amazon

12. Christmas countdown toys for kids: View at Amazon

RRP: £19.99 | Delivery: Free, 3-5 days| Age suitability: 12 months +

Open a door every day to reveal 24 different cute toys including dinosaur, rabbit, Christmas style snowman and Santa Claus. Suitable for babies 36 months. Made from high quality TPR, non-toxic and BFA free, safe for kids

  • View Christmas countdown toys for kids - Amazon
13. Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas wooden advent calendar: View at Amazon

13. Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas wooden advent calendar: View at Amazon

RRP: £24.99 | Delivery: Free, 3-5 days | Age suitability: 3 years +

This beautiful wooden tree goes up bare on December 1st, then with each passing day your little one decorates it with a decoration of their choice. "My son loved this and would spend ages each morning debating which one he would hang that day. I'd like to say we had this instead of a chocolate one, but he actually had both, what can I say." mum-of-one, Jas tells us.

  • View Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas wooden advent calendar -  Amazon
14. City Vehicles advent calendar: View at John Lewis

14. City Vehicles advent calendar: View at John Lewis

RRP: £25 | Delivery: £3.95, 3-5 days | Age suitability: 12 months +

Your kids will love the countdown to Christmas with these 24 brilliant city speeders. Inspiring imaginative play and story telling skills. And the advent box makes the perfect road backdrop. 

15. Paw Patrol advent calendar: View at Amazon

15. Paw Patrol advent calendar: View at Amazon

RRP: £10.99| Delivery: Free, 3-5 days| Age suitability: 12 months + 

Calling all Paw Patrol fans! This advent calendar is not to be missed.  Jam packed with a creative stationery behind every door. Including, six mini colouring pencils, three water based coloured pens, two crayons, three glitter glues, two erasers, sharpener, three mini stamps, three stamps, stamp ink pad, sticker sheet, sticky pad, memo pad and two colouring sheets. It might be just the thing to get them in the mood to 'write' thank you notes. 

  • View Paw Patrol Advent Calendar - Amazon
16. Lego Friends advent calendar: View at Amazon, Asda

16. Lego Friends advent calendar: View at Amazon, Asda

RRP: £37.99| Delivery: Free, 3-5 days| Age suitability: 12 months +

This amazing set will help your little ones countdown to Christmas, each day brings another element to the play. The mini builds and characters make up one of three story scenarios that can be played with long after Christmas Day.

17. Thomas & Friends minis advent calendar: View at John Lewis, Amazon

17. Thomas & Friends minis advent calendar: View at John Lewis, Amazon

RRP: £34.99| Delivery: Free, 3-5 days| Age suitability: 12 months +

With 24 mini train engines for each day on the run up to Christmas, any Thomas fan will love this advent calendar. And, the back of the box also turns into a cardboard train line. All aboard!

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Stephanie Lowe
Family Editor

Stephanie has been a journalist since 2008, she is a true dynamo in the world of women's lifestyle and family content. From child development and psychology to delicious recipes, interior inspiration, and fun-packed kids' activities, she covers it all with flair. Whether it's the emotional journey of matrescence, the mental juggling act of being the default parent, or breaking the cycle of parenting patterns, Stephanie knows it inside out backed by her studies in child psychology. Stephanie lives in Kent with her husband and son, Ted. Just keeping on top of school emails/fundraisers/non-uniform days/packed lunches is her second full-time job.

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