The best advent calendars for children 2023

How many sleeps until Christmas?

Advent calendars that will last beyond December. Be it stationary, small sustainable toys and crafts, or even beauty treats hiding under those 24 little windows and doors (or, neatly packed into pretty boxes, hanging from brown paper bags, poking out from cloth pockets...) is the only way to count down until the big day.

And, get a little head start by buying them now (so, no last minute dash on November 30th) - as really you need to get your skates on - the best ones do sell out fast with our pick of the best eco and sustainable advents for all the family.

Here's our pick of the best advent calendars for children for 2023...

Grapat Advent Calendar at Conscious Craft

• For those who love: a keepsake heirloom treat
• Ideal for: children aged 3+
• Eco Credentials: wooden toys made from sustainable forests, using non-toxic water based colour stain

This limited edition Grapat advent calendar, is made up of 24 (can we just say, stunning) boxes containing different limited-edition surprises that link back to invitations to play and rituals proposed for each day of advent. It also includes a booklet full of ideas, traditions, and inspiration to guide you through this wonderful time of the year. >> BUY HERE

Fabric Advent Calendar by Selfridges

• For those who love: a little luxe at Christmas
• Ideal for: all the family
• Eco Credentials: made from cloth and rolls up for easy storage

These cheerful Selfridges themed cloth advent calendar has the makings of a family heirloom. With 24 pockets to fill - it will be a joy to bring out every December for an exciting and eco friendly build-up to the big day. Why have Selfridges never done this before? This classy calendar gives us all the Christmas feels. >> BUY HERE

Micro Small Soft Toy Advent from SHOP Disney

• For those who love: Disney and soft toys
• Ideal for: age 4+
• Eco Credentials: cute small soft collectable toys

This charming Disney Munchlings advent calendar features 12 days of collectable fluffy and collectable micro soft toys with a seasonal sweet treat theme - and are bound to become a collectors item. >> BUY HERE

Christmas Tree Advent from Daylesford

• For those who love: a little luxe treat
• Ideal for: age 4+
• Eco Credentials: Made with sustainable materials can be used over and over

Children of all ages will love counting down to Christmas Day with this unique tree shaped advent calendar. Each of the 25 drawers contains an organic chocolate, decoration, toy or treat for a daily gift to build festive excitement throughout December. >> BUY HERE

Canvas Advent calendar by Frugi

• For those who love: classic Frugi prints
• Ideal for: age 3+
• Eco Credentials: 100% sustainable and super-durable organic cotton canvas that can be used over and over

This Frugi Advent Calendar features lots of its distinctive characters - past and present - printed on the front of each of the soft and durable 24 pockets. Plus, the handy loops at the top make it easy to hang up with the rest of your Christmas decorations. What treats and treasures will you pop in? >> BUY HERE

Nutcracker Theatre Advent Calendar by Meri Meri

• For those who love: the classic Nutcracker story and crafts
• Ideal for: age 8+
• Eco Credentials: a truly special gift that will keep on giving for years to come!

Watch the classic ballet in the comfort of your own home with this amazing Nutcracker Theatre Advent Calendar by Meri Meri - a true investment it is made with eco-friendly paper and glitter. Every year Meri Meri blow us away with their creative calendars and this is no exception - this was introduced in 2021 and is available once again this year (hooray). Children open the box to reveal the theatre, orchestra pit and 3 scene changes - and each day they will receive the main characters and props, beautifully wrapped in numbered envelopes. Then on day 24 they will be delighted with a sensational gold tone charm bracelet with acrylic charms, tassels and bell. >> BUY HERE

Keepsake Advent Calendar by STYCH

• For those that like: accessories addicts
• Ideal for: older kids and tweens
• Eco Credentials: easy to store and reuse and fill year after year

This woven signature STYCH pink keepsake calendar is ideal for those tweens and young teens who prefer little girly treats like hair clips, slides and accessories - or, whatever they are into on each given year. This advent will make make the lead up to Christmas day extra special with each expandable little pocket edged in grosgrain - we love the grosgrain hanging tabs and ribbon to roll up and recycle and keep for each year too. See why they scooped silver in this years Junior Design Awards too >> BUY HERE

Galison Merry & Bright Advent Calender puzzle at John Lewis

• For those that like: puzzles
• Ideal for: children aged 12+
• Eco Credentials: Great re-use opportunity - if the pieces don't get lost!

This Merry & Bright Advent calendar puzzle captures the spirit of the holiday season with twelve whimsical illustrations by Louise Cunningham. Each puzzle is packaged in a matte-finish sturdy boxes, perfect for gifting, reuse, and storage. Fun for all the family and a daily Christmas activity but maybe not before breakfast or the school run! >> BUY HERE

Sephora Collection Advent at Sephora

• For those that like: make-up treats
• Ideal for: tweens and young teens age 9+
• Eco Credentials: once the products are removed/used it makes makes a great desk or jewellery storage box

Tweens and teens will be happy to swap chocolate advents this year for this Sephora Collection The Future is Yours Advent Calendar. Not only is there 24 face, body and hair own brand products to discover especially as it includes 24 exclusive videos on TikTok that can be accessed by flashing each of the QR codes for tutorials, makeup hacks and crash tests. >> BUY HERE

Milledeux Hair Accessory Advent Calendar at Childrensalon

• For those that love to: accessorise
• Ideal for: girls aged 3 + and tweens
• Eco Credentials: the box makes a sweet jewellery box/storage drawers afterward the 25th.

As big fans of Milledeux hair accessories (some of our faves include the pencils and the lobsters clips) could we be any more excited that they have continued their accessories advent box. The Milledaux advent calendar is a beautifully presented cardboard advent box filled with 24 little drawers that each contain a cute bow hair accessory. With a selection of slides, alligator clips, snap clips and hair bands (in either silver or gold versions) this is the stuff of every little girls dream. >> BUY HERE

BRIO Advent Calendar 2023 by BRIO

• For those that love: wooden toys and train sets
• Ideal for: toddlers and children ages 3+
• Eco Credentials: BRIO lasts forever and these seasonal extras will expand any Childs existing train set

The perfect introduction to the joy of wooden train sets for younger children with this festive themed Brio Advent - with exclusive seasonal pieces. Encouraging creativity, imagination and gross motor skills. Children can fold down the front of the box to reveal a Christmas scene full of fun, and then each day a doors open to reveal a classic BRIO toy that is compatible with the charming BRIO world railway system. >> BUY HERE

Woodland Christmas Tree Advent Calendar at Great Little Trading Co.

• For those who love: counting and stacking
• Ideal for: toddlers
• Eco Credentials: long lasting and can be used year after year

A special wooden advent calendar featuring Father Christmas and his woodland friends. This crafted set includes a Christmas tree with twenty-five numbered animals/festive-themed decorations to add to the tree - that are durable and safe for little hands - each numbered to correspond to a position on the tree itself. Fun and learning in one. >> BUY HERE

Avengers Advent Calendar by LEGO®

• For those who love: Lego or building toys
• Ideal for: Age 7+, Lego addicts as well as the whole family
• Eco Credentials: lego is timeless and these limited edition sets are what collectors wish for

Each year the Lego advent calendar offering gets bigger and bigger - and each promises to be as collectable as the next. If you have kids addicted to Lego (and who doesn't?) then they will enjoy a little daily 'buildable treat' and watching the Christmas scene come together in the festive run-up. We love this year's Marvel Advent Calendar. >> BUY HERE

Limited Edition Advent Calendar by Biscuiteers' and Emma Bridgewater

• For those who love: a touch of luxury
• Ideal for: all the family and biscuit lovers
• Eco Crendentials: ideal for any age - just refill with biscuits each year (we love to reuse the biscuit tins also)

The Biscuiteers' limited edition advent calendar is possibly one of our favourite reusable advents. Created in collaboration with ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater, this cloth calendar is the ultimate in luxury. An investment buy that will soon become part of your Christmas year after year inspired by Biscuiteers infamous advent tin, the 24 little pockets can be filled with sweets or treats or, why not go for the full Biscuiteers' experience and add its luxe advent calendar biscuit tin of cute festive designs in each pocket? >> BUY HERE

The Elf on the Shelf Sweet Spinners Car Advent

• For those who love: Elf on the shelf
• Ideal for: Ages 3 +
• Eco Credentials: the figures are all durable and reusable - why not add them to a cloth or card advent next year as small toy gifts?

Count down to Christmas with some sugar-spun fun from The Elf on the Shelf and Elf Pets (you either love them or hate them!). The offical advent includes playable mini figures, vehicles, trees and various racing props straight from Santa’s North Pole for pure, zip-zooming action throughout December. Plus, these are elves they can touch! (if you know, you know). >> BUY HERE or HERE

>> READ MORE: Elf on the Shelf : Stylish Elf on the Shelf fashions and accessories

Noahs Ark Advent Calendar by Orange Tree Toys

• For those who love: a classic advent that lasts beyond Christmas
• Ideal for: Ages 12 months+
• Eco Credentials: a wonderful play set that can be enjoyed long after Christmas

What's not to love about this Noahs Ark advent Calendar from one of Junior's favourite toy brands Orange Tree Toys? Filled with 24 beautiful wooden pieces for each day of advent - that then make up a beautiful Noah’s Ark play set for Christmas Day (and beyond)! Maybe the only time the animals don't come in two-by-two! >> BUY HERE

Santa's House Pop Up Advent Calendar by Meri Meri

• For those who love: Crafts, dollhouses and imaginative play
• Ideal for: Children aged 5+
• Eco Credentials: will bring hours of imaginative play as well as being a lovely keepsake

Ever wondered what Santa's house looks like? Well, wonder no more with this beautifully designed and crafted interactive paper advent calendar is a pleasure for doll house fans. Each day open the windows, and pop up icons, to reveal Santa and his elves and reindeer, a Christmas tree and gifts. >> BUY HERE or HERE

Toy Workshop Advent by JoJo Maman Bebe

• For those that love: wooden toys that last
• Ideal for: toddlers aged 3 +
• Eco Credentials: a true keepsake and reusable advent calendar

This classic themed advent includes 24 little drawers each filled with a wooden figures - all easy for little hands to open too! The sides open out as a play scene to use with the little wooden little toys where tots can glide Rudolph and his friends through the snow and put the elves to work in the workshop. >> BUY HERE

Colour In Christmas Advent Calendar by Selfie Clothing Co.

• For those that love: crafts and colouring
• Ideal for: the whole family
• Eco Credentials: a family heirloom in the making especially you add name

This Selfie Clothing Co.Colour In Christmas Advent Calendar will bring days of crafty Christmas fun colour. Coming with 8 fabric pens (and a practice sheet) this fabric printed calendar makes for a few minutes quiet each morning (or evening) as children (and even adults) can colour and create to their hearts content. What's more we love that there is no waste as the fabric pens will be clipped together to form a rod, which is then inserted through the hem at the top of the calendar - allowing the calendar to be hung in the family home, making a display that children will be proud to show off! Personalisation adds an extra special touch (fee applies). >> BUY HERE or HERE

Keepsake baby's First Advent Calendar by Max Made Me Do It

• For those who love: vintage and nostalgic designs
• Ideal for: babies first Christmas (or, the whole family)
• Eco Credentials: the perfect first memory box keepsake, or festive nursery decoration

This charming illustration and personalised Keepsake Baby's First Advent Calendar by Max Made Me Do It is the perfect babies first Christmas advent. More than just an advent this is a wonderful way for parents to remember special moments and occasions in the run up to their baby's first ever Christmas. With a little compartment next to each date you just jot down little anecdotes, notes, sketches about your babies festive activities, days out or, family events throughout December. >> BUY HERE

Eco Advent Calendar by PLAY in CHOC

• For those who love: to be eco conscious or, want a 'healthier' treat
• Ideal for: childen ages 5+
• Eco Credentials: 100% organic, Dairy, Nut, Gluten, Soy & Plastic FREE

The PLAY in CHOC Advent Calendar has 24 drawers each containing a 10g organic (and vegan friendly) chocolate with touch of coconut, a 3D puzzle and fun facts card. This environmentally responsible calendar then becomes an eco toy to play with on Christmas eve or some extra decorations - what's more if you replace the drawers (back to font) and open the outer sleeve it create a landscape play area. >> BUY HERE

Or, if you prefer, Play in Choc offer a smaller 12 day Advent Calendar. >> BUY HERE

Dinosaurs Advent 2023 by Schleich

• For those who love: classic toys and dinosaurs!
• Ideal for: Children aged 4+
• Eco Credentials: classic toys that get played with over and over

Fans of Schleich figures will delight at this new mystery offering that was 250 million years in the making! These delightful hand-painted, sculpted figures and accessories are iconic and this Schleich Dinosaurs Advent. Encourages learning through imaginative play - and what's more it offers repeat play once the Christmas tree is down. >> BUY HERE and HERE