The Best Alternative Advent Calendars for Children in 2026

Limited Edition Grapat Advent Calendar, £90.95 Babipur

For those who love: Spending some quality time together during the busy festive period.
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials: Now in its fifth year, this mindful calendar encourages a screen-free daily ritual with little wooden figures.

MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar, £39.99, Amazon

For those who love: Adventure Loving Kids
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials: Featuring festive MAGNA-TILES, including Santa, a conductor and a microChassis, this calendar encourages creative construction play long after Christmas.

Canvas Advent Calendar, £40, Frugi

For those who love: Those classic Frugi prints and motifs
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials: Made from organic cotton canvas, this reusable calendar can be filled and hung up year after year.

Gingerbread Sticker Advent Calendar, £23, Meri Meri

For those who love: Crafts, dollhouses and imaginative play
Ideal for: Ages 5+
Eco Credentials:  This  gingerbread-house design and decorative stickers make this a fun choice for children who enjoy crafts and imaginative play

Nativity Story Filled Advent Calendar, £39, JoJo Maman Bebe

For those that like: The Classic Christmas Story
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials: This sturdy wooden advent calendar can be brought out year after year, becoming a much-loved festive tradition. Behind each of the 24 doors is a wooden piece that gradually builds a nativity scene, telling the Christmas story one day at a time.

Galison Merry & Bright Advent Calendar puzzle, £22, TGJones

For those who like: Puzzles
Ideal for: Ages 12+
Eco Credentials: Fun for all the family and a daily Christmas activity – but maybe not before breakfast or the school run. A festive puzzle to enjoy together and bring out again next Christmas, provided all the pieces are safely stored!

Little Dutch Advent Calendar, £34.95, Bo Belles

For those who like: A simple playset that will last
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials: A sturdy, reusable suitcase filled with 24 surprise boxes, each containing a wooden piece or accessory to build the Christmas station step by step. It also complements the Little Dutch Railway XL.

Hair Accessories Advent Calendar, £35, Mimi & Lula

For those that love: accessories!
Ideal for: Ages 3+ and tweens
Eco Credentials: Behind the 24 little windows are  beautiful little hair clips, hair ties, headbands and other hair accessories.

• We also love the indulgent Selfridges x Mimi & Lula Luxe Advent Calendar for £50 which includes keyrings, accessories, jewellery and more.

BRIO World Advent Calendar, £34.99, John Lewis & Partners

For those that love: Wooden toys and train sets
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials: These seasonal wooden accessories are compatible with existing BRIO train sets, adding new possibilities for play beyond December. Check the manufacturer’s material specifications before identifying the wood as beech.

LEGO City Advent Calendar, £22.99, Smyths Toys

For those who love: Lego and building toys
Ideal for: Ages 7+ and Lego fans as well as the whole family
Eco Credentials: A daily buildable surprise lets LEGO fans create a festive scene throughout December, with pieces to add to their collection afterwards.

Limited Edition Advent Calendar by Biscuiteers’ and Graham & Greene, from £75, Biscuiteers’

For those who love: A touch of luxury
Ideal for: All the family and biscuit lovers
Eco Crendentials: This limited-edition calendar is designed to be refilled with biscuits each year, sold separately. We also love reusing classic metal biscuit tins for storing little treasures.

Little People, BIG DREAMS 24 Book Advent 2026, from £18, Amazon

For those who love: This popular biography series and reading.
Ideal for: Ages 5+ and early readers
Eco Credentials: These much-loved biographies introduce young readers to inspiring real-life figures over 24 days and beyond.

Nutcracker Theatre Advent Calendar, £80,  Meri Meri

For those who love: The classic Nutcracker story and crafts
Ideal for: Ages 8+
Eco Credentials: A truly special gift that will keep on giving for years to come, made with eco-friendly paper and glitter this classic ballet will come alive before their very eyes.

Colour In Christmas Advent Calendar, £27.75, Selfie Clothing Co.

For those that love: Colouring
Ideal for: The whole family
Eco Credentials: A family heirloom in the making – colour each day (comes with 8 fabric pens and a practice sheet). We love that there is no waste – as the pens clip together to form a rod, which you insert through the hem at the top – allowing the calendar to be hung up.

Eco Advent Calendar, £55, PLAY in CHOC

For those who love: to be eco conscious or want a ‘alternaive’ treat
Ideal for: Ages 5+
Eco Credentials: This calendar contains 24 drawers, each with a mini vegan chocolate treat, a 3D puzzle and a fun-facts card.

• P.S They also do a smaller 12 day Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar Horse Club 2026 , £34.99, Schleich

For those who love: Classic toys and horses
Ideal for: Ages 4+
Eco Credentials: Collectors of these delightful hand-painted, sculpted figures, and especially the horse club series will delight at this new Winter Wonderland Ride – for many years to come.

Crayola 24-Day Arts and Crafts Advent Calendar, from £24, Amazon

For those who love: Mini crafts
Ideal for: Ages 3+
Eco Credentials:  With a mess-free activity straight out of the 24 boxes — no scissors, glue, or extras needed – kids can make gift tags, decorations, and colourful creations with ease.

Polly Pocket Playhouse Advent Calendar, £32.99, Amazon

For those who love: Mini dolls
Ideal for: Ages 4+
Eco Credentials: This buildable calendar with two micro dolls and lots of tiny surprises turns this festive house into a holiday-themed play set. And, we all know how collectable these limited edition sets are!