Most Advent calendars promise 24 days of excitement. In reality, some get forgotten after a few openings while others become part of playtime long after December ends.
To find the best 2026 Advent calendar for kids, I had my 5-year-old try some of the season's most popular options, from new releases and STEM kits to reusable calendars and collectible toys
. While several were big hits, one stood out from the rest.The winner wasn't the most expensive option. It wasn't the newest, either.
It was the 2026 Lego City Advent Calendar, currently selling for $25, down from $34.99.
Why it won was simple: every surprise felt worthwhile and every piece instantly became part of something he already loved.
Best overall Advent calendar for kids: Lego Advent Calendar
Lego City Advent Calendar 2026
Celebrate the holidays with the LEGO City Advent Calendar
2026 building toy, filled with festive fun for kids ages 5 years old and up.
Shop now
Price: $25 at Amazon (sale price, regularly $34.99)
If your child already loves Lego, this one is hard to beat.
Many Advent calendars end up creating clutter or one-off toys that get forgotten after the holidays. This calendar does the opposite. Every day's surprise adds to an existing collection, making the value extend far beyond December.
My son consistently spent the most time playing with the items from this calendar compared with the others we tested. The builds were familiar enough to be approachable but still exciting enough to keep him looking forward to the next day.
Pros
- Classic option with broad appeal
- Excellent value at the current sale price
- Adds to an existing Lego collection
- Encourages longer play sessions
Runner-up best 2026 Advent calendar for kids: Magna-Tiles Advent Calendar
Magna-Tiles microMAGS Advent Calendar
"Magna-Tiles are a favorite in my house... This 34-piece advent calendar is less than $40 and gives kids a new piece or surprise to open each day while building toward a holiday-themed set they can keep playing with long after Christmas," says producer Trisha Easto.
Shop now at Amazon
Brand new for 2026, the Magna-Tiles Advent Calendar quickly earned a spot near the top of the rankings.
Like Lego, one of its biggest strengths is that each box/window integrates with toys many families already own. Instead of creating a separate holiday toy, it expands a collection that children can continue using year-round.
The daily surprises were creative and cute, and my son was immediately interested because he already plays with Magna-Tiles regularly.
Best STEM Advent calendar for kids: Thames & Kosmos
Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar Vol 4 Experiment Set
Each box reveals an instruction manual with step-by-step directions and scientific explanations.
Shop now
This was one of the most surprising calendars we tested.
Each experiment generated genuine excitement, which isn't always easy to achieve over 24 consecutive days. The activities are approachable rather than overly complicated, making them a good fit for younger children interested in science.
Its biggest drawback is also something some parents may appreciate: there isn't much left to keep once the activities are complete.
For families trying to avoid adding more toys to the house, that could actually be a benefit.
Best reusable Advent calendar for kids: Step2 DIY Advent Calendar
Step2 My First Advent Calendar, Kids Interactive Christmas Toy, Includes 25 Toy Refillable Bins
Fill each box with small toys, special notes, pieces of candy, or ideas for holiday activities and create a holiday tradition for years to come.
Shop now
The Step2 DIY Advent Calendar is easily the most expensive option on this list, but it also offers the most longevity.
Rather than relying on prefilled surprises, this calendar can be reused year after year. Parents can customize what goes inside and turn it into a family tradition.
The storage tubs are smaller than I expected, which limits what can be used as daily surprises. Still, it's one of the few calendars that could realistically become part of holiday celebrations for years.
Best educational Advent calendar for kids: Numberblocks
Hand2mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Advent Calendar
Celebrate the holiday season with 24 days of number fun. There are festive surprises behind every door on this Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Advent Calendar.
Shop now
Numberblocks earned a spot in the top five because it combines holiday fun with learning.
My son already loves Numberblocks from school, so there was immediate familiarity and excitement. The counting-based themes fit naturally with the brand, and the daily surprises were engaging.
The calendar would have ranked even higher, but the box includes a game board that would require keeping the box or maintaining a piece of cardboard.
Best novelty Advent calendar for kids: Fugglers
Fuggler Christmas Advent Calendar
Open one door each day and discover 24 collectible surprises inside, including mini figures and themed accessories.
Shop now
The Fuggler Advent Calendar was probably the most Christmas-themed option we tested.
Many of the surprises focus on ornaments and seasonal collectibles, which immediately inspired my son to ask for a small Christmas tree to display them.
The novelty factor is fun, but it didn't generate the same level of excitement or repeated play as the higher-ranked options.
The Advent calendar I couldn't test
I wasn't able to test the Needoh Advent Calendar because it's currently available on Amazon through an invite-only purchasing system.
But if there's one Advent calendar generating buzz among parents, this appears to be it.
Squishy toys continue to be wildly popular with kids, and Needoh products have developed an almost cult-like following among families looking for sensory toys and stocking stuffers.
If you can get an invitation to purchase one, it may end up being the breakout Advent calendar of the season.
How were these products tested?
These rankings were based on:
- Overall excitement level
- Time spent playing after opening items
- Long-term play value
- Educational benefits
- Ability to integrate with existing toy collections
- Price and overall value
For our family, the Lego Advent Calendar delivered the best combination of excitement, value and replayability, making it the only one I'd confidently buy again.
Based on the testing, it's also the easiest recommendation for parents looking for an Advent calendar that will still be getting used long after the holidays are over.
Get the 2026 Lego advent calendar
Grab an Amazon Prime membership and get ready to shop and save
If you've been on the fence, now is the perfect time to consider signing up for an Amazon Prime membership. Beyond the deals we just mentioned, a Prime membership offers plenty of valuable perks, including convenient free same-day, one-day and two-day delivery options. Plus, you can start with a free 30-day trial to see if this membership works for you.
Amazon Prime membership
Sign up for an Amazon Prime membership to get exclusive perks and benefits all year.
Join Amazon Prime
USA TODAY Shopping will be covering all the best deals and drops, so be sure to sign up for text alerts, check us out on Flipboard, follow us on TikTok, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay updated!
This story was produced with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: My 5-year-old tested six Advent calendars. This $25 Lego set won.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
