Every year when December rolls around, the kids immediately start asking about advent calendars. And normally, I’m right there with them — pulling out our activity advent calendar packed with little Christmas crafts, baking days, cozy movie nights, and all the fun things that build the excitement of the season.

But this year? We’re in the middle of renovations… and our advent calendar is buried somewhere in a storage unit under 14 boxes labeled “miscellaneous.” And honestly? Even if I could find it, I don’t think I have the bandwidth to prep and execute 24 activities right now.

The other thing is… I don’t love giving my kids chocolate every single day. Raiyah, Rhett and Luca love chocolate, and while I’m all for treats, 24 days in a row feels like a lot — especially when December already comes with class parties, family baking days, and all the holiday goodies. Even still, Thalia doesn't like chocolate so traditional advent calendars don't work for her.

So this year, I asked my community for ideas, and moms showed up (as they always do). Here are the top non-chocolate advent calendar ideas parents recommended — real suggestions from real moms with kids six and under. If you’re looking for a toy advent calendar or something fun, sugar-free, and low-maintenance, this list is for you.

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Brittany — a mom of five, home renovation enthusiast, and a business owner who’s all about keeping life real and doable. I know firsthand how messy, beautiful, and overwhelming motherhood can feel, and I share from that space of “in the trenches” right alongside you.

Here, you’ll find encouragement, practical tips, and honest conversations about balancing family, work, and your own sense of self. My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling a little lighter, a little more seen, and a whole lot more equipped to create a life that works for you and your family. Follow me on Instagram @brittanynmiller_ for more.

I've separated the advent calendars by type so feel free to click to the ones you're most interested in for your kiddos.

Table of Contents

• Creative & Imaginative Toy Advent Calendars

• Advent Calendars for Little Builders

• Character-Themed Advent Calendars Kids Always Love

• Educational, Screen-Free & Low-Prep Advent Ideas

• DIY & Wooden Keepsake Advent Calendars

• Final Thoughts on Toy Advent Calendars

Creative & Imaginative Toy Advent Calendars

Perfect for little ones who love building, crafting, and imaginative play.

Play-Doh Advent Calendar

A hands-on favourite that keeps kids busy and creative. It's also shareable so it works well for families with several children who don't want to buy multiple advent calendars. We did this one year and the girls loved it! Grab yours here: https://amzn.to/4r2JDDq

Toy Cars Advent Calendar

A classic for car fans — so many little vehicles to add to their collection. https://amzn.to/43ui8ZE

You could even pair this with a toy car mat for Christmas, like this one: https://amzn.to/3JSQ1g5

Unicorn Advent Calendar

Sparkly, magical, and guaranteed to be a hit with little girls who are unicorn lovers. Bring some whimsy to their Christmas with this advent calendar: https://amzn.to/445M9it

Advent Calendars for Little Builders

Great for kids who love hands-on fun and discovering new things.

Construction Truck Advent Calendar

Mini trucks, tools, and accessories — perfect for your rough-and-tumble builder and kids obsessed with construction equipment. Rhett could say excavator before please and thank you because my dad works in constructionl https://amzn.to/4hYsir8

Christmas Building Block Train Set

All aboard a month long adventure as train engineers building an imaginative Christmas train scene. https://amzn.to/4r49T0l

Magnetic Christmas Building Blocks Advent Calendar

Great for kids who with fine motor skills and a desire to create some mini Christmas magic. It reminds me of Minecraft and I think the kids would have a great time playing with this for many Christmases to come! https://amzn.to/43Azsw1

Character-Themed Advent Calendars Kids Always Love

When in doubt, character based advent calendars are always a hit! Bringing your children's favourite character into the Christmas magic is a great way to count down to the holidays.

Paw Patrol Holiday Advent Calendar

Chase is on the case — with festive pups and accessories! I'm thinking of getting this one for Rhett because he loved Paw Patrol! https://amzn.to/4i2ctQc

Princess Dolls & Dresses Advent Calendar

Tiny dolls + outfits = endless dress-up fun. https://amzn.to/49mVMNo

Gabby’s Dollhouse Advent Calendar

Cute mini figures and accessories from one of the most-loved preschool shows. This would be super cute accompanied by the new Gabby's dollhouse movie, I know my girls have been asking to see it. https://amzn.to/47UPxOf

Disney LEGO Frozen Advent Calendar

A fun, build-a-little-each-day countdown with Elsa & Anna. https://amzn.to/4o3CuAj

Educational, Screen-Free & Low-Prep Advent Ideas

If you want something enriching but without the daily prep on your end, these are perfect.

National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar

Perfect for kids who love rocks, collecting things, or STEM play. I've been eying this one for Thalia. She would enjoy learning about the different types of gems and getting her own to keep. https://amzn.to/43zKlhD

Tabletop Family Christmas ADVENTure Printable (FREE!)

Quick daily activities your kids can enjoy — no stress, no sugar, and little prep. Thalia and I printed our calendars this weekend and started playing along! Download your printable game calendar here.

P.S. The Tabletop Family also does a summer game challenge which we really enjoyed this year as well.

Bluey Book Bundle Advent Set

24 books?! This one is such a sweet way to build a December reading tradition. As a mom of 5 this is what I ended up purchasing, I wanted something we could all do together (and keep me from having to purchase a bunch of different advent calendars) so this seemed like the perfect option. You can get one here if you want to as well: https://amzn.to/3M4vu8L

DIY & Wooden Keepsake Advent Calendars

These are great if you want to customize small toys, stickers, or write your own little activities.

Create-Your-Own Wooden Drawer Calendar

Simple, cute, and reusable every year. I plan to order one next year to hold our activity countdown details like Christmas movie night, pictures with Santa, baking cookies, etc. Click here to create core Christmas memories: https://amzn.to/4i3IgAy

Another “Fill It Yourself” Wooden Calendar Option

Great if you want something neutral or more traditional that still gives you the flexibility to do a new theme each year by adding different items to the calendar. https://amzn.to/3M3gg3P

Wooden Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

A beautiful keepsake that becomes part of your annual décor. Your kids will have fun adding ornaments to the tree everyday to countdown the arrival of Christmas. https://amzn.to/44aFaoo

Final Thoughts on Toy Advent Calendars: You Don’t Need to Do It All to Make It Magical

If you’re a busy mom like me, here’s your reminder:Your kids don’t need Pinterest-level activities every day to feel the magic of Christmas.

A simple toy advent calendar or a fun, low-prep countdown still creates joy, builds anticipation, and gives them something special to look forward to each morning — without the sugar crash.

Whether you go with Play-Doh, LEGO, a gemstone calendar, or a beautiful wooden DIY option, your kids are going to remember the excitement, not whether you hand-crafted every moment.

I was thinking of putting together a post with the best adult advent calendars too, because moms (and Dads) deserve a countdown of their own. If you want me to draft that one next, just say the word! This is what I'm doing this year → https://amzn.to/4p0kCan