Looking for the best non-chocolate advent calendars for kids? We’ve rounded up the very best options for 2023 below.
Sure, a chocolate Santa is great and all, but these days a Cadbury’s advent calendar just doesn’t quite cut it.
From wooden toys to personalised letters, what better way for your little one to count down to Christmas than with a little gift behind each door? Here are some of the best 2023 alternative and non-chocolate advent calendars for kids.
The Best Non-Chocolate Advent Calendars for Kids 2023
Personalised Christmas Advent Calendar Train, £48
There’s no better way for excitable little elves to count down the days to Christmas than with a personalised advent calendar train, with two carriages stuffed full of gifts and Santa sitting in the driver’s seat.
Buy it now from My 1st Years
The Elf On The Shelf North Pole Advent Train, £30
Everyone’s favourite naughty elf is back for Christmas 2022 in the form of a train-shaped Advent Calendar filled with daily surprises that create a colourful, playable Christmas tree farm and railway.
Buy it now from Next
Beary Merry Advent Calendar, £38
Everyone’s favourite Build a Bear now comes in the form of this festive winter house, with the chance for little ones to make Christmas memories with the furry friends and outfits waiting behind the windows.
Buy it now from Build a Bear
LEGO Friends Advent Calendar, £19.99
The popular LEGO advent calendar is back for 2023. All LEGO fans are guaranteed to go potty for this LEGO advent calendar – behind each of the 24 doors you’ll find mini figurines, characters and accessories.
Buy it now from LEGO
Personalised Children’s Activity Advent Calendar, £37
This advent calendar celebrates all the things that make the Christmas period such a special season: spending time together, making memories and creating traditions. The fun wooden advent calendar can be personalised with your children’s names and used over again for years to come. Each day presents a new activity to try out with the family.
Buy it now from Not On The High Street
Christmas Woodland Filled Advent Calendar, £38
Featuring a beautiful woodland scene, this advent calendar is perfect for babies and toddlers from 12 months, with wooden characters hidden behind each of the 24 doors. By Christmas Day, it will all come together to form an exciting play set.
Buy it now from JoJo Maman Bebe
Made By Ellis Personalised Colouring Canvas Advent Calendar, £34
Colour in a bauble a day with this advent canvas from Made By Ellis. You can also buy a set of 12 coloured felt tip pens with your purchase for the canvas which the kids will love personalising.
Buy it now from Not On The High Street
City Vehicles and Accessories Advent Calendar, £16.79
Countdown to Christmas as your little ones open each door to reveal their favourite Thomas the Tank Engine characters! This calendar inspires imaginative play and allows storytelling skills to flourish; the perfect gift for any little train enthusiast.
Buy it now from John Lewis
Elf for Christmas Personalised Advent Letters, £29.50
Reignite the magic of Christmas and make sure they really do ‘believe’ with a set of personalised letters from An Elf For Christmas. Your child’s name, their hometown and other family members will be woven into the letter, arriving in an envelope addressed especially to them.
Buy it now from An Elf For Christmas
The Gruffalo Music Box Advent Calendar, £29.95
Kids of all ages will delight in this advent calendar featuring the much-loved Gruffalo character. With 3D pop-up scenery, stickers and dancing magnetic characters that skate around the Music Box base, it’s the perfect countdown to Christmas.
What child doesn’t love Play-Doh?! From stamps to moulds, behind each door hides a gift that’ll add even more to the Play-Doh fun in the lead up to Christmas.
Buy it now from Amazon
Playmobil Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar, £24.48
Children will love creating this Christmas scene as Santa Claus figurines, elves and reindeers are revealed day by day behind each of the 24 doors.
Buy it now from Amazon
Smiggle Advent Calendar, £15
If your little one can’t get enough of stationery, this Smiggle calendar is filled with 25 gifts they’ll totally love for a fit-to-bursting pencil case come Christmas Day.
Buy it now from Smiggle
Advent of Change Charitable Children’s Advent Calendar, £17.95
In one of the world’s first charitable children’s advent calendars, instead of receiving a gift, parents and children can give 50p per day to 24 different, age-appropriate charities.
Buy it now from adventofchange.com
Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar, £14.99
Feel the magic of Disney this Christmas as you unwrap a new book everyday with your children this festive season, with a total of 24 classic Disney tales to discover in the run up to the big day.
Buy it now from Amazon
Peppa Pig: 2023 Advent Calendar Book Collection, £10
For the Peppa Pig fanatics, this 24-day calendar is filled with favourite stories of Peppa and her pals – a must for any Peppa Pig fan this Christmas.
Buy it now from Amazon
Toy Workshop Advent Calendar, £28
Buy it now from JoJo Maman Bebe
Barbie Dreamtopia Fairytale Advent Calendar, £27
This Barbie Dreamtopia Advent calendar will delight kids with 25 days of surprise gifts for an unboxing experience that will last all season long! With endless storytelling possibilities, the Barbie Dreamtopia Advent calendar makes the perfect gift for kids aged three years old and up.
Buy it now from Next
BRIO 2023 Advent Calendar, £26.24
All aboard the Christmas countdown! Kids will love opening each of the 24 doors in this advent calendar, featuring a BRIO toy that is compatible with the BRIO World railway system, including tracks, animals and accessories, as well as a Santa Claus and Christmas Train. Plus, the solid wood means it can be used year after year.
Buy it now from John Lewis
Painting Dinosaur Advent Calendar, £15.99
This unique advent calendar is perfect for mini dinosaur lovers, and encourages creativity in painting!
Read More:
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- 31 of the Best Small Businesses to Buy Beautiful Gifts From This Christmas
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