Best Advent Calendars
Top 5 on Amazon
Our #1 pick is the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456). Toy advent calendars are one of the first holiday items to sell out. We compared five popular 2026 picks on Amazon, from LEGO Star Wars and Marvel to Playmobil and Funko.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 18, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most families, the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) is the one to buy. It is built around The Mandalorian and Grogu, with eight festive mini-build vehicles, four animal figures, minifigures of Mando, Moff Gideon, Carson Teva and a Jawa, plus IG-11 and a Pit Droid. It is aimed at ages 6 and up, and it is listed around $30. LEGO’s 2026 calendars are new on Amazon, so stock can move quickly as December gets closer.
If your child prefers Super Heroes, the LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 (76340) has 317 pieces and six minifigures, including Spider-Man on skis. The LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026 (42698) is the gentlest pick, with winter activities, three minidolls and six mini animals. For younger children, the Playmobil Christmas at the Rider Café calendar has larger, rounded pieces for ages 4 and up. And for collectors, the Funko Bitty POP! Pokemon countdown hides 24 tiny figures.
Skip a LEGO calendar for kids under five, because the parts are small. Skip any of these if you want chocolate, since none are food calendars. Also note that all toy calendars are one-day-at-a-time play, so the best value comes when a child likes the theme enough to keep building after December 24. How we picked: we compared popular advent calendars on Amazon, read each listing and weighed contents, ages and price. We have not tested them hands-on. Listings checked October 2026.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) Mandalorian mini-build calendar |  Best for Super Hero Fans LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 (76340) Super Hero calendar, 317 pieces |  Best Gentle Pick LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026 (42698) Winter activities calendar |  Best for Younger Kids PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Christmas at the Rider Café Playmobil horse-themed calendar |  Best for Collectors Funko Bitty POP! Countdown Calendar: Pokemon 24 collectible mini figures |
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| BeastScore | 93 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Star Wars fans aged 6 and up | Kids who love Spider-Man, Wolverine and the Avengers | Kids who like story play, animals and cozy scenes | Children aged 4 and up who love horses | Pokemon fans and collectors of all ages |
| Typical price (checked October 18, 2026) | $25–$35 | $40–$50 | $20–$30 | $30–$40 | $30–$40 |
| Ages | 6+ | 6+ | 6+ | 4+ | 3+ |
| Theme | Star Wars: The Mandalorian | Marvel Super Heroes | LEGO Friends winter fun | Horses of Waterfall | Pokemon |
| Contents | 8 mini-build vehicles, minifigures, animal figures | 317 pieces, 6 minifigures, mini builds | 3 minidolls, 6 mini animals, accessories | 3 figures, 2 horses, bakery set, cookie cutter | 24 Pocket Pop figures, up to about 1.87 in tall |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456)
BeastScore 93 / 100Typically $25–$35 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)This is the easiest calendar to recommend. The listing says every door hides a brick-built surprise, with eight mini-build vehicles (the Razor Crest, an X-wing, Mando’s N-1 Starfighter, a Sandcrawler and more) all in festive colors. The minifigure list is strong too: The Mandalorian and Grogu in holiday sweaters, Moff Gideon, Carson Teva and a Jawa, plus IG-11 and a Pit Droid. There are also figures of a Mudhorn, Bantha, Dewback and Blurrg, and small props like tables and a weapons rack. At around $30 it is cheap for a LEGO set with this much variety, and the builds combine with other Star Wars sets. It is for ages 6 and up, and the small parts mean it is not for toddlers. Because it is a 2026 release, it is a new listing with a small review base.
Pros- Eight mini-build vehicles, many with festive twists
- Strong minifigure lineup from The Mandalorian
- Low price for a LEGO calendar
Cons- Small parts, so only for ages 6 and up
- New 2026 listing with a small review base
- Only useful for Star Wars fans
- 2. Best for Super Hero Fans
LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 (76340)
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $40–$50 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)Marvel is the pick for kids who like their heroes dressed for the holidays. The listing says this 317-piece set has 24 surprises, six minifigures (Spider-Man on skis, Doctor Doom with a giant candy cane and Wolverine in an X-Men Christmas sweater among them) and buildable toys such as a snowball cannon, helicopter, airplane, robot, car, truck and photo booth. The jokes are fun: an X-Jet-themed sleigh, a Captain America snowman and a Christmas tree made from green Wolverine claws. It costs around $45, so it is the most expensive LEGO calendar here, but it also has a good number of pieces. The set is for ages 6 and up. As with other 2026 LEGO calendars, it is a new listing, so there is not much owner feedback yet.
Pros- Six festive minifigures with funny holiday twists
- 317 pieces and a mix of vehicles and builds
- Great for Marvel fans of all ages
Cons- Costs more than the other LEGO calendars
- Only for ages 6 and up
- New listing with little owner feedback
- 3. Best Gentle Pick
LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026 (42698)
BeastScore 88 / 100Typically $20–$30 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)This is the best-value LEGO calendar in the group. The listing says it comes with three minidolls (Liann, Nova and Aliya) and six mini animals including a seal, pony, polar bear and penguin, plus winter props such as hats, gifts, cookies, marshmallows for toasting and a passport. Each day brings a new wintery activity: snowball throwing, sleigh rides, hot chocolate or building a snowman. It is built for storytelling more than for big models, which makes it a good choice for kids who like pretend play. At around $25 it is also the cheapest of our LEGO picks. The scenes are smaller than in the Star Wars or Marvel calendars, and it is for ages 6 and up. It is a new 2026 listing, so reviews are limited.
Pros- Lowest price among the LEGO calendars
- Minidolls and animals invite story play
- Cozy winter theme that suits any child
Cons- Smaller builds than the Star Wars or Marvel sets
- Only for ages 6 and up
- New listing with a small review base
- 4. Best for Younger Kids
PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Christmas at the Rider Café
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $30–$40 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)Playmobil is the answer for children who are too young for LEGO. The listing says the pieces are sized for small hands with safe rounded edges and recommends the set for ages 4 and up. Behind the 24 doors, kids find two adult figures, a child figure, two horses, a bakery display, a table, two chairs, an oven, a fence, a horse blanket and a Christmas tree. There is also a horse-shaped cookie cutter, so you can bake cookies at home too. When all doors are open, the pieces form a complete play scene that links to the Horses of Waterfall line. It is not a model-building experience like LEGO, and it works best for children who like horses and role play. Playmobil has been making toys since 1974, according to the listing.
Pros- Larger, rounded pieces for ages 4 and up
- Horse-shaped cookie cutter adds a real activity
- Ends up as a full, ready-to-play scene
Cons- Horse theme will not suit every child
- No building challenge like a LEGO calendar
- Pieces are less likely to mix with other toy lines
- 5. Best for Collectors
Funko Bitty POP! Countdown Calendar: Pokemon
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $30–$40 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)This calendar is about collecting, not building. The listing says each door reveals one of 24 unique Funko Pocket Pop figures, with a maximum height of about 1.87 inches, and you can place them in front of the packaging artwork to create a small display scene. It is officially licensed, and the listing recommends it for ages 3 and up, which makes it the most flexible pick for mixed-age households. Adults who collect Pokemon will like it as much as kids do. The downside is play value: the figures are small and mostly for display, so nothing here can be built or combined with a larger set. Check the character list before you buy if there is a particular Pokemon your child is hoping for.
Pros- 24 collectible figures with nothing to assemble
- Works for kids and adult collectors
- Box art doubles as a display scene
Cons- Figures are small and mainly for display
- No building or role-play set included
- Character mix is not a choice you control
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456). Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Daily surpriseLEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) · 9.2/10
- Build & playLEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) · 9.4/10
- Young kidsPLAYMOBIL Advent Calendar: Christmas at the Rider Café · 9.4/10
- Gift appealLEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) · 9.4/10
- Display afterFunko Bitty POP! Countdown Calendar: Pokemon · 9.4/10
- ValueLEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026 (42698) · 9.4/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- Your child loves Star Wars
- You want many mini builds
- You want a low price
- Your child loves Marvel heroes
- You want funny holiday minifigures
- You do not mind paying a bit more
- Your child likes pretend play and animals
- You want the lowest-priced LEGO calendar
- You like a cozy winter theme
- Your child is 4 or 5
- Your child loves horses
- You want larger rounded pieces
- You are buying for a Pokemon collector
- You want something to display after Christmas
- You want no building at all
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456)
The best mix of builds, minifigures and price among 2026 toy calendars.
- 8 mini-build vehicles
- Mando and Grogu minifigures
- Around $30
Quick tips before you buy
LEGO calendars often sell out in November. Order by early November to be safe.
Most LEGO calendars are 6+. For younger kids, choose Playmobil or a figure calendar.
Set up a tray for each day’s build so small parts do not get lost.
The best calendar is the one your child already loves, so match it to their favorite show.
Quick answers
What is the best advent calendar for kids?+
The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 is our top pick for most children aged 6 and up. For younger kids, the Playmobil Christmas at the Rider Café calendar has bigger pieces and is recommended for ages 4 and up.
Which LEGO advent calendars are available for 2026?+
On Amazon we found the LEGO Star Wars (75456), Marvel (76340), Friends (42698) and Disney Princess (43298) 2026 calendars. Availability can change as December approaches, so check the listing.
When should I buy an advent calendar?+
Early. Popular calendars can sell out well before December 1. Many families order in late October or early November to be safe, and nothing here needs to be opened until the countdown begins.
What age is a LEGO advent calendar for?+
LEGO calendars here are labeled 6 and up because they have small parts. Playmobil lists ages 4 and up, and the Funko Bitty calendar lists ages 3 and up, though parents should still check for small parts.
Are toy advent calendars worth it?+
They can be, if your child loves the theme. A LEGO calendar costs about the same as a small set and delivers 24 builds. If your child will not play with the pieces afterward, a smaller or cheaper calendar is better value.
Do these advent calendars have chocolate or candy?+
No. All five are toy calendars with no food. That makes them a good choice for families who want to avoid sugar in December.
Can adults use these advent calendars?+
Yes. Star Wars, Marvel and Funko Pokemon calendars are popular with adult fans, and the Funko calendar is a collector-friendly pick because you can display the figures after December.
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