Alternative advent calendars for kids

By CW Contributor on 17/11/2019

Advent calendar season is nearly upon us. While we appreciate that adults now get to enjoy the lead-up to Christmas as much as their children thanks to the advent calendars we’ve been treated to in recent years (beauty calendars, how we love you so!), we’re less enthusiastic about the chocolate-a-day versions for our children.

The good news is, there are some alternative advent calendars out there for children that don’t involve additional chocolate or sweets consumption. We’ve selected the advent calendars designed for kids to play, to build, to create... and to use their imaginations and intellects in wonderful ways. So wonderful, we think, that these alternative advent calendars are as enjoyable as the big day itself.
Even better? Try making a reverse advent calendar this year: fill the windows with food or useful toiletries to donate to a food bank or charity. It's never too early to teach them that giving is even better than receiving.

For the traditionalist: Lakeland Bethlehem Advent Stable, £69.99

This stunning wooden nativity advent calendar spins on its axis for easy access to all of the doors. Perfect for the schoolkid who's delighted to be a donkey in their very first Nativity show at school.

For the crafts-obsessed kid: Paperchase Advent Calendar, £35

Paperchase's advent calendar ticks every box: it's visually striking, huge and has 24 days of pens, stickers, rubbers and more to delight the kid who's always writing, or drawing, or just losing their school stationery constantly. There's also a 2020 diary and £5 Paperchase voucher to uncover.

WHEN

In stores October 1, 2019

Advent calender for the jewellery obsessed: Meri Meri

For the accessories addict: Meri Meri enamel pin advent calendar, £34

We know just the advent calendar to gift if you're looking to win godparent of the year: this colourful badge advent calender gives the mini jewellery lover in your life the satisfaction of unveiling a badge a day in December. And then they get to customise their denim jacket/backpack/fabric board in their room to their heart's content.

For the ethically minded kid: Joy To The World Oxfam Advent Calendar, £4.99

This advent calendar opens up to reveal finger puppets - each with their own Oxfam story - so children can learn about kids around the world, and how charities like Oxfam help them. And, yes, of course it's made from FSC® certified paper.

For the bath lover: Bomb Cosmetics 12 days of Christmas Advent Gift Set, £36

We defy you to find a child - boy or girl - that isn't completely obsessed with bath bombs. These Christmas-themed bath bombs include glitter bath bombs, candy cane bath bombs and fizzy bath bombs. This is one advent calendar you'll want to share.

For the art lover: National Gallery Circular Avercamp Advent Calendar, £7.50

For the art aficionado: National Gallery Circular Avercamp Advent Calendar, £7.50

Art-obsessed teens don't get to see great masterpieces on a daily basis - even if they're London-dwellers - since that pesky thing called school is always getting in the way. This advent calendar featuring Hendrick Avercamp's A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle lets them unveil a painting a day to discover the National Gallery's treasures.

For the Potterhead: Harry Potter® Magical Infinity Advent Calendar, £69.99

This fun advent calendar requires a bit of play to figure out which box to open first - you rotate the columns a few times to discover where your goodies lie. Fans will love what's inside: soft toys, key rings, badges, stickers, a tote and more. You might be able to delay that trip to the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour for another year, after all.

WHEN

From September 2019

For the music fan: Personalised Spotify Music Advent Calendar, £17.99

Behind each window of this advent calendar lies a code so you can scan a song to play. It includes Christmas classics like "All I Want For Christmas" and can be personalised for an individual or a few siblings.

For the biscuit fiend: Biscuiteers x Sophie Conran advent calendar and biscuit tin, £175

OK, we know we're trying to minimise the sweets consumption at Christmas, but we couldn't resist including this stunning fabric advent calender from Sophie Conran for Biscuiteers, which includes a biscuit tin with gorgeously decorated deliciousness. Not only is this a Christmas keepsake for years to come, it's worth it for the social media pics alone.

For their first Christmas: Personalised Wooden Train Advent Calendar, £39

Start your own Christmas traditions (that have nothing to do with chocolate) by getting your little one a personalised wooden train advent calendar: it's a toy in itself for the first few Christmases and you can fill it with whatever you like as your child gets older: special notes, Lego pieces to build with, stationery bits and bobs, geodes, shells. It's fun for you to come up with a theme each year, and for them to delight in the anticipation. And if you're too busy, there is always chocolate to fall back on of course...