The Magic of Christmas: Three Advent Calendars for Kids (and Big Kids Too!)
Forget the chocolate for a moment! If your household loves collecting, creating and discovering something new every day, these three advent calendars could make the countdown to Christmas even more exciting. From building magical worlds to catching Pokémon and stepping into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there’s a little surprise waiting behind every door.
I don’t think advent calendars are just for little children. In fact, some of the most exciting ones are those that tap into the things we love, whatever our age. In our household, we’re big fans of Pokémon, Harry Potter and anything that gets our hands busy, so these three advent calendars have really caught my attention. They offer much more than a daily treat, with collectables to treasure, imaginative play and plenty of reasons to get excited about opening the next door.
Whether you’re shopping for a younger child, a teenager or a grown-up who is still a child at heart, these are three Christmas countdowns that could bring a little extra magic to December.
MAGNA-TILES® microMAGS Advent Calendar
For little builders, imaginative minds and anyone who loves getting creative.
If your children love making things, constructing their own worlds and seeing where their imagination takes them, the MAGNA-TILES® microMAGS Advent Calendar is a brilliant way to build excitement throughout December.
Behind the doors are 34 pieces to discover, with the promise of new building possibilities as Christmas approaches. The set includes an exciting new microChassis, allowing children to create their own locomotive and build a train adventure within their MAGNA-TILES® world.
There are also exclusive character figures, with interchangeable heads, bodies and headpieces that can be mixed and matched to create all sorts of personalities. It’s a lovely combination of construction and storytelling, encouraging children to invent their own characters, dream up adventures and bring their creations to life.
I particularly like the idea of an advent calendar that keeps on giving beyond Christmas Day. Rather than simply opening a door and moving on, children can use their discoveries to expand their creations, building new scenes and coming up with fresh ideas as they go. It’s the sort of present that encourages hands-on fun, and in a household that enjoys getting stuck into activities, I can see this being a real winner.
Why we love it: A countdown that combines the thrill of daily surprises with creativity, imaginative play and something new to build.
Funko Bitty POP! Pokémon Countdown Calendar
For Pokémon Trainers and collectors of every generation.
Gotta catch ’em all! Pokémon has a way of bringing generations together, and if your household includes fans who love collecting their favourite characters, this Funko Bitty POP! Pokémon Countdown Calendar could be just the thing to add to the Christmas wish list.
With 24 doors to open, there’s a daily surprise waiting for Pokémon fans as they count down to the big day. The calendar contains 10 miniature Bitty POP! Pokémon figures, alongside seven stackable display pieces, three festive accessories, two magnetic display cases and two keychain display cases.
These tiny collectables are designed to be displayed, arranged and customised, so the fun doesn’t stop once the final door has been opened. You can create your own little Pokémon display, show off your favourites or use the keychain cases to take a treasured character along on your adventures.
What makes collectables so appealing is that they’re not just for children. Younger fans can enjoy the excitement of discovering their favourite characters, while older children, teenagers and adult collectors can have just as much fun adding new figures to an existing collection. In our house, Pokémon is a firm favourite, which makes this one particularly tempting!
It’s also a fun way to combine the excitement of an advent calendar with the pleasure of collecting. And with a new surprise every day, there’s plenty to keep Pokémon fans guessing.
Why we love it: A pocket-sized Pokémon adventure packed with collectables, festive extras and plenty of opportunities to show off your favourite characters.
Funko Pocket POP! Harry Potter Advent Calendar
For witches, wizards and Muggles of all ages.
Accio Christmas magic! For anyone who has ever wished they could spend a little more time in the Wizarding World, this Funko Pocket POP! Harry Potter Advent Calendar is a wonderful way to bring a little Hogwarts magic into the festive season.
Behind its 24 tiny doors are Pocket POP! vinyl figures featuring characters from the much-loved Harry Potter universe. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore are among the familiar faces that help make this calendar such an appealing choice for fans.
Each miniature figure measures up to around 5.1cm tall, making them perfect for displaying on a desk, shelf or amongst your other Christmas decorations. They can also join an existing Funko collection, giving fans another reason to look forward to discovering what each new day brings.
Harry Potter has a special place in the hearts of fans who have grown up with the books and films, as well as those who are only just discovering the magic for themselves. That’s one of the things I love about collectables: they can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and there’s something rather lovely about sharing a favourite character or story across generations.
As a Harry Potter-loving household, I can imagine the daily ritual of opening a new door becoming a little competition in itself. Which character will appear next? Will it be a favourite, or someone you’ve been hoping to add to your collection? The anticipation is all part of the fun.
Why we love it: Twenty-four days of Wizarding World surprises, with miniature characters to display, collect and enjoy long after Christmas.
Three calendars, three ways to make Christmas magical
Whether your family prefers building fantastic creations, collecting Pokémon or revisiting the magic of Hogwarts, these three advent calendars offer something a little different from the traditional chocolate-filled countdown.
And that’s the beauty of choosing an advent calendar around a child’s interests. It feels personal, gives them something to look forward to each morning and can even introduce a new family tradition.
After all, Christmas is about the anticipation as much as the big day itself, and a little daily magic can make the wait feel even more exciting.
Poppy Watt