101 Genius Advent Calendar Filler Ideas For Kids
Are you looking for Advent Calendar fillers for kids? You’ve come to the right place! Check out this HUGE list of 101 advent calendar filler ideas. Already done for you, calendars, games, craft supplies, toys, and sweet treats … we’ve got them all.
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It’s that time of year already! Can you believe we are already in November? December is coming and now is the time to plan those Advent calendars! Which means you are probably looking for some great Advent calendar fillers for kids.
Advent Calendars: A Fun Christmas Tradition
There’s something magical about a Christmas countdown calendar, isn’t there? They are such a fun way to countdown to Christmas morning.
I love the idea of calendars that have a little gift each day. However, finding affordable items that aren’t cheap plastic junk is a challenge.
I went on a mission to find fun and unique ideas that will make every day of December a celebration for your little ones. I’m excited to share some fun ideas your kids will love! Let’s make this festive season unforgettable for them!
Advent calendars are one of those simple things you can do to build anticipation and help children countdown to Christmas Eve. It is a fun tradition for the whole family that provides a nice focus for each day in the holiday season. You can easily create a little ritual around opening the calendar each day.
Fillable Advent calendars take a bit more work, but the great thing about them is that you can prepare them weeks or months ahead. And the added bonus? Once you’ve got the small gifts in place, the Christmas magic happens without much more work from you.
First Step: Get A Fillable Advent Calendar
You can simply buy one like this.
Or you can make your own. There are oodles of different Advent calendar ideas on Pinterest. I loved this one made from paper bags. And reusable advent calendars made from cloth bags.
Or you can make things super easy and buy one already filled. I discovered there is a whole host of ready-made and filled Advent calendars. They are a great idea and save you lots of time and money. Jump straight to the prefilled calendars.
Love the idea of a fillable Advent calendar, but trying to keep costs down this year? Check out our list of DIY Advent Calendar Fillers Your Kids will love.
Two Sneaky Ways To Keep Costs Down
If you create your own Advent Calendar, there are two ways to keep costs down.
Sets You Can Split Up
The easiest way is to buy a multi-item toy/craft set and split the contents by 24 days. You only have to buy one thing. Here are some good toy and crafts sets to do that with.
CiaraQ Modeling Clay Kit
You can also pair this with a book of ideas like these.
Embroidery Floss and Book
Provide a book of friendship bracelet patterns. Then gift a couple of skeins of embroidery floss each day. Your child can use the floss to make gifts for their friends.
Paracord bracelets
You might also want to start Advent off with a book of paracord projects.
Water-Growing Sea Creatures
Kids love these things. They are so much fun.
Water-Growing Dinosaurs
Prisma Color Pencils
Use these on our Advent Coloring Calendar or buy a small coloring book.
Christmas Stencils
Pair this with some blank ornaments, craft paint, and stencil brushes.
Charm bracelets
PlayMobile Nativity
Cat figures Playset Toy
Give One Larger Gift A Week
The idea is to buy something a little more expensive for each Sunday in Advent and then fill the rest of the days with candies or cheaper items.
Here are my picks for those special gifts. Watch the sizes! All of these would fit into a paper bag calendar, but they may not all fit in a wooden Advent Calendar. Measure before you buy!
Wooden Kids Nativity Set
Survival Bracelet
Yoyo
Mini Flashlight
Dinosaur Snot
I know, but kids will love it!
Tiny Journal
Bath Bomb With Surprise
Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Rainbow Mini Notes
Christmas Socks
Lego Santa
Mini Build Lego Rudolph
Personalized Christmas Letter Ornament
SyPen Invisible Disappearing Ink With UV light
This is so cool!
Money and Gift Cards
Money and Gift cards are simple, easy, and a perfect advent calendar filler for older kids.
Advent calendars are a wonderful family tradition for the days leading up to Christmas. We’ve got 28 other ideas! Check them out here.
Even Cheaper Advent Calendar Filler Ideas
Discover a treasure trove of budget-friendly delights in our Cheap Advent Calendar Filler Ideas section!
Here, you’ll find a delightful collection of affordable and creative surprises to fill your Advent calendars, ensuring a joyful and memorable countdown to Christmas without breaking your wallet.
Tiny Gifts For Kids
- Lego Minifigures
- Geometric eraser puzzles These are fun brain teasers.
- Desk pets
- Bouncy balls
- Dinosaur eggs
- Mini playdoh
More Small Items
- Heat-sensitive slime
- Cute enamel pins
- Temporary tattoos
- Christmas erasers
- Shoe charms
- Christmas hair accessories
- Christmas cookie cutters
- Candy Cane ChapStick
- Lip Balm
- Mini Bath Bombs (fragrance-free)
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas: Craft Supplies
- Gel Pens
- Christmas Stamps
- Holiday Smencils
- Toysmith Ink-a-Do Tattoo Pens
- Fabric Markers
- Glitter glue
- Washi tape
- Beads and beading thread
- Paracord Bracelet Crafting Cord
- Mini punches
- Christmas Stickers
- Wooden Ornaments to decorate
Advent Calendar Filler Ideas: Sweet Treats
- Mini Candy Canes
- Chocolate gold coins
- Hershey Kisses
- Variety packs of candy
- Smarties
- Pop Rocks
- Hot chocolate packets
- Christmas Lindt chocolate
28 Pre-Made Advent Calendars
Pre-filled Advent calendars can save you loads of time. These ready-made and conveniently packaged calendars are a hit with kids and come at incredibly affordable prices, ranging from just .82c to $2.29 a day. And the best part? Just order them, and you are done! It couldn’t be easier. Here are my top picks.
Craft Advent Calendars
Do you have kids that love crafts? They will love these ready-made calendars featuring a fun craft project for each day. Here are our picks.
Christmas Crafts
Kids get all the materials to make a different ornament for each day. This calendar is better for older children, but young kids could manage with adult help.
Playdoh
Each door hides a small can of playdoh and small accessories to spark the imagination.
There are also two playmats with wintery scenes. This one is great for younger kids and costs less than a dollar a day.
Science Advent Calendars
Have some budding scientists in the house? These calendars will delight your kids and is a great way to sneak in some learning.
Rocks and Minerals
Children get one new polished gemstone for 24 days. It is a fantastic way for kids to add to their collections.
The calendar also contains five jewelry settings to make something special if they wish.
Science Tricks
Get ready for a fun December with the SHOCKING SCIENCE Advent calendar!
Unveil 24 small boxes packed with mind-boggling magical experiments and tricks based on science.
Crazy Science
Embark on an exhilarating scientific adventure with the Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar!
Discover the wonders of chemistry, biology, mechanics, optics, and magnetics. You’ll get everything you need for each experiment and step-by-step instructions.
Lego Advent Calendars
Get ready for brick-building fun with Lego Advent Calendars! These delightful calendars offer 24 days of surprises, featuring a variety of mini-builds and mini-figures. What kid doesn’t love Lego?
Lego City
Celebrate the holiday season with The Lego City Advent Calendar, filled with 24 delightful gifts, including a Christmas tree, Santa’s sleigh, and Minifigures.
Kids will eagerly count down to the big day while creating Christmassy scenes on a snowy city play mat.
Lego Friends
This calendar includes 3 LEGO Friends characters, Santa, a reindeer, a sleigh piled high with Christmas presents, and engaging Christmas activities.
With 24 mini builds to spark their imagination, kids will get a lot of play value from this set.
Small Worlds Advent Calendars
This next section is my favorite; I’m sure most kids will love them. These calendars inspire small-world play. They are designed to ignite children’s imagination and will keep them busy for hours.
Finger Puppets
This fun calendar has 24 rubber finger puppets hidden behind 24 doors.
These cute puppets feature animals, Santa, and lots of cute characters.
They make great storytelling props, and kids will enjoy putting on little puppet plays.
Safari Animal Playset
Embark on a wild safari adventure with the Animal Playset Advent Calendar!
With 24 fun safari animals, including elephants, tigers, giraffes, and lions, each day brings delightful surprises waiting behind the calendar doors.
Your child will enjoy hours of imaginative fun with these animals.
Playmobile Christmas Market
Children will love stepping into the enchanting world of the Playmobil Advent Calendar – Christmas Market!
Twenty-four Playmobile surprises are waiting behind the doors.
Play Mobile Fairies Crystal Ball
Embark on an enchanting journey with the Playmobil Fairies Crystal Ball Advent Calendar.
Once all the pieces are revealed, you will have everything you need to recreate a magical ball with the Royal family.
The above two sets were my picks. However, Playmobile has a wide variety to choose from. You can find them here.
Polly Pocket Winter House
Unveil a winter wonderland of surprises with the Polly Pocket Advent Calendar, Winter House!
This fun calendar features a winter house with 4 floors, 8 rooms, and 25 delightful surprises!
Littlest Pet Shop
Get ready for a pet-tastic countdown to Christmas with the Littlest Pet Shop Advent Calendar!
This charming calendar holds 12 adorable pets and 12 fun accessories. A truly delightful gift for any Littlest Pet Shop lover.
My Little Pony Advent Calendar
Enjoy the magic of the My Little Pony Advent Calendar! Kids will be delighted to open 25 gem-shaped cardboard doors, revealing a surprise.
These include 16 mini pony figures, adorable critter companions, or delightful stickers.
Schleich Advent Calendars
Schleich animal sets are well known for their durability and attention to detail.
You should know there aren’t individual daily tabs, so the children can see what is coming. You may want to transfer the toys into your own Advent Calendar.
Farm World
Discover the joy of the countryside with the Schleich Farm World – Christmas Toy Store Advent Calendar!
Each day, kids will find a farm animal or accessory. This is perfect for kids who love horses and other animals.
Horse Club And Rider
Saddle up for a thrilling equestrian adventure with the Schleich Horse Club and Rider Advent Calendar!
Enjoy 24 days of horsey surprises this holiday season. This set features two horses, a rider, and many lovely accessories. Children love the little accessories and will play with them for hours.
Cars and Vehicles Advent Calendars
Rev up the excitement with Advent Calendars featuring cars and other vehicles! This section showcases a fun collection of calendars perfect for car enthusiasts and fans of all things on wheels.
Construction Vehicles
Build excitement every day with the Construction Vehicle Advent Calendar! Unveil diecast construction vehicles and road signs each day. This set is bound to ignite imaginative play for young builders.
Matchbox
Rev up the excitement with the Hot Wheels Calendar, designed just for Hot Wheels fans!
By Christmas, kids will have collected 8 Hot Wheels cars and various holiday-themed accessories.
Other Sets
These last two calendars didn’t fit any category, but I thought they were fun!
Family Games Advent Calendar
Get ready for a month of laughter and excitement with the Family Games Advent Calendar!
With one box for each day before Christmas, you’ll discover 24 unforgettable games, including Yatzy, dominos, Jackstones, Frog Race, Doodle a Droodle, and Candle in the Bottle.
Lindt Truffles
I had to include one chocolate Advent calendar. Why settle for cheap chocolate when you can enjoy some of Lindt’s finest?
I love the little chocolate bears! This calendar will appeal to every member of the family!
Are you ready to start Christmas Shopping? We’ve got some great gift suggestions. Each of our gift guides has been carefully researched and put together.
- 44 Epic Gifts For Kids Who Love Animals
- 34 Awesome Gifts for Kids Who Love Nature
- 35 Gifts For Active Kids To Get Them Moving
- The Ultimate List of Experience Gifts For Kids
- 60 Gift Ideas For The Outdoorsy Kid Who Loves Adventure
- 40 Epic Toys Kids Will Actually Play With
- 42 Magical Unicorn Toys Kids Will love
- Non Toy Gifts For Kids: 90 Inspired Ideas
Creating a personalized Advent calendar with your favorite advent calendar fillers adds a special touch to the holiday season. These little gifts bring joy daily and are a simple way to encourage the Christmas spirit. I hope this long list has given you loads of ideas and makes the task of filling your calendars much easier. Don’t forget to pin this post, so you can find it later.