XMAS COUNTDOWN
I tested kids’ themed advent calendars – a bargain £20 one will keep them entertained throughout December
We reveal which were the most popular with the kids
CHOOSING the right advent calendar can make the countdown to Christmas even more magical.
It's no longer about indulging in a single square of chocolate. Instead, children can open a toy a day which is not only healthier, but it lasts longer too.
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And there is something for all children, whatever their interest.
From Lego to Lilo and Stich, and Harry Potter to The Gruffalo, there are calendars themed around almost every kids' character around.
Here mum-of-three Lynsey Hope, 43, from West Malling, Kent, picks her favourites:
Smiggle Harry Potter Advent Calendar
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- £36, smiggle.co.uk
More on money
- Age: 3+
This one is a great choice for Harry Potter fans. Featuring 25 mystical gifts, this calendar includes whole notebooks, goo, a key chain and spy pen.
All the items are good quality and though the calendar might seem expensive at first, you do get quite a bit for your money.
There are about four character rubbers so would perhaps of preferred a bit more variety, but it went down a storm with all three kids.
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Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
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- £30, argos.co.uk
- Age: 6+
A particularly impressive version for 2024, my son's eyes lit up when he saw this calendar.
There is something particularly Christmass-y about Star Wars. This has five unique mini-figures including a Christmas Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and a number of mini builds including The Emperor's Shuttle and The Crimson Firehawk.
No matter your age, you're never too old for Lego and this advent calendar will delight adults and children alike during the festive countdown.
Disney Stitch Mad Beauty Advent Calendar
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- £24.95, madbeauty.com
- Age: 3+
Even though Stitch was invented by Disney more than 20 years ago, this loveable character is still having his moment and as a result, this calendar will go down a storm.
It's full of gentle bath and body treats including a range of bath fizzers and clay masks, foot lotion, hand cream, bubble bath and lip balm.
It was easy to open and none of the products seemed to irritate my daughter Olive's skin.
She is seven - and loved this. It was her top choice for the countdown to Christmas, even over chocolate.
Brio World Train Set Advent Calendar
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- £34.99, brio.co.uk
- Age: 3+
This contains great quality bits of train set which will fit with other Brio track if you have any.
You get one Mr & Mrs Santa Claus, a snowy train and trailer, some track, signs, fences, parcels and a little bunny. The doors were quite hard to open and my four-year-old needed help every time.
There's not loads on its own but it's great that it goes with the rest of her wooden train set. Ivy really loved the two Christmas figures.
Build -your-own Pinball Machine Advent Calendar
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- £24.99, buildyourownkits.com
- Age: 8+
Hidden behind each door is a set of instructions allowing you to gradually build a mini pinball machine for the 25th.
It was easy to assemble and comes with swirly glass marbles allowing you to start playing as soon as the machine is made. It was a real hit with the kids once built and provided hours of entertainment.
My only complaint is that some of the doors were a little dull as you have to wait all month until its ready to go so definitely one for more patient kids.
No glue is used in the making, so this can easily be broken down and recycled when the time comes.
Panini Premier League Trading Card Game Countdown Calendar
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- £35, paniniadrenalynpl.com
- Age: 6+
Sure to draw the eye of any football fans, this Panini calendar is bigger and better than ever.
It has 18 supercharged special card categories including Hypersonic, Breakthroughs and the much-coveted, ultra-rare Invincible cards. In total there are 18 packets and six limited edition cards.
My ten-year-old son Jacob loved this and was the envy of all his friends.
Be warned, however, it is quite big and bulky if you are tight on space.
JoJo Maman Bebe Father Christmas Workshop Advent Calendar
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- £38, jojomamanbebe.co.uk
- Age: 3+
This is a super attractive and reusable advent calendar which is actually nice for the whole family.
It contains 24 wooden figures including Father and Mrs Christmas, Rudolph and snowmen.
The sides of the box open out to create a play scene and unlike some of the other, rather unsightly and bulky boxes, this does create a bit of a decoration for the home too.
National Geographic Rock, Fossil and Mineral Advent Calendar
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- £22.96, amazon.co.uk
- Age: 8+
Rocks, fossils, minerals and gemstones - this calendar has them all.
The kids loved opening geodes, pyrites, agate, urchin and more, and on the last day they will receive a special rose quartz.
It also comes with a magnifying glass - a great option for budding scientists.
Electronic Games Advent Calendar
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- £25, menkind.co.uk
- Age: 14+
Open the doors of this retro looking calendar to find a new electronic component each day.
The parts allow you to build 24 different old fashioned games including Code Breaker, Memory, Whack a Mole and Wire Maze.
This one is great for older kids that like building and electronics.
Be aware you do need three AA batteries, which don't come behind the doors - you'll need to buy them separately.
The Gruffalo Musical Christmas Advent Calendar
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- £24.49, danilo.com
- Age: N/A
A cute musical calendar that plays three songs from the Gruffalo's Child soundtrack.
Behind the doors you'll find pop-up scenery, stickers and dancing characters that are able to skate around the music box base as you count down the days to Christmas.
It has three magnetic characters: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Snake.
It needs three batteries, which are included, and this can be reused for years to come making it great value for money.
Slime Advent Calendar
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- £19.99, amazon.co.uk
- Age: 3+
A rather messy calendar but it will keep the kids busy on the run up to Christmas. It's very fun with gifts including 16 fluffy slimes, eight glitters and seven little toys.
The slimes do come in a pot to keep them fresh. You could make quite a lot with the contents and it did keep the kids happy for some time.
Smiggle Advent Calendar
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- £28, smiggle.co.uk
- Age: 3+
If Harry Potter isn't your thing, Smiggle also has this option, which contains 25 complete surprises.
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The various goodies include a magic cube, a squishy, a bouncing ball, a rainbow pencil, a kaleidoscope and a fidget spinner.
Every single day, these toys were well received by old and young children alike. It's quite bulky to store, but that's my only complaint.
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