The easiest advent calendar ideas for kids mix small toys with free activities. Buy a ready-made calendar, or fill your own 24 doors with $2 to $15 surprises like mini race cars, squishies, craft kits and card games. Save bigger picks for weekends and Christmas Eve, and add free treats like movie night.
Shop the full range in our Christmas shop. Prices checked October 2026.
Quick picks
- Classic Cars Advent Calendar: a ready-made countdown with 24 surprises. From $19.99.
- Street Racer Race Cars: tiny cars that fit any pocket or door. From $2.
- Unicorn Squishy: a soft squeeze toy for one of the early doors. From $2.
- Felt Pens With Stamps: 12 pens with a stamp on each end. From $7.
- Christmas Projector Night Light: a festive "big day" pick for bedtime. From $14.99.
Option 1: a ready-made advent calendar
If you're short on time, a ready-made calendar does the work for you. Our 24 Days of Classic Cars Advent Calendar has a classic car theme and 24 miniature collectible surprises. Kids open one each day from December 1 to December 24. It's a good fit for little car fans who would rather collect something than eat chocolate. Age guidance isn't listed and it may contain small parts, so keep it away from children under 3. From $19.99.
Option 2: a DIY advent calendar filler plan
A DIY calendar lets you choose every surprise. Use small boxes, paper bags, envelopes or socks, and number them 1 to 24. Then fill them with a mix of tiny toys, craft supplies and free activity cards. Mixing in free ideas keeps the cost down and makes the countdown about time together, not just stuff.
Small toys for weekday doors
- Street Racer Race Cars: small toy cars made for party bags and rewards. Small parts, so not suitable for children under 3. The number of cars per purchase isn't confirmed, so message us if you need a set quantity. From $2.
- Unicorn Squishy: a cute unicorn-shaped toy that's soft and satisfying to squeeze. From $2.
- Spiky Sensory Ring: a stretchy, textured ring that fits in a pocket. From $2.
- 15 Jumbo Chalks with Carry Case: jumbo chalk sticks for driveway drawings and hopscotch on a dry day. From $2.
- 40-Piece Squishy Jelly Building Blocks: soft, colorful blocks to stack and connect. Split the set across a few doors. From $5.33.
Craft and build doors
- Felt Pens With Stamps (Pack of 12): each pen has a stamp on the end, so kids can color and stamp patterns. From $7.
- DIY Solar-Powered Wooden Car Kit: build a small wooden car that uses solar energy to help it move. From $2.68.
- DIY Dinosaur Painting Kit: dinosaur figures to paint, in six or eight pieces. From $9.
- DIY Wooden Combination-Lock Box Kit: build a wooden box with a working combination lock. From $8.84.
"Big day" picks for weekends and Christmas Eve
Weekends and December 24 are a good time for a slightly bigger surprise. Keep these to four or five days so the budget stays in check.
- Picture Card Game in Metal Tin: a picture-card game that comes in a tin, good for a family game night. From $8.
- Pocket Microscope: look at leaves, fabric and paper up close. From $11.
- Silicone Bubble Squeeze Ball: soft silicone bubbles to press and pop, with multi-pack options to share. From $12.
- Dinosaur Drill & Assembly Tool Set: toy tools to put dinosaur parts together and take them apart. From $12.93.
- Christmas Projector Night Light: a small rotating projector that shows snowflakes, snowmen, reindeer and candy canes. USB powered; a wall adapter isn't listed as included. A cozy Christmas Eve pick. From $14.99.
More low-cost fillers are in under $10 add-ons, gifts under $15 and fidget and sensory toys.
A sample 24-day advent plan
Here's one way to spread toys and free activities across December. Swap days to fit your calendar. Free activities are written on a small card and tucked in the door.
- Day 1: Street racer race car
- Day 2: Free: write a letter to Santa
- Day 3: Unicorn squishy
- Day 4: Free: bake Christmas cookies together
- Day 5: Spiky sensory ring
- Day 6 (weekend): Picture card game for family game night
- Day 7: Free: Christmas movie night with popcorn
- Day 8: Felt pens with stamps
- Day 9: Free: make paper snowflakes for the windows
- Day 10: Squishy jelly building blocks (first half)
- Day 11: Free: drive or walk around to see Christmas lights
- Day 12: Squishy jelly building blocks (second half)
- Day 13 (weekend): Pocket microscope
- Day 14: Free: hot cocoa and a holiday story
- Day 15: DIY solar-powered wooden car kit
- Day 16: Free: make a card for a grandparent or teacher
- Day 17: DIY dinosaur painting kit
- Day 18: Free: choose a toy to donate
- Day 19: Jumbo chalks (or a second race car on a rainy day)
- Day 20 (weekend): Dinosaur drill and assembly tool set
- Day 21: DIY combination-lock box kit
- Day 22: Free: pajama dance party
- Day 23: Silicone bubble squeeze ball
- Day 24 (Christmas Eve): Christmas projector night light
How to plan an advent calendar for kids
- Set a budget first. Decide on a total, then keep most doors at $2 to $9 and a few bigger days at $10 to $15.
- Mix toys and activities. Roughly half free activities keeps it fun without the cost adding up.
- Check the size of each door. Measure your boxes or pockets before you buy, and save bigger items for a basket on weekends.
- Read each listing. Some small toys have small parts and aren't suitable for children under 3. If a listing doesn't show an age, message us and we'll confirm.
- Plan for siblings. Multi-pack and split-up items, like the building blocks, stretch further when you're filling two calendars.
Frequently asked questions
What can I put in a kids' advent calendar instead of candy?
Small toys, craft supplies and activity cards work well. Try mini race cars, squishies, felt pens, small craft kits and free ideas like movie night, baking cookies or seeing Christmas lights.
How much does it cost to fill an advent calendar for kids?
It depends on your mix. Many of our fillers start at $2, and bigger "big day" picks are $8 to $15. Using free activities on about half the days keeps the total low.
When should I order advent calendar fillers?
Advent calendars start on December 1, so order by mid-November so everything arrives before December 1. Orders are dispatched in 2β3 business days, and delivery usually takes 4β12 business days after dispatch.
How much is shipping?
US shipping is a flat $6.98, and it's free on orders of $49 or more. Buying all 24 days of fillers in one order often gets you there.
Can I return items I don't use?
Yes. We accept returns within 14 days on unused items in their original packaging with tags.
Is a ready-made advent calendar or a DIY one better?
A ready-made calendar saves time and comes with 24 surprises inside. A DIY calendar lets you pick each door, mix in free activities and match your child's interests.
Ready to build your countdown? Browse the Christmas shop, then fill the small doors from under $10 add-ons and gifts under $15.