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Best advents calendars for kids: Toys and chocolate calendars

No matter your age, Christmas is a magical time for all and yet there are few things that compare to genuine childlike excitement.

We may not know how the next few months will play out, but one thing is for certain, it can still be the most wonderful Christmas yet packed with festive feels. Let your little ones countdown to the big day with a sweet or fun-filled treat each day in the lead up to December 25.

Satisfy their sweet tooth with a selection of chocolatey goodness from some of the best confectioners around or with a super special toy from their favourite TV series.

We have selected the best and most sought-after calendars to build anticipation until Santa’s arrival.

Act fast as these advents tend to fly off the (virtual) shelves.

Shop more of the best advent calendars for Christmas 2020:

Chocolate & Sweets

Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar

You can always count on good old Cadbury to see you through the festive season in sweet, chocolatey style. A certified crowd-pleaser, smiles are guaranteed with this calendar which is filled with bite size blocks of Dairy Milk anda vanilla milk creme filling.

£4.99 | Cadbury Gifts

Children's Chocolate Advent Calendar

Watch their little faces light up when you present them with this festive pre-Christmas treat from Fortnum & Mason. Housed with the beautiful carousel-shaped box, it features an illustration of the luxury department store’s facade. Inside they'll find premium Colombian milk chocolate treats crafted from 35 per cent cocoa solids. Each chocolate resembles a festive figure.

£22 | Fortnum & Mason

PLAYin CHOC advent calendar

PLAYin CHOC has taken a very unique approach to the festive season with its advent that combines fun with an educational twist. The box reveals 24 drawers that not only contain a mini chocolate bar but also a 3D puzzle toy that has been entirely made from recycled materials. There will also be stencils and fun fact cards. The chocolate is made from natural and organic ingredients and will suit all with dairy, soy, nut, gluten or sesame allergies.

£55 | John Lewis

Percy Pig Advent Calendar

The nation’s favourite sweet treat, Percy Pig, is available in calendar form so your little piggies can tuck in each day in the lead up to Christmas.

£10 | M&S

Swizzels Sweet Factory Advent Calendar

Set to satisfy their sweet tooth and some, Swizzles’ advent calendar is packed with sweet shop favourites like Drumstick Squashies, Refreshers chew bars and Love Hearts. This one will suit both little and big kids alike.

£5 | Swizzles

Up to Snow Good – Children’s Advent Calendar

For a chocolatey surprise behind each door, the Hotel Chocolat kids calendar will be sure to go down a treat. Each of the chocolates is sculpted by the chocolatiers in-house experts to resemble penguins, Santas and snowmen where there is an extra-special iteration for Christmas Eve.

£8 | Hotel Chocolat

Toys and stationery

PLAYMOBIL Advent Calendars

This Christmas, toy label Playmobil has launched not one but four advent calendars filled to the brim with toys to take your little ones through the Christmas season and beyond.

Behind each of the 25 windows they will find figures, animals, vehicles and accessories to fill them with joy and so that by the big day itself, there is a full set where the box transforms into a backdrop to play on. Each calendar is themed with farmyard scene, a toy shop complete with Santa’s grotto, pirates or Novelmore Battle for the Magic Stone with knights. The box is suitable for kids aged 4 to 10 years-old.

From £19.99 | Amazon

Paperchase Sugar Plum Advent Calendar

For the budding stationery obsessive, this calendar from Paperchase will go down a treat. The calendar follows a wholesome Christmas tale of the sugar plum fairy who can’t find her ballet shoes on the day of the big show. Each day there will be a whole host of stationary and accessories where the total contents worth over £40.

£28 | Paperchase

LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2020

Everything you need to keep your kids entertained in the run up to Christmas, Lego has squirrelled away a whole host of surprises behind each of its themed advents. From Harry Potter, to Star Wars, there is something to suit every LEGO fan.

PEPPA PIG Advent Calendar

Everyone’s favourite TV pig is back to treat your little one’s to a daily pre-Christmas surprise. The calendar is filled with characters from the show including the eponymous star, Peppa as well as George and their friends - there may even be a guest appearance from Santa himself.

£20 | Selfridges

PLAYDOH Advent Calendar

Christmas really has come early for your kids with Play-Doh’s advent that is packed with the compound in all different colours, including two super special suitably festive glittering editions. They will also find a range of stencils and cutters so they can be inspired to create unique shapes.

£16 | Selfridges

VTECH Toot-Toot Drivers advent calendar

From the electric learning company VTech comes this Christmas-themed toy set offered in advent form. Each day your little one’s will receive one of 24 gifts. Santa really has come early as the set features the man of the hour alongside a sleigh, Toot-Toot friends and accessories. Father Christmas sings songs for your kids to join in with as well as fun phrases.

£20 | Argos

Smiggle Advent Calendar

Valued at £50, this calendar from Australian-born label Smiggle is brimming with stationery treats. After the success of last year’s edition, the brand’s advent is back and is bigger and better than ever before. You can expect slapbands, lanyards, glitter glue, scented stickers, pencil cases and more as well as extra special surprises. One lucky customer will even win a Lucky Ticket that gets you a £500 shopping spree in a Smiggle store.

£28 | Selfridges

Next Magical Unicorn Kids Advent Calendar

Bring the magic of Christmas to your kids with this unicorn-inspired calendar from Next. They will open a window a day, each day in the lead up to December 25 and receive a special present within. The selection includes mini eau de parfums, heart erasers, lip gloss, nail polishes and more.

£20 | Next

LOL Surprise! #OOTD Winter Disco Advent Calendar

LOL Surprise dolls have been given a seasonal makeover and hidden behind 24 windows. In the lead up to Christmas day, your doll obsessive can wrap either one of the stars or accessories so they can mix up their look and dress them ready to party into the new year.

£32.95 | Harrods

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