These Are the Advent Calendars Kids and Tweens Actually Want in 2026
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From the hard-to-find NeeDoh Squishmas calendar to tiny Squishmallows, LEGO surprises, and beauty treats for tweens, these are the holiday countdowns worth knowing about.
There’s something about an advent calendar that makes December feel a little more magical, especially when you’re eight years old and waking up every morning to discover what’s behind the next little door. But advent calendars have changed quite a bit since the days of miniature chocolates. Now they’re filled with squishies, collectible plushies, tiny LEGO creations, and even lip glosses and skincare minis.
This year, my daughter Margaux has me paying particular attention to the toy and tween beauty categories. And if there’s one advent calendar I would keep an eye on, it’s the NeeDoh Squishmas calendar. Twenty-four miniature squishies tucked behind little doors? I completely understand the obsession.
We’ve rounded up the best advent calendars for kids and tweens in 2026, whether you’re shopping for a sensory-toy collector, a LEGO enthusiast, a Squishmallows fan, or a budding beauty lover. Some of the most popular calendars are already difficult to find, so this is one holiday tradition worth shopping for before December arrives.
1. NeeDoh Squishmas Advent Calendar 2026
Best for squishy-obsessed kids | $29.99 retail price
If you’ve spent any time around elementary school kids lately, you probably already know how serious the NeeDoh obsession has become. The 2026 Squishmas Advent Calendar includes 24 tiny sensory toys, with different colors, shapes, and textures behind each door. It’s exactly the sort of gift that makes getting out of bed in December a little easier.
The catch? Finding one. The calendar has been listed at Staples and Kohl’s for $29.99, but both retailers currently show it as out of stock. We’d keep checking rather than immediately paying an inflated resale price. (More on where to find the NeeDoh advent calendar and Christmas squishies.)
Best for plushie collectors | Approximately $52–$54
For the child who already has a bed full of Squishmallows but somehow always has room for one more, meet the Micromallows Holiday Advent Calendar. Instead of one big plushie, there are 24 tiny, 2.5-inch holiday-themed characters to discover throughout December, including a polar bear, reindeer, Christmas tree, and snowman.
The miniature size is part of the appeal. These are adorable for collecting, arranging on a shelf, or bringing along in a backpack.
There’s a reason LEGO advent calendars are a holiday classic. Kids open a new miniature build or character each day, and by Christmas they have a little collection they can continue playing with. The 2026 LEGO Friends edition is a particularly sweet option for kids who love imaginative play, characters, and creating little scenes.
Unlike novelty advent calendars that are finished once the countdown is over, LEGO pieces can become part of a much bigger collection.
If Disney princesses are still very much part of the household, this is one of the prettiest ways to count down to Christmas. The 2026 edition combines the excitement of a daily surprise with miniature LEGO Disney Princess builds and play pieces. It’s a fun alternative to the usual candy countdown, especially for children who love creating their own fairy-tale worlds.
For kids who would rather build an entire world than collect another stuffed animal, LEGO City is a wonderful option. The 2026 calendar includes festive characters, seasonal accessories, and mini builds, with instructions printed inside the doors. Kids can incorporate the creations into the LEGO sets they already own, making this an advent calendar with plenty of life beyond Christmas morning.
For a young Star Wars enthusiast, it’s hard to compete with a new LEGO surprise every morning. The 2026 Star Wars calendar combines the fun of collectible characters and miniature builds with the excitement of the holiday countdown. It’s a particularly good pick for older kids who have graduated from simpler toy calendars but still love a little Christmas magic.
At some point, the wish list starts shifting from toys to lip gloss, scrunchies, and anything that comes in a miniature bottle. Sephora’s 2026 Collection Advent Calendar brings together 24 surprises, including makeup, skincare, beauty tools, and accessories.
There are 13 full-size products, five travel sizes, and six accessories, making it a substantial beauty gift. For younger tweens, parents may want to review the contents and set aside products that aren’t age-appropriate. The masks, hair accessories, and simple beauty tools may be more appealing than the more advanced skincare. (For more ideas, see our best Sephora gifts for tweens.)
For an older tween or teen who has officially entered her beauty era, Sephora’s premium calendar takes the countdown a step further. There are 24 surprises tucked inside a sequined vanity case, including full-size makeup, skincare, and accessories. And because the case can be reused, it feels more like a proper holiday present than a disposable advent calendar.
This one makes the most sense for teens who already enjoy makeup and can use the products appropriately.
Jellycat fans know that the charm is in the characters, whether it’s a smiling croissant, a tiny animal, or one of the brand’s whimsical holiday creations. Although we haven’t verified an official Jellycat advent calendar for 2026, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a very special countdown of your own.
Choose a reusable advent calendar with pockets or numbered bags, then fill it with a few authentic Jellycat miniatures, alongside little notes, treats, and other surprises. You don’t necessarily need 24 plushies to make it magical. A handful of thoughtfully chosen characters mixed with smaller gifts can make an unforgettable holiday tradition.
If you’re shopping for a child who loves sensory toys, the NeeDoh Squishmas calendar would be my first choice at its original retail price. For a plushie collector, Squishmallows Micromallows is hard to resist. LEGO is the practical winner for kids who enjoy building, while Sephora’s calendars are better suited to older beauty enthusiasts.
And if you have a Jellycat lover at home, a handmade countdown could end up being the most memorable of them all.
Whatever you choose, the real fun is in those little December mornings: the pajamas, the excitement, and the tiny surprise before the day has even begun.
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