Advent Calendar Ideas Without Chocolate (that kids love)!

Christmas is a time of family gatherings and traditions. One of the most loved traditions is the Advent Calendar. Many modern calendars are chocolate-filled, but if you are looking for a sugar-free alternative and more traditional option then you are not alone. With the holiday season approaching fast, we have some of the best traditional advent calendar ideas without chocolate

Traditional Advent Calendars

handmade advent calendar
Photo credit The Stocking Shop

Historically, advent calendars allowed people to track the days until the birth of Christ, December 25th. The tradition of advent calendars is traced back to the 19th century, as people found fun ways to count down the days to Christmas. These calendars had Bible verses, images, and even chocolate behind each door. The purpose was meant to create anticipation for the major holiday. However, people now use advent calendars for the same reason, but there are different prizes behind each day’s door! Let’s take a look at some of these advent calendar ideas!

Nativity Advent Calendars

Nativity Scene Advent Calendar

nativity advent calendar

This advent calendar brings excitement, as each day presents a different piece to add to the calendar! Kids will love opening each day’s door to see which character is added. Parents, you will love this calendar because it is only $14.99! Additionally, this calendar teaches your kids about the nativity scene and adds more Christmas joy as the holiday approaches! A great advent calendar, minus the chocolate!

$14.99 Oriental Trading

Advent Calendar with a Story

advent calendar with nativity story

Gift your kids with an early Christmas present that teaches them about the story of Christmas! Kids will love this advent calendar because each day presents a new Bible verse that reminds them why we celebrate Christmas in the first place! For the low cost of $9.39, this calendar provides the Christmas story, ways to share God’s love at Christmas, and even some Christmas songs to sing! What is a better way to celebrate Christmas, without the teachings of this advent calendar?

$9.39 Oriental Trading

Fill Yourself Advent Calendars

Precious Moments Advent Calendar

nativity advent calendar with drawers

An advent calendar with little Precious Moments nativity figurines? How cute! This advent calendar has a price of $119.99, with each day giving a nativity figurine that has a note about the part they played in the nativity story. Kids will love this calendar, as each day they piece together more and more of the nativity scene. Plus, parents can add another little trinket into the box if they desire!

$119.99 from Amazon.

Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar

advent calendar without chocolate

Want to truly customize your advent calendar? We have you covered! This beautiful countdown to Christmas advent calendar has nativity scene decorations, but each box is left empty for your own additions! Priced at $44.99, this traditional advent is great for kids because you can place any trinket in the boxes for your children to open! This will make each day leading up to Christmas filled with joy, as your kids open a new treasure every day!

$44.99 from Amazon

Create-a-Scene Advent Calendars

Nativity Scene Advent Calendar

nativity scene advent calendar

Open up a new piece to create a nativity scene with this advent calendar! This is sure to bring thrill to your kids, because they open a new piece of the nativity scene each day. Additionally, this advent calendar price is $42.49 and all you have to do is open the new door each day! Once Christmas comes around, you and your family will have a finished nativity set. How great!

$42.49 from Amazon

Christmas Toy Store Advent Calendar

playmobil christmas toy store advent calendar

Have your kids create their own Christmas toy store with this advent calendar! Each day a new piece is given, and once Christmas comes around, your kids are going to have a full toy store! This traditional advent calendar is a great way to get your kids excited for Christmas, as a new set is revealed! Also, parents, this advent calendar costs $39.99 and serves as a great way to get ready for Christmas!   

$39.99 from Amazon

Toy Filled Advent Calendars

Hot Wheels Advent Calendar

hot wheels advent calendar

Want to know the best way to get your kids excited for Christmas? Give them little teasers for their actual presents! In this advent calendar, the kids open a new piece for a Christmas-themed Hot Wheel track (which is provided as well!). For only $19.99, this traditional advent calendar comes with a twist that is sure to create joyful memories leading up to Christmas! Who needs chocolate when your kids can get more toys?

$19.99 from Amazon

Puzzle Advent Calendar

puzzle advent calendar

Do you want something that you and your family can spend time using as you get ready for Christmas? Take a look at this puzzle advent calendar! Each day presents a new metal puzzle, which is a great way for the family to spend time together! In addition, this advent calendar costs $13.99, making it a great buy. Have some family fun and a new puzzle that your kids will love!

$13.99 from Amazon

Jewelry Christmas Advent Calendar

jewelry advent calendar for girls

Do you need an advent calendar for the girls in your house? Take a look at this jewelry advent calendar! This will leave your girls ready for Christmas, as they can wear their new jewelry to your Christmas festivities! Also, this calendar’s price is $39.95, containing different pieces that the special girls in your life will love!

$39.95 from Amazon

LEGO Advent Calendar

lego city advent calendar

Lastly, a great idea for advent calendars without chocolate for a lego lover! Build a LEGO city with this exciting advent calendar! For just $29.95, your kids can have a chance to build a whole Christmas-themed city by the time Christmas comes around. Each day brings a new set of LEGOs that will have your kid looking forward to new pieces! This is a prime example of a fun calendar without any chocolate. And for parents, this is a great way to decorate for Christmas without having to do any work!

$29.95 from Amazon

Advent Calendar Ideas Without Chocolate – Final Thoughts

There are so many great advent calendar ideas without chocolate. This year, save your kids a future trip to the dentist by buying one of the advent calendars listed above and watch them buzz with excitement for Christmas! If you are looking for more Christmas ideas, take a look at our Christmas page here. Otherwise, we hope you have a great holiday season and a Merry Christmas! 

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About Author

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Jane Sheriff is the founder, creative director, party planner and mom of three. She started Darling Celebrations back in 2012 to share easy and beautiful ideas for celebrating the special events in life.