Wooden Advent Calendars for Toddlers: A Christmas Countdown That Lasts

For a toddler, 24 days is a long time. "How many sleeps?" starts early in December and doesn't stop. A wooden advent calendar gives all that waiting a shape: one door and one small wooden piece every morning, with no chocolate before breakfast and nothing to throw away afterwards.

We're Kirsty and Mat, and we run Imagination Toys from the Wirral. Here's what to look for in a toddler advent calendar, how to make one last longer than a single December, and the Christmas pieces we're stocking this year.

Why a wooden advent calendar suits toddlers

Little ones love routine, and an advent calendar is a routine with a reward at the end. Opening a door each morning is a small job they can do themselves, and the piece behind it is something to hold, name and play with straight away.

Chocolate calendars are over in seconds, and at one or two years old most parents would rather skip the daily treat anyway. A wooden one builds up as the month goes on. By Christmas Day there's a whole set of characters to play with, and it can all be packed away for next year.

Counting the doors helps too. Toddlers won't follow dates on a calendar, but "three more doors until Christmas" is something they can see for themselves.

What to look for in a toddler advent calendar

• The age on the box. Toddlers still put things in their mouths, so choose a calendar made for their age, with pieces too big to swallow. Calendars with small parts carry a "not suitable for children under 36 months" warning.
• Pieces that belong together. A calendar where every piece is part of one scene or one story gets played with long after Christmas. Random trinkets tend to disappear under the sofa.
• Doors they can open. Half the fun is doing it themselves, so look for doors that small fingers can manage without tearing.
• What it's made from. FSC-certified wood, non-toxic paint and packaging you can recycle are all worth checking for.

Our wooden Christmas countdown picks

Peter Rabbit™ Wooden Advent Calendar

This is our main advent calendar this year. Behind 24 numbered doors are 24 painted wooden pieces from Beatrix Potter's stories: Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Benjamin Bunny and friends, plus their Christmas essentials. By Christmas Day they make a whole winter scene. It's made by Orange Tree Toys from FSC-certified wood with non-toxic paint, and it's recommended for ages 1 to 4. See the Peter Rabbit™ Wooden Advent Calendar.

Christmas Countdown Blocks

If you'd rather have a countdown than a calendar, these wooden blocks sit on a shelf with Father Christmas and Rudolph on top. Change the blocks each morning to show how many days are left. They're for 18 months and up, and they come out again every December. See the Christmas Countdown Blocks.

Father Christmas & Sleigh Play Set

Not a calendar, but a good one to bring out on 1 December. Father Christmas, an elf and Rudolph ride in a wooden sleigh, ready to deliver presents around the living room every day of advent. For 18 months and up. See the Father Christmas & Sleigh Play Set.

Father Christmas Wooden Puzzle

A chunky Father Christmas puzzle, small enough for a stocking or for the last door of a homemade calendar. See the Father Christmas Wooden Puzzle.

You'll find all four in our Christmas collection.

Making it last beyond December

A wooden calendar earns its place when it comes out year after year. A few things help:

• Keep a small bag or box just for the pieces once Christmas is over, so none get lost in the toy box.
• Let them play with the pieces during advent. A Peter Rabbit scene on the windowsill or a sleigh run along the back of the sofa is part of the fun.
• Wipe the pieces with a damp cloth before you pack them away. Our guide to cleaning wooden toys has more on that.
• Next December, bring them out again. Children often remember their favourite pieces and look out for them.

When to order

Advent starts on Tuesday 1 December, so order calendars in time to open the first door on the day. For Christmas presents, our last order date is Tuesday 15 December. UK delivery is free on orders over £100, and we fund the planting of a tree for every order.

For ideas for every age, have a look at our wooden toy Christmas gift guide.

Common questions

What age is a wooden advent calendar for?

It depends on the calendar, so check the age on the box. Our Peter Rabbit™ Wooden Advent Calendar is recommended for 1 to 4 year olds. Avoid calendars marked "not suitable for children under 36 months" for babies and toddlers, because they contain small parts.

Are wooden advent calendars reusable?

Yes. The pieces don't get eaten or thrown away, so you can keep them and use the calendar again next year. In between, they work as a small play set.

What can I give a toddler instead of a chocolate advent calendar?

A wooden advent calendar with a piece behind each door is the closest swap. Countdown blocks are a simpler option, and some families bring out a Christmas play set on 1 December and add to the story each day.