Did you know that advent calendars can be educational? They can be great ways for homeschooling families to bring some holiday fun into their learning routine.
There are all kinds of advent calendars for all kinds of ages and interests: reading calendars for younger kids, STEM builds for middle and high schoolers, or group puzzles for the whole family.
You could pick one calendar per child, or even one calendar for the whole family, and turn it into a daily routine as a part of your homeschool: open the day’s door, discuss what’s inside, and then journal about it or pair it with a quick activity.
Advent calendars are not just treats — they’re opportunities for daily learning, curiosity, and connection during the holiday season. Below are some Advent calendars that we recommend.
1. National Geographic Amazing Science Advent Calendar
This calendar, great for ages 8-12, contains a mixture of gemstone specimens and simple science experiments (everything from growing a crystal tree to making your own snow!). Perfect for curious kids who love hands-on science exploration.
2. National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
This calendar contains 24 real gemstones your child can collect, identify, and learn about. It’s a great option for elementary-aged geologists and perfect homeschool families trying to take a fun spin on earth science.
3. Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar
The Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar includes 24 unique science experiments covering chemistry, physics, and biology. Each day reveals a new science tool or activity, which is ideal for older elementary and middle schoolers who love structured experiments.
4. Japace Kids Science Experiment Advent Calendar
This calendar includes a plethora of hands-on STEM activities like slime-making, crystal-growing, volcanic eruptions, and more. It’s a great option for older elementary and middle schoolers who enjoy fast, exciting science they can do mostly on their own.
5. 24-in-1 STEM Building Projects Advent Calendar
With this calendar, your child can open a new engineering challenge every day: build small mechanical projects such as a glider, catapult, traffic light, and windmill. This calendar is great for hands-on, project-based homeschooling, and is especially appropriate for ages 7-13.
6. STEM Wooden Engineering Advent Calendar
This engineering-based advent calendar contains daily wooden STEM builds including a hand-cranked generator, mechanical vehicles, a fiber optic light, and more. In a homeschool setting, it can be used to encourage creativity, ingenuitive thinking, and fine motor skills. It’s great for curious students ages 8 and older.
7. STEM Microscope Discovery Advent Calendar
This calendar reveals daily prepared slides and tools. It’s ideal for pre-teen students who enjoy biology, observation, and lab-style science work.
8. STEM Electronics Advent Calendar
This electronics-focused advent calendar includes lessons in electronics, circuits, and introductory engineering. Teens build a different small electronic project each day. Excellent for homeschoolers interested in robotics or engineering careers.
9. Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar
This calendar contains 24 mini storybooks featuring favorite Disney characters. It’s perfect for young readers because it can help families to build and maintain daily reading habits throughout the holiday season.
10. Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection
The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection holds 24 small books full of bright illustrations and engaging stories. It’s great for younger kids who are just learning to read.
11. National Park Puzzle Advent Calendar
This calendar includes 24 mini jigsaw puzzles that all fit together to make one large puzzle. It’s great for teaching logic, patience, spatial reasoning, and can also be used as a fun study-break. This is a good option for a family calendar, because siblings can take turns building each section of the puzzle.
12. The Purple Cow Shocking Science Advent Calendar
This advent calendar features 24 surprising science “tricks” and experiments — fun for kids who love wow-factor science like static electricity, color reactions, and illusions. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up.
13. Hidden Games – Professor Charlie’s World Tour
This advent calendar is an escape room and a board game and a murder mystery all rolled into one. Each day reveals a puzzle to help you get closer to catching the culprit. The answer to each day’s puzzle will tell you which clue to open on the following day. This advent calendar is great for teens, and can build reasoning and critical thinking skills.
14. EXIT: The Game – Advent Calendar: The Intergalactic Race
The premise of The Intergalactic Race advent calendar is to race across the cosmos in order to hold the best Christmas party! Each day reveals a riddle to be solved in order to move forward. This advent calendar is recommended for ages ten and up, and is an excellent way to incorporate creative problem-solving into your homeschool throughout the month of December.
15. Brain Teaser Advent Calendar
This brain teaser advent calendar contains one metal or wooden puzzle (and answer key) for each day leading up to Christmas. This is a great family-friendly option, where family members can take turns solving puzzles, or all can compete to solve the day’s puzzle in the least amount of time. This advent calendar is most engaging for tweens and teens, although younger children can enjoy it as well. It’s beneficial for homeschooling, building critical thinking skills and spatial reasoning, as well as patience and determination.
BONUS: LEGO Advent Calendars
While not strictly educational, LEGO advent calendars that contain Lego mini figs, are a great option for homeschoolers because Lego bricks in general encourage engineering, logic, fine motor skills, and creativity. Plus there are lots of options, from themes like LEGO City and LEGO Friends, to LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Star Wars. Click here to view a whole bunch of different LEGO advent calendars, appropriate for all LEGO-loving ages.
We hope that you found this guide helpful and educational, and that you and your family enjoy incorporating advent calendars into your homeschool this holiday season!
