Best 2021 advent calendars for kids – CNET [CNET]

A huge part of the holiday season is simply the excitement. Kids love counting down the days until Christmas. And what better way to highlight the holiday buildup than an advent calendar? Little ones can prep for their holiday haul with a tiny gift each day until the 25th. They open a numbered door and find a little something inside. We can see why advent calendars have become a holiday staple: Surprises are fun and so are treats. 

Advent calendars of yore (OK, of the ’80s and ’90s) used to hold candy, if they held any sort of prizes, but these days, toys and trinkets are common filler. Characters like Mario and Harry Potter are sure to charm, but there’s also a science-themed set and one set in a barn. Cars, horses and trains — we’ve got all the angles covered. 2021’s best kids’ advent calendars are on this list, but some of these will go fast, so get your order in before the December countdown begins.