20 Awesome Teen Advent Calendars

I am so done with candy. I feel like from Halloween to Easter, it’s a non-stop barrage of candy and junk food. But my son has already asked me if we’re getting “one of those things where you open the doors until Christmas.” So I’m on the hook for an advent calendar.

And probably last minute Elf on the Shelf ideas. But that’s another story. I have an Advent Calendar that we’ve used for almost 20 years. It’s wooden with 24 little drawers. For the years that I purchased an advent calendar online, I usually took the little things out and put them in the drawers.

Advent calendars are a wonderful family tradition. Particularly if you have a visual learner in your home. Or, a child that struggles with some executive functioning issues like understanding concepts of time.

There’s a little something for everyone in here.

Advent Calendars for Teenagers

The best advice I have is this. If you cannot find a pre-packaged out of the box advent calendar for your teenager, then I highly recommend making one. I don’t mean make the whole thing!

But come up with 24 different small gifts for your teenager. If 24 seems too much, do the 12 days of Christmas instead and only buy half as much.

Save The Post Kids Activities Form

Save this for later?

Instantly send this to your Inbox.

You can find great stuff to fill it with just about anywhere. Think about trial sized cosmetics, the little bins of stuff at Ulta, Target Dollar Spot and Dollar Tree. Candy, sports cards, socks, hair accessories, nail polish…so many options.

And hey, stick with me here–but you know how our kids used to make up those coupons for us for Mothers Day and stuff? “Good for one hug” and all that?

Give them coupons! No, not corny stuff like hugs. Teenagers are too cool for that. Make it for a free chore such as the dishes or taking out the trash. A ‘get out of jail free’ card for the next time they get in trouble. Coupons to pick the meals for dinner if they don’t usually get to. You get it–what would be a real treat for your teen or tween?

Staying up late? An app? A music download? In-game purchases that they make on Xbox and stuff? There are lots of possibilities.

Here are some wooden advent calendars below for you to use. You can purchase them once and use year after year.

Best Teen Advent Calendars

If you get a new countdown every year, then you definitely want to stay with the latest trends.

Still hot this year:

  • Harry Potter Advent Calendar
  • Nintendo Advent Calendar
  • Fortnite
  • Marvel

Here are 20 creative ideas for an advent calendar for teens that blend fun, relaxation, and a bit of excitement to keep them engaged throughout the holiday countdown:

  1. Daily Self-Care Challenges: Each day could contain a new activity focused on self-care like a face mask, a new bath bomb, or a relaxing Spotify playlist.
  2. Mini Candies or Snacks: Classic, but always a winner—small chocolates or their favorite candy each day.
  3. Trivia Questions: Put a trivia question in each box and give them points. At the end of the advent calendar, they can cash in their points for a bigger prize.
  4. Gift Cards: Include small denomination gift cards for coffee shops, smoothie places, or online stores (even just $5 can be exciting).
  5. Inspirational Quotes: Include daily motivational or funny quotes printed out to add a bit of positive energy each morning.
  6. Beauty Products: Sample-sized lotions, lip balms, nail polishes, or bath salts.
  7. Memory Challenges: Ask them to recall a favorite memory from each year of their life, share a funny story, or write down what they are most thankful for.
  8. Movie Night Coupons: Include slips for choosing a movie for a family night or watching their favorite holiday movie with hot cocoa.
  9. Holiday Socks: Fun socks are always a hit—different festive styles each week.
  10. Small Puzzle Pieces: Each day they get a piece of a bigger puzzle that comes together by the 24th.
  11. Mini Books or Journals: Include sections of a short story or chapters of a teen-friendly book that builds up over the advent days.
  12. Cute Stationery: Fun pens, washi tape, or sticky notes they can use for school.
  13. Recipes: Each day they receive a simple recipe or an ingredient to make a treat on Christmas Eve.
  14. Challenge Cards: Include simple challenges such as “no social media for an hour” or “try a new hobby today.” These can be quirky and help them think outside the box.
  15. Playlist Surprises: QR codes or links to daily holiday-themed playlists to keep the holiday spirit alive.
  16. Scratch-Off Cards: Make some DIY scratch-off cards that reveal rewards like “Stay up an hour later” or “Extra screen time.”
  17. Fidget Toys: If they still love tactile toys, include a small fidget spinner, stress ball, or other sensory item.
  18. Mini Ornaments: Let them decorate a small tree in their room by adding a new ornament each day until Christmas.
  19. Stickers or Pins: Include some aesthetic stickers for their laptop or pins for their backpack.
  20. DIY Craft Supplies: Small craft kits or supplies for a bigger project they can work on leading up to the holidays (e.g., beading supplies, embroidery thread for friendship bracelets).

These ideas can be easily customized to suit the interests and hobbies of your teen, making it a personalized and engaging countdown to Christmas!

Tweens can be tricky. Sometimes they like kid stuff like Minions and LEGO, and sometimes not. If all else fails, ask them!

Merry Christmas!

Gifts, Traditions & Supports for Disabled/Neurodivergent Families

Holiday shopping and tech tools that are neurodivergent- and disability-friendly. 🎁