Discover the best Science & STEM Advent Calendars for kids and count down to Christmas with fun, hands-on science experiments and engineering projects everyday!
The holiday season is always filled with joy, magic, and excitement, especially for kids! As a mom, I am always bombarded with the question, “How many more days until Christmas?” for the days (and weeks!) leading up to the big day. But I am tired of spending money on the Advent calendars with little trinkets or toys that we always end up throwing away, and my kids don’t need additional sugar from the ones that are filled with candies.
My favorite Advent calendars are the science and STEM Christmas Advent calendars. They are packed with science experiments, engineering challenges, and creative builds that keep the kids engaged and learning throughout the holiday season.
This unique twist on the classic Advent calendar offers daily STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fun while counting down to Christmas. STEM projects encourage kids to think critically and solve problems, all while exploring the world of science and technology.
Let’s dive into some of the best STEM and Science Advent Calendars for kids to make this Christmas extra special this year!
Top Science and STEM Advent Calendars
1. KiwiCo Advent Calendar Kits
The KiwiCo Advent Calendar Kits is our top pick for any STEM-loving kid. Each day offers a fun, hands-on STEM project that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and exploration. From building engineering structures to crafting simple circuits, KiwiCo’s calendar makes learning through play a holiday tradition!
The Advent Calendar Bundle includes four advent calendars to create a festive winter wonderland complete with a Christmas-themed town, a motorized train, miniature cottages, and a North Pole-style train. This bundle is perfect for families with multiple kids of different ages.
You can also purchase these advent calendars separately:
- Christmas Village Advent Calendar
- Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar
- Motorized Christmas Train Advent Calendar
- Santa’s Railroad Advent Calendar
My daughter had so much fun with the Santa’s Railroad Advent Calendar! It came with a stand for the 24 cute envelopes containing individual projects inside. My kids were excited to set up the “presents” on the racks neatly, and the display looked so festive on our console table.
Once you unfold each envelope, you’ll find detailed instructions, illustrations, and all the materials you need to construct each mini-project. The crate also included extra decorating items to customize the little houses, people, and train.
My daughter had no trouble putting together all the different parts of the snowy scene by herself and looked forward to opening an envelope every morning!
Highlights:
- 24 different STEM activities, one for each day of December.
- Engages kids in science, engineering, and creativity.
- Easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions with everything included.
- Kids can decorate and arrange the holiday displays to their liking.
- Making the crates together is great for sibling bonding.
- Recommended for kids ages 5+.
2. National Geographic Mega Science Advent Calendar
For kids who love science, this National Geographic Mega Science Advent Calendar is a dream come true! With 24 science-themed surprises, it’s packed with experiments, gadgets, and fun facts. Not only does it have 13 incredible experiments, but it also has 11 beautiful gemstones to add to your kid’s collection.
Kids can conduct hands-on experiments, like growing crystals, exploring pyrite, and performing chemical reactions, all while learning cool science concepts.
Highlights:
- Explore a new science experiment every day.
- Includes real science tools and gadgets.
- Fun and educational, with easy setup for each experiment.
- Recommended for kids ages 8+.
3. Shocking Science Advent Calendar
The Shocking Science Advent Calendar brings 24 days of mind-blowing experiments and hands-on science fun! This unique Advent calendar is packed with exciting activities that let kids explore physics, illusions, robotics, and chemistry, one day at a time.
Each window reveals the materials and instructions for a new, jaw-dropping experiment, giving kids a thrilling way to learn about science while counting down to Christmas.
Highlights:
- Uncover a new, magical experiment daily for 24 days.
- Encourages hands-on learning and exploration of key science concepts.
- Each activity comes with detailed instructions for fun and safe experiments.
- Combines holiday excitement with engaging scientific exploration.
- Recommended for kids ages 8+.
4. Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar
Thames & Kosmos is known for their high-quality educational kits, and their Science Advent Calendar doesn’t disappoint!
Behind each door, you’ll find instructions and parts to build a working model or gadget, like a diving octopus or a spinning top. It’s a brilliant way for kids to explore the principles of engineering and physics while celebrating the holiday season.
Highlights:
- 24 days of building and discovery with cool gadgets.
- Combines fun, learning, and hands-on experimentation.
- Recommended for kids ages 8+.
5. Ravensburger GraviTrax Advent Calendar
Perfect for fans of the GraviTrax marble run system, this Ravensburger GraviTrax Advent Calendar features 24 days of exciting surprises. Each door reveals a new track piece or accessory, allowing kids to expand and enhance their GraviTrax sets.
This calendar adds endless possibilities for creativity and fun, from launchers to loops and curves. Build, experiment, and discover the principles of gravity, kinetic energy, and engineering with every day leading up to Christmas!
Highlights:
- Discover new track pieces, rails, and accessories, creating a unique and exciting marble run by Christmas.
- Encourages kids to explore gravity, kinetic energy, and problem-solving through hands-on play.
- Works with any GraviTrax starter set to expand and enhance your marble run.
- Includes unique components not found in standard GraviTrax sets.
- Suitable for kids ages 8+.
6. Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar
The Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar is the ultimate countdown for young experimenters! Packed with 24 thrilling science experiments, this Advent calendar turns each day into a hands-on adventure from chemistry and biology to mechanics, optics, and magnetics.
Kids will love the adorable advent calendar design and the fun and engaging experiments. Uncover fascinating scientific concepts with easy-to-follow activities and all the materials they need to explore the wonders of science with this advent calendar!
Highlights:
- Open a new door each day to reveal a fun and engaging science experiment.
- Introduces kids to chemistry and biology, mechanics, optics, and magnetics through hands-on activities.
- Includes all materials and tools needed for every experiment.
- Each experiment comes with easy-to-understand, step-by-step guidance.
- Recommended for kids ages 8+.
7. National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar
The National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar offers an exciting way to count down to Christmas for young explorers and gem enthusiasts! Each day reveals a real gemstone, mineral, or fossil, allowing kids to build their own collection of stunning treasures.
Accompanied by fun facts and information about each stone, this Advent calendar combines hands-on discovery with educational content, making it the perfect gift for budding geologists.
Highlights:
- Collect a new gemstone, mineral, or fossil each day leading up to Christmas.
- Learn fascinating facts about each stone, fostering a love for geology and science.
- Features authentic gemstones and fossils, including amethyst, rose quartz, and more.
- Comes with an informative booklet to help identify and learn about the discoveries.
- Recommended for kids ages 6+.
Why STEM Advent Calendars Are the Ultimate Holiday Gift
A Science and STEM Advent Calendar is more than just a fun way to count down the days until Christmas—it’s a way to encourage kids to explore, experiment, and learn. These calendars offer an exciting mix of science and holiday magic, making each day a new discovery. Plus, they give kids the opportunity to:
• Strengthen STEM Skills: Through hands-on activities, kids will enhance their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math in a fun and engaging way.
• Foster Creativity: Many STEM projects allow kids to think outside the box and get creative with problem-solving approaches.
• Build Confidence: Successfully completing experiments and projects boost kids’ confidence in their abilities to tackle challenges and learn new skills.
Happy holidays, and may your countdown to Christmas be filled with STEM-tastic joy!
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