HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals vs LEGO 42698

HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals
The short answer
HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals and LEGO 42698 finish almost level in our scoring (7.7 vs 7.7 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals is stronger on presentation & daily experience and health, ingredients & sustainability. LEGO 42698 is stronger on freshness, shipping & availability and value. At current verified prices, the LEGO 42698 costs about $9.99 less.
- Choose the HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals if: Ages 2-4, or parents who want wood instead of plastic.
- Choose the LEGO 42698 if: Families who want a genuine LEGO calendar at the lowest entry price.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals | LEGO 42698 |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Taste & Quality | 8.2Durable wooden figures for long-term pretend play | 8.0Same LEGO part quality, but with fewer and smaller builds |
| Variety & No Repeats | 7.524 distinct animals, no stickers or filler | 7.29 figures in total; builds are smaller |
| Presentation & Daily Experience | 7.8Story chapter each day plus a 3D farm backdrop | 6.8No playmat or game board listed |
| Freshness, Shipping & Availability | 7.5In stock, but from a third-party seller on Amazon | 8.8In stock at Amazon (sold by Amazon) and at Target |
| Health, Ingredients & Sustainability | 8.5Wood rather than plastic (HABA); certifications I couldn't confirm are not counted | 7.0Small parts, ages 6+; packaging mostly paper-based |
| Value | 6.8$40 for 24 figures, but they last for years | 8.0Lowest in-stock LEGO price this year, though slightly worse per piece than Disney at $30 |
Specifications
| Spec | HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals | LEGO 42698 |
|---|---|---|
| Countdown Days | 24 days | 24 days |
| Total Pieces | 24 pieces | 211 pieces |
| Chocolate Types | None (toy calendar) | None (toy calendar) |
| Style (solid / filled / mixed confections) | Wooden figures + storybook | Brick-built mini builds + minidolls |
| Servings per Day | 1 wooden figure + 1 story chapter | 1 mini build or figure per door |
| Reusable / Keepsake Packaging | Yes | No |
| Extras | 24-chapter storybook; 3D backdrop | — |
| How It's Sold | One-time purchase (evergreen design) | One-time purchase (annual edition) |
| Allergens | None (non-food) | None (non-food); small parts |
| Ingredient / Sourcing Claims | Made in Germany; wooden figures | LEGO says ~93-95% of its packaging by weight is paper-based |
| List Price | 39.99 USD | 34.99 USD |
| Minimum Age | 2 years | 6 years |
| Figures / Characters Included | 24 wooden farm animals | 3 minidolls, 6 animal figures |
| Primary Toy Material | Wood | Plastic LEGO bricks |
HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals
Pros
- Rated for ages 2 and up
- 24 wooden animals, one per day
- 24-chapter storybook and 3D backdrop
- Reusable packaging
- Named best for toddlers by Good Housekeeping
Cons
- Same design since 2021
- Simple contents suit ages 2 to 4 best
- Third-party seller on Amazon
The right calendar for toddlers and for parents who want wood over plastic. Older kids should look elsewhere.
Full HABA My First Advent Calendar – Farmyard Animals review →LEGO 42698
Pros
- Lowest price of the 2026 LEGO calendars
- Three minidolls and six animal figures
- In stock at Amazon and Target
- Recommended by TODAY
Cons
- Fewest pieces (211) of the 2026 LEGO set
- No playmat or game board
- Small parts, so not for under 6
A sensible budget LEGO choice. Pick it when the lowest price is the priority, and look at Disney Princess if you can pay a little more for more pieces.
Full LEGO 42698 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Toy & LEGO Advent Calendars for Kids of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.
