LEGO 42698 vs MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC)
MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC)
The short answer
LEGO 42698 and MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC) finish almost level in our scoring (7.7 vs 7.6 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. LEGO 42698 is stronger on variety & no repeats, freshness, shipping & availability and value. MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC) is stronger on chocolate taste & quality and presentation & daily experience. At current verified prices, the LEGO 42698 costs about $13.50 less.
- Choose the LEGO 42698 if: Families who want a genuine LEGO calendar at the lowest entry price.
- Choose the MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC) if: Magnetic-tile fans ages 3+ building up a microMAGS collection.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | LEGO 42698 | MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC) |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Taste & Quality | 8.0Same LEGO part quality, but with fewer and smaller builds | 8.6Premium brand build quality; works with other microMAGS sets |
| Variety & No Repeats | 7.29 figures in total; builds are smaller | 6.8Mostly decorated squares and triangles plus 2 figures and a chassis |
| Presentation & Daily Experience | 6.8No playmat or game board listed | 8.8Packaging interior is a train track |
| Freshness, Shipping & Availability | 8.8In stock at Amazon (sold by Amazon) and at Target | 7.5In stock via a third party on Amazon; Target lists it at $39.99 |
| Health, Ingredients & Sustainability | 7.0Small parts, ages 6+; packaging mostly paper-based | 6.8Manufacturer-only BPA/phthalate-free claims, offset by the magnet-ingestion hazard |
| Value | 8.0Lowest in-stock LEGO price this year, though slightly worse per piece than Disney at $30 | 6.334 pieces for about $38.50 |
Specifications
| Spec | LEGO 42698 | MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC) |
|---|---|---|
| Countdown Days | 24 days | 24 days |
| Total Pieces | 211 pieces | 34 pieces |
| Chocolate Types | None (toy calendar) | None (toy calendar) |
| Style (solid / filled / mixed confections) | Brick-built mini builds + minidolls | Magnetic building pieces + figures |
| Servings per Day | 1 mini build or figure per door | 1+ magnetic pieces per door |
| Reusable / Keepsake Packaging | No | Yes |
| Extras | — | Packaging interior doubles as a train track; microChassis vehicle |
| How It's Sold | One-time purchase (annual edition) | One-time purchase |
| Allergens | None (non-food); small parts | Latex-free (manufacturer); contains small magnets |
| Ingredient / Sourcing Claims | LEGO says ~93-95% of its packaging by weight is paper-based | Food-grade non-toxic MABS plastic, free of BPA, phthalates and latex (manufacturer) |
| List Price | 34.99 USD | 39.99 USD |
| Minimum Age | 6 years | 3 years |
| Figures / Characters Included | 3 minidolls, 6 animal figures | Santa, Conductor (mix-and-match heads/bodies) |
| Primary Toy Material | Plastic LEGO bricks | MABS plastic with enclosed magnets |
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 →MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC)
Pros
- Recommended by six outlets
- Packaging becomes a train track
- Pieces work with other microMAGS sets
- Rated for ages 3 and up
Cons
- 34 pieces over 24 doors, the highest cost per piece
- Contains magnets and small parts
- Not compatible with standard MAGNA-TILES
- Sold by a third-party seller on Amazon
A well-liked set for magnetic-tile fans. It ranks fifth here because our scoring weighs value and materials more heavily than the roundups do.
Full MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Advent Calendar 34-Piece (256034AC) 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.