Playmobil Advent Calendar 2026: dinosaurs or North Pole, and the double-name trap

Playmobil is launching two new sets for Christmas 2026: reference 72225, Dinosaur Expedition, and 72226, sold under the name North Pole or Christmas Elf depending on the retailer. Both sets are aimed at children aged 4 and up and carry a catalogue price of 29.99 €, a figure that retailers rarely apply identically.

The two Playmobil Advent calendars for 2026

Both references hit the shelves from September 2026. Each window hides a figure, an accessory or a piece of scenery, and the whole thing builds into a playable scene once the last window is opened on 24 December.

Specialist outlet Toutes les Box reports that the prehistoric set includes a velociraptor, a stygimoloch and two mystery eggs, one of which hides a baby dinosaur. The same site describes, on the North Pole side, a pen decorated with a Father Christmas accessory for writing a letter to him. These details come from a single publication, so the picture on the back of the box at the retailer remains the most reliable check before ordering. Availability is also uneven: the brand's UK shop still listed the 72226 as unavailable while French retailers were already selling it.

'Christmas Elf' and 'North Pole' are the same box

Reference 72226 circulates under two commercial names, and that's this year's trap. Playmobil officially calls it Advent Calendar: North Pole, while several retailers, including JouéClub and Manor, list it as Christmas Elf. Same number, same product, same snowy village scene.

Two relatives each browsing a different retailer might end up thinking they're choosing two different gifts. The fix is simple: write down the reference number on the list, not just the set's name. On a Christmas list shared with family, that number alone is enough to avoid an unpleasant surprise on the morning of the 25th, and other similar traps are covered in our method for avoiding duplicate gifts.

Dinosaurs or Father Christmas's village: how to decide

The deciding factor is what the child will do with the set after 24 December. A child who already plays with Playmobil figures will extend their collection with the Dinosaur Expedition, whose pieces fit right in with an existing set-up. The North Pole set, meanwhile, tells the story of preparing Father Christmas's round, from the post office to the sleigh: it accompanies the Advent ritual rather than simply illustrating it.

Then there's the budget. Prices recorded in mid-October 2026 show that the 72226 isn't sold at the same price everywhere, so it's worth comparing two or three retailers before checking out. Previous years' editions can often be found under 30 €, and a child discovering the brand for the first time won't notice the difference. If the figure-based format doesn't appeal, other chocolate-free Advent calendars cover other interests.

Once you've chosen your set, add it along with its reference number to your free Christmas list: grandparents will order the right box the first time round.