Stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers can be tricky because we want to make sure our children get things that are going to enhance open-ended play, their learning of the world around them, and support development. That’s a big task when we are looking for small things to fill a stocking.
That is why I have put together a list of over 20 items that are perfect stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers. When I look for items for my son’s stocking I look for things that are going to spike his interest and hopefully, we can use all year.
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What kinds of things do you like to put in your toddler’s stocking? Let me know in the comments below.
Below is a list of my favorite stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers.
1. Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Toothbrushes and toothpaste is a great gift idea for toddlers. They’ll be thrilled to get something with their favorite character and it’s something they will use (and probably need a new one anyway). It’s a win-win in my book!
2. Bandaids
I don’t know what it is about bandaids and toddlers but I don’t know many toddlers who don’t love them. Whether they want them to put them all over themselves for fun or because they actually need them- either way, it’s something you’ll probably need if you haven’t yet anyways.
3. Watercolor Paint
I love gifting crafting and school supply items for Christmas.
I actually discussed this during my post all about how I save money on Christmas items starting in July. You can read more about it below . . .
Watercolor paints are great because it’s not a bad idea to fill up your “crafting supplies” with items that could come in handy later.
4. Crayons
Staying with the same theme of number 3, crayons are another great stocking stuffer! Usually, by now our crayons from Easter are well ready to be retired. Stockings are a great time to gift your kid’s new crayons, whether they are ready for a new box at home or school.
5. Play-Dough
I saw the perfect sized Play-Dough tubs with an attached cookie-cutter at Target this past weekend. These would be perfect for throwing in your bag for a restaurant (maybe we’ll get to do that again in 2021).
But small tubs of Play-Dough is great for stocking stuffers as it gives you a chance to change out any old Play-Dough you needed to get rid of anyways.
6. Books & Coloring Books
I LOVE gifting books, especially at Christmas. Both of my boys have loved to have books that are the perfect size for their little hands.
Stockings give me a great opportunity to gift these to them. Dollar Tree is one of my favorite places to find books like this. In fact last month I found lift-the-flap board books for his stocking that I can’t wait to gift to him.
Below is an article about all of the way I save money on my children’s books:
Don’t forget to check the Dollar Tree for coloring books of all your child’s favorite characters. They also have fun activity sets that would be perfect additions to any toddler stocking!
7. Small Cars
Last year I found some of the best wooden cars in the Target Dollar Spot perfect for my son. They have played with them all year! We are gifting my 1-year-old a small green tractor in his stocking this year (he LOVES cars, trucks, etc.).
We love to have small cars around to push back and forth on the floor, drive them around on a road we made out of cardboard, and have even taken them to restaurants before.
8. Bath Toys
We love to rotate out bath toys, between mold, mildew, and who knows what else it’s not a bad idea! Dollar Tree sells books that are perfect for the bath we love to put in our toddler’s stockings. We also like to put bath squirters in their stockings.
9. Bubble Bath & Bath Bombs
Both of my boys have eczema so we have to be careful with stuff like this. But the LOVE bath products even if they are a one time use. I like putting them in their stocking because honestly it’s something I know they’ll use and I would buy anyway.
10. Stuffed Animals
Small stuffed animals or beanie babies are adorable popping out of the top of a stocking! I love to gift my kids a stuffed toy each Christmas even if they aren’t big on playing with them. . .yet.
We don’t have a lot of stuffed animals for our kids because like I mentioned they don’t play with them. But I love getting them small ones at Christmas time or a special character.
11. Sports Balls
Our kids have been on a basketball kick lately and we are gifting our 3-year-old soccer and football for Christmas. We usually include a bouncy ball, soft football, or other types of small sports ball in their stocking each year.
12. Sunglasses
These are probably more of an “Easter basket” gift but I think they are great for a stocking! My 3-year-old loves to keep his sunglasses in his car seat and wears them into his school sometimes.
They are usually on clearance or sale this time of year too. We found a pair of Babiators on clearance at a store near us called Von Maur.
13. Water Wow!
I love these and so our kids! I found them on clearance at Homegoods. They are a great project for the kids to do at the kitchen counter, on the road, at a restaurant, or just at home.
These Melissa & Doug coloring pages only work with water and they reveal different colors and pictures throughout the coloring scenes.
14. Figurines
I love to use additional little figurines when playing with Little People and other toys that children play with. We also add them to play with Play-Dough and Kinetic Sand to create different scenes and build on their imagination.
Don’t overlook adding in a simple dinosaur or Mickey Mouse figure from the Target Dollar Spot or The Dollar Tree into their stocking.
15. Whistles
My son is obsessed with playing lifeguard! Luckily for him, they sell plastic whistles in the birthday party aisle of most big box stores (like Target or Walmart). They would be a perfect addition to a stocking for my 3-year-old.
16. Snacks
We use stockings as a time to fill up our own snack cabinet. We have been known to gift them Goldfish, puff popcorn, Cheez-Its, and fruit snacks. These are great because we buy them anyway but our kids don’t know that (or honestly care anyways).
17. Magnetic Letters
I love magnetic letters for so many reasons! We use them in sensory tables, with Play-Dough, with sand, and on our refrigerator. I find them at the Target Dollar Spot around back to school time and put them back for Christmas stockings. I also like to do ABC order with them on a sheet pan.
18. Stickers
Again, stockings for me are all about getting things we use all year anyway. Stickers are great for many different projects like birthday cards or just to have a crafting day. Dollar Tree sells a variety of styles and characters. They are also great practice for working on those fine motor skills.
If you are looking for more ideas with stickers and toddlers check out- Busy Toddler. She’s wonderful for getting toddler inspiration ideas.
19. Finger Paint
We use finger paints in our house to give our kids a sensory need and to encourage creativity. I think some washable finger paint is a great idea for a stocking. You can use them to create birthday cards, on pumpkins at Halloween, and to make Christmas (or Easter) crafts with your kids.
20. Small Flashlight/Nightlight
Toddlers get their imaginations around the age of 2-3. I could instantly tell my oldest son started getting more imagination especially when it came to sleeping in the dark at night in his bed. Allowing him to have a small flashlight or nightlight gives him some control over his ever-developing imagination and helps him to put his fears to rest.
21. Hair Bows/Hairbrush
If you have a girl hair bows would be a perfect stocking stuffer idea for toddlers! I usually put a hair comb or even hair gel in my boy’s stockings. Don’t forget sometimes keeping it simple with things you need anyways is the best way to go on stockings!
22. Candy
I can’t give my kids some candy at Christmas. But that’s where these Zolli Pops come in. I love these pops because they are small and actually clean teeth as they use them. I like to get them at our local Kroger when they are on sale but if you would rather order them, I have them linked below to Amazon.
23. Water Beads
Water beads are a great option for older toddlers or preschoolers. Make sure you watch them and make sure they don’t eat them. But they are a great sensory tool and perfect for a sensory bin!
24. Socks
Your kids need to wear socks anyway, might as well put them in their stockings. I like these because they are low and have gripes. But they also have several options at places like T.J. Maxx with characters on them for a nice price.
25. Flashcards
I’m not a huge fan of flashcards for “memorizing” purposes but we use them for games around our house. We hide them and see if we can find them, we play matching games, and my kids enjoy recognizing the different things on them. I think they are one of the most perfect stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers!
I hope you enjoyed this list of stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers and found something to add to a toddler’s stocking near you! Don’t forget to share this with a mom friend and let me know what gifts you’re planning for your little one this Christmas season!
Love, Ashley E
