Most toddlers are still so young that they don’t really remember what Christmas stockings and stocking stuffers are from a previous year. Unless they have older siblings building it up, opening stockings on Christmas morning are what you want them to be for your own family traditions. We don’t go over the top with stockings in our family. But it’s always been a fun chance to do some little cute budget-friendly gifts. So here are my stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers and babies.
My budget for stocking stuffers is to pick items usually in the $1-5 range, for a total of $10-20. If you have more than one kid or are celebrating with family, stocking stuffers add up quick! So make sure it’s something that they will actually use and enjoy.
Toddler Stocking Stuffer Ideas:
Small Animal Figures
Little animals are some of the best stocking stuffers. They’re small, and usable in a lot of different play scenarios. And whether you’re buying for a little boy or little girl, these sets can really be used in so many different fun ways.
Schleich animals (1 or 2 of these is my max budget, but I also bought a 4 pack of farm ones and brought out just 1 at a time over a few weeks when my little guy had just turned one) – cat, puppy, cheetah, or fawn are $3-4/each. The Schleich animals are the perfect size for younger toddlers while the Terra are a little bit smaller items, so make sure they’re out of the mouthing stage.
Terra by Battat or Safari LTD TOOB animal packs – 60 piece pack $10
Building & Vehicle Items
Finding small vehicle and building options that will work with current toys you have – like Duplos or trains etc – is so much fun!
Small Duplo set (mini tow truck, fire truck sets $7+) – or a few pieces of a larger set, and do the rest as a DIY Duplo Advent calendar.
IKEA train parts – like the IKEA battery-operated locomotive train – $7.99
IKEA train turntable ($4)
Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars – $1 each or $5 for a 5 pack of toy cars
Small CAT construction trucks set – 5 pack $`12. These are fun gifts for younger and older kids for pretend play.
Art & Creative Stocking Stuffers
Art supplies are the perfect stocking stuffer. I love stuff that is going to get used up and not just add clutter to your home. And can be gifted to kids of all ages.
- art supplies – fun stickers, dot stickers, sale craft items, new markers etc
- fine motor hand tool set – great for hand-eye coordination and art fun!
- Playdoh tubs – great sensory toy for two year olds!
- mini kinetic sand packs
- finger puppets – $5 for a 10 pack IKEA
- sidewalk chalk
- paintbrushes – sets or funky ones
- pens or wax crayons ($1.50), white board markers ($1.99) or paints or colored pencils ($3.99)
- art cards card game ($1.99)
- learning scissors – 2 pack ($5)
Learning & Educational
- Percussion instruments – small like the egg shaker ones
- Mini board book – like Richard Scarry’s Cars & Trucks Apple Car book, or one featuring one of their favorite characters.
- “educational” games or toys from Target Dollar spot – sometimes they’ve had mini puzzles or letter/number things etc.
Bath Toys
Bath toys make fun stocking stuffer ideas, especially for little kids. Usable and fun!
- Bath waterfall spinners – $5 (could do 1 in stocking rest wrapped)
- bath letters / numbers set ($4.50)
- bath crayons 5ct – $4.50
- bubbles!
Food & Eating Related Stocking Stuffers
Food items are one of my favorite toddler stocking stuffers. Easy? Check. Cheap? Check. Still fun for the kid? Yes!
- orange or other small fruit
- individually wrapped treat – like fruit leather, granola bar, gummies, or other packaged item they haven’t tried
- snack cups
- pouch
- water bottle
- electric toothbrush
Great Ideas to Remember for Toddlers:
- Toddlers have lower expectations of stockings.
- Save out small items in the months before Christmas (like a pair of socks, undies, hair bows, art supplies etc all make great gifts) to put in your toddler’s stocking.
- Buying packs of things is a good idea. Either use for group stocking stuffers, or if you just have one save the rest for later as art supplies etc. For example: Playdoh pack, animal packs, art supply packs like sidewalk chalk, stickers, temporary tattoos etc, is a great way to save money.
- The last few years it’s been popular for stores to sell stocking stuffer gift sets. Which proves that stores hope someone will buy them and that some people really will buy almost anything! But most of us will be saving ourselves the extra money and doing old school stockings with unique little treats.
Baby Stocking Stuffer Ideas: For Babies 0 – 1
For baby’s first Christmas, new parents are just barely surviving and trying to do it all! Take it easy, take some pictures, baby won’t remember it anyway.
- Soft non-tearable books – Indestructibles come in fun vibrant colors!
- soft ball – $1.99 – great for little hands!
- small stuffed animal like this small soft toy bear $1.99
- rattle ($3) or lovie ($4)
- Stacking & nesting cups $3 – great for fine motor skills!
- bath time toy boat $4 (bath toys make great stocking stuffers)
- Munchkins bath toy squirter animals – $4.50
- Boon Bubble bath wands – $5
- 1 year old music shaker – perfect way to introduce rhythmic fun.
- food – pouch or little treat
The first two years of having a toddler, I literally just rounded up some things from home and put them in a stocking that night. Zero planning. This year, with a three year old, I’ll be planning a little bit more, but still not going crazy.
Minimalist Stocking Stuffer Mantra
I love the gift saying of “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” I think this can apply well to stocking stuffers too. Good luck and happy Christmas! I hope this has given you some extra great stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers in your life.
>>Need more Christmas ideas? Check out Toddler Advent Calendar Ideas for 2021
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