- Nursery Articles -
35 Unique Toddler Stocking Stuffer Ideas
to Try This Season
Stockings are an added surprise to Christmas morning. After opening presents, children often think the fun is over, but then they light up with excitement when they see stockings hanging on the mantel. When you use a meaningful item as a stocking stuffer, the gift becomes a lasting memory for your child to enjoy.
From plush toys to pretend, we’ve gathered some of the best toddler stocking stuffer ideas. These gifts are suitable for toddlers of various ages, so we know you’ll find something your child, niece, nephew or grandchild will love.
1. Animal Thumbie
Does your toddler already have a thumbie they’re attached to? If not, then this toddler stocking stuffer is a must. If they do, then a replacement is still a good idea. Don’t be surprised if thumbie stays with your child well into adulthood—they’re hard to let go.
2. Art Smock
Even children as young as two or three can enjoy coloring and painting! But at this age, your little artist will likely need a smock to keep the color off their clothes. This is a unique stocking stuffer you can roll up nicely.
3. Tinker Toys
Tinker toys help toddlers build fine motor skills. Stuff your toddler’s stocking with this construction set and watch their mind go to work as they twist, bolt and build away.
4. Personalized Puzzle
Does your child have a favorite activity? A personalized puzzle is a great toddler stocking stuffer idea that lets you engage with your child. As they grow, they can use this puzzle to problem solve on their own.
5. Instruments
Stock your toddler’s stocking with instruments and watch them light up as they shake, pound and jingle through Christmas Day. Musical toys help children with sensory development and are guaranteed to make them smile.
6. Personalized Utensils
Your little one may have just graduated from baby utensils and eating with their hands. Help them grow up with their own set of utensils in their favorite color. With their own carrying case, you can take them to the park, on picnics and on family trips.
7. Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a unique stocking stuffer idea that will spark your toddler’s creativity and create lasting keepsakes. Imagine 20 years from now looking back at your child’s handmade pictures and saying, “I remember the Christmas you made this.” Priceless!
8. Kitchen Playset
Pretend play is common for young children, which is why toys resembling real items can be great toddler stocking stuffer ideas. A kitchen playset will invite your child to experience the joys of cooking and introduce them to the fun that comes with imaginative play.
9. Plush Rattle
Many toddlers still find comfort in plush items, especially if they’re at the younger end of the toddler age range. A plush rattle can be a sweet stocker stuffer for your child to shake and snuggle through the day and night.
10. Goggles
Goggles are a toddler stocking stuffer that can benefit you and your child. They get protection from the water and you get to see them look adorable wearing them! Win-win.
11. Bath Squirties
Bath time is one of the best times to bond with your toddler and encourage their love for the water. These bath squirties can stuff the stockings of many and provide effortless bathtub entertainment.
12. Tea Party Kit
Tea time is a special moment for children to share with friends—whether human, plush or imaginary. Put this magical gift in your toddler’s stocking and watch how their creative mind grows with age.
13. Pretend Food
Is your toddler a picky eater? If so, consider pretend food as a toddler stocking stuffer idea. As your child interacts with healthy items during play, they’ll become more familiar with fruits and vegetables and may even grow to like the real versions.
14. Fun Pajamas
Convincing kids to go to bed is easier when they’re excited to jump into their jammies. Roll up a pair with your toddler’s favorite character and place them deep in their stocking. On Christmas night, you can cuddle up together as they wear their new PJs.
15. Learning Blocks
Gifts that serve a dual purpose are some of the best stocking stuffers for toddlers. Younger children can learn fine motor skills with learning blocks as they stack and roll them around, while older toddlers can learn letters and new words as they play.
16. Hooded Towel
Cozy time post-bath is a must for little ones, and a hooded towel is a great gift that is both practical and inviting. Sharks, skunks or Spiderman—the stocking stuffer options are aplenty!
17. Keepsake Baby Blanket
If your toddler doesn’t yet have a baby blanket, you can stuff one in their stocking this Christmas. A baby blanket is an item your child will cherish for the rest of their life, and you may be surprised how long they’ll sleep with it.
18. Cuddly Night Light
Traditional night lights work well, but you can create an even calmer atmosphere for your toddler with a plush night light that displays a colorful starry hue. This stocking stuffer will make bedtime easy and exciting for your child.
19. Stacker Toy
This stacker toy is the perfect size to fill a stocking, and it includes an array of textures, shapes and sounds that encourage sensory play. This toy will keep your toddler busy for hours as they use their creativity to balance and stack the pieces one by one.
20. Personalized Book
You can make lasting memories when reading to your toddler by gifting them with a personalized storybook. Your child will build self-esteem as they recognize their name through the book.
21. Stuffed Animal
There’s nothing more classic than a plush, stuffed animal, like a snuggly teddy bear. Tuck their new best friend and comfort item inside their stocking.
22. Grinch Pillow
If your toddler loves a specific Christmas movie like the Grinch, then you can stuff their stocking with a festive pillow to keep the holiday spirit going. Your child can cuddle up to this pillow through Christmas Day and get lost in the magic of Whoville.
23. Baby Doll
Many children find enjoyment in nurturing baby dolls, so giving your toddler their very own can be the perfect Christmas gift. You can hide the baby doll in your toddler’s stocking and watch their face light up once they notice it.
24. Keepsake Ornament
A keepsake ornament may be more of a gift for you than it is for your toddler, but they’ll appreciate it when they grow up. Nothing is better than a Christmas tree filled with keepsake ornaments, so now is the time to give these to your child.
25. Water Bottle
Encouraging toddlers to drink water can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Put a water bottle in your child’s stocking with their favorite animal, and drinking water will be more exciting. If it glows in the dark—even better!
26. Snow Globe
Nothing represents the magic of Christmas quite like a snow globe. This is a classic stocking stuffer that works for children of all ages. As they shake up the globe and watch the snow fall, your child can fall asleep to the snow globe’s lullaby music.
27. Sleeping Bag
A cozy animal sleeping bag can be a great Christmas gift for a toddler who spends overnights at aunts’, uncles’ or grandparents’ houses. If it doesn’t fit in your child’s stocking, place it by the fireplace for an extra surprise after opening the presents under the tree.
28. Slippers
A sleepover party isn’t complete without fun and fuzzy slippers! This stocking stuffer idea will have your toddler running around the house, but don’t worry, their feet will stay nice and clean.
29. Fun Sheet Set
Your toddler’s room should be filled with their favorite things, and you can help them decorate with a fun sheet set. While bed sheets may not be an exciting stocking stuffer for a teenager, younger children will be all smiles when they see princess or planet patterns.
30. Wall Mural
Another stocking stuffer for toddlers that will add to their room decor is a wall mural. You can roll up a movie poster, a world map or another interesting display and put it up above their bed.
31. Dreidel Set
Does your family celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas? Then maybe the perfect gift idea for your toddler is a Dreidel set. Whether or not you use stockings, this set can introduce your child to holiday traditions and make them feel included.
32. Keepsake Baby Brush and Comb
Another keepsake item you can give your toddler is a traditional brush and comb set. While this item may be more for the family to enjoy, your child will cherish it when they’re older. You can engrave their name on it and have them do the same with their children one day.
33. Car Toys
Boys and girls alike will love the features of this toy car and carrier set. After pulling them out of their stocking on Christmas morning, they can spend the rest of the day rolling the cars around the living room.
34. Wooden Toys
If you believe in sustainable and soulful toys, then consider putting a handful of wooden toys in their stocking. From play food to their favorite characters, this is a great toddler stocking stuffer idea.
35. Scratch Paper Set
Scratch paper can be a unique toddler stocking stuffer idea that comes with quite the awe factor. Instead of drawing pictures, your child can use the bamboo stick to scratch away the black paper. Underneath each page lies a beautiful, colorful picture!
36. Train Set
A train set is a Christmas gift every toddler will love. With various pieces to configure, this set can inspire problem solving, creativity and hours of fun. You can hide the train pieces inside your child’s stocking as a surprise after opening presents.
Toddler stocking stuffer ideas come in sizes big and small. Some gifts can make lasting memories, while others can help your child develop. If you’re trying to choose the best stocking stuffer for your toddler, consider their favorite movie character, animal or theme. This can help you in your search to find the perfect gift.
If you’re looking for a gift that’s a little more substantial, you can check out other gifts for toddlers to get some ideas. Whether your gift is stocking-sized or super-sized, the best gift is one that comes from the heart. Happy holidays!