AHEAD: The best stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers organized by category…
‘Tis the season and ’tis time to fill those empty stockings… are you ready?
This enormous list of toddler stocking stuffer ideas will make it easy to shop for your 1 to 4 year old.
Everything here can be purchased on Amazon, so double check that you’re signed into your account before adding anything to your cart.
Let’s get shopping, Santa!
Table of Contents
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Most popular stocking stuffers
Here are the TOP 6 toddler stocking stuffers that were purchased last year (2022).
Planet projector flashlight
It was also the #1 most purchased item for the past two years!
It comes with two reels of images of planets (and aliens). When you turn the light on, the images project onto the wall!
It also functions as a regular flashlight.
The reviews for this product are overwhelmingly positive and I can tell you from first-hand experience that this is the coolest toy ever!
No-spill bubbles
This genius product solves the #1 reason toddler parents don’t like bubbles—the sticky mess!
Drop it, knock it over, turn it upside down, it’s No-Spill. It’s refillable too.
Paint sticks
These are total unicorns.
They’re not crayons and they’re not really paint, either.
Aden has made some genuinely beautiful pictures with these.
They’re also budget-friendly!
Wind up turtles
Wind these guys up and they start “swimming” across the tub!
Parents say their babies and toddlers love these so much, they don’t want bath time to end!
Fun utensils
CONSTRUCTION-THEMED SPOON & FORK
Truck-loving toddlers will think these are the coolest! They’re dishwasher-safe, sturdy, and easy for small hands to hold.
Novelty band-aids
Here are some popular toddler bandaids to choose from:
My toddler’s most loved stocking stuffers
Here are a few stocking stuffers my own son was particularly obsessed with last year!
Twistable crayons
Hands down, these twistable crayons take the cake for the MOST USED item I bought Aden this year.
Unlike regular crayons, they don’t break, so you can use them FOREVER.
No sharpening, no peeling, no breaking!
P.S. If you don’t need a 50-pack, here’s the link to the 10-pack (it’s less than $3 at the time of posting!)
Handy dandy notebook
If your kiddo watches Blue’s Clues, this is a genius stocking stuffer!
You can be sure they’ll instantly recognize this notebook.
Solar system puzzle
Super budget-friendly!
It fits perfectly inside a stocking.
Aden has played with this nearly every day for months!
GET IT ON AMAZON FOR LESS THAN $6
(pricing subject to change)
Budget-friendly ideas for toddler stocking stuffers
There are tons of cool things to buy for a toddler’s Christmas stocking for less than 10 bucks.
(All pricing is obviously subject to change!)
Grab a few items from this list, add some yummy snacks, and voila, you’ve got a great toddler stocking without spending an arm and a leg.
Hugger stuffed animal
Magnets
The magnet covers the whole back, so you don’t have to worry about a small magnet coming off and being swallowed.
Note: The box will probably be too large to fit inside a stocking, so just open up the package and let the dinos roam amongst their fellow stocking stuffers.
Paw Patrol figurines
We’re late to the party, but Aden just discovered Paw Patrol.
If your toddler is also mildly addicted to this (adorable) show, this set of figurines makes a great stocking stuffer!
Popper toys
These are MUST-HAVES for the car!
I’ll be honest… I didn’t understand the appeal of these until I saw my toddler in action.
Here are a few more options…
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Play-Doh 10-pack
Squishy, bright, non-toxic!
Divide up the package to use for multiple kids. Or, put some aside for another occasion!
Stickers
550 puffy stickers, whoa! This enormous pack of stickers will last forever.
Separate them into multiple stockings or save some for the future.
…and here’s a cool 160-pack of cars and truck stickers in case that’s more your toddler’s “speed” 🙂 …
…and if you’ve got a budding astronaut like I do, check these out:
…. and here’s a huge pack of dinosaur stickers!
Hair accessories
If you’ve got a little toddler girl, check out these precious clips and bows! They make great stocking stuffers.
This huge set of colorful bows is a great deal…
Sticky hands
Fling them so they stick to the walls, ceilings, and windows. They’re stretchy, slimy, sticky, ooey, gooey and lots of fun!
Cute chapstick
Water Wow
I hesitated to include Water Wow because I’m assuming you already have an arsenal of these…
(If you don’t, you’ll thank me later for this rec!)
They have all different ones:
This product is GENIUS and is perfect for keeping a toddler occupied in a restaurant.
Artistic toddler stocking stuffers
All of these ideas are great Christmas gifts for little artists and their developing fine motor skills!
Toddler-grip dot markers
These markers have unique spherical handles that make them easy for a toddler to use.
Beware, you’re in for a big mess… but it’s worth it… I think.
See this customer’s video of their 2-year old artist in action!
Jumbo easy-grip paint brushes
Thousands of parents have reviewed this product. These brushes are fat and lightweight, making them perfect for toddlers with developing motor skills.
Aden loves them as you can see!
Washable paint
This paint set is CRAZY POPULAR. The paint is nice and thick and easy for a toddler to use. Best of all, it’s easily washable!
Finger crayons
These finger crayons make wonderful toddler stocking stuffers. They’re super pigmented, durable, and easy for a young child to use!
Alphabet foam stickers
This is a huge set of 1300 foam capital letters! (You’ll definitely want to open the package and put a smaller amount into a bag or box).
They’re self-adhesive so no glue is necessary.
If you’ve got an ABC-obsessed toddler as I do, these will be perfect for endless art projects! (Or decorating your dog).
Practical stocking stuffers for toddlers
Fun to open and useful… what could be better?
All of the following items are cute versions of things you’d probably need to buy your toddler anyway. Win-win!
Related: Best Sleep Sacks for Toddlers
Fun plates, bowls & utensils
Especially if you’ve got a picky eater on your hands, these novelty items will help make mealtime a success.
Your toddler can stack these together like legos in between bites! They’re well made and easy for young kids to hold.
Could there be a cuter place to put snacks? Parents are loving that their toddlers can’t grab enormous handfuls all at once.
COLLAPSIBLE SILICONE SNACK CUP
It’s perfect for toddlers who tend to grab huge handfuls of snacks—or dump the cup upside down.
High quality baseball cap
This is hands down my favorite baseball cap for Aden. It comes in all different solid colors.
No ugly designs, hallelujah!
It’s labeled as an “infant” hat, but it’s perfect for a 1 to 2.5 year old. The back is adjustable velcro.
Super reasonably priced, too!
Character socks
If your toddler is a fan of these very popular cartoons, these socks make a fun (but practical) Christmas gift!
Cool toothbrushes
BIODEGRADABLE DINO TOOTHBRUSHES
These toothbrushes are made from organic plant material… how cool is that?! They’re as eco-friendly as you can get. Plus, they’re adorable. Win-win.
I’m pretty sure these are the cutest toothbrushes I’ve ever seen. They’re compostable and biodegradable too!
BABY SHARK INTERACTIVE TOOTHBRUSH
This super popular electric toothbrush might just be the thing that gets your toddler to brush for 2 full minutes.
Sippy cups
When you pour a cold beverage into this cup, it changes color! Your toddler will think it’s magic. (I think it’s magic too).
Do do do do do dooo.
TODDLER “WINE” GLASS SIPPY CUP
This hilarious cup comes in lots of pleasing colors!
Water bottles
These light-up 3D Illusion water bottles are SO COOL!!!
If dinosaurs aren’t your toddler’s thing, these also come in:
Toddler sunglasses
These trendy sunglasses are sturdy, bendable, and toddler-proof!
Several thousand parents are loving these for their toddlers.
If you’ve got a little girl you might like these precious round ones:
They’re currently 50% off at the time of posting.
Educational toddler stocking stuffers
Binoculars
These very reasonably priced “kidnoculars” are perfect for your little explorer.
They have large comfortable eyepieces, 2x magnification, and a breakaway neck strap.
Sea creatures
Aden went through a sea animal phase at around 3.5 years old.
These figurines are really nice quality and are super realistic looking.
Pro tip: Bring them in the bath.
Pop-it 100s chart
I bought this for Aden when he started showing interest in numbers and it’s been awesome!
Glow in the dark stars
Combine these stars with the aforementioned flashlight, and you’ve got a super cool space-themed toddler Christmas stocking!
Teach your toddler how to “charge” the glow in the dark stars by shining a light on them. It’s magical.
Toddler stocking stuffers for the bath
Every toddler could use some new toys to play with during bath time! Remember, due to mold growth, avoid toys that squirt and can’t be cleaned inside.
Rain cloud
This is the coolest bath toy!!
It’s magic/science…
And importantly, it opens up so it can be cleaned. (No mold!)
Rubber duckie alternative
This adorable bath toy doesn’t have a hole so it can’t collect water inside.
It’s environmentally friendly and made of 100% natural rubber.
Stacking cups
This set of 8 stacking cups is as aesthetically pleasing as bath toys can be!
If you’re a fan of the Mushie products, you’ll find this to be a close match to their colors and texture.
The cups are especially fun in the bath for straining water since there are different types and shapes of holes.
Fun toddler stocking stuffers
We’re rounding out our list of toddler stocking stuffer ideas with these cool toys and games for 1-4 year olds.
Baby shark finger puppets
Bring the most annoying show of all time straight to your house.
Unfortunately, Aden loves these 🙂
Peppa Pig figurines
Is it just me or is Peppa Pig the best show ever?
LED spinning wand
Friction-powered push cars
These little cars might not look that exciting at first glance, but they’re seriously awesome.
My grandmother bought these for Aden when he was 20 months old, and they were all he wanted to play with for days.
Daniel Tiger figurines
Perfect for the Daniel Tiger-obsessed toddler in your life…
The set comes with 10 pieces!
Pretend smart phone
Aden received this as a gift when he turned 1 and it was an instant hit! He has pretend conversations on it almost every day. It’s a great toy that I can personally recommend.
Pretend car keys
If your toddler loves stealing your keys, these are a must have! They’re much safer (no sharp edges) and they’re still really realistic!
Stocking stuffers I’m buying this year (2023)
Just in case you need even more toddler stocking stuffer ideas, I’m including a few items I just ordered for Aden (now 4 years old) for the upcoming holiday!
Just-like-mom Stanley cup
If you know you know 🙂
Kids' scissors
Aden’s become surprisingly decent at using scissors!
These are probably best starting at age 4 — or 3 at the earliest.
Hot potato
This looks really fun and the reviews are promising!
I’m hoping we can play this game without leaving the couch 😉
Rainbow scratch paper
I’m thinking (hoping) this will be a good thing to take with us to restaurants!
A helpful tip for putting together a toddler’s Christmas stocking
Keep in mind that toddlers have no idea what a toy’s packaging is “supposed to” look like.
If you purchase any set that comes with multiple items, consider opening the package, splitting up the set, and setting aside some of the toys for later.
Not only will you get more mileage out of the gift, but it also makes room in your toddler’s stocking to put other items like snacks, fruit, and random odds and ends from the dollar store (which are way cheaper).
Ditching the packaging also makes it possible to fit into the stocking any toys that come in bulky boxes or storage containers.
Age-Specific Gift Ideas for Toddlers
If you need even more ideas, either for stocking stuffers or regular Christmas/Hanukkah gifts, I figured I’d share a few of our favorite toys.
For 1-year-olds
It’s really hit or miss with children between 1 and 2 years old. It’s seriously difficult to find toys that your 1-year-old will not only love for 5 minutes but will continue to love week after week.
For the best chance of success, purchase toddler stocking stuffers or gifts with at least one of these characteristics: open-ended playtime, social interaction, hands-on learning, or physical activity.
Uncomplicated puzzles, blocks, balls, water toys, and sand toys all make great gifts at this age.
(A few of these will be too big to fit inside of your toddler’s stocking, so they’d make great regular Christmas gifts).
Holiday gifts for a 12-month-old:
- Montessori shapes puzzle (This is a really simple 3-piece puzzle perfect for a young toddler.)
- Sesame Street figures (Aden was obsessed.)
- Egg-shaped crayons (Perfect for little hands.)
Holiday gifts for an 18-month-old:
- Shape-matching eggs in carton (There are endless learning opportunities with this adorable and high-quality toy.)
- Latches activity board (Aden has never and will never get tired of this.)
- Velcro food set (One of my favorite purchases for Aden.)
- Friction trucks (A really fun way to learn cause and effect.)
- Duplo train (The little cat makes this extra great.)
For 2-year-olds
Two-year-olds are funny little creatures. They aren’t quite babies but they’re not full-blown kids yet either.
They have rapidly developing vocabularies and are starting to understand more and more of the world around them.
Toys that involve sorting, categorizing, and arranging are a big hit at this age. They tend to enjoy simple make-believe games, toys that can be pushed or pulled, scooters, simple puzzles, ride-on toys, and musical instruments.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Holiday gifts for a 2-year-old:
- Mega Bloks This is one of our most-loved gifts! I actually just bought a second set so Aden and Daddy can make even bigger structures.
- Play-Doh Fun Factory (There are countless ways to play with this! The squeezing tool is awesome.)
- ABC Water Wow (Words can’t express how genius of an invention this is. I just bought 2 more.)
- Play fill ‘n splash submarine (WE LOVE THIS BATH TOY!!! You suction the submarine onto the wall. You put the 3 balls into the submarine. You fill the submarine with water using the yellow cup….then you press the orange button and it all shoots out the bottom!)
For 3-year-olds
Three-year-olds are a mixed bag!
Each toddler will have his or her own interests by now (planets, dinosaurs, cooking, dress-up, coloring, etc.)
It’s always a great idea to have at least one gift that’s a sure bet—i.e. something directly related to a genre they already love.
For additional gifts, consider toys that introduce something totally new—and/or help them develop their physical, mental, and social skills.
Here are some winners in our household…
Holiday gifts for a 3-year-old:
- Dinosaur play set Aden’s grandparents bought this for his 3rd birthday and it’s been one of the few toys he continues to look for on an almost daily basis.
- Interactive dinosaur book with figurines I’d venture to say that this was Aden’s favorite Christmas gift at age 3!
- Whack-a-mole game The best thing about this toy is that it’s actually fun for an adult to play too.
- Domino-laying train I saw another version of this advertised on Instagram and was excited to find it on Amazon with free shipping. It’s super fun and really satisfying!
- Puzzle set This was a successful birthday gift for my puzzle-loving 3-year-old. It’s sufficiently challenging but doable for a toddler!
For 4-year-olds
Kiddos at this age are just on the cusp of toddler and preschool when it comes to the types of toys they’re interested in.
Here are some of our most successful toys thus far…
Holiday gifts for a 4-year-old:
- Interactive maps This is an excellent educational toy that we’ve gotten tons of “mileage” out of. Highly recommend!
Final thoughts on stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers
The great thing about toddlers is that they’re happy to play with the simplest of things. Sometimes, the simpler the better!
Even if you just grab one or two stocking fillers from this list, and then pad the rest of the stocking with fruit or snacks, your toddler will be overjoyed.
Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!
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READ THIS NEXT: 14 Best Sleep Sacks for Toddlers
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