Although the holiday season certainly has its share of joy and cheer, it can also feel like a lot of extra work for parents of young kids. To make things a little easier for you this year, we’ve put together the ultimate gift guide to stocking stuffers for toddlers. If you’re looking for small gifts for your 1-year-old, 2-year-old, or 3-year-old, you’ll find plenty of fun, affordable options on this list.
1. Melissa & Doug Water Wow! On The Farm Reusable Activity Pad
Children love messy art projects, but parents don’t love to clean up afterward. These reusable activity pads, however, offer the best of both worlds. Let your toddler enjoy painting with zero mess, even when you’re on the go. Great for at home or in the car, these pads feature colorful designs that are revealed when water is applied using the refillable pen. Your little one will love seeing the vibrant details unveiled with each stroke. Best of all, the colors fade away as it dries, so they can enjoy this activity pad again and again. Choose from a variety of toddler-friendly themes, including farm, jungle, dinosaurs, and under the sea.
2. Crayola My First Palm Grip Crayons
Another option for art supplies is this set of washable crayons by Crayola. Thanks to an easy-to-grip egg shape, these crayons help kids start expressing their creativity at an early age. Plus, the colors wash away easily from skin, clothing, and furniture, so there are no major messes to deal with. Include some coloring books or a sketch pad where they can doodle among your child’s Christmas gifts so they can start using their new crayons right away.
3. BunMo Poppin’ Pipes Sensory Toys
You know how it’s often the simplest toys that make the best gifts?
That’s exactly why these BunMo Poppin’ Pipes are such a hit with toddlers. Their little hands have no trouble handing these tubes to expand, contract, bend, and twist. The satisfying sounds they make along with the tactile stimulation make for some exciting sensory experience while improving fine motor skills. Popular with kids of all abilities, these fidget toys are good stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers with autism or other special needs.
4. Honeysticks Natural Beeswax Bath Crayons
If bath time is sometimes a struggle with your toddler, turn it into an opportunity for fun with this set of washable bath crayons featuring an array of vibrant colors.
Each crayon is sized just right for little hands, and the water-soluble colors wipe away easily from non-porous surfaces. This eco-friendly toddler toy even comes in a handy metal tin with drainage holes in the bottom for streamlined storage in your bathtub. Most importantly, however, Honeysticks are made from 100% pure beeswax and soy wax, a plant-based emulsifier and food-grade colorings, so they’re completely safe for your creative kiddo.
5. Munchkin Wild Animal Bath Toy Squirts
Speaking of bath time, you can’t go wrong with this eight-pack of adorable floating animal friends. Expect squeals of delight each time your toddler gives these toys a squeeze to release a stream of water. They’re great for pretend play in the bath and teaching kids about wildlife in a fun and interactive way.
6. Munchkin 36 Bath Letters And Numbers
Another popular bath time option from Munchkin is this set of bath stickers featuring 26 letters and numbers 0 through 9. They’re made from soft, durable foam, which makes them easy for toddlers to pick up. When wet, they naturally create enough suction to stick to the tub wall. These bath stickers keep kids busy during baths and help to develop number and letter recognition early on.
7. Don’t Push The Button! Interactive Board Book
A simple board book makes for a perfect stocking stuffer, especially when you find a story your kid can’t get enough of. “Don’t Push the Button!” has sold over one million copies and has proven to be a huge hit with toddlers and preschoolers. Instead of simply listening to the story, they get to participate, too. Prepare for lots of giggles as you turn each page of this silly tale.
8. LEGO DUPLO First Building Playset
This high-quality building blocks set is filled with 80 colorful, easy-to-handle LEGO pieces made with toddlers in mind. The bricks are safe for kiddos as young as 18 months, and the unique shapes allow for plenty of creative building.
In addition, instructions are included for building 15 familiar objects, such as a whale, a flower, and a house. This holiday gift is ready to use right out of the box, so don’t be surprised if they become the main activity on Christmas morning.
9. DDMY Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles Set
This cute set of puzzles is sized just right for slipping inside a Christmas stocking. Featuring a variety of shapes and colors, it’s simple enough for little ones to master while still offering a bit of an educational challenge.
Each puzzle is made with high-quality wood with smooth edges and surfaces that are easy for small fingers to grasp, and the puzzle boards and pieces are stained with non-toxic, water-based paint.
10. Pillow Pets Unicorn Sleeptime Lite Plush
Make bedtime feel a little more magical with this unique unicorn that’s part pillow, part plushie, and part nightlight.
The squishy and cuddly soft feel provides a sense of comfort to toddlers as they drift off to dreamland. Switch on the glowing light cover to see an array of rainbow-colored stars projected across the ceiling (a built-in timer ensures shut off after your child falls asleep).
In addition to classic options like unicorns, dinosaurs, and puppies, you can also find Pillow Pets featuring beloved characters from Paw Patrol, Blue’s Clues, Star Wars, Disney, and more.
11. soobei Kids U-Shaped Toothbrush
When it comes to practical gift ideas, a new toothbrush is always a great option. This particular design is made with toddlers in mind, providing a safe, easy-to-use way for little ones to keep their teeth clean and healthy.
Featuring a food-grade, soft silicone brush head, it’s gentle on teeth and gums while still providing a thorough clean. Small hands are able to grip the wider handle, which is a big plus for independent kids who want to do things on their own. They simply move the brush left to right for 360-degree scrubbing action.
12. Mudpuppy My ABC’s Ring Flash Cards
It’s never too early for children to start learning their letters, which is why this set of alphabet flashcards is a great stocking stuffer for toddlers.
Each sturdy, laminated card features a different letter of the alphabet along with a charming illustration of an object beginning with the same letter. The set comes with a removable plastic ring to help corral the cards, which is especially useful for use in the car or while traveling. You can even turn them into a card game by having kids sort by color or alphabetic order.
13. Play-Doh Party Pack
If you’re looking for cheap stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers, Play-Doh is here to save the day!
This package features a total of 10 different colors for your child to enjoy. Each comes in its own container, making it easy to bring a few colors along on any adventure. As one of the rare gifts loved by tots and big kids alike, this Play-Doh set may even encourage older and younger siblings to play together.
14. Band-Aid Baby Shark Adhesive Bandages
When your child gets a boo-boo, a colorful, fun bandage seems to magically make everything better a lot faster than a plain one.
Give your child a package of these Baby Shark-themed Band-Aids to make sure you have the perfect remedy for their next cut or scratch. These are items you’ll want around the house anyway, so why not use them as a cute stocking filler?
15. Zelda Matilda Waterproof Toddler Mittens
Mittens make a perfect stocking stuffer for the holiday season. This popular pair features glowing reviews (and over 12,000 total ratings), which makes them a smart choice for durable children’s gloves.
Featuring Thinsulate and fleece lining with a waterproof exterior, these mittens keep hands warm even while playing in the snow. A hook-and-loop closure keeps each glove in place, while the long cuff prevents snow from sneaking into your toddler’s winter coat. Choose from multiple size and color options to get the right pair for your kiddo.
16. Disney Mickey & Friends Finger Puppet Party Pack
Encourage imaginative play with this set of 10 Disney mini finger puppets. A familiar cast of characters includes favorites like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. They’re made from soft, 100% latex-free and phthalate-free plastic and feature a waterproof design for optional play in the bath.
Outdo Santa himself this year and find the perfect stocking stuffer for your toddler this year, and make some new holiday memories with your family.