Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: FUNctional Gifts That Aren’t Junk

As the holiday season approaches, the quest for the ultimate stocking stuffers for toddlers begins! 

If you’re anything like me, you like to give a mix of fun and practical gifts that your kids love and need. But that’s tough sometimes when you need gifts little enough to fit in stockings that aren’t just junk or junk food. 

I’m sharing the best stocking stuffers for toddlers that are not only fun but functional, ensuring your Christmas morning is filled with laughter and maybe just a bit less chaos.

All of these stocking stuffer ideas are things my toddler already loves or are on my list to give.

So, get ready to stuff those stockings with presents that will have your little one jazzed with Christmas spirit!

Procrastinated buying gifts? Don’t worry! Nearly all of these toddler stocking stuffers are available on Amazon Prime with free 2-day (or less) shipping. If you don’t already have Amazon Prime, you can grab a 30-day FREE trial to test it out for the holiday season.

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I’ve broken down this list of toddler stocking stuffers into three easy categories for you. We have all things arts and crafts, small play toys, and practical gifts toddlers need and love. Just click on the categories in the list below if you want to jump to a certain section!

• Arts & Crafts
• Play Things
• Practical Gifts

As you’d guess, everything in this category is artsy and crafty to get your toddler’s creative juices flowing! These stocking stuffers range from the best traditional art supplies to creative toys and materials. Watch their imagination come to life while they develop fine motor skills, too!

The number one thing I can guarantee my toddler will love and play with every single time is stickers. These are the best stocking stuffers because they’re cheap, small, and have endless varieties for nonstop fun. 

My go to stickers are variety value packs because it’s the best bang for your buck. But if we’re feeling fancy, the puffy 3-D stickers are always a hit. 

Want to stay on the Christmas theme AND score some extra fun independent play time? These make-a-face Christmas stickers will keep your toddler giggling and playing so you can clean up the Christmas chaos or, dare I say it, actually sit and enjoy the day.

Chunky crayons are classic art supplies for toddlers because they’re easier to hold and usually less messy than other coloring items. Plus a small pack of crayons easily fits in a stocking!

I always prefer to get clean, non-toxic things for my kids especially if they’re still in the “everything in the mouth” stage. These beeswax crayons are great because they’re natural, made with food grade colors, and don’t contain petroleum-based wax like other crayons.

Play dough is a classic stocking stuff. It’s compact, crazy fun, and relatively inexpensive. The endless possibilities for creating and the crazy amount of tools and accessories available make it the perfect toddler stocking stuffer

Lots of people are moving away from the big name brand in favor of more ingredient-friendly brands like this non-toxic, gluten free one. 

No matter which dough you go with, just make sure you’ve got a designated playing area or you’ll end up with dried play dough rocks everywhere!

If you want to embrace the mess and let your little have a blast, then finger paints definitely need to be on your toddler stocking stuffer list.

Again, I love non-toxic and clean brands, so these finger paints are an obvious choice. They’re non-toxic and have cosmetic grade coloring, plus they’re a thicker consistency than most so they’re a little easier for littles to use.

Why not go old school and give your toddler some fun ink stamps! I have not met a single toddler who does not love stamps. They’re also cheap and compact so they’re the perfect stocking stuffer for toddlers. 

You can go the self-inking single stamp route with like this multi-pack or you can double down on going old school and do the wooden stampers with an ink pad.

Like stickers, temporary tattoos are a classic kiddo favorite. Getting tattoos of their favorite characters or things is sure to be a hit for their stocking.

Temporary tattoos are sometimes made with funky things, so if you want a non-toxic option then this pack is a great choice!

This simple open-ended toy is perfect for toddlers who love to create. Wikki Stix are like wax stick versions of modeling clay so it’s building fun without the mess. They’re also reusable so they end up being a lot more affordable, too.

If you like to “shop small” and support USA made products, then this is a great option for your family!

I’ll admit I was skeptical when my toddler got these as a gift but they’ve quickly become everyone’s favorite. The best way I can explain it is a super smooth oil crayon in a glue stick container.

Paint sticks are more fun than crayons but less messy than paints. They’re also a fun way to practice fine motor skills too like coloring, twisting the bottom, and taking the small cap on and off.

It’s a sandy version of play dough but isn’t quite as sticky. There’s so much you can do with kinetic sand plus it’s great for developing those hand muscles that are so critical to learning how to write.

These packs fit easy into stockings and come in lots of great colors so you can choose your toddler’s favorite color to make it extra special!

Reusable water coloring books are always a hit whether your toddler already has some or has never seen them before. My toddler is obsessed with them and it’s a guaranteed way to keep her quietly entertained for a while.

I’ve tried a couple different brands and tend to prefer this one because they tend to last longer and come in lots of different themes.

This category is all about little toys that can fit in a stocking but aren’t junk! I love toys that have an educational or developmental component. So, each of these toddler stocking stuffers target some kind of skill while still being fun!

What toddler doesn’t love bubbles? They’re another cheap and compact fan favorite for toddlers. 

I personally prefer bubble wands over the traditional bottles with little circle sticks. There’s so much less mess with the wands and they’re easier for littles to use. Luckily I found these awesome mini bubble wands that are perfect stocking stuffers for toddlers!

You might think bubbles are just a fun little toy, but taking the wand in and out helps with fine motor skills and blowing the bubbles helps develop lung and belly muscles. Blowing bubbles is also a great way to teach deep breathing as a coping skill for when they need to calm down.

This isn’t just a gift for the boys! As a girl mama and a former Hot Wheels lover, I can promise you that toy cars are great gifts for every child. 

I’m partial to these cars you pull back to wind up because they’re super fun but also teach cause and effect (pulling back = car zooms). Plus they’re cheap!

But you can also go a more classic route and get regular toy cars or even construction equipment depending on what your little one loves!

Flashcards are a great learning gift that toddlers love. My daughter will sit and play with these flashcards over and over (they’ve held up super well) and they’ve really helped expand her vocabulary. They come in a big box but you could easily wrap each of the sets they come with. I’m also partial to this brand because is a small business owned by a mama.

You can also go the more traditional route with individual boxes of flash cards if don’t want to have to wrap them.

Soft balls that toddlers can play with and practice motor skills like throwing or bouncing are a great stocking stuffer.

This sensory ball is the best of both worlds because it’s a ball to play with and can be used as a squeezey stress ball. It’s made of non-toxic material and boasts that it won’t break open. It’s just such a simple blend of development and fun to stuff a toddler’s stocking.

Whether it’s a mini version of their favorite animal or favorite character, mini stuffed animals are a great stocking stuffer idea for toddlers. 

I know stuffies don’t seem like an educational toy, but they help with emotional development so much by being a comfort object. They’re also great for imaginative play.

If your little loves Swuishmallows, this pack of minis might just make their Christmas Day!

Nesting cups can be played with so many ways making them a fun little toy for toddlers. They can also teach awesome skills like spatial awareness, colors, counting, and fine motor development. Plus they stack into each other so they’re compact for toddler stocking stuffers. 

This affordable set is great because they’re colorful, numbered, and even have little holes in the bottom so they double as a sprinkle water toy for the bath or outside.

Whoever invented this simple yet crazy satisfying toy is a genius. Pop Its are always a crowd pleaser for toddlers and are great for stockings. Plus they’re awesome for fine motor skills. 

You know I’m a fan of toys that can incorporate educational elements, which is why I love this Pop It specifically. Your toddler can practice the ABCs and colors while they play.

If your kiddo is over the pop its phase, infinity cubes are another great fidget toy option. They’re kind of like a rubix cube but they fold instead of rotate. My toddler loves hers and it keeps her occupied for a good while, too. 

Bonus – they’re great for developing spatial awareness and fine motor skills.

This cute pastel multi-pack is a great option if you have multiple kids or if you want to give your toddler more than one!

Matching card games are such a great option for developing memory recall, understanding the concept of “matching,” and learning vocabulary. Most matching games are a little bit bigger than a deck of cards so they’re perfect for toddler stocking stuffers. 

I’m a big fan of the First 100 products because they’re colorful with real pictures and their matching games are unmatched (sorry not sorry). They have ones for first words, animals, and letters so you have plenty of options!

Puzzles are such a fun learning toy and toddlerhood is the perfect time to introduce kids to them. There are puzzles for every developmental level and themed to meet every interest. Plus lots of them come in mini sizes or can be put into little bags for stockings and easy storage later.

If you’re looking for a puzzle that’s a little different, this open-ended puzzle set comes with pieces that can be used to build any of the puzzles on their card deck. It also comes in a great little travel tin so it’s perfect to bring on-the-go.

This category is where fun meets functional. All items in this section are items toddlers need and want. Think things you would already buy them but can be wrapped up and made into a fun little present. Because really, most toddlers are just happy to be opening presents no matter what’s inside!

I’ve never met a parent who didn’t need more socks for their little one. I swear the dryer eats those things. 

Socks may not seem like an exciting gift but you can totally make it fun with cool patterns or characters – whatever your kiddo is into! Socks like these are sure to be a crowd pleaser for any little animal lover.

The amazing thing about toddlers is everything is amazing to them. even toothbrushes. So why not apply that wonder to something good for them and stick a cool new toothbrush in their stocking. 

This baby shark one is sure to be a crowd pleaser with its loveably maddening character and light up timer. Don’t panic, it doesn’t sing! But I can’t guarantee they won’t want to sing the song anyways.

There are so many different accessory options to give toddlers! Plus they’ll love the real dress up items they can wear every day.

For little girls, you can do fun hair extensions or bows and clips. For little boys, you can do hats or a fun little watch with their favorite color or character.

Toddlers love fun cups so why not throw in this practical item that you know they need anyways! Pick a cup that has their favorite color or characters, comes with a fun straw, or has some cool feature that makes it interesting. 

My family is trying to get away from having our babes drink out of as much plastic, so we’ve been transitioning to the toddler Yetis. It’s a little splurgey but it helps our babe feel more like mama and keep from drinking out of my cup so much. Plus they come in a gazillion cute colors!

Bracelets are a very simple, affordable, and fun option for kids’ stockings. They can be tough for toddlers though because lots the dress up bracelets have beads that break and become choking hazards. 

Thankfully, I found these stretchy bracelets without any beads or choking hazards and my daughter is obsessed. They’re super fun and double as a hair tie on the go for mom (if your toddler will share).

Anyone else remember these from when they were little? They come in little vitamin-like capsules and grow into different shaped sponges when they hit the water. Toddlers will love watching this magic! 

If you want to stay on the Christmas theme, this holiday pack has ones that grow into Candy Candy, Santa hat, stocking, and other fun holiday shaped sponges.

There’s just something so adorable about toddlers in sunglasses. They’re a great stocking stuffer for boys and girls alike because they’re small, usually cheap, and make littles feel big to wear what grown ups do. 

If you’re looking for functional toddler sunglasses that are more than just for dress up, check out these polarized ones. They come in lots of cool colors, too!

Practical, used every day, and perfectly sized for toddler stocking stuffers!

Giving utensils can be as straightforward as a cool new set of forks and spoons like this construction set. Or you can do fun toddler-sized cooking utensils for your little one to help in the kitchen. 

I swear we have a bunch of these but they’re somehow always missing or dirty when we need one. Why not reduce the stress and add another fun one to the mix and stick it in your toddler’s stocking.

Our clever little girl has learned to take the tupperware-style lid off of hers, which has resulted in many a mess in places we did not want it. Hence, the use of “spill proof” snack cup. To combat this, we’re switching to the twist top version of her snack cups in hopes her grip strength won’t be a match for these.

Everyone loves getting a little something yummy in their stocking, even toddlers! Snacks, candy, and favorite treats are always a great stocking stuffers for toddlers. 

We’re try to be a little healthier in our house, so some of our favorite toddler treats are sugarless fruit rolls, organic lollipops (my favorite too), and veggie crisp chips. 

Stocking stuffers for toddlers can sometimes be total junk, but with this list you’re guaranteed to have some fan favorites. From practical to fun to yummy, these toddler stocking stuffers will have your little one jumping for joy. 

If you’re still looking for Christmas gift ideas, especially if you need something last minute, check out our post on educational toddler gifts guaranteed to grow with them. They’re all on Amazon and all have skill development and learning in mind!