Practical Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddlers

As a mom of identical twin toddlers, I want to fill my boys’ Christmas stockings with practical and meaningful things they can open on Christmas morning. In my mind, the perfect stocking stuffers are the things that will be enjoyed and last in our Montessori home. Younger kids have so many interests and we could go in many directions when choosing a good stocking stuffer. So, to make this easier for you, I will break these gift ideas down by category so you can decide what interests your toddler most and get them a few practical stocking stuffer items this year.

Fine Motor Gifts

Fine motor gifts make the best stocking stuffers. Putting one of these simple fine motor activities into your toddler’s stocking will allow them to use it right away! Fine motor skills like lacing, twisting, and turning are new and challenging skills that are important for a toddler to practice. 

Hape Twist and Turnables

I’m so excited to put these Twist and Turnables in my twins’ stockings this year! This is something I know they will love! It will be great for fine motor development and help develop deeper concentration and problem-solving skills. These are great for an older toddler. I ordered them early and had my twins try them out. At 21 months this was still too challenging, the wanted to be able to pull them apart and would get frustrated. It should be perfect at Christmas time right after they turn 2!

Lock Box

This compact lock box will likely be your child’s favorite Christmas gift. It is real, practical, and purposeful. You could fill it with a few snacks and goodies to make it extra special to open up on Christmas morning! To set this up in your home, place it on a tray with the key attached to a string that you have tied to the tray so it doesn’t get lost.

Wooden Lacing Cheese

This lacing cheese block is a fun fine-motor toddler gift that fits perfectly in their stocking!

Kitchen and Practical Life Tools

Small kitchen tools that allow your child to participate in the kitchen tasks are great gifts to add to a Christmas stocking. These tools are the perfect size for busy toddler hands that need more meaningful work in their day. 

Wooden Chopper

This is the wooden chopper we have for our twins. It is perfect for cutting bananas, cheese, apples, and more! It is safe and offers opportunities for hand-eye coordination when chopping. Definately a kitchen essential in our home!

Wavy Chopper

A wavy chopper is another great tool for your toddler and comes in handy for chopping firmer vegetables like cucumber, carrots, and peppers. 

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Spray Bottle

Simple, easy and so much fun! My twins have been loving their spray bottles and spraying everything outside they can think of. A spray bottle is a great stocking stuffer if your toddler doesn’t already have one of their own. Check out your local Dollar Tree for a very expensive spray bottle for your kids’ stockings. 

Dustpan and Broom

A simple dustpan and broom is another practical gift for you could use as a stocking stuffer for your toddler. You can involve them in cleaning up their crumbs from snacks using this handheld dustpan and broom. If you want to see how we have set up our Montessori kitchen area with these practical tools, check out this post!

For the Artist

New art supplies are great for kids of all ages, even toddlers! Although they will likely require more supervision. Offering different mediums for art expression in addition to tools for those art projects is important. Here are some I’m excited to add to stockings this year!

Paint Sticks

These chunky paint sticks will be a big hit with your toddler! The vibrant colors are beautiful and are a great size for holding.

Loop Squeeze Scissors

I love these loop squeeze scissors for toddlers who don’t know how to use regular scissors yet. Offering scissors and cutting work is a great way for those little hands to develop stronger grip strength!

Realistic Stickers (farm animals) (sea animals) (jungle animals) (fruit and veggies)

In our Montessori home, we aim to offer things that are based in reality as much as possible. I look for authentic and realistic-looking books and toys. These realistic stickers are perfect and will make a perfect stocking stuffer for your toddler!

Art smock

If you are getting new art supplies, you should get an art smock to go with it to protect your child’s clothes from stains. We have had this smock for a young toddler and have loved it but we will need to size it up soon.

• For a young toddler (12-24 months)
• For an older toddler (2-7 years old)

For the Musician

Music Box

This twist music box captivated my twins’ attention. It plays a beautiful tune and is high-quality. What a special gift this would be to open up on Christmas morning. This may be marketed as more of a baby toy, but let me tell you, my twins were enamored with this music box! I think it would be the perfect stocking stuffer for a toddler.

Harmonica

A harmonica is just the right size for a stocking and is a musical instrument you will enjoy the sound of! Little kids enjoy exploring with all sorts of musical instruments and they are sure to love a harmonica just like my twin toddlers did! It is a great instrument for them to explore their breathing.

Popin’ Pipes

I first got these Poppin’ Pipes as a travel activity and they are well-loved in our home! They are engaging and slightly obnoxious, but I think they would still make a great stocking stuffer. 

Rain Stick

A rain stick would be a fun addition to your musical instrument collection. 

Just for Fun

Sarah’s Silks

We just invested in some high-quality, beautiful silks from Sarah’s Silks. These are perfect for open-ended play and make the perfect gifts. They even make a great substitute for wrapping paper! Just use a silk to wrap up some of your stocking stuffers! See your child’s imagination emerge as they find fun and new ways to use these colorful silks!

Schleich Animal Figures

Toddlers have a sensitive period for small objects. These small animal figures have many uses in a child’s play. My boys seem especially drawn to them for their size and language opportunities. They will hold them up to my mouth, wanting me to make the sound that animal makes, it is the sweetest thing.

Binoculars

My husband is a great outdoorsman, so I know our boys will love to have their own set of binoculars to take with them on adventures and to use when doing their own exploring around the house.

Socks

I have a weird desire to wear brand-new socks every day. I know this is completely unnecessary and something I will never actually do. Yet, new socks are a classic and practical Christmas gift for anyone. They also make a great stocking stuffer.

Water bottle

If your toddler doesn’t have their own water bottle, we have liked these Contigo water bottles that have a press button that makes the straw pop up. My toddlers can be independent in using them which I love. 

Baby Doll (Boy) (Girl)

​One of my boys’ favorite things lately has been their baby doll. They even sleep with them! They love watching me put clothes on the baby and want me to swaddle it. 

Hopefully, this gift guide has offered you some new practical stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers. Little gifts like the ones I mentioned can spark so much joy for your child. I hope they offer hours of purposful work and playful fun. Pin this graphic to remember this whole list of stocking stuffer ideas!