25 non-candy stocking stuffers for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2 to 5: creative supplies, books, bath toys, practical gifts and printable activity books.
Quick answer
Great non-candy stocking stuffers for toddlers ages 2 to 5 include chunky crayons, sticker books, water-reveal painting books, bath crayons, board books, finger puppets, bubbles, fun grip socks and a printable activity book. Choose things that get used up or used every day, and skip small parts, button batteries, magnets and balloons for children under 3.
Toddler stockings fill up fast with candy and tiny plastic toys that are lost by New Year’s Day. It does not have to be that way.
Small, useful gifts can make a stocking just as exciting. Below are 25 non-candy stocking stuffers for toddlers and preschoolers, grouped so you can mix and match. Most are easy to find, and a few you can even make at home tonight.
Creative stocking stuffers
- Chunky crayons. Egg-shaped or block crayons are easy for small fists to hold. See why coloring is so good for toddlers.
- A big sticker book. Peeling stickers builds finger strength. Puffy stickers are easiest for little ones.
- Water-reveal painting books. Paint with water and colors appear, then fade as they dry. No mess, endless reuse.
- Play dough and a few cookie cutters. Pick a Christmas tree, a star and a gingerbread man.
- Window gel clings. Snowflakes and stars that stick to the window, peel off and stick again.
- A printable Christmas busy book. Print it, laminate it and add Velcro dots. Roll a few pages with a ribbon for the stocking, and put the binder under the tree.
No shipping delays: print it tonight
The Merry & Bright Christmas Busy Book is an instant PDF download with 12 cut-and-stick activities for ages 2 to 5: colors, counting, shapes, letters and more. Print it at home, even on Christmas Eve.
Books and learning stocking stuffers
- A Christmas board book. Short, sturdy and perfect for reading together on Christmas morning.
- A lift-the-flap book. Toddlers love finding what is hiding under each flap.
- Foam bath letters or numbers. They stick to the tub wall when wet. Learning at bath time.
- A small puzzle. Chunky 4- to 6-piece puzzles for 2-year-olds, simple jigsaws for 4- and 5-year-olds.
- Flash cards with pictures. Animals, colors or first words, for playing “what’s this?”
Bath time stocking stuffers
- Bath crayons. Draw on the tub, wipe off with a cloth.
- Stacking bath cups. Pour, stack, sprinkle. Simple and loved for years.
- A fun hooded towel folded small, with animal ears.
- Colored bath tablets made for kids, to turn the water blue or green.
Practical stocking stuffers (they will actually use)
- Grip socks with Christmas patterns, great for slippery floors.
- Mittens or a warm hat in their favorite color.
- A light-up or character toothbrush. Makes brushing more fun.
- Hair clips or a fun headband.
- A spill-proof snack cup for trips and visits to Grandma’s.
- A small toddler flashlight for “camping” under the table. Choose one with a screwed-shut battery cover.
Play and pretend stocking stuffers
- Finger puppets. Reindeer, Santa or farm animals for bedtime stories.
- Bubbles. Pick a spill-proof bubble tub for little hands.
- A chunky toy car or train big enough to be safe for under-3s.
- A coupon for a special day out. A trip to the zoo, the park or to see the Christmas lights, drawn and “signed” by you.
Stocking stuffers to avoid for toddlers
- Small parts. If it fits through a toilet paper tube, it can be a choking hazard for children under 3.
- Button batteries in light-up toys, cards or gadgets with easy-open covers.
- Small, strong magnets, which are dangerous if swallowed.
- Balloons, a choking risk for young children when popped or uninflated.
- Hard candy, gum and nuts, which are choking hazards for little ones.
How to fill a toddler stocking without overdoing it
A simple formula keeps it fun and balanced. Pick one from each group:
| Something to… | Example |
|---|---|
| Create | Chunky crayons or a sticker book |
| Read or learn | A board book or a printable busy book |
| Use every day | Grip socks or a fun toothbrush |
| Play | Bubbles or finger puppets |
| Look forward to | A coupon for a day out |
Five small things is plenty for a toddler. They will be just as happy with the unwrapping as with the gifts.
A stocking stuffer that keeps them busy all winter
12 Christmas activities, 4 write-and-wipe pages, 2 coloring pages and a certificate, in one printable busy book for ages 2 to 5.
Frequently asked questions
What do you put in a toddler’s stocking instead of candy?
Stickers, chunky crayons, a board book, bath crayons, bubbles, grip socks, finger puppets or a printable activity book. Toddlers love unwrapping small things, so the item does not need to be big or expensive.
How many stocking stuffers should a toddler get?
Three to five is plenty. A toddler’s attention moves quickly, and a few well-chosen items will get more play than a big pile.
Are printable activity books good stocking stuffers?
Yes, especially last-minute. A printable busy book downloads instantly, so there is no waiting for shipping. Print a few pages, roll them with a ribbon, and tuck the rest under the tree.
What stocking stuffers are safe for a 2 year old?
Choose items too big to fit through a toilet paper tube, with no button batteries, magnets or small detachable parts. Board books, chunky crayons, bath cups and grip socks are all good picks.
What are good stocking stuffers for a 4 or 5 year old?
Older preschoolers enjoy sticker scenes, simple jigsaw puzzles, a printable busy book, a small flashlight and coupons for special outings.
Small gifts, big smiles
The best toddler stocking is not the fullest one. It is the one with a few things they reach for again and again. Pick a handful of ideas from this list, add one thing to look forward to, and enjoy their Christmas morning faces.
Need more ideas? See our non-toy Christmas gifts for kids, Christmas activities for 2 year olds and our guide to the Christmas busy book for toddlers.
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