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Wondering what kinds of stocking stuffers to get your toddler AND stay on budget? I got you, mama!
I don’t know why, but I always seem to forget the gifts for the Christmas stockings. Do you forget them too?
Does it seem like you always have to run to the store to buy over-priced items because you missed the sales?
Gosh, me too. Until I started planning ahead and making a game plan for Christmas.
But, there is still hope to keep you on budget or under budget this Christmas. And it is my goal to give you awesome stocking stuffer ideas for your toddler or preschooler that are under $5.
Sometimes it’s hard trying to decide what to put in your 2 year old’s stocking but I’ve got some ideas for you mama.
Check them out below.
You may also be interested in:
Things to Buy Right After Christmas to Save the Most Money
Decorating Christmas on a Budget: Dollar Store Christmas Decor
20 Best Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddlers Under $5
Yep. All of these gifts are budget-friendly. At least they were when I wrote this article. Let me know if you absolutely LOVE something that is not on this list and I will add it if it is under $5.
All of the following gifts are meant to encourage learning in your child.
The good news is that children learn in such a variety of ways so don’t worry, I won’t bore you with a list full of books and flashcards (although they are included :))
1. Colors and Shapes Flashcards
Flashcards allow children to develop thinking, decision-making, turn-taking, and social skills. Turn your stocking stuffer into a learning experience for your child this year. I bought my kids this one and they LOVE doing their “flashcard” games.
2. Stacking Cups
Learning to stack cups is perfect for hand and fine motor skills for young children. Not only will they learn motor skills but you can always integrate colors, shapes, counting, and engineering as they build their towers.
3. Bath Letters and Numbers
These are always a hit for youngsters. You can wet them and stick them to the tub, create funny words, sort them by color, practice ABCs, and so much more!
4. Water Pen Activity Pads
This activity pad is a delightful and educational gift for kids to round out the hands-on and screen-free play experience.
5. The Original Slinky
You can never go wrong with a slinky. These can be so much fun. The little ones can tangle this in a heartbeat so it would work better for preschoolers.
6. Spin Toothbrushes
If your children are having trouble with wanting to brush their teeth, this super fun toothbrush can help. Kids love the character and spin brushes plus, so surprise them this year with one in their stocking for Christmas.
7. Brain Quest Workbook
Take learning to a whole new level with Brain Quest. I loved these as a child (am I showing my age?). Place them in your toddler’s stocking and challenge your child to ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and early learning this year.
8. Hot Wheel Cars
Vroom vroom! Pair them with some race track tape or Hot Wheels race track and your kids will have a blast.
9. Stickers
Get hours of play with sticker books! There are tons of different options to put in your toddler’s stocking stuffer and I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t like stickers.
10. Crayons
Do you run out of crayons too often? I mean, c’mon, they break, they get lost, they get eaten. Build up a little stock this Christmas and line your child’s Christmas stocking with crayons.
11. Markers
Markers are a must for kids. Our markers always get lost or dry out. If you’ve got a toddler in the house, you know the struggle. You are going to replace them anyway, why not double it as a Christmas stocking stuffer for your preschooler?
12. Chalk
Writing on the patio or sidewalk in the spring and summer months are some of the best times that children have. Create art and let your kids play outside, screen-free.
13. Bubbles
Do I really need to say more? Bubbles are the light of a toddler’s life. Fill up their Christmas stocking with bubbles, bubble guns, bubble sticks, bubble tubes; basically anything bubbles and it will be the first thing they want to play with.
14. Foam Sports Balls
These balls are super soft and won’t’ break your mirror. It’s perfect for ages 2-4 years and great to start teaching them how to throw and roll a ball.
15. Play-Doh
Play-doh can open up your child’s imagination very quickly. From designing tacos to whales, to fish, to boats, to dresses, and people, your child will love the sensory play.
16. Swimming Bath Toys
Make bath-time fun and get a few moments to yourself while your child plays with his or her toys.
17. Glow Sticks
Glow in the dark sticks are pretty awesome. We love to use them for camping inside nights where we open up our tent and camp in the house.
18. Bath Bombs
Are your children into bath bombs? We make our own but you can get them for fairly cheap if you want to throw some color and fizz into the mix at bathtime.
19. Silly Putty
Need more sensory play? Silly putty has that weird, slimy, gooey feeling that kids just love.
20. Tennis Balls
Okay so not directly targeted for children but so many toddlers absolutely LOVE tennis balls! I don’t know what it is about them, maybe the fuzzy feeling or the awesome bounce? This one is one of the top stocking stuffers for toddlers and preschoolers for sure.
So what did you think? Obviously the goal here is to save money so you don’t need to buy everything on this list.
I hope to have given you a few ideas so that you don’t have to waste time trying to come up with something to fill up your child’s Christmas stocking this year.
Some other ideas are candy canes, popsicle stick games, money, whistles, jingle bells, and leftover Halloween candy!
If to combine several items from the list above, we can create something special, I guess. What do you think?
If you combine these items in a basket and wrap it up, that would be super cute and special! Personally, I would not put all of these items in a stocking but there are some stocking stuffer ideas to get you started.
Have a wonderful day,
Marissa