Practical Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Christmas is literally a few days away and the pressure is on to buy those last-minute gifts and get them wrapped in time. I still have a few items on my Christmas shopping list that I need to purchase, but I’m happy to report that all of my kids’ gifts and stocking stuffers are ready to go. If you stop by the blog often, you know how careful Rob and I are about our budget. We tend to be more frugal than most families – especially when it comes to toys and sweets for our kids. I have always loved opening my Christmas stockings to see what sort of treasures are tucked inside and I want my own children’s stockings to bring delight on Christmas morning. I can’t make any definitive statements about older kids, but I can tell you for certain that the four and under crowd will find anything and everything inside their Christmas stockings to be completely fascinating and exciting. My kids’ stockings are a mix of regular foods pretending to be treats, hygiene items, and a few art supplies. Here’s a quick look at what my toddler and preschooler are going to find in their stockings on Christmas morning. I linked to every single item on Amazon and they all should arrive in time for Christmas if you order them now.

If you’re really desperate, my best advice is to raid your pantry and bathroom cabinet for any single-serve snack packs and basic supplies. There’s bound to be a free toothbrush and mini toothpaste from the dentist that you can always use if you’re REALLY desperate. Dump in some fruit snacks, granola bars, and pouches and you will be good-to-to!

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Our Favorite Toddler Stocking Stuffers

Harvey’s birthday was in early October and I still can’t believe that my baby is a toddler! He’s getting all sorts of fun big boy snacks and toys in his stocking this year – many of which are the exact same as his big sister. Here’s a quick look at what our toddler boy will find in his Christmas stocking this year.

1. Orajel Training Toothpaste ($3.50): I love any gift that does double duty – like toothpaste! Technically it’s a gift but it saves our household budget $3.50 later on when I would normally have to purchase a tube.
2. Toddler Toothbrushes ($7.50): Harvey is getting ready to graduate from his silicone banana toothbrush and he needs a brush with actual bristles. I bought Harvey a 2-pack of a more standard toddler toothbrush, but this set of four looks way better because little ones can easily grip and chew on the handle that doubles as a biting ring.
3.  Veggie Straws Snack Bags ($21.69 for a 24-pack): What fun is a stocking without any fun snacks inside? Both my kids love Veggie Straws and I usually just fill their snack cups from the big bag I buy at the store. Both kids will get such a thrill from their own special little bag of a snack they love.
4. Paw Patrol Band-Aids ($2.72): You can never go wrong with a brand new box of character bandages. My kids have never seen an episode of Paw Patrol, but anything with a picture of a dog is always a hit.
5. Happy Baby Organic food pouch ($25.92 for a pack of 16): You can technically call this a grocery expense, but food pouches are a sure-fire crowd-pleaser with little ones. My kids both think these are a treat but it’s actually my way of sneaking a few extra vegetables into their diets. Chances are, you already have some type of pouch food in your pantry. Set one aside for the Christmas stocking!
6. Munchkin 2-piece Snack Catcher ($9.49): We’ve been in need of a few extra snack cups for about a month, but it just made sense to wait until Christmas because anything found in a stocking is considered a special treasure.
7. Quaker Instant Oatmeal Cup ($11.88 for a pack of 12): Both of my kids eat a lot of oatmeal. Typically, we buy a big can of dry oats at the grocery store and scoop out what we need each morning. The single-serve bowls are a little more expensive but will seem SO COOL and is a great alternative to candy treats.
8. Melissa & Doug Water Wow Sports Book ($4.99) – We own a few Water Wow books, but they’re two years old and have seen better days. These books are every mom’s dream. Just fill the special paintbrush with water and let your little one “paint” to reveal a vibrant picture, which dries on its own so it can be revealed again and again. Both my kids love “painting” the pages of the books with water to reveal the picture and these books are a sure-fire hit. Also available in a set of 3 different books.
9. Waterproof Art Smock ($6.99): I’m not sure how I’ve made it over three years as a parent without investing in a paint smock, but Harvey is going to be ready for messy art projects, and now is the time! This art smock has a great price and seems ideal for my kids, plus it’s available in a 2-pack for only $10.99.
10. Stacking Cups ($3.99): This is another baby and toddler staple that our household is mysteriously lacking but I know is guaranteed to please!
11. Breakfast Cereal Single Serving Multi Pack ($3.28 for a pack of 8): Cereal is one of our go-to kid snacks because it’s cheap, filling, and fun to eat. The only thing better is when the cereal comes in a cute little box (or in this case, a little snack bag.) Once again, my kids will be eating normal food disguised as a treat and they will be thrilled.
12. Crayola Triangular Crayons ($19.38 for a set of 3): My kids are actually getting Crayola jumbo crayons (the regular chunky round ones), but these are available before Christmas and I think they’re the better choice! Great for toddlers because they can’t roll away, great for preschoolers who are beginning to learn a proper pencil grip, and the 3-pack means you’ll have an extra set on-hand for a last-minute birthday gift – especially if you pair it with our favorite coloring book!

Our Favorite Preschool Stocking Stuffers

Even though Dessa doesn’t attend preschool, the fact that she’s three years old merits the title of “preschooler.” Here’s a peek at Dessa’s stocking stuffer list. These are great items for any three or four-year-old.

1. Daniel Tiger Toothbrush Set ($3.97): The perfect simple stocking stuffer for any preschooler that’s obsessed with Daniel Tiger. Dessa loves Daniel Tiger and this little toothbrush and toothpaste combo pack is technically a gift for her, but it just might be magical enough to make our twice-a-day toothbrushing routine less of a battle.
2. Happy Tot Organic food pouch ($25.56 for a pack of 16): You can technically call this a grocery expense, but food pouches are a sure-fire crowd-pleaser with little ones. My kids both think these are a treat but it’s actually my way of sneaking a few extra vegetables into their diets. Chances are, you already have some type of pouch food in your pantry. Set one aside for the Christmas stocking!
3. Orajel Training Toothpaste ($2.88): I love any gift that does double duty – like toothpaste! Technically it’s a gift but it saves our household budget $3.50 later on when I would normally have to purchase a tube.
4. Veggie Straws Snack Bags ($21.69 for a 24-pack): What fun is a stocking without any fun snacks inside? Both my kids love Veggie Straws and I usually just fill their snack cups from the big bag I buy at the store. Both kids will get such a thrill from their own special little bag of a snack they love.
5. Wet Brush ($12): Dessa’s hair has been long and thick enough to require a brushing every morning and after her bath at night. I love the Wet Brush because it glides right through tangles with ease. I’ve been using my own Wet Brush on Dessa’s hair, but I know she will get a thrill from owning a brush that’s all hers. There are lots of cute Wet Brush colors and prints available on Amazon Prime, most for under $12.
6. Eos Organic Lip Balm ($2.96): Tis the season for chapped lips! Especially if your three-year-old licks her lips as much as mine does. Dessa tends to resist any type of lip balm or ointment, but she always cooperates when I get out my Eos lip balm. I think it’s just because she likes the novelty of the ball shape, but I’m not complaining. She will love discovering her own chapstick in her stocking this year and the shape of the packaging gives me a little more piece of mind than traditional chapstick because there isn’t a tiny choking hazard of a cap to worry about Harvey discovering.
7. Munchkin 2-piece Snack Catcher ($9.49): We’ve been in need of a few extra snack cups for about a month, but it just made sense to wait until Christmas because anything found in a stocking is considered a special treasure.
8. Paw Patrol Band-Aids ($2.72): You can never go wrong with a brand new box of character bandages. My kids have never seen an episode of Paw Patrol, but anything with a picture of a dog is always a hit.
9. Melissa & Doug Water Wow Occupations Book ($4.99) – We own a few Water Wow books, but they’re two years old and have seen better days. These books are every mom’s dream. Just fill the special paintbrush with water and let your little one “paint” to reveal a vibrant picture, which dries on its own so it can be revealed again and again. Both my kids love “painting” the pages of the books with water to reveal the picture and these books are a sure-fire hit. Also available in a set of 3 different books.
10. Waterproof Art Smock ($6.99): I’m not sure how I’ve made it over three years as a parent without investing in a paint smock, but our art projects are getting bigger and messier, and now is the time! This art smock has a great price and seems ideal for my kids, plus it’s available in a 2-pack for only $10.99.
11. Quaker Instant Oatmeal Cup ($11.88 for a pack of 12): Both of my kids eat a lot of oatmeal. Typically, we buy a big can of dry oats at the grocery store and scoop out what we need each morning. The single-serve bowls are a little more expensive but will seem SO COOL and is a great alternative to candy treats.
12. Breakfast Cereal Single Serving Multi Pack ($3.28 for a pack of 8): Cereal is one of our go-to kid snacks because it’s cheap, filling, and fun to eat. The only thing better is when the cereal comes in a cute little box (or in this case, a little snack bag.) Once again, my kids will be eating normal food disguised as a treat and they will be thrilled.
13. Crayola Triangular Crayons ($19.38 for a set of 3): My kids are actually getting Crayola jumbo crayons (the regular chunky round ones), but these are available before Christmas and I think they’re the better choice! Great for toddlers because they can’t roll away, great for preschoolers who are beginning to learn a proper pencil grip, and the 3-pack means you’ll have an extra set on-hand for a last-minute birthday gift – especially if you pair it with our favorite coloring book!

Need a Last-Minute Christmas Gift for Kids?

You can’t go wrong with any of the above items for filling a preschool or toddler stocking this Christmas. If you need a few last-minute ideas for a bigger gift, be sure to check out our kids’ wishlists. This blog post is filled with all the top toys on our list this year and there are so many good ones – many of which are available on Amazon or curbside pickup at a local retailer!