Best stocking fillers for kids that will be loved long after Christmas

{{#items}} {{#image}} {{#imgUrl}} {{/imgUrl}}{{^imgUrl}} {{/imgUrl}} {{/image}} {{title}} {{#starRating}} {{/starRating}} {{prettyPrice}} Buy now{{#isExternal}} {{/isExternal}} {{/items}} Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest email Anyone who’s been around a child on Christmas morning will know that cries of ‘Santa’s been’ could start any time from 4am, as excitement levels are so high. From babies to teens , they’re never too young or too old to enjoy rooting inside an oversized sock stuffed full of goodies, to find out what the big man in red has left for them. What the Santa in your household puts in each stocking will set the tone for the rest of the day, so, not only is it important to include a few items to make them smile and giggle, but to include items that occupy their attention, so they can play with them while you get dressed and sort yourself out for the festive lunch . Here are some fun and useful ideas for mini treats to evoke squeals of glee even before they’ve reached the big pile of gifts under the tree . How we tested With the help of five children ranging in age from 1 to 13, we tested each stocking filler for entertainment value, by having a mega play session. We measured the wow factor by looking at the child’s face as they picked up the toy, then watched to see how long they played with it before picking up another. What we were really after was something that was affordable, small in size but capable of causing a big smile on a child’s face, either immediately or as they explored its features. We were keen on eco-friendly options and things already assembled, as losing a small plastic part in the chaos of Christmas morning is no fun but can happen easily. Here are the stocking fillers that sparkled… The best stocking fillers for kids and teenagers in 2023 are: Best stocking fillers overall – : £5.99, Amazon.co.uk Best puzzle stocking filler – Smart Games plug & play ball: £10, Amazon.co.uk Best stocking filler under £5 – : £4.99, Amazon.co.uk Best stocking filler for young kids – Mori wooden bunny push-along toy: £12.50, Babymori.com Best stocking filler for teenagers – Nails.inc Percy Pigs scented nail polish duo: £15, Marksandspencer.com Our mini testers were on hand to assess entertainment value during a major play session iStock/The Independent Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Already subscribed? We’re big fans of Orchard Toys, and have rated its games highly in articles on the best developmental toys for children and best gifts for five-year-olds . This penguin pairs game is a mini offering, making it ideal for a stocking as well as great for taking on road trips, visits to the grandparents and holidays. Featuring cute penguins, which we think makes it look Christmassy, the game consists of 32 different cards. Players take it in turns to try to find a penguin pair by turning over two cards. If they match, they can keep those two cards and the winner is the one with the most pairs at the end. We found that children were happy to play it alone if nobody wanted to join in, challenging their memory skills and seeing how quickly they could find all the pairs. But we recommend all adults to give it a go, as it’s a great way to bond with your children and challenge your own grey matter. It’s suitable – and fun – for all ages. Continue reading… £5.99 Amazon.co.uk Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} We love multitasking toys, and were very impressed by how this small ball is both a 3D puzzle and a sensory toy. It’s also something the whole family can get involved with, as you can challenge each other to see who can complete the puzzle in the shortest amount of time. Inside the box is a black ball frame with dimples, a white starting piece and six other white puzzle pieces. The starting piece must be placed on one of the ball’s designated start positions and, if you pick the right one, the other pieces will fall into place and you’ll be able to make a football design. However, a lot of trial and error will be involved before it can be done, keeping a child (or adult) busy for ages. It’s educational too, developing spatial awareness and concentration skills. Continue reading… {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Looking to give your child something they’ll enjoy using long after Christmas has passed? You cannot go wrong with this Stych handbag. It’s pink, fluffy, made to last and comes with a cute heart-shaped accessory on the zip. Our six-year-old tester gasped out loud on seeing it, proclaiming it ‘totes adore’, which is a huge compliment in her world. The inside is surprisingly roomy, so your little one will have plenty of space to carry some pocket money, a small snack bar and whatever else they need for a day out. We really liked the long strap, which meant it could be worn as a crossbody. Shoulder bags can easily fall off and get lost, especially if a child isn’t used to carrying their own bag, but this one fits securely around one shoulder, falling down to the opposite hip, so it’s impossible to misplace. It’s also available in lilac, if your child isn’t a fan of pink. Continue reading… {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Give the gift of pig-ture perfect nails with this unique nail polish duo set – your hard-to-impress teenager may even squeal with delight, or at least raise a smile, which is a lot coming from a teen. Even if they’re not fans of the Percy Pig sweets, the pastel pink and fuschia colours are universally flattering and uplifting. Once the polish is dry, fingernails will smell just as sweet as candy, as the polish emits the signature Percy Pig scent when perfectly set. What impressed our teen tester the most was how long the polish lasted, as she found it looked flawless for an entire week. Nails.Inc says its formula is long-wear and that certainly proved to be true for us. Continue reading… £15 Marksandspencer.com Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Great for gross motor skills, a skipping rope is small enough to fit in a stocking but mighty enough to occupy their attention for hours. With the rise of skipping influencers on TikTok and Instagram, your child or teen can start by mastering simple steps and cross jumps and work up to more complicated routines. It’s ideal for winter weather as skipping can be done inside as a way to burn off extra energy when it’s too cold to go to the park. Our testers loved the shape of the handles, which look like delicious strawberry ice cream cones. We liked that they are made of wood and that the rope is made from nylon, making it more durable and eco-friendly than a plastic skipping rope. Continue reading… £10.50 Kidly.co.uk Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Appealing to gaming fans, Lego-lovers and parents on a tight budget, this mini packet of Lego delivers on many levels. Each packet contains a mystery figure from the Super Mario franchise, and there are eight to collect. Our testers were able to build one in around 30 minutes, as there’s not much to piece together. It makes for a great Christmas morning activity, as they won’t need to concentrate too hard or go to a separate room to do it, but they will feel a sense of pride once they’ve completed the build. The only downside is you can’t control which character you’ll get inside the pack, which, on one hand, is good, as it adds a sense of jeopardy when opening it up but, on the other hand, receiving the same character twice would be disappointing. However, at less than £5, we can’t really complain too much. Continue reading… £4.99 Amazon.co.uk Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} For less than £10, this nifty bath toy is educational, entertaining and the perfect size for a stocking. Our younger testers squealed with delight as they watched it whizz around the bath, powered by the air from the balloon. The older ones received a mini physics lesson, as we explained the air being released caused pressure that made the boat move. We were also able to discuss the concept of why certain things float and others sink. As it’s powered by air from the reusable balloon, there’s no need for batteries, which is always a win in our book. The wood is durable and easy to wipe clean, so it won’t harbour soap scum in between baths either. Continue reading… {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Want to liven up swimming lessons? Slip a pair of Bling2O goggles in your child’s stocking and they’ll be the best dressed kid in the pool. We tested a pair with a shark design that made our seven-year-old puff out his chest with pride when he saw his reflection in the mirror. It may have been psychological, but he swam better during his first session with these confidence-boosting goggles, darting through the water like a mini Jaws. With a silicone strap, these stayed in place perfectly during an hour’s pool session, in which there were tumble turns and dives as well as lane swimming and a little messing around. Our tester said they provided ‘crystal clear’ vision, which could have something to do with an anti-fog coating on the lens. Just a word of warning – you might spend a while browsing the Bling2O website before deciding on your favourite pair. Options include magical mermaids, cute cats and heart-shaped lenses encrusted with mini crystals. So much fun. Continue reading… £19.99 Bling2o.co.uk Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Kids aged under three can find Christmas slightly confusing. They can see it’s a special day by watching everyone else tear into presents and stockings but they’re not entirely sure why it’s happening. This 10-page book is perfect for little hands to explore during their very first festive season. With high-contrast colours and a touch-and-feel element on every double page, it’s highly stimulating to ensure a youngster has your full attention when you’re reading it together. Our littlest tester was so engaged, he grabbed the book from our hands and turned the pages himself. He also made some attempts at saying words. If you want to help develop their language skills in a fun way, this is a great-value stocking filler. Continue reading… £5.99 Amazon.co.uk Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} With a camo print and a pink trim, this attention-grabbing hat made all of our testers smile. There were even a few scuffles over who was going to try it on first. We tested the one for ages three to five, but there are seven different sizes available, ranging from 0-6 months to 8-10 years old. Each one has a gentle amount of stretch, so it’s a hat they’ll be able to wear for more than one winter. The inside is made from Thinsulate material and a light and extremely soft jersey fabric, making it breathable for the milder winter days as well as snug for when it’s blowing a gale and feels like Arctic temperatures. The outside features a durable water-resistant coating, meaning rain and snow literally glide off it, so a child’s head and ears stay toasty warm. We only wish it came in adult sizes. Continue reading… £30 Littlehotdogwatson.com Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} If you’re of the school of thought that stockings should include a few practical items, socks make the ideal filler. They’re an inexpensive item that can be squished to fit into the gaps of a stocking, making it look like it’s full-to-bursting and that Santa’s been extra generous this year. For less than £6, these Polarn O. Pryet baby and toddler socks are cosy and super cute. Made from organic cotton, they’re gentle and soft on tiny toes. Adorned with depictions of lambs on each foot, our tester got lots of compliments when he wore these to baby groups and while out and about in the buggy. If you’re looking for quality socks for older children or teens, it’s worth taking a look at the Polarn O. Pyret website, as the sizes go up to age 14. Continue reading… £5.50 Polarnopyret.co.uk Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} While the littlest members of the family would probably be happy with empty boxes and a bit of wrapping paper to play with, this adorable wooden bunny is well worth slipping in their stocking for a little treat on Christmas Day. We like that it encourages activity, prompting a baby to crawl after it or a toddler to pull it behind them. Shaped like a bunny, it teaches children about looking after animals and develops nurturing skills. Best of all, it’s made of wood and easy to wipe clean, so you can keep it looking like new for years. It’s something that can be passed down to siblings or family friends when you’ve finished with it, making it a sustainable option – always a winner in our book. Continue reading… £12.50 Babymori.com Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} Smellies may not be the most immediately exciting stocking filler, so this body wash may not be played with straightaway, but your kids will thank you (or Santa) for it in the long run. Certified organic and with a natural fruit fragrance, this delicate cleansing wash adds a touch of luxury to bathtimes. When applied to children’s skin, it foams up into a gentle lather that parents can easily wipe away, making the washing process less stressful. Vitamin-rich aloe and cucumber oil hydrate and soothe, while comforting extracts of oat kernel and meadowsweet help to calm irritations and relieve redness. Admittedly, it is expensive for a body wash, but you’re paying for a product that makes each bathtime feel like a spa experience. It also leaves a delicious scent in the bathroom long after the bath water’s been drained. Continue reading… £19.50 Littlebutterflylondon.com Buy now {{#hasItems}} {{#items}} {{merchant}} {{price}} Buy now {{/items}} {{/hasItems}} While plush teddies are always well-received by our younger testers, most grown-ups prefer toys that actually do something. The Liliputiens finger puppet set features the characters from the Three Little Pigs fairy tale, so your little ones can come up with a show and perform it to family and friends. The friendly looking pigs and slightly scary-looking wolf are all small and portable, so you can take them out and about without feeling weighed down. We found them a brilliant distraction during a car journe