It’s less than 100 days to go until Christmas.
As a Shopping Writer, retail-related Christmas festivities can begin as early as July. Yet by September, I’m already knee-deep in wrapping paper and half-eaten advent chocolates, wondering how Christmas has managed to sneak up on me again.
Every year, I promise I’ll be organised. Every year, I fail. Stocking fillers, those tiny toys and treasures that somehow carry the weight of festive expectation, are always my downfall. They’re meant to be small, inexpensive, thoughtful. Somehow, they end up being none of those things.
It’s a delicate balance: you want something that will spark genuine joy without resorting to plastic trinkets destined for landfill by Boxing Day. Children are discerning critics these days, capable of spotting a panic buy a mile off. And as much as we want to give them something fun, we also want it to have purpose, whether that’s a creative spark, a mindful moment or, let’s be honest – five minutes of quiet for the adults.
The world of stocking fillers has changed, too. Gone are the days when a satsuma, a yo-yo and a comic would do. Today’s offerings include mini slime making kits, fuzzy keychains and puzzle cubes designed to stretch a child’s brain before breakfast. Parents, meanwhile, are navigating a minefield of eco-consciousness, budget limits and TikTok trends that cycle faster than you can say “limited edition.”
So, in the spirit of helping you avoid that last-minute scroll through online marketplaces on Christmas Eve, I’ve rounded up the best children’s stocking fillers for 2025. These are the small but mighty gifts that tick every box: clever, cheerful and reasonably priced. They’ll fit snugly into a stocking, won’t break within minutes, and might even earn you the title of “most thoughtful gift-giver” in the family WhatsApp group.
Consider this your shortcut to Christmas morning smiles and minimal parental guilt. After all, while the big presents tend to steal the spotlight, it’s the little ones — the chocolate coins, the surprises, the unexpected joys — that make the day feel truly magical.
Shop the curated selection below
Igloo Books Totally True Book Set
These photo books are like miniature, goofy encyclopaedias for kiddos. Filled to the brim with shocking facts for them to learn by heart, they’re perfect stocking fillers for the curious kind.
Buy now £8.00, Argos
Zuru Netflix Mini Brands Capsule
A much-coveted special edition of Mini Brands collectibles, this Netflix surprise includes miniature mascots from the likes of Stranger Things, Squid Game and Bridgerton.
Buy now £10.00, Argos
Aurora World Palm Pals Santa Snoopy
Snoopy is back in a big way, and the kids are loving it. This pocket-sized palm pal is cuddly, soft and oh-so adorable with his Christmas hat.
Buy now £9.99, John Lewis
Pokémon Mini Tin
Not only are these adorable tins marvellously collectible, but they house two booster packs and a Pokémon art card showing the art from the Mini Tin. Game on.
Buy now £10.00, Argos
TY Bouncers
A plush handful of personality. These soft, round creatures bounce, roll and ricochet across the floor with cheerful abandon, landing somewhere between stress ball and best friend. Collectable, tactile and irresistibly silly, they’re proof that fun doesn’t need batteries.
Buy now £6.99, Hamleys
Roblox Physical Gift Card
Enter a custom amount and treat your Roblox-obsessed kiddo to an in-game shopping spree. Each gift card also includes a free, surprise virtual item when redeemed.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
L.O.L. Surprise Magic Flyers
A bloom, a hum, a whirl of wings, and suddenly, a fairy’s in flight. Emerging from their own flower pods, these dolls hover and spin through the air, guided by a hand or wand. Whimsical, unpredictable, and pure spectacle for the living room.
Buy now £29.99, Hamleys
NeeDoh Gumdrop Squishy Fidget Toy
A TikTok viral sensation, the NeeDoh Gumdrop is the ultra-satisfying, wonderfully squishy fidget toy that provides sensory relief for the overactive mind. This magical anxiety-reducer has a unique, silky soft and stretchy texture, and is filled with non-toxic dough-like material.
Buy now £5.99, Amazon
Tony's Chocolonely Rainbow Tasting Pack
The gift of Fairtrade chocolate is a universally loved one. Tony’s gets it right with irregular portions - so you can be as greedy or good as you like - and tasty flavours that promise to leave a smile on your chops.
This six-pack consists of the brand’s bestsellers, lined up in rainbow order. Stick a glittery bow on it, and you’re done.
Buy now £10.50, Amazon
Jellycat Bartholomew Bear
Every child needs a classic, sumptuously soft and uber-cuddly teddy bear. Luckily, Jellycat specialises in just that, and the cult-favourite brand’s Bartholomew Bear is set to be an instant hit with your little one.
Buy now £50.00, Jellycat
Blue Orange Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game
High-octane yet wonderfully simple to grasp, this speedy, family-friendly card game has been described as Slap Jack’s ‘rowdy cousin’. Suitable for two to eight players aged eight and up, each round offers a maximum of 10 minutes of play. Simply say one of the five words in the game’s title (taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza) as you flip your card over, and slap the pile with your hand when the word matches the card. If you're the last to slap the pile, or make a mistake, all the cards played are yours to take.
Was: £11.99
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Instax Pal
The cutest addition to Instax’s camera family is the Pal, a teeny gizmo that will earn a big place in their heart.
The palm-sized cam is shoot-only, using Bluetooth to send prized shots to Instax Link smartphone printers for printing out on mini, square and wide formats. As well as remote shooting, it can do interval bursts and even make animations!
Available in a range of sweet pastel colours, this is a crowd-pleasing gift that all shutterbugs will love.
Buy now £69.00, Amazon
Monchhichi Bearchichi Keyring
Think of Monchhichi as the cuter, vintage cousin of Labubu. Any keychain/bagcharm obsessive would be delighted to receive one this Christmas.
Buy now £16.00, UO
