Unique Christmas gift ideas: Stocking fillers for children

Sometimes the simplest and oldest ideas can really work best. Whether you turn out to have hitherto unsuspected giraffe-creation genius, or it ends up looking like someone's innards, there's fun to be had en route. Even if it's just your kids laughing at you.

Balloon animal kit, £7.99
By Totally Funky
Buy online at totally-funky.co.uk Photograph: PR

This little fellow, made entirely of Fairtrade certified cotton, comes wearing a removeable jumpsuit (he's obviously heard the 70s are back in) and with his own sleeping bag. What a resourceful little chap.

Mini panda, £5.95
By Bishopston Trading Company
Buy online at bishopstontrading.co.uk Photograph: PR

This is a sweet gift for small green fingers: the bunny is handmade from discarded paper and contains flower, fern and wildflower seeds - so you literally do just plant the bunny and wait for the paper to disintegrate and the seedlings to germinate.

Plant a bunny seed paper, £4.50
By Rani Deshpande Unique Creations
Buy online at hiddenartshop.com Photograph: PR

Some more retro fun and games for Christmas: this set is based on an original 1930s version of the classic. And when the kids have gone to bed, you can try again with a sherry handicap ...

Pin the tail on the donkey game, £9
By DesignShop UK
Buy online at designshopuk.com Photograph: PR

A very cool colouring-in book that will appeal to kids who might have outgrown the more sedate kind.

Graffiti colouring-in book, £6
By Jopstars
Buy online at guardianbookshop.co.uk Photograph: PR

Neopolitan ice-cream in a pack that rehydrates when you chew it - what's not to love?

Astronaut ice-cream, £2.99
By Shinyshack
Buy online at shinyshack.com Photograph: PR

An alternative stocking, where kids can write their own wishlist. Because it's never too late to get that letter to the North Pole, you know. Comes with its own pack of six felt pens to do the demanding.

Santa sack, £10
By Lazy Oaf
Buy online at lazyoaf.co.uk Photograph: PR

A lovely stocking filler for an indulged child, or a Christmas gift for another, this mug and bowl set is produced under fair trade conditions in Thailand.

Panda bowl and mug set, £10
By Traidcraft
Buy online at traidcraftshop.co.uk Photograph: PR

Just picture it now, the hungover queasy silence of Boxing Day morning punctured at 6am by some enthusastic drumming. The perfect gift, no?

Drum, £6.99
By KidsToyWorld
Buy online at kidstoyworld.co.uk Photograph: PR

It might not look like much, but this will delight kids. Fly it after dark and wait for the neighbours to start muttering about UFOs.

Flying helicopter, £2.99
By Kids Toy World
Buy online at kidstoyworld.co.uk Photograph: PR

The dimensions of this journal make it perfect for writing lists: you can only hope that they are lists of future career ambitions rather than the ranking they give to the latest X Factor contestants.

Journal, £7.99
By Chronicle Books
Buy online at papernation.co.uk Photograph: PR

Perfect for kids who like to personalise everything, be it a T-shirt, a bag or a scarf, this book contains 20 sheets of iron-on transfers. The Magma shop is also worth browsing for other quirky, design-led gifts for kids and adults.

Iron-on decals for fabric, £6.99
By Chronicle Books
Buy online at magmabooks.com Photograph: PR

Lovely for smaller kids, these bright animals will have them squabbling - sorry, we mean good-naturedly competing - during Christmas morning.

High-speed animals set, £6.99
By Kids Toy World
Buy online at kidstoyworld.co.uk Photograph: PR