Christmas Gift Guide: Kids Stocking Fillers Under £10

There’s snow place like home on Christmas morning, when Santa’s footprints are still fresh on the ground and the promise of pocket-sized pressies hovering over the fireplace fills the air with excitement. The tradition of hanging children’s stockings is a centuries-old ritual that lives on in our living rooms, but if things are a little tighter this year, you might be looking for a more affordable way to fill them. 

In the latest instalment of our Christmas Gift Guide, we’re ready to inspire your kids stocking fillers with common questions answered and gift recommendations revealed! 

How To Do Stocking Fillers For Kids

This quick guide will help you navigate the essentials of Christmas stocking fillers for kids​, including budget-friendly gift ideas, the 5:1 rule, and how much to spend. 

What do you fill a kids stocking with?

Kids Christmas stocking fillers often include a mix of fun, practical, and thoughtful surprises. Stocking filler toys that keep your kids entertained while you’re busy with the Christmas dinner prep can be very handy! Think creative craft sets, colouring books, sensory toys, mini games, puzzles, and seasonal treats. 

What is the rule for a Christmas stocking?

Some families like to follow the 5:1 rule for their kids Christmas stocking. This involves 1 gift they need, 1 gift they can eat, 1 gift they can wear, 1 gift for their wellbeing, and 1 gift for them to experience.

• 1 needed gift: Kids stationery, a notebook for school, or a new water bottle
• 1 edible gift: A festive treat like chocolate coins or candy canes
• 1 wearable gift: Cosy socks or gloves for winter
• 1 wellbeing gift: Sensory fidget toys, bath toys, or a mindfulness colouring book
• 1 experience gift: Make a voucher for a family movie night or board game marathon!

How much to spend on kids stockings?

There’s no limit to the amount you can spend on kids Christmas stockings - it all depends on your budget. However, parents typically spend around £10-20 per kids stocking. A good approach is to focus on quality over quantity and opt for thoughtful children’s stocking fillers that’ll delight your tots on Christmas morning. 

Are stocking stuffers from Santa or parents?

Traditionally, stocking stuffers are delivered by Santa, but it depends on your family’s traditions. Some parents like to use the stockings as a chance to give little extras from themselves, reserving Santa’s magic for the larger gifts under the tree, while other parents prefer to give Santa credit for all the gifts. It’s entirely up to you!

Stocking Filler Toys For Every Age

We have handpicked some tree-mendous toys and games for under £10 that’ll make ideal kids Christmas stocking fillers.

Baby Stocking Fillers

Browse some of our favourite stocking fillers for babies, from magical bath books to festive puzzles. 

Wooden Roll Rattle: Shake, rattle, and roll! Fill your baby’s Christmas stocking with this sweet wooden rattle, featuring six pastel-coloured columns and a small bell with a soft tinkling sound. Suitable from birth. 

Activity Ball: Full of bright colours, shapes, and a gentle bell sound, this wooden Activity Ball is a fun interactive toy for babies to hold (and chew!). Suitable for 3+ months.

Magic Unicorns Bath Book: Splash on some cold water to see playful illustrations magically appear around the unicorns, then plunge the bath book into warm water to see these details disappear again! Suitable for 6+ months. 

Reindeer Chunky Puzzle: Perfectly sized for little hands, this chunky puzzle features four large jigsaw pieces and a wooden base to slot the pieces inside. A great way to improve babies’ fine motor skills. Suitable for 10+ months. 

Toddler Stocking Fillers

Explore our affordable range of stocking fillers for toddlers, including stacking toys, pull back planes, and puzzles.

Silicone Stacking Cups: These 2-in-1 stacking cups are sustainably made from 100% food-grade silicone. The set comes with seven colourful cups with patterned holes on the base to create a waterfall effect in the tub! Suitable for 12+ months.

Animal Sound Maker: What sound does a cow make? Littlens can guess the animal as they listen to this classic tin toy go moo, baa, and oink! It’s a fabulous way to improve toddlers’ sound recognition as they match the noises to the animals. Suitable for 18+ months. 

Eco Sand Moulds: Sandpit play awaits with these eco-friendly Sand Moulds, made from 100% food-grade silicone. The four characters include a starfish, crab, fish, and turtle. Suitable for 18+ months. 

Number Tiles: This wooden matching game is an engaging way to help youngsters learn how to count. It works by pairing the number tiles with the correct picture and spots. Suitable for 18+ months. 

Pull Back Planes: Toddlers can watch their planes fly down the runway with this wooden two-piece set. Pull back toys help to strengthen children’s hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Suitable for 2+ years.

Safari Puzzles: A roarsome toddler stocking filler for tiny ones to piece together! This six-piece puzzle set comes with three wooden jigsaws featuring friendly safari animal illustrations. Suitable for 2+ years.

Kids Stocking Filler Ideas

Fill up on inspiration with these children's stocking filler ideas, from fidget toys and animal figures to creative craft sets.

NeeDoh Dream Drop: Much like the trending TikTok sensation, NeeDoh Nice Cube, Dream Drop is a sensory fidget toy with a satisfying, slow-releasing squish. Want to find out more about NeeDoh? Read our Everything You Need To Know About NeeDoh blog post. Suitable for 3+ years. 

CollectA Horse Figure: Ickle equestrians will love the new Standardbred Pacer horse figurine from CollectA. Alternatively, CollectA has an amazing range of 700+ animal figures to choose from, so you can find your child’s favourite. Suitable for 3+ years. 

My First Engine: If you’ve bought your tot their first train set for Christmas, drop a sneaky hint inside their stocking with this wooden toy train by Bigjigs Rail. Compatible with most major wooden railway brands. Suitable for 3+ years. 

Dinosaur Hand Puppet: If dinosaur toys are at the tricera-top of your kid’s Christmas wish list, they’ll love this prehistoric hand puppet - perfect for putting on festive shows for family and friends. Suitable for 3+ years. 

Roadway Tape: Create new road layouts with every play session! Simply peel off and stick the tape to floors, walls, or furniture. You also get a small wooden vehicle included with the tape for added play value. Suitable for 3+ years. 

Bubble Tea Bag Charm Craft Kit: A berry delightful stocking filler gift! Tiger Tribe’s Strawberry Bubble Tea Bag Charm Kit comes with everything creative kiddies will need to craft their own charms. Suitable for 6+ years. 

Toyi Junk Modelling Set: Tots can engineer their own toys out of old Christmas wrapping and cardboard boxes with Toyi’s Basic Building Kit, packed with 20 versatile construction pieces. Suitable for 6+ years.

How To Make A Christmas Eve Box

You could also get your family in the festive spirit early and create your own Christmas Eve box with these stocking toys. Check out our Christmas Eve Box Ideas blog post to find out more about this new on-trend tradition.