Stocking fillers for kids (4–10) that last past Boxing Day
Small things that keep them busy past Boxing Day, rather than plastic that’s broken by lunchtime.
More ideas: Stocking fillersGifts for kidsChristmas gift ideas
Kids’ stockings are easy to fill and hard to fill well. The cheap plastic toys that come in multipacks tend to break within hours. The best stocking fillers give them something to do: a trick to learn, something to make, or a gadget that becomes part of their adventures.
These suit roughly ages 4 to 10. Always check the age guidance on the packaging, especially for anything with small parts or batteries.
Photos are illustrative. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
Glow-in-the-dark stars
£ Budget
Turns their bedroom ceiling into a night sky. A lovely little bit of magic at bedtime.
Our pick
8.6/10
Neasyth Glow-in-the-Dark Stars and Moon
£10.99 RRP
Lots of stars plus a big 20cm moon for a proper starry ceiling, and a reason to go to bed on time.
- Stars plus 20cm moon
- Self-adhesive
- Glow after daylight or lamp light
- Easy to stick
What owners say: Easy to stick, stay put and glow for hours. Great for helping little ones settle at night.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA magic tricks set
££ Mid-range
Keeps them busy practising all of Christmas Day, then performing for the family. Great for confidence.
Our pick
9.2/10
DINORUN Kids Magic Set with Hat and Cape
£25.99 RRP
A proper magician’s hat and costume plus plenty of tricks, so Christmas afternoon becomes a magic show.
- Magician’s hat and costume
- Lots of tricks
- Illustrated instructions
What owners say: Good quality with easy instructions, and kids love putting on shows.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA small building bricks set
£ Budget
A mini build that takes 20 minutes and then gets played with. Compatible sets mix with bricks they already have.
Our pick
9.4/10
LEGO Classic Creative Food Friends 11039
£ Under £15
Genuine LEGO: build a cupcake, ice cream, avocado and taco, each with a funny face.
- Genuine LEGO Classic
- Ages 4+
- Builds 4 food friends
- Step-by-step guide
What owners say: Bright, cute and great value, with little projects that are easy for kids to follow.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA wind-up torch
£ Budget
No batteries to run out. Brilliant for dens, camping and under-the-covers reading.
See options on AmazonBath bombs with a surprise inside
£ Budget
Makes bath time exciting for a week or so. The hidden toy inside is the main event.
Our pick
9.3/10
leoce Kids’ Bath Bombs with Surprise Toys (12 pack)
£ Under £15
Twelve fizzing bath bombs, each hiding a little crystal toy. Bath time, suddenly popular.
- 12 bath bombs
- A crystal toy in each
- 12 different scents
- Colours the water
What owners say: Kids love the colours and the little toys. Some make necklaces with them.
Heads up: The toys are small, so keep an eye on younger children.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsScratch art pads
£ Budget
Scratch the black surface to reveal rainbow colours underneath. Mess-free, quiet and absorbing.
Our pick
9.4/10
Purple Ladybug Rainbow Scratch Art Notes (150 sheets)
£ Under £15
Scratch the black away to reveal rainbow colours underneath. Quiet, mess-free and absorbing.
- 150 scratch sheets
- Rainbow colours underneath
- 2 stylus pens
- All ages
What owners say: Vibrant colours, easy to scratch and hours of quiet fun.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsKinetic sand
£ Budget
Squishy, mouldable sand that doesn’t dry out. Surprisingly calming for kids and adults alike.
Our pick
9.2/10
Kinetic Sand Rainbow Mix Set (383g)
£ Under £15
Genuine Kinetic Sand in three colours to mix, with moulds and tools. Sticks to itself, not the carpet (mostly).
- Genuine Kinetic Sand
- 3 colours, 383g
- 9 tools and moulds
What owners say: Keeps kids amused for hours, feels lovely and isn’t messy.
Heads up: Once mixed, the colours blend together, which kids tend not to mind.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA family card game
£ Budget
Quick games that the whole family can play on Christmas afternoon. Good for counting and taking turns too.
Our pick
9.6/10
Dobble
£13.99 RRP
Spot the matching symbol before anyone else. Fast, easy and fun for all ages, in a travel tin.
- 2–8 players
- Ages 6+
- 5 ways to play
- Travel tin
What owners say: Quick, easy to learn and properly competitive. Kids and adults love it.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA fidget toy pack
£ Budget
Lots of little textures and pop-its to share out. Handy for car journeys.
Our pick
9.2/10
V B Fidget Toys Pack (30 pieces)
£ Under £15
Thirty of the current favourites, from pop-its to squishies. Enough to share round the cousins.
- 30 fidget toys
- Pop-its and squishies
What owners say: A fantastic range with all the current trending toys. Great for long car journeys.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA kids’ joke book
£ Budget
They’ll read every joke out loud at Christmas dinner. That’s either a feature or a warning.
Our pick
9.4/10
Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Joke Book
£7.99 RRP
Jokes from the world of Roald Dahl, with Quentin Blake’s illustrations. Expect to hear every single one at Christmas dinner.
- Paperback
- Illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Ages 6+
What owners say: Delightful and easy to read. Kids giggle through it before they’re out of bed.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsWalkie-talkies
££ Mid-range
A bigger stocking treat that gets played with for years: in the garden, around the house and on walks.
Our pick
9.2/10
Inspireyes Rechargeable Kids’ Walkie Talkies (2-pack)
££ £15–£40
Rechargeable by USB-C, so no batteries to buy, with up to three miles of range for back-garden spy missions.
- USB-C rechargeable
- 22 channels
- Up to 3-mile range
- Backlit screen
What owners say: Great fun and easy for young kids to use, with a clear signal over a surprisingly long range.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsChocolate coins
£ Budget
A stocking tradition for good reason. Tuck them into the toe.
Our pick
9.0/10
Sweet Treat Gifting Co. Milk Chocolate Gold Coins (50)
£11.99 RRP
Fifty big coins in shiny gold foil: enough for a stocking, and then some for the grown-ups.
- 50 large coins
- Milk chocolate
- Gold foil
- About 4cm each
What owners say: Good quality, tasty and kids love them.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsFilling a kid’s stocking
- Put the thing they can play with straight away at the top. It buys you a lie-in.
- Mix something to do (tricks, crafts) with something to eat and something silly.
- Batteries not included? Buy them now, not on Christmas morning.
Not quite right? Tell us who it’s for and we’ll pick from all our lists.
Try the gift finderBudget guide: £ roughly under £15 · ££ roughly £15–£40 · £££ over £40. Prices vary between retailers and over time.
