Christmas stocking stuffers are one of the things children love about Christmas. They can be small in size but mighty in terms of practicality! As I practise minimalism with toys, I like my Christmas stocking stuffers to be useful, durable and promote open-ended play.
Over the years I've learnt to be mindful and selective about stocking stuffers - so they aren't fillers. Fillers while fun and novel, break easily and end up being discarded quickly.
My selection of Christmas stocking stuffers involve art and craft materials, functional household tools for children to help around the kitchen or garden, self-grooming items for everyday life and tools to learn science and math.
It is also helpful to look at items which your child currently owns that need replacement, or well-loved items that you could introduce extensions of in new designs/colours.
10+ Practical Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers (Montessori-friendly)
These are my top picks of Montessori-friendly Christmas stocking stuffer ideas for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Many of these ideas were crowd-sourced from like-minded Montessori caregivers.
Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Babies:
- Blanket
- Bib -Art smock -First drinking cup - Montessori parents might introduce glass weaning cups. -First eating utensils - To kickstart a baby-led weaning journey. -Teether -Burp cloth -Stacking tower -Mini stacker -Wooden scoops - For sensory play.
Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers:
- Crayons/Color pencils - Perfect for open-ended art trays -Play dough - The homemade recipe I use here. These are open-ended play dough tinker box ideas for boosting creativity. -Wavy cutter - Wrap/box up for a safer presentation. -Play dough tool set or cookie cutters -Stickers -Rubber stamps -Paper cutters -Scratch art pads -Realistic animal figurines - I like Schleich and Safari TOOB sets for their quality and details. -Hair brush -Toothbrush -Wood egg music shakers -Mini play silks -Child-sized spray bottle - Great for practical life activities like window cleaning and watering of plants. -Lacing beads -Training pants -Apron - Easy recipes for Montessori toddlers in the kitchen. -Training scissors - DIY toddler-friendly cutting activities that are low-prep. -Fine motor tool set - Great for sensory play and small world exploration.
Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Preschoolers:
- Writing pencils - I follow CHALK Academy for writing activities and like her recomemndations of Lyra Ferby Pencils and TICONDEROGA Pencils. Note pencil-writing development varies child to child, so introduce these only when your child is ready! In the meantime, working on fine motor skills, strength and motor planning are really important. -Insets for drawing -Post it pads -Magnifying glass -Nesting dolls -Puzzles -Small rechargeable flash light -Science lab tools -Mini binoculars -Watch -Screen-free music player - Popular brands include Yoto and Jooki -Colorful droppers - For color learning and mixing activities -Mini silk streamers - Great for dancing and gross motor play -Math counters -Skipping rope -Watercolor set -Table tennis ball set - For introducing sports. -Fruit peeler -Life cycle figurines - These are great for plant and metamorphosis unit studies - Green bean and Monarch butterfly. -Magnet science set
More Montessori Stocking Stuffer Ideas
I also love the myriad Christmas stocking stuffer ideas from:
which are Montessori-aligned.
I hope these Christmas stocking stuffers become huge favourites with your child! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas!
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Hi! I am Yunnie. I am the newly minted mama to a little baby girl and a mum friend to everyone on this special (and many times scary) journey of motherhood. Also a graduated bride with a penchant for weddings.
