It’s absolutely a joy to have a young boy around Christmas time! He’s right in the phase where he’s excited about Santa and the presents he’ll receive, and because of that some of the simplest things will make him happy. That’s why it’s so much fun to choose toys for a toddler’s stocking.
How to Choose Stocking Stuffers for Toddler and Preschool Boys
- Give something that will spark his imagination. At this age, boys’ imaginations are at their best. Choosing a gift that encourages your preschooler to use his imagination will bring hours of fun.
- Think about engaging all his senses. Christmas is a time to enjoy sights, sounds, tastes, textures, and smells. All those senses can be catered to with a great Christmas stocking. Choose gifts that will engage each of your toddler’s senses to keep him learning.
- Remember to challenge his growing mind. Gifts that encourage intellectual learning and growth benefit a child for a lifetime. Help him start on the road to good academics by choosing a gift that will help him learn.
- Provide physical fun. Boys crave physical input and movement. This can be done through running, jumping, throwing, hitting, shaping, squeezing, pushing, coloring, or any other movement. Gifts that facilitate any type of body movement are excellent choices for toddler and preschool boys.
We hope this list of simple and fun toys will help inspire your family’s Santa Claus. For your convenience, all items on this list are available online, so you don’t have to fight the crowds or leave your warm home. Have fun shopping!
29 Fun Small Gifts for Toddler and Preschool Boys
Superhero Capes and Masks
Does your little boy love superheroes? If so, get him this superhero cape and mask set. It comes with four capes and masks including Spider-Man, Batman, The Hulk, and Captain America. These capes are made of quality double-sided satin and will withstand all the running, soaring, and saving the world that your little guy can possibly do.
Hot Wheels 9-Car Gift Pack
What toddler or preschool age boy doesn’t like toy cars? This would be a welcome sight for any little boy on Christmas morning. The Hot Wheels 9-Car Gift Pack includes 9 exciting and colorful cars. You can be sure these cars are durable, as you would expect from Hot Wheels. There are several different sets to choose from.
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Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 Blaster
Nerf Guns are a blast! (Pun intended!) This little Nerf gun is small enough to fit in a stocking, and it would be so much fun to give one to each sibling, and maybe even mom and dad, for some all-out awesome Nerf wars.
LEGO DUPLO Construction Truck & Tracked Excavator 10931
Open-ended, creative toys like LEGOs are a child’s best friend, and LEGO Duplos are a great way to get your little man excited to build on his own. There are instructions to create three different trucks with this small set, and you and your toddler can probably come up with dozens more.
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Eric Carle Matching Game
Although many card games are too advanced for your preschooler, a matching game is one he’s sure to pick up on quickly. Even a 2-year-old would enjoy playing with these cards and saying the names of the items in the pictures. To make this game even more fun, it is illustrated by the fantastic children’s book author and illustrator Eric Carle. The beautiful pictures are mounted on heavy duty cardboard, so you can be sure they will last.
Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads
This lacing beads set comes with chunky beads and heavy string. By putting beads on the string in patterns (or not), your child will be developing his motor and artistic skills while keeping himself busy. This is a great quiet toy for the car, church, or at home. With multiple beads and strings, this toy is perfect for multiple children to play at once. It’s a win-win.
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Educational Insights Playfoam
Let’s face it: Toddler and preschool age boys are busy. They like to use their bodies to explore the world. Enter Playfoam. It’s not like any other clay or Play-doh. Playfoam is made of tiny foam beads that stick together. It doesn’t make a mess, and best of all, it never dries out! Kids love the fun texture of Playfoam in their hands as they create with it. Parents love that it gives a good tactile experience without being messy!
The Incredibles 2 Action Figures
If your toddler loves The Incredibles 2, these Incredibles action figures would be a great gift. Baby Jack Jack won’t actually catch on fire, guaranteed. These figures are the perfect size for small hands and are so fun for boys to play with. Another fun way to use these fun action figures–put them on your toddler’s birthday cake as cake toppers!
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Airplane Coloring Book
Let your little one learn to be artistic with this adorable airplane coloring book. The pages are thick, so you can hang up or frame the pictures if you’re particularly proud of your preschooler’s work. Each picture is exciting and fun. It’s perfect for your 3-year-old boy.
Firefly Marvel Avengers Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes may not be the most exciting thing your child will get for Christmas his year, but he’s sure to be excited to open them when he sees the pictures of his favorite superheroes on them! It’s a gift that’s both fun and practical. Your 2-year-old will be begging to brush his teeth so he can be just like these superheros!
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Orajel Jurassic World Toothpaste
If your little guy is a dinosaur lover, get him this Jurassic World toothpaste. Your toddler will be so excited to brush his teeth every night that he’ll be the one reminding you to brush. And you’ll love that the formula is anticavity and fluoride containing. The flavor of this toothpaste is Berry Blast.
My Truck Is Stuck! Board Book
It’s impossible for a child to have too many books, right? A board book is a great stocking stuffer for a toddler boy. This book is called “My Truck is Stuck!” It has simple words for beginning readers and speakers as well as fun, colorful pictures. Your boy will love this book; it’s just the right length for a young attention span.
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Cute Stars Adjustable Baseball Hat
Toddlers are adorable in baseball hats, and this one is super cute. It’s made of a soft fabric, and it’s adjustable to fit your kid’s head. There are two patterns to choose from. One is a blue hat with white stars and the other is a gray and navy hat with a cute, colorful monkey on the front. The monkey hat would be darling on a toddler or preschooler.
Buzz Lightyear Pez Dispenser
It may be a throwback to the 90s, but what kid wouldn’t love getting a character Pez Dispenser in his stocking? This is a Buzz Lightyear themed dispenser and will have your boy playing to infinity and beyond. It comes with two refills for extra Christmas morning candy snacking.
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Melissa & Doug Animal Card Games
This is a great age to get kids started loving card games! Melissa & Doug have a great set of three card games (Animal Rummy, Go Fish, and Old Maid) with fun animal illustrations. Even if your boy isn’t quite ready for these games, he can practice matching the cards, recognizing animals, and learning animal sounds.
Madelaine Solid Premium Milk Chocolate Mini Santas
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, I’m a big advocate for including Christmas-themed candy in stockings. The company uses chocolate from a factory that originated in Switzerland, so the candies are delicious, and the Santas are oh-so-cute. Your 2-year-old will be delighted to see these delicious Santa treats on Christmas morning. And there are plenty for you to slip one in your own stocking, too!
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Magnetic Drawing Board
Magnetic sketch boards are the perfect, mess-free solution for traveling. It’s perfect to fit in a stocking and your little man can play with it all the way to Grandma’s house. This magnetic drawing board has four color zones. It comes with 3 stamps and a drawstring carrying bag. Use it while traveling, at church, at the doctor‘s office, or anywhere else you need your little one to be quietly entertained.
Gumi-Aid Fruit Flavored Gummy Bandages
If your toddler has ever pretended to get an “ouchie” just so he can have a Band-Aid, he’s not alone. Lots of little kids have a fascination with Band-Aids, which is what makes these gummy Band-Aids a fun and unique holiday treat that are sure to excite your kids.
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Paw Patrol Kids’ Digital Watch
A watch is an accessory that’s not only fun, but can be used to help your child learn to tell time (or at least to recognize numbers). This watch is Paw Patrol themed, but you could find any watch that fits your little guy’s interests. He will love wearing a watch like grownups do.
Play Money Set
For another fun educational toy, include some play money in your child’s stocking. Your preschooler can use it for imaginative play, and even start to learn to name the coins and count the money as he gets older. Start your little guy now to learn what money is and how it works. It’s never too early to start!
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Original Silly Putty
It squishes, it stretches, it toots, and it’s every little kid’s fascination. It’s the perfect mini toy that will be a huge hit on Christmas morning. While the manufacturer recommends Silly Putty for kids ages 4 and older, young kids can also enjoy it with adult supervision.
POOF Neon Slinky
Slinkies aren’t as common now as they were 10 years ago, so there’s a good chance your son has never experienced the excitement of seeing one walk. This toy is especially recommended if you have stairs. Prepare for hours of experimenting and laughter (and maybe a bit of untangling)!
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Flexible Soft Pencils
Pencils are a common, useful stocking stuffer… but these pencils just beg to be in a child’s stocking on Christmas morning. They’re colorful and they bend! While they aren’t necessarily great for writing, they’re sure to be a hit among little ones.
Crayola Bathtub Crayons with Crayola Color Bath Drops
This inexpensive Crayola bath goodies set comes with bath crayons and colored bath tablets that are sure to make your kid’s bath extra fun… and extra colorful! Don’t worry; they’re non-toxic, easy to clean, and won’t stain towels or clothes.
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Cartoon Remote Control Race Cars
This is a darling toy to introduce your son to the world of remote control vehicles. Simple to operate and designed with engaging sound effects, it is sure to delight any toddler. And they were definitely built with little people in mind because they are sturdy and durable–clearly able to keep up with the rough play of little boys!
Liquid Motion Bubbler
Your son will be mesmerized by these dripping colorful bubbles! All he has to do is flip it over to get things going. And I’m sure you’ll notice that they have a calming effect on your energetic little guy. Since these are small they would be ideal to take on road trips, shopping trips, or to restaurants to entertain your toddler.
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Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Bundle
These unique activity pads are a favorite at our house! Fill the pen with water then paint the pages to see images appear. Personally I love that they are reusable: the colors fade away when the water dries off. This comes in a pack of 3 with alphabet, animal, and number themed pads. If you ask me, this is a must have for any preschooler!
Building Bath Pipes Toy
If your kids are like mine, they love bath time! Well this is a fun way to make the tub even more exciting. The pipes in this set suction to tub walls so kids can make a chain to pour water through. I guarantee you this will entertain your boy for a long time!
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WikkiStix
The possibilities are endless with WikkiStix, which happen to fit perfectly in a stocking. They can be formed into a snowman, letter, or even a 3D object–whatever your child picks! These will encourage a little boy’s creativity and are sure to be a hit!
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Recommendations
If you’re looking for toys that are inexpensive, I’d recommend candy and silly putty. If you’re searching for toys that will last and grow with your child, I’d steer you toward the superhero capes, DUPLOS, and Nerf Gun. Consider your child’s personality and your budget as you shop this holiday season, and try to keep it simple. Merry Christmas from Mommy High Five!
Other Toddler Play and STEM Resources
CDC Developmental Milestones for Toddlers
Slides for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Building Toys for Toddlers
Preschool Skills Checklist
