Although stocking stuffers can be small and/or inexpensive, they can still make the biggest memories for kids. Plus, they’re great to have on-hand if you get surprise visitors throughout the holiday season.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Melissa & Doug stocking stuffer toys and small gifts for the babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kids in your life. Plus, you can find even more gift options in our complete Holiday Gift Guide.
Our Top Stocking Stuffers for Kids
Sticker WOW! Collection
Ages: 3+
Why it's a great stocker stuffer for kids: Sticker WOW! is a whole new way to play with stickers—a fun-filled activity that lets kids stamp out stickers as they play, create, and learn. Kids used the character-themed sticker stampers to stamp, stamp, stamp their way through all kinds of adventures!
Fun feature: Each Sticker WOW! Bundle includes a character-themed sticker stamper, pre-loaded stickers, and an activity book. PLUS, all the Sticker WOW! refill packs are compatible with all the sticker stampers, so the arts & crafts fun can last as long as your child's creativity.
Skills: C-grip, fine motor skills, creative expression, storytelling ability, numbers & letter recognition
Pair it with another present: Check out our complete assortment of Sticker WOW! toys…collect them all!
Sticker WOW! Penguin & Polar Bear Bundle -- Coming Soon!
Sticker WOW! Sea Turtle Bundle
Sticker WOW! Refills Surprise Pack
Sticker WOW! Refills Pets Pack
Sticker WOW! Refills Favorite Things Pack
Sticker WOW! Refills Dinosaur Pack
On the Go™ Water WOW!® Water Reveal Pad – Vehicles
Age: 3+
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: No-mess painting is a hit with both kids and parents! This vehicles-themed book includes scenes to color, and a search-and-find activity for each scene.
Fun feature: The chunky-sized water pen is easy for kids to hold and stores neatly right in the front cover, making it great for travel.
Skills: Fine motor, creative thinking
Pair it with another present: Young vehicle enthusiasts will adore this Water Wow Vehicles activity paired with the GO Tots Wooden Race Cars for pretend play that puts kids in the driver's seat. You can also check out our full selection of Water Wow toys here!
Peek-a-Boo Berry Take-Along Toy
Age: 0+
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Entertain babies on the go while stimulating their senses with this super-sweet clip-on Melissa & Doug Peek-a-Boo Berry Take-Along Toy! The soft plush berry with ombre crinkle leaves and smooth ribbon tabs is easy for small hands to grasp, shake, and squeeze. Multi-patterned fabric is textured to tempt tiny fingers to touch! Bring the fun wherever baby goes—easily clip the three-piece, multi-textured toy onto a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, or high chair to keep it close at hand.
Fun feature: Open the slices to reveal a peek-a-boo mirror to surprise and delight, and silicone teething ring.
Skills: Multi-textured pieces help kids develop fine motor and sensory skills
Pair it with another present: Melissa & Doug offers other take-along infant toys if you’re looking for different themes; your little one may enjoy traveling with our PB&J Take-Along Toy or Ice Cream Take-Along Toy.
Play to Go Ice Cream Play Set
Age: 3+
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Take imagination on the go and create deliciously fun ice cream treats anywhere, any time! The durable cup with a handle and attached lid is chock full of wooden and fabric play food for making ice cream cones, ice cream sandwiches, and fun milkshakes.
Fun feature: All the pieces store in the take-along cup, made to fit in car seats, strollers and vehicle cup holders, making Play to Go an innovative and easily portable travel toy for preschoolers.
Skills: A creative way to encourage imaginative play, sorting, counting, color recognition, and fine motor skills.
Pair it with another present: If your little one loves all things ice cream themed, pair the Play to Go Ice Cream Play Set with more frozen treat fun, such as our Wooden Magnetic Ice Cream Puzzle & Play Set that also doubles as pretend play!
Play to Go Cake & Cookies Play Set
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Take imagination on the go and create sweet play treats anywhere, any time! The durable cup with a handle and attached lid is filled to the brim with wooden and fabric play food for making decorated cookies, cupcakes, and layer cakes.
Fun feature: Kids 3+ will love placing their orders on the pop-button fidget lid, following the instructions on the activity card, and serving up “sweet” treats!
Skills: A creative way to encourage imaginative play, sorting, counting, color recognition, and fine motor skills.
Pair it with another present: For creative kids who enjoy sweet treat-themed toys, we also offer our Sweet Treats Chalk Set.
Scratch Art Box of Rainbow Mini Notes
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Kids can be creative at home or on the go with Scratch Art! They can jot notes, etch doodles, and make their own exciting masterpieces with these easy-to-use mini notes. Bright colors hide beneath the matte coating—use the wooden stylus to reveal them with a simple scratch. Includes 125 Rainbow Mini Notes!
Fun feature: They come in a handy "desktop dispenser" box to keep it all organized.
Skills: Creative expression, fine motor, cause & effect
Pair it with another present: Add more colorful on-the-go play options with the Scratch Art - Dinosaur or Fairy Tales pads.
Our Top Small/Budget Friendly Gifts
My Daily Routines Chart
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Help kids establish good morning and nighttime habits right from the start with the sturdy wooden Melissa & Doug My Daily Routines Chart! Kids will love flipping the wooden illustrated bungee-hinged flaps to reveal a gold star when they finish doing simple tasks on their own. A built-in fold-out stand allows kids to keep the chart by their bedside or they can carry it with them or hang it with the attached cord handle. Includes language stickers for non-English speakers, and some blank ones to customize the routines!
Fun feature: There are five “start the day” routines on one side (get dressed, brush teeth, brush hair, eat breakfast, put on shoes) and five “time for bed” routines on the other (take a bath, put on PJs, brush teeth, use the potty, read a book).
Skills: Help kids learn good habits, develop self-esteem, and grow their independence.
Pair it with another present: To promote independence and help keep your kiddo organized, team up our Routines Chart with our My Magnetic Daily Calendar to encourage communication and a reassuring expectation about the events in a child's life.
Barber Shop Play Set
Ages: 3+
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Cut, trim, shave, and style with pretend play shaving essentials for a trip to the barber! Style and pretend to trim a soft, wearable beard with adjustable straps. For a traditional shave, swirl squishy, textured shaving cream in a tub with a soft-bristled brush to pretend to lather up, then trim with play scissors. For a more modern shave, there’s a pump shaving cream can, trimmers that vibrate when the tab is pulled (no batteries required) and a rolling razor for a “smooth finish.” Engaging, pretend-play fun allows both boys and girls 3+ to play the barber or the customer! Everything stores in a sturdy zippered shaving kit for easy cleanup.
Fun feature: Kids can check their look in the hand mirror that flips to stand as they finish with textured pomade in a tub, comb, and brush. Includes a reusable double-sided activity card.
Skills: Fine motor skills, creative expression, narrative ability, imagination
Pair it with another present: Your little one can look the part of stylist with our Hair Stylist Role Play Costume Set.
Ocean Tummy Time Triangle
Why it's a great stocker stuffer for kids: Make baby’s tummy time extra special with this engaging, double-sided folding cloth triangle toy! Three fold-out panels with adorable ocean-themed graphics and friendly characters lie flat or fold and connect into an upright pyramid. The Tummy Time Triangle helps baby stay engaged and strengthen muscles during tummy play. It’s a great addition to registries and makes a great gift for newborns through six-month-olds for screen-free, hands-on interaction and skill-boosting play.
Fun feature: One side features high-contrast black and white graphics, great for important visual stimulation during baby’s first months. The other side includes colorful sea creatures with developmentally appropriate features, like a crab with a peek-a-boo mirror and squeaker, sensory tabs and ribbons on the jellyfish, and an attached tuck-away fish that stores in a pocket!
Rollables Farm Friends
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Four adorably round farm animals are sure to get playtime rolling! Just right for sensory fun, the Rollables are easy to grasp, firm enough to roll, and soft enough to squeeze! They’re compatible with our other Rollables play sets, and conveniently store right back in the pack.
Fun feature: The cute cow features a chime sound!
Skills: Fine motor, sensory development
Pair it with another present: Have more farm animal fun with the machine washable K’s Kids On the Farm Cloth Book.
Safari Chunky Puzzle - 8 Pieces
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: African animal favorites are featured on this extra thick wooden puzzle–eight easy-grasp, chunky wild animal pieces have full-color, matching pictures underneath. Puzzles also available in Construction and Dinosaur themes!
Fun feature: The animal pieces stand upright, and can be used as figures for pretend play!
Skills: Encourages hand-eye, fine motor, and creative expression skills. Promotes hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and creative expression
Pair it with another present: If your little problem-solver is looking for more of a puzzle challenge in the dinosaur theme, dig up our Land of Dinosaurs 48-piece floor puzzle for them.
Wooden Stamp Set - Dinosaurs
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Imagine a landscape full of dinosaurs! Children love using the 8 detailed dino stamps and a two-color inkpad. It's fun creating countless scenes, and coloring in the pictures with the 5 colored pencils! Also available in a Friendship theme!
Fun feature: Washable, non-toxic kid-friendly ink.
Skills: Promotes creativity and fine motor skills
Pair it with another present: Unlock more dinosaur fun while promoting problem-solving skills with our Dinosaur Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box!
Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box - Vehicles
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Set includes four wooden, 12-piece vehicle jigsaw puzzles--a race car, a steam engine, a school bus and a fire engine--each stored in a separate compartment of a sturdy wooden box! Also available in a Construction theme!
Fun feature: The slide-on box lid doubles as a convenient puzzle board! Each puzzle piece is shape-coded on the back for easy sorting. Great for travel!
Skills: Promotes hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and problem solving
Pair it with another present: If vehicle play gets your little one’s engine racing, gift them our Take-Along Railroad!
Scissor Skills Activity Pad
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: Kids love to cut with scissors--as you can see by the trail of scraps often left in their wake! This creative and practical activity pad gives an engaging, creative direction to scissor work, meaning more concentration and less mess.
Fun feature: Organized from simple to more complex, 20 different paper cutting projects (with complete supplies included right in the pages of the book) practice slightly different skills and techniques, and produce 20 unique crafts, games, and activities to offer kids a creative focus and a sense of accomplishment. Plastic safety scissors are included, which naturally encourage proper form and are safe for preschoolers
Skills: Promotes fine motor skills, cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving
Pair it with another present: If your child loves learning fun (and if you want to help them develop key early skills), give our Tape Activity Book a try.
Dress-Up Tiaras Costume Role Play Collection
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: This fabulous four-pack of dress-up crowns and tiaras gives pretend play the royal touch! Designed in consultation with moms (and their little princesses!), the headband tiaras have been painstakingly designed to be pinch-free, the comb-backed crowns won't tangle, and all are made with the very best materials we could find--so they're tough enough to stand up to years of play and look gorgeous for years to come.
Fun feature: These glamorous and durable playtime accessories include four unique designs, each with its own royal style: Two metallic crowns (gold and silver) with recessed beveling shine with painted-jewel accents; two pearlescent tiaras (flowered lavender and jeweled pink) are fit for a prima ballerina or fairy queen.
Skills: Promotes imagination, social-emotional skills, and creative play
Pair it with another present: This royally fun pretend play set coordinates with Melissa & Doug's Step In Style Dress-Up Shoes Collections!
Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks
Age: 2+
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: A is for an alligator eating an apple! Brightly colored animals and familiar objects illustrate the letters of the alphabet on these sturdy cardboard blocks that stack by letter, color, and size.
Fun feature: Nested, the 10 vibrant blocks fit into the included carrying case. Stacked, they form a tower nearly 3 feet high!
Skills: Gross and fine motor, letter recognition, problem solving, stacking and organizing
Pair it with another present: If your little one enjoys any kind of animal-related play, our Wooden Animal Magnets are great for developing fine motor, sorting, grouping, and storytelling skills.
Puffy Stickers Play Set: Princess
Age: 4+
Why it’s a great stocking stuffer for kids: This puffy sticker play set offers endless opportunities for kids to express their creativity and take part in lots of pretend farm fun. Simply peel up the reusable stickers to change the farm scenes, take care of the animals, and tell a barn yard story that lasts from sunrise to sunset!
Fun feature: The sturdy background board folds to neatly store it all away, and a handle makes it easy to travel to nearby farms.
Skills: Fine motor, creative thinking
Pair it with another present: If your kiddo goes wild for animals, double up the sticker fun and gift them our National Parks Reusable Stickers - Park Animals Play Set for even more pretend wildlife adventures.
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Looking for more of the best Christmas and holiday gift and toy ideas for kids of all ages? Check out these blog posts:
Best Toys for Babies and 1-Year-Olds
