Montessori Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Stocking stuffers are often the last thing on the “to buy” list for Christmas, especially if you’re buying stocking stuffers for babies or toddlers. That said, while stocking stuffers are small, they needn’t be scraped together during a last minute dash to Walgreens. Whether you’re putting together your baby’s first stocking or simply looking for new stocking stuffer ideas for your toddler, these small gifts can be meaningful, educational, and memorable.

Of course it’s worth noting that as a Montessori homeschool curriculum provider, all of the stocking stuffers below are Montessori-aligned. Whether or not you follow Montessori at home, will eventually homeschool your child, or are just looking for stocking stuffer ideas that aren’t throw-away toys, this gift guide is this sure to be a hit!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through links below.

Montessori Stocking Stuffers for Babies

Encouraging sensory exploration is a huge part of Montessori pedagogy, but even traditional educators emphasize it when it comes to babies. That’s why these textured balls are not only a great Montessori-aligned toy, but make for a perfect stocking stuffer! They have different surfaces that your baby or toddler will love to touch, taste, and explore. They’re also brightly colored and are perfectly sized for tiny hands.

 

 

This toy is called “baby paper” and it’s highly rated for a reason! It stimulates visual, auditory and tactile senses as the baby grasps and squishes this brightly pattered crinkle toy. This baby paper makes a satisfying crunch with every movement. It’s also important to note that since babies see high contrast better in the first few months, the design of this toy is just perfect as a stocking stuffer for your baby. If your baby will be 4-6 months old around Christmas time, you can safely plan on lots of giggles!

This multicolor pop-up toy bobs up and down on springs, naturally teaching your infant about cause-and-effect. When your infant is younger, they simply enjoy the movement, but later they can take it further, and practice popping the little pegs out and color matching.

Montessori Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Toddlers

These Snap-and-Learn Counting Toys are super fun and a great way for toddlers showing readiness to enjoy learning about letters or numbers. If you see signs that your toddler may be approaching a sensitive period for language, these are sure to be a hit. Start with just a few at first, then add more with time.

You can’t go wrong with Playdoh as a stocking stuffer! The opportunities for fun and learning are limitless with Playdoh, not to mention it’s an incredible multisensory activity that helps to prepare the hand muscles for writing.

You can never go wrong with sidewalk chalk! I love the vibrancy of this set and it’s the perfect size for smaller hands.

This baby doll is just small enough to fit inside as a stocking stuffer! I love these sweet and petite baby dolls, perfect for the bath, pool or any water fun. They also make for a great addition to your practical life lessons!

Washable paints are great for so many activities, but they’re especially great for cold weather fun. Not only do they provide opportunities for fun indoors, but they’re also great for painting snow! My kids have so much fun creating snow sculptures, painting them, and then watching the colors change or mix as the art melts away. They'll never know they're learning about science and color theory!

If your little one is anything like mine, they might be just a wee bit dinosaur-obsessed! That’s why I highly recommend this set of 14 mini-dinosaurs. They’re easy enough to fit into a stocking in the tube they’re in or you can drop them into the stocking loose. My son loved finding these hiding amidst the rest of his stocking stuffer goodies when he was a toddler.

I recommend hiding these in sand dough, providing a few fine motor tools, matching cards, a container of water and a washcloth. Model finding a dino, digging it up, washing it, drying it and finally, matching it.

 

 

I absolutely love this reusable drawing board! It’s a colorful drawing tablet that helps toddlers refine their motor skills while giving them the freedom to scribble and create. The attached “pens” are perfect for tiny hands, working well as a stocking stuffer for children as young as two years old.

 

 

Another mess-free, easy clean-up stocking stuffer I just had to add to the list! These Crayola Color Wonder markers do not color on skin, clothing, or furniture, so they’re a great stocking stuffer for kids as young as three years old. These markers are perfect for small toddlers who don’t notice what they are doing while wielding drawing utensils. Plus they’re easy for little hands to hold and provide a great range of colors!

No matter what stocking stuffers you choose for your baby or toddler, they’re sure to delight in these tiny gifts. While you might think your child is too young to remember much of Christmas, you won’t forget the way their faces light up when they see these extra special gifts.

Remember - the best baby and toddler stocking stuffers are small but mighty: fun, educational, and interactive, and of course - Montessori-aligned whenever possible!