Inexpensive things that look more for 2.5 year old

[Itsamumone]

We have got him a bike already, and it’s more than we intended to spend (it’s a good one) 😥 So now I’m just thinking he’s going to walk in on Christmas morning to only one gift. What else could we get him that would be exciting for him but not end up another couple of hundred pounds

Forgot to mention The Works. They are great for books and stocking filler type things. Honestly at 2.5 years old he's not going to know. Mine is 12 and does know so I'm very clear that at years go on there will be more quality over quantity. This year he's getting a Hornby Flying Scotsman set that I've had to save for. I'd start setting the scene as he grows.

my little one will be 2y3m at Christmas.

He doesn't need anything. He has so much already. I think he will mainly enjoy unwrapping stuff. I have got a few books from the £ shop, a cute bluey plate with the little separate sections from asda. Some bluey bubble bath, some slippers, fluffy socks, a tube of buttons, some stickers and a new flashing toothbrush.

My older kids want to get him some playdoh and a little duplo set. That will be more than enough for him.
He will get gifts from so many family members and I have learnt with the older kids that if you set the bar high when they are little they seem to expect more and more every year. its also so stressful trying to find places to put everything.

Another vote for second hand. They really won't care where its from. Often a bonus if it comes out of packaging as its then ready to play. Facebook marketplace for bundles of duplo, brio style train track, toot toot vehicles etc.
Stickers, Crayons, balloons, bubbles all cost very little but will probably go down well.

Don't do cheap toys for the stocking. Add in there some things you would buy anyway, bubble bath, maybe a character flannel, character socks, some crayons.

Poundland toys just break too easily and it will go into the bin in a matter of week.

DD's stocking is just what she will get anyway, just the small items plus some treats and a piece of clothing (running joke in our family).

Take the bike back and get one second hand. Kids that age don't know any different, wrap it up in wrapping paper, job done. My son is nearly 3, we got him a second hand bike last year. For birthday/Christmas I picked up a hot wheels garage and monster truck arena for £22. A load of second hand brio train accessories for £25 - to be split between stocking & birthday gift bag. Second hand ways to play road, books from. Charity shop. Asda had some big trucks (garbage, fire engine) for £10 a few weeks ago. Don't beat yourself up about it. People go OTT these days and at 2.5 kids often get overwhelmed with loads of stuff. You'll find your child gets gifts off others and before you know it you can't move for toys.

You could do a stocking. You can get paw patrol cupcake kits for £1.50. Things like hot wheels cars, second hand duplo, stickers, slinky, monster truck, chocolate coins, bubble bath, bath bombs, books from charity shop, asda had a light up saber for £4, fancy dress items - foam pirate sword, eye patch & hat etc, sprinkles for baking, pyjamas, sticker book, Playdoh, Orchard toys

Do a Xmas stocking type thing. I go to charity shops etc and buy lots of little random things so it could be anything from shower gel, bubble bath to sweets, toys, books, dvds

cardboardboxes, crayons and paints etc.

things that make a noise/ mess

Something bright and shiny.

Sorted.

Small things from B&M and home bargains. Jigsaws, Teddy etc. Make an easy balloon display to make it all look more impressive.

I was thinking the same thing - my son will just have turned 2 at Christmas, we're getting him two 'big' toys (play kitchen and a scooter) but that's it. I don't think he really understands the concept of Christmas yet and there are no other kids in the family for him to get envious of. He'll get gifts from the wider family so I don't think he needs tonnes from us too, particularly at this age.

The works do 10 books for £10.
home bargains have alot of cheap nice books too
Things from pound land such as rubber ducks or little boats for the bath?
craft things e.g crayons, pens, paint sticks?

I used to put in ready mix cake boxes. It's a nice thing to do together and no plastic tat cluttering up the house. I used to buy the weirdest fruit I could find for their stocking, Ugly fruit, Dragon fruit, Phyllis or even a miniature Coconut or pineapple. Believe it or not, youngest ds declared it was his best present, that pineapple.

A beanbag, looks really big wrapped up under the tree but is only £25

Play kitchen, play shop or sandpit.
Our big hit was mud kitchen and water table but that's more for warmer months.

Those jumping animals that can jump on or rocking horse.

I have a girl not boy but same age.

Shes quite girly and loves dressing up but one unisex thing I got her so far is a wooden/magnetic fishing game, was only a few quid.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/toys-Inflatable-Ride-Bouncer-Toddlers/dp/B01LXZVT3O/ref=ascdff_B01LXZVT3O/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310843202111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2733973804516414094&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007285&hvtargid=pla-564235628149&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

A couple of books from the Works, a torch, character PJs, a sticker book and a chocolate lolly should cost less than £20 in total.
i also agree with those saying return the bike and buy second hand instead, your DC really won’t know the difference, it will be all about the bell and the cycle helmet for him!

I always get my kids pj’s, slippers, pants, socks, hat, scarf etc. practical things you have to buy anyway but can be wrapped up to bulk out the pile. And as the others said, plenty of cheap toys for 2 year old, just look out for deals.

My 2.5 DD will be getting, PJs, stickers, cheap 2 peice puzzle (an Orchard Toys ones brought from Vinted), hair clips, pot of play dough, paint sticks. She'll be happy with those. She's also asked for a book with little pieces you put in its called 'I can be a Doctor'.

Torch
Magnifying glass

Hobbycraft have some lovely stuff for very cheap. Like ceramic piggy banks for £2.50 and stuff.

The pop up tent o E one mentioned upthread is a really good shout - my son loved his, it’s nice and big as well. A tent, the bike and some smaller items - figures from a show he likes etc.

At that age...
Set of books
Teddy
Musical instrument set (£20 max on Amazon with a carry bag)
Play dough set
Build a chair (Amazon) it's wooden with wooden tools and screws etc

Facebook market place, especially at that age as they won't connect it not being in a box with being second hand.
I've had about £200 of Playmobil for £40, this year we've had £160 gorilla gym new in box for £50.

At that age my boys loved wooden toys (the Aldi / Lidl ones are really good, or I bought second hand), particularly the wooden food that cuts in half. They also had a toy pushchair which was much loved and if I were you I would look in charity shops or on marketplace for some prelived duplo and playmobil - my boys loved theirs at 2-3 years old. Also some books (again from charity shops) individually wrapped. To be honest we don’t get our boys a lot for Christmas, but they do get gifts from family and a couple of close friends too, so they end up with 12-14 gifts each which is plenty. We tend to buy them one big / more expensive thing each that they really want and then one small thing and a couple of books. They are older now, but we’ve always done this and I think they’d find too many gifts a bit overwhelming.