Ideas for stocking fillers with lasting play value

[ISawFrannyandZooeyKissingSanta]

Suggestions please, for things to go in ds' stocking, that are not just plastic crap which will get broken within a week. He is 2 and a half.

I wouldn't do marbles for a 2.5 year old.

Chocolate coins (can't have a sack with no choc coins IMO!)
Hawkins has some nice wooden things - DSs will be getting a "slidey whistle" - one of those ones that changes pitch.
Pencils/crayons and colouring in or paper.
character socks/pants

Some of the things going into DS stocking-

-JCB dressing up hard hat (£ shop)
-plastic dinosaurs
-plastic plate and bowl set
-box of puzzles (Tescos)

(all good sized space fillers!)

My dd aged 2 is getting:

felts
colouring books
a story book
a tiny heart shaped box of Mozart choccies with a red rose on
choccy coins
a small pink rucksack with fairy wings
a bubble blowing set
a pen with a wooden mouse's head on
a torch
a fishing rod light

Music things from a real music shop ,a bit more expensive but they last .I got some for DS 2nd christmas and they are going strong now he is 6 and a half . You know the sort of things ,shakers ,triangle .

Ooh, Mandie, that's what we got him last year for his 'big' present, a proper set with maracas and tambourines and things - the best present ever! I so wanted it to last a long time, so that's great to hear your son still likes his.

LOL at Moondog and ABB. I feel you are taking the piss of my useful present hunting slightly Love all the toothbrush / flannel ideas - you are right, he only wants something to open, and doesn't care what.

Just been shopping and got:
dried cranberries (his latest food fad)
bubble mixture
fruit spread (locally made)
cereal bars
Mog tape, although may put that under the tree
magic painting book
play make-up set (I am not trying to be a trendy Modern Parent, I am just fed up of him nicking mine).

I had completely forgotten about magic painting books!!!!!!!

not one of my children has ever had one. Are the shops still open?

Do you need one right now? Tesco's, where I got it from, is still open.

Mine are older now (six and five), but little things which have been played with and played with and played with are:

• one year Early Learning Centre was doing - instead of your standard dinosaurs/farm animals - fantastical beasts - dragon, phoenix, unicorn, gryphon. Ds & dd got one each in stocking & they haven't tired of them yet. Have a look;

• plastic teaset (snore, I know);

• RSPB does adorable soft toy birds that trill authentic birdsong when squished - dd has a blackbird and ds has a robin and they are soppy over them. Natural History Museum has them, as do lots of other places, you could google;

• last year dd wanted a "real diamond" so I got her a bagful of toy jewels from Tridias, delicious sparkling rainbow things. I put them in a tiny toy treasure chest and they've been played constantly, also by all kids who come over. 2 is a bit young for those - but for lasting play value, YES.

Ill be straight down to Tesco when Im back in the UK!

The birds from RSPB sound interesting. And I love the idea of a jewel chest!

Think I will put jewel chest on my own personal stocking list. I don't think 2 is too young for jewels (and 34 is not too old).

Lots of bargain books on www.thebookpeople.co.uk and www.redhousebooks.co.uk

If you want them, here they are - sparkling eyes guaranteed. Oh, and educational value while they sort them into sizes and colours and shapes and learn Ruby Amethyst Emerald Sapphire Topaz. How I love them.

Treasure chest came from traidcraft last year (with Divine choc coins in). They don't seem to do them this year, pity.

What about,
wooden compass,
ball puzzle,
wooden heart book,
magnetic frogs

cheeky LINK .

ooh the jewels are irresistable! wish Id seen them earlier.

we should get a stocking fillers thread organised in November next year!

Playmobil special
gel pens in tiny packs
colouring/sticker/puzzle books
chocolate money
felt tips or crayons
jigsaws
new socks
special cutlery
ditto plate and cup
I try not to go over £2 per item (tho have stuck Star Wars top trumps in for ds1 as I want them to really come from Santa)
Biknie those jewels are amazing! will have to get them for someone's birthday next year.

anyone know where to get a really nice torch? I remember gorgeous ones as a child, but now they all seem to be the thin pen-like ones which are less toy-like.

Does he put small things in his mouth? The reason i ask is that my 2 got a bag of toy soldiers each which they play with loads

Mousie, we got our torch from B+Q, but I have seen smart ones designed for children in ELC.

Saltire, he is ok with small things, but I have a pole up my a*se about war toys, so will leave soldiers for now!

Such wonderful ideas, thank you everyone.

my mum bought DS a tiger torch last year it growls when it lights up!!
We got the ELC torch it lasted 2 mins!!

The ELC used to do a tube of dinosaurs for about £3

I found some fab animal ear dress up things today - they go over their heads like a headband, and have tiger / lion / dog etc. ears and fur on.