Beyond Mittens – Stocking Fillers for Kids

Let's just get one thing straight – there is nothing wrong with giving someone a pair of mittens for Christmas. In fact, children are lucky in that they can still get away with that wonderful piece of ingenuity – the length of wool that holds the mittens through the coat sleeves – why don't they do that for adults? Perhaps that might seem a bit too naff for the kids of today but then that's hardly surprising when they have so many wonderful things available to them.

The ideal stocking fillers are those gifts that are small enough to fit into the Christmas stocking, don't necessarily have to be wrapped up, and will provide at least one hour's entertainment on Christmas day, if not more. Here are just a few ideas that might help…

Stocking Fillers for the Techno whiz
You'll know if you have a techno whiz on your hands as they're the type of child that likes their gadgets and gizmos as well as taking things apart for the sake of putting them back together again. The techno whiz is bound to appreciate any stocking fillers that bleep or lights up and there are plenty of possibilities including the 'Mo-Pod'. This special little device lights up and spins when a mobile phone receives an incoming call – it may sound like a redundant idea given that phones have ring tones anyway, but the kids will love them, particularly as the designs come with a variety of novelty figures including Santa Claus and Rudolph. For those budding scientists in the family who prefer something a little more hands on; then you could challenge them to build the 'Dino robot Making Kit' – officially endorsed by the London Science Museum – this monster-making kit is ideal for those little well, monsters!

Stocking Fillers for Creative Kiddies
For the more creative children, try looking for those gift ideas that will enhance their artist skills. For younger children, then 'the Very Hungry Caterpillar Colouring Book' should keep them busy – at least until you've got the Christmas dinner on the table by which time they'll no doubt be very hungry caterpillars themselves. For something a little more messy, then the 'Glow in the Dark – Mould and Paint Dinosaur Kit is sure to fill a gap – these stocking fillers are a great way of keeping the younger ones entertained for hours, and you'd be surprised at how addictive they can be for the grown-ups too!

Stocking Fillers for Baby Botanists
It's never too early to get the little ones interested in plants and organic products – not only is it educational, you might find that you'll have a little help in the garden too. Rather than handing them the keys to the garden shed, however, it might be better to start them on something a little bit smaller such as the 'Mr Grasshead - Grow your own'. With his big eyes and smiley face, it won't be long before his hair needs cutting, so these trendy little Stocking Fillers might just double up as a training ground for those budding hair stylists too. We all know that growing plants and flowers can be quite time consuming which is why it is important to ensure that the end results will be something worth waiting for. The 'Grow It-Gift Box' stocking fillers mean that you can choose from a variety of plants including daises, sunflowers, cacti and even next year's Christmas tree.

Stocking Fillers For The Juvenile Joker
Most young children will go through that phase at some point – where practical jokes and being mischievous become their biggest source of amusement – luckily most of us grow out of it though there are a few who would still claim that the 'Whoopi Cushion' was the best invention of all time. If you have any cheeky cherubs who like nothing more than a joke, then Christmas is probably the best time to indulge them. If the 'Jolly Roger Toilet Roll' doesn't appeal to their particular tastes, then perhaps the 'Skid marks loo roll will'. If they're more than likely to get over excited at the dinner table then it might be worth investing in a 'Splat Stan' – an unusual and utterly tasteless coaster and drinks holder – they'll love it! They may well be something that you'll wish you hadn't bothered with come Boxing Day, but the 'Flying Pig With an Oink' and 'Flying Monkey with Cape' make for some real entertaining treats and are perfectly sized for those Christmas stockings.

Stocking Fillers for A Bath time Baby
At the end of what always promises to be a very long day, ensure that the kids have a last bit of fun before bed time with a choice of amazing Rubber ducks. Whether it's a 'Ducktor Who', 'Space Duck', or 'Pink Duck', these unique bath time gifts are bound to put a smile on their little faces, make perfect stocking fillers, and are a sure way of encouraging them to have a bath a little more often too!