Fun, screen-free gifts and stocking fillers for children aged about 4 to 11.
Best fits first, then by Picked Rating, from all our lists
A family card game
9.6/10
£13.99 RRP
Quick games that the whole family can play on Christmas afternoon. Good for counting and taking turns too.
Why we picked it: Spot the matching symbol before anyone else. Fast, easy and fun for all ages, in a travel tin.
What owners say: Quick, easy to learn and properly competitive. Kids and adults love it.
A kids’ joke book
9.4/10
£7.99 RRP
They’ll read every joke out loud at Christmas dinner. That’s either a feature or a warning.
Why we picked it: Jokes from the world of Roald Dahl, with Quentin Blake’s illustrations. Expect to hear every single one at Christmas dinner.
What owners say: Delightful and easy to read. Kids giggle through it before they’re out of bed.
A small building bricks set
9.4/10
£ Under £15
A mini build that takes 20 minutes and then gets played with. Compatible sets mix with bricks they already have.
Why we picked it: Genuine LEGO: build a cupcake, ice cream, avocado and taco, each with a funny face.
What owners say: Bright, cute and great value, with little projects that are easy for kids to follow.
Scratch art pads
9.4/10
£ Under £15
Scratch the black surface to reveal rainbow colours underneath. Mess-free, quiet and absorbing.
Why we picked it: Scratch the black away to reveal rainbow colours underneath. Quiet, mess-free and absorbing.
What owners say: Vibrant colours, easy to scratch and hours of quiet fun.
Bath bombs with a surprise inside
9.3/10
£ Under £15
Makes bath time exciting for a week or so. The hidden toy inside is the main event.
Why we picked it: Twelve fizzing bath bombs, each hiding a little crystal toy. Bath time, suddenly popular.
What owners say: Kids love the colours and the little toys. Some make necklaces with them.
Heads up: The toys are small, so keep an eye on younger children.
Kinetic sand
9.2/10
£ Under £15
Squishy, mouldable sand that doesn’t dry out. Surprisingly calming for kids and adults alike.
Why we picked it: Genuine Kinetic Sand in three colours to mix, with moulds and tools. Sticks to itself, not the carpet (mostly).
What owners say: Keeps kids amused for hours, feels lovely and isn’t messy.
Heads up: Once mixed, the colours blend together, which kids tend not to mind.
A fidget toy pack
9.2/10
£ Under £15
Lots of little textures and pop-its to share out. Handy for car journeys.
Why we picked it: Thirty of the current favourites, from pop-its to squishies. Enough to share round the cousins.
What owners say: A fantastic range with all the current trending toys. Great for long car journeys.
Walkie-talkies
9.2/10
££ £15–£40
A bigger stocking treat that gets played with for years: in the garden, around the house and on walks.
Why we picked it: Rechargeable by USB-C, so no batteries to buy, with up to three miles of range for back-garden spy missions.
What owners say: Great fun and easy for young kids to use, with a clear signal over a surprisingly long range.
A magic tricks set
9.2/10
£25.99 RRP
Keeps them busy practising all of Christmas Day, then performing for the family. Great for confidence.
Why we picked it: A proper magician’s hat and costume plus plenty of tricks, so Christmas afternoon becomes a magic show.
What owners say: Good quality with easy instructions, and kids love putting on shows.
A wooden bird nest box
9.1/10
£12.99 RRP
Put up in winter, it’s ready for nesting birds in spring. A gift that keeps giving.
Why we picked it: The front panel comes off, so it works as a classic hole box for tits or open-fronted for robins.
What owners say: Well made for the price, looks good and is easy to put up.
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