Kids are more discerning these days, which makes shopping for the best stocking fillers much trickier than it sounds. The gifts need to be small enough to fit inside the stocking, but exciting enough to impress them on Christmas morning.

As a parenting writer and mum to two boys (a teenager and a tween) plus an auntie to four nieces aged between two and 11, I have had my fair share of practice picking gifts that go down well (and not so well) with different ages and personalities.

Whether you like filling your kids’ stockings with small, inexpensive bits or a few pricier surprises, my general rule of thumb is not to waste money on anything that might not get used. Choose quality gifts rather than clutter that is forgotten about minutes after unwrapping.

Cydney Ball, head of Christmas at John Lewis, agrees: "The best stocking fillers spark joy the moment they're unwrapped. We're seeing a shift towards a more considered and curated stocking. People are looking for gifts that their children will play with or use again, wear with confidence, continue to collect, display with pride or treasure for years to come."

She advises looking for presents that feel personal and worth keeping, not just things that happen to fit. “From foodie favourites and bag-charms to beauty treats and collectables, the best stocking fillers are made up of presents that are chosen because they make someone smile,” shares Cydney.

“For some families the stocking is the main event, while for others it's about adding a handful of thoughtful extras.”

With this in mind, I've selected a mix of fun, useful and slightly more special stocking fillers. These include options for younger children and presents that should appeal to harder-to-please teens.

Overall kids’ stocking filler

This box of treats is a good size for a stocking and comes filled with ten solid reindeer-shaped white chocolates. They have a really creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, thanks to the high cocoa butter content. These got five stars from everyone in our house, and they are sure to be a hit with pretty much any age. A safe bet if you’re unsure what else to add to the stocking.

PAW Patrol fans will not be disappointed with this sticker activity pad. The little stamper dispenses stickers without the need for fiddly peeling - making it ideal for smaller hands and independent play. It comes loaded with 300 stickers and a 24-page pad packed with matching, counting and search-and-find challenges. It kept my four-year-old niece happily busy for at least half an hour.

With playground politics, packed after-school schedules and screen time, kids can carry a lot more than we realise. Finding a way to help them process their thoughts is not always easy. I journal myself and have always encouraged my boys to do the same. My ten-year-old started jotting down his thoughts in this child-friendly journal a couple of times a week, and it has now become a habit. Designed for six to twelve year-olds, the journal features gratitude prompts, mood check-ins, a page for sketching and positive cues to give kids a space to write down whatever is on their mind. This is definitely a stocking filler that will get used long after Christmas day and it gets full marks from me.

My nieces love trinkets and if you're looking for an alternative to cheap plastic jewellery, this is a sweet option. The adjustable silver-plated bracelet with a heart charm is really well made. It's got a lovely grown-up feel to it, but with a kiddy design. It comes wrapped around a sparkly star wand, which is perfect for kids who like to dress-up. It definitely got my four-year-old niece’s seal of approval.

For aspiring content creators

Teens who are into making content will get far more out of this nifty bit of kit than a smartphone camera, and it makes for an extra special stocking filler. Available in black or white, it’s small enough to fit into a pocket. The gimbal camera shoots crisp 4K video and keeps footage steady - even when filming while walking or dancing.

The wide-angle lens is ideal for group shots or recording in tighter spaces, while the rotating touchscreen makes filming selfie-style content super easy. The box contains everything you would need to get going, including a mic, screw-on tripod, a mini-light, remote control, fast charger and carry pouch. It’s definitely a splurge, rather than a stocking filler in the traditional sense, but for a budding TikTok star or discerning teenager, it's the kind of gift that will get used constantly.

Department store buyers are seeing a rise in gifts that create a reason to choose family time over screen time. If your kids are into the videos, they will recognise the characters in this card game straight away. The premise of the game is players race to change a central word by swapping letters, stealing them, or dropping attack cards to skip someone's turn.

It’s a sneaky educational game that is perfect for giving everyone something to do after Christmas lunch. It also has three difficulty levels, so you can adjust the rules and let younger kids and adults play together – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

I haven’t come across a single child who doesn’t adore books. It’s been over 20 years since the last book was published, and now we have a brand-new story, with Gruffalo Granny coming to visit the deep dark woods.

Written in Julia Donaldson’s engaging rhyming style and illustrated with Axel Scheffler’s iconic sketches, it has all the ingredients you would expect from a Gruffalo story. This is a great choice for independent readers or toddlers who enjoy being read to. My boys loved this book range growing up, as do my young nieces – I’m certain that it will be requested again and again at bedtime.

A water bottle is one of those boring but necessary items on the back-to-school list, so why not pick one that the kids will like using? Toy Story fans will love this adorable stainless-steel bottle, which holds 470ml and keeps drinks chilled for up to 12 hours, thanks to its vacuum insulation. It has a handy flip lid and handle, while the removable straw and lid parts make it easy to clean.

It’s also dent and rust-resistant, so it will survive the playground tumbles. Having Woody on their water bottle should make remembering to drink their water that little bit more exciting. Also available in Jessie and Buzz designs.

This DIY biscuit decorating kit is a perfect family activity and a great pick for budding bakers. The box comes filled with twelve snowman-shaped biscuits, icing sugar, sprinkles and a step-by-step guide on how to decorate them. The biscuits are baked in London using local ingredients for that home-baked taste. Everything is sent in a cute, hand-illustrated tin, that will be useful for storing trinkets afterwards. We can confirm that they taste fresh and delicious.

For bookworms and Harry Potter fans

My son is always losing his bookmarks, so I was pleased to find this one still in place a week after I gave it to him. The clever elastic band-style design stretches around the whole book to lock pages in place.

This one has a Gryffindor crest, but it is also available in Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, so you can pick your child’s favourite Hogwarts house. At under £8 it’s a small stocking filler that solves an annoying problem.

If you have an active teen, you can’t go wrong with a good set of sports socks. Available in black, white and grey – these are made with moisture-wicking fabric to keep feet cool and mesh panels for breathability. They have built in arch support and a snug fit, so they don’t slip down half way through training. My teenager said they felt comfortable while playing football and on days just lounging at home.

For kids who want a pet

It’s been 30 years since the first Tamagotchi was released (I actually had one myself) and now they’re making a huge comeback. Japan has just launched a ring-sized version, which hasn’t landed here yet, but the classic key-ring version is brilliant. Kids are responsible for a tiny digital creature that they need to feed and clean up after. This new version features a dial so they can zoom through different levels to unlock new ways to nurture their character. It’s an great tablet-free option for keeping kids distracted on long journeys.

: for bath time

This blue goo has a satisfyingly gloopy texture that kids can't resist getting their hands into - my son had his fingers in it within seconds of opening the tub. He loved the included Hot Wheels car, which floats in the water and provided lots of imaginative play.

I was reluctant to let him loose with the slime in the bath, but I'm pleased to report it evaporates quickly and rinses away without leaving any marks on the tub.

Tweens and teens who think they have outgrown Lego sets should think again – this one, designed in collaboration with American singer-actress Olivia Rodrigo, may win them over. The 400-piece bouquet is built around a purple flower made from tiny electric guitars. There are hidden nods to her Filipino heritage and Easter eggs for true fans to spot.

It features eleven flowers, including a purple rose and an African daisy, and the finished blooms make a cool piece of bedroom décor. Just make sure you have a suitably sized stocking, as the box is fairly chunky.

For teens who love skincare

My skincare-obsessed niece and her friends are big Byoma fans. This set contains a Milky Moisture Cleanser and Gel-Cream for the face, plus a Body Wash and Lotion duo. It’s built around BYOMA's fragrance-free, barrier-strengthening formulas of ceramides and fatty acids, which offer peace of mind for parents, as they are gentle on young skin. The mini-sizes allow them to try the full routine before committing to full-size bottles.

For Spiderman fans and crafts lovers

Craft-loving superhero fans will have plenty of fun creating this bag charm. It contains shiny gems that can be placed onto a sticky Spiderman face template. It kept my son busy for hours, and it's a mess-free alternative to having paint or glitter glue plastered all over the dining table. The crystals stay put once pressed on and the finished charm can be hung on school bags or pencil cases.