Gift ideas under £5 for kids

A gift for a child doesn't need a big budget. Party bags, class presents, Secret Santa swaps and stocking fillers all work with something small, and plenty of the best small things cost less than a fiver.

Every pick below is under £5 and comes from a shop we list on Gift Compass. Anything that sells out drops off this page on its own.

Sweets are the easy win for a small gift. The Harry Potter range is full of them, from a Chocolate Frog to Bertie Botts Beans and a Platform 9¾ chocolate bar ticket, and a bag of Airheads is a bright, chewy treat for anyone who likes fruity flavours.

If you're buying for someone else's child, check the ingredients and any allergy needs with a parent first.

For something they can keep, a Hot Wheels car is a classic pocket-money toy that slips into any stocking. A Gryffindor badge or a Ravenclaw iron-on sticker suits a young Harry Potter fan, and a pack of Bicycle playing cards is a good start for family games night.

Crystal Art Buddies come in series covering Disney, Marvel, DC, Star Wars and Harry Potter, so there's a character for almost every child. They're a good choice when you know the film but not the toy: pick the hero they talk about most, from Buzz Lightyear and Elsa to Spider-Man and Hermione Granger.

Not sure which one they would pick? Add a few to a list and let them choose, or ask them to share their own wish list with you.