I'm doing the same for my kiddos, so slightly different target, and I'm not aiming for practical items. It's a little more difficult for my tween, who doesn't have little kid tastes anymore. I have Disney gift cards for both kids - and if you buy them online, there are 2 cruise-specific cards (one has Mickey and Minnie, the other just Capt Mickey) - so that's one easy idea. If you happen to have a Charming Charlie near you, I actually found ship's wheel jewelry - necklace and earrings, silver toned, not garish or anything (they are very small ship's wheels). Pirate stuff is a good idea, if your mom is game to join in the costuming.
I got my dad the beer mug for his birthday, so I will add that the one bummer about buying
DCL gifts via gifts and amenities is that you get no email to print, card, or anything that you would put in a stocking in advance. I did dictate a note for the card when I placed the order over the phone, but it's left with the mug (or whatever item you ordered) in their stateroom once you're on board.
Oh - and I am having fish extenders made for my parents' stateroom and ours, so maybe that, if you get something that can be rolled or folded up? I didn't sign up for an FE group b/c I thought it would be too much for our first DCL, but I do plan to put little things in them myself.
