What are the best stocking stuffers for kids? It’s things they’ll actually use. This curated gift guide is perfect for filling stockings without being expensive or wasteful. From toddlers to big kids, these stocking stuffers for kids are perfection.
- Stocking stuffers for kids don’t have to be throwaways
- What makes the best stocking stuffers?
- What go in kids’ stockings?
- STEM Stocking Stuffers
- Art Stocking Stuffers
- Bath Time Stocking Stuffers
- Games as Stocking Stuffers
- Small Toys as Stocking Stuffers
- Fun Books as Stocking Stuffers
- Activity Supplies for Stocking Stuffers
- Frequently Asked Questions
Stocking stuffers for kids don’t have to be throwaways
A gentle reminder: stocking stuffers don’t need to be cheap trinkets, overpriced extras, or just another holiday “thing.”
Stockings don’t need to be filled with extra stuff to clutter your house, even more candy, or whatever you could find on Christmas Eve in the Target dollar section (wink).
Instead, stockings can hold small but meaningful gifts, items kids will genuinely enjoy and use, without adding unnecessary clutter to your home or running up your holiday budget.
What makes the best stocking stuffers?
I have three kids. I know how quickly costs add up at the holidays with stockings, presents, and holiday outings.
Years ago, I came up with a way to keep our stocking tradition special without having to sacrifice the tradition or buy a bunch of fluff that’s meaningless and will just clutter up the toy bins.
The ideas on this stocking stuffers list are tried-and-true items I’ve used over the years to make stockings both useful and memorable.
Note: This list covers several holiday seasons. I don’t put everything here in their stockings every single year!
What go in kids’ stockings?
I fill stockings for kids with things we “need.”
I like to fill their stockings with items we can actually use in our activities or daily routines. My kids loved it when “Santa” brought a big new pack of construction paper – it was a hit!
I also include things like STEM tools, art essentials, hygiene items, and small games – fun stuff we’ve been wanting to try or needing for projects, and they make fantastic stocking stuffers.
I broke this list into 7 sections of ideas:
- STEM stocking stuffers
- Art supplies
- Bath-related gifts
- Small games
- Toys for stockings
- Fun books
- Busy Toddler activity supplies
Remember: Stocking stuffers don’t have to be excessive or over the top. A few thoughtfully chosen items kids will truly use is the perfect approach.
STEM Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Stopwatch
I put stopwatches in my kids’ stockings many Christmases ago on a whim… one of my best whims ever. Guess what kids love to do? Time stuff. The possibilities with a stopwatch are endless to kids.
Hand Counters
Go with me on this one: these are fantastic for kids. Why? Here’s an example: We went on a field trip one time and the leader gave each kid one. “Click every time you see a spider web.” For the entire miles long hike, the kids (ages 3-8) were entertained above and beyond. Kids love small devices, they love numbers, they love autonomy. These are gold.
Mini Flashlights
Oh the fun of a mini flashlight. And to have one that is “yours” – this is a 10/10 for kids. We let our kids keep them in their rooms to help with darkness, reading at bedtime, and trips to the bathroom.
Calculator
If your kids (from preschool age to big kids) don’t have calculators yet, let this be your sign. These are for play, practice, and fun with numbers. Calculators are magical to kids (this one comes in lots of colors).
Headlamp
Headlamps are brilliant for kids, especially kids who love flipping through or reading books in bed. The headlamp gives them a hands-free way to light up those pages and a fun way to read at night. It’s perfection.
Invisible Ink Spy Pens
These are a huge favorite for my kids and their neighbor friends – did you have something like this as a kid too? It’s a great 5-pack at a fantastic price. Each pen has a UV light on the cap to “reveal” the invisible writing. It just doesn’t get much better for kids than this!
Mentos Geyser Tube
Do you remember this experiment? Mentos explodes Diet Coke and it’s awesome. It’s made more awesome by this attachment which allows multiple Mentos to drop at once. Giving the gift of science is always a good call.
Magnifying Glass
Gosh, we love a magnifying glass. These multi-packs are fantastic for sibling stockings (they also come as a single). We have had this set for 5 years now, and so do most of the families in our neighborhood. Everyone loves them.
Mini Tape Measure
A few years ago, my oldest got this mini tape measure and hooked it to his coat. Every year, when he out grows his coat, he moves this to the new zipper. He treasures having this little tape measure, uses it often, and I’m just so glad he has it.
Brain Teasers
This is a great set (and you can split it apart for multiple kid stockings). It has all the simple classic card games for kids – perfect for 5+.
Magnetic Wands
This is an amazing and amazingly random gift – magnetic wands. There’s so much kids can learn and do with these. They typically come in a six pack, so I put 1 in their stocking (and save others for random birthday gifts throughout the year).
Art Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Stickers
Here’s another great deal for siblings – grab a value pack of stickers and give them each a few sheets or books. It makes for GREAT activity supplies later on.
Decorative Tape
My kids love colorful tapes for their art so I make sure to include rolls from a set like this in everyone’s stocking (I put a few rolls in each stocking).
Hole Punches
A stocking standout a few Christmases ago: a few of these were in each of my kids’ stockings and they were (are) a hit. They’ve held up well over the years, and continue to be a favorite art/craft supply.
Gel Crayons
Absolutely love gel crayons. This set is PERFECT for stockings. The feeling of coloring with these is like drawing with lip stick – they’re slick and smooth and incredible.
LiquiPen
One of my favorite finds in 2023: these were in my kids’ stockings last year. They’re a combination pen + sensory tube. They’re so much fun and a perfect 3-pack to split among siblings.
Color Your Own Stickers
A major hit for us over the past year, Color Your Own Stickers is such a cool concept and awesome gift for art loving kids. This has been a favorite of kids ages 6-11 in our crew of friends.
Markers
This fancy set of markers is fantastic and such a glow-up from traditional “school” markers. They’re double-sided and perfect for kids who are ready for a nice set of markers (but at a fantastic price).
Twistable Crayons
A new year, a new box of crayons – that’s my forever motto! Twistables are a fun “twist” on that tradition and these smaller sized ones are great for little hands.
Multi-color Pens
I know you remember this from childhood and how much you loved it. It’s their turn now…
Watercolor Paints
Our favorite set of watercolors – and you always need a new set. Putting new watercolors into the stocking is perfect at Christmastime.
Paintbrushes
These are the best paintbrushes and they fit perfectly into a stocking. The year that I gave my kids these, I put a few of each stocking and it was great. We had a full set once we combined them all.
Wax Wiky Sticks
These are not the brand-name version, but a much less expensive set that has been great for my kids. It’s such a fantastic art supply, travel toy, and quiet time option – always a winner.
Fancy Crayons
The nicest set of crayons: these are a step up from a traditional box. I love these for my big kids who are looking for a little more in their coloring.
Scratch and Sketch
If you’re familiar with scratch art… this really is extreme. It’s definitely best for ages 9+, and is a soothing, calming way for big kids to do art.
Doodle Pad
Love the size of these (6×9) and that they come as a four pack. It’s another bulk item to split among siblings or share the cost with your friend.
Bath Time Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Color My Bath
Turning the bath water a different color? It’s basically kid magic! This is a personal favorite stocking stuffer at our house. We have had this three (maybe 4?) years and have never had any problem with it staining kids or tubs (but use your judgment).
Fun Bandages
As long as my kids are young enough to think fancy bandages are awesome in stockings, I’m going to keep on adding them. I give each sibling a different pack (like the unicorn pack, tie-dye bandages, or outer space style).
Small Manicure Set
This small set of manicure tools was my 10 year old son’s favorite gift last Christmas. Small, unassuming, but so honoring of his growing age and perfectly “kid-sized.” He has kept this in his room, it is used all the time, and he hasn’t lost any bit of it. I promised him I’d remember to add it to the 2024 Stocking Stuffer list.
Chap Sticks
Every year, a new pack of chap sticks. I always tuck one into each stocking. It’s what my Dad did when I was little and I’ve carried on this “tradition.”
Bath Letters
For many year, I put a new pack of these in someone’s stocking – perfect for bath time and for alphabet activities. These were my son’s first bath toys (when he was under 1) and we loved having a set for many, many years.
Bath Bombs
Every Christmas, I tucked a few of these in each stocking. It’s perfect for my kids and makes for a great excuse for a mid-Christmas morning calming bath.
Games as Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Rapidly becoming one of the hottest games for kids 6+ (to adults), Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is fast paced and will give everyone the giggles. It’s perfect.
Left-Center-Right
Our favorite simple game: it’s a luck-based dice game that’s perfect for all ages, all developmental levels… it’s a true crowd pleaser. This game only takes a few minutes to play, travels well, and is a perfect stocking stuffer.
Ultimo
This is a really fast paced strategy dice-game that works with a wide range of levels. It’s especially awesome because it doesn’t require reading skills which makes it a great sibling game. It’s another easy-to-take-with-you game.
Pass the Pigs
Oh em gee, this game is so much fun to play (solo or with others). Instead of dice, you roll small pigs. It’s hysterical and a great games for kids who aren’t reading or adding yet (as opposed to a numerical dice game).
OK Play
This tic-tac-toe meets checkers, but make it a travel game that you can play at home, on the road, or at a restaurant. No reading required. This is perfect for ages 5+ (and adults – I love this game).
Barrel of Monkeys
I know this is old school but my kids love this so much. It’s just one of those simple joys in life, plus now my kids understand the phrase “more fun than a barrel of monkeys.”
Cat’s Cradle
I gave this to my oldest in 2021, and each of my kids has loved it at different times. It’s currently my 8 year old’s obsession. It’s old fashioned, it’s simple, it’s just plain good. If you have childhood memories of Cat’s Cradle, get this for your kids and love it along with them.
Spot It!
For ages 3+, Spot It is a fantastic game of I-Spy to keep in the car or a diaper bag/backpack/purse. Never be caught waiting without it. It’s also great on Christmas morning.
6 in 1 Fun Pack
This is a GREAT set (and you can split it apart for multiple kid stockings). It has all the simple classic card games for kids – perfect for ages 3+ to big kids.
Eye Found It!
If eye-spy games are a hit for your family AND you love Disney, this is your game. This is my favorite to play – the illustrations are awesome and I love that it never gets old. If you have a Marvel fan, there is a Marvel branded version of this game.
Puzzle Flash Cards
Go with me on these (and trust me): These are really cool and there are 17 (SEVENTEEN!!) versions of this, from dogs to Minecraft to road signs. We have four variations. It’s a single player guessing game. In the version I linked, kids open one window at a time to reveal clues to determine which US State is hidden.
Rat-A-Tat Cat
A great card game for ages 5+ – and one that big siblings will have fun playing with the littles. Adults will have fun with this one, too.
Cover Your Assets
A unique card game for ages 7 to adult. If your kids love Exploding Kittens or Taco vs Burrito, they’ll love Cover Your Assets (even my 6 year old is able to play this game with a little bit of assistance). It’s fast paced and silly.
Lava Lizards
A fantastic game that’s great for preschoolers – there’s actually 5 variations in the one set so you won’t have to play the same game over and over. This is a sleeper game – no one seems to know about it…. let’s change that.
Farkle
Such a great dice for all ages: this is an all-time hit for a reason. It’s also fantastic for travel or any on-the-go situation. This is one to own.
Game On!
This wipe-off activity pad is AWESOME and filled with single player and two player games. It’s a great addition to a quiet time bin, travel kit, or restaurant bag. It’s also just fun to have at home.
Small Toys as Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Transformable Fidgets
The BEST. I don’t know what it is, but this 4 pack is magical. I bought these as travel toys but my kids have them inside the house all the time, and love them. Limitless possibilities!
Sensory Tubes
We got these on a recommendation from a friend and they’ve been so much fun for my kids. They have found a thousand and one uses for them: ramps, fidgets, tubes, noise makers, boundaries, tunnels… This multi-pack is easy to split apart for stockings,
Flying Discs
This two-pack is one of the favorites on our street for ages 4+. They’ve been such a big hit, and for so many years, that we now own 3 sets of them. Kids flock to this toy, and I love that it comes as a set.
Dog Fidgets
These have taken our neighborhood by storm. The pack comes with 4 so it’s a great divide amongst siblings or friends. Perfect travel, car, or just regular fidget toy.
Play Scarves
These inexpensive play scarves have been the best addition to our toy collection. They are most often used in tag based games (there’s 12 of them). They’re an awesome “catch all” toy that kids will find endless uses for.
Road Stamp
This isn’t a mini road stamp… although it looks like it, huh? This is meant for making handwriting lines on paper to help with printing. BUT IT ALSO MAKES LITTLE ROADS. If you have a child who loves little cars, these roads are 3/4 inch wide and just fun to make.
MagMen
These little magnetic people are a riot. They’re great for play in the car or a quiet bag, or with magnetic tiles. They’re super fun and the set could easily be split into sibling stockings.
Jacob’s Ladder
If you have a kid who loves fidget toys, this is an old school version (old school as in it was found in King Tut’s tomb). It’s mesmerizing and calming.
Kaleidoscope
You know what is the most perfect, simple, old school toy that everyone needs? A kaleidoscope. Have you every been able to not pick one up? They’re a legend for a reason, and this is one we’ve owned for many years.
Travel Tangram
This travel tangram set is a great size and magnetic. It’s perfect sized for road trips, diaper bags, quiet boxes, and stockings.
Fun Books as Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Mad Libs
Remember the giggles from Mad Libs? They’re still just as good as they were for us – plus it’s the most fun way to learn parts of speech, so that’s a win.
Journal
This isn’t a book to read – it’s a book to write. It’s a fantastic journal for tweens (it just came out in September) and I’m so smitten with it. The prompts are great without being overwhelming.
Joke Book
We’ve had this joke book for years and it hasn’t gotten old for my kids. They’re still laughing and using this book constantly.
Would You Rather
This book is full of fun conversation starters for kids – conversations to have at dinner, in the car, and with friends over.
Weird But True
This entire series of books (there are so many) is amazing. Kids eat up these weird facts.
I Spy
This is a Level 1 reader version of the classic I Spy book series. My kids love these. They’re easy to flip through and have some quick I Spy fun.
Activity Supplies for Stocking Stuffers
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Dot Stickers
You better believe dot stickers are a staple in my stockings! There’s nothing better than dot stickers and a fresh pack is just full of possibilities.
Pom Pom Balls
One of my favorite activity supplies – oh there’s so much you can do with pom pom balls and kids LOVE them.
Roll of Paper
A roll of white paper is everything. Start the new year with a new paper roll (this multi pack is what I always buy).
Pipe Cleaners
The perfect open-ended activity supply for a stocking. This pack can also be separated out for siblings.
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes + kids are like moths + a flame. They love them. They get them. And they make fantastic stocking stuffers.
Sensory Scoops
I love this set of sensory scoops – it’s just perfect. If you have a child who loves a sensory bin, this is a no brainer!
Frequently Asked Questions
The 3 most popular items from year’s past were the puffy stickers, stop watch, and hand counters.
That’s up to you! You’ll need to make that choice based on budget, number of children, child’s age and needs. Some years, our stockings are fuller than others depending on what we need that year. This list is NOT what I give my kids each year. After a decade of parenting, these are items that I’ve put in stockings on various Christmases.
Stockings start to add up – especially when you consider multiple children. You’ll have to make your own budget and what fits best in your holiday planning. Remember that lots of these items can be bought in bulk and others at the Dollar Store.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie has written two home learning curricula, Playing Preschool and Branches. Her parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and I’ll send you “35 Easy Toddler Activities to Break Up the Day!”
Meredith says
I come back to posts like these every December!
Susie says
I’m so glad!!
Liz says
Absolutely genius list. Thank you!
Susie says
Thanks Liz!
Rachel says
This is sooo helpful! Thank you. I can imagine how much fun my 3 year old would have with a simple calculator… so many buttons… LOVE it!
Cambric says
The past couple of days I have been thinking about I could put in my kids stockings that isn’t just junk or candy. This list has so many great ideas that I know my kiddos will love. Thanks Susie!
Carmen Cellon says
Great ideas for a grandma caring for kids full time.
Rosalie Pollard says
This ROCKED! My brain is saying m, “duh, mom” and I feel a zillion times better about this kids stocking! Thank you so much momma!!