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30 Stocking Stuffers for Kids That Will Surprise & Delight

From Legos to light-up bath cubes

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We’ll be honest—stocking stuffers aren’t exactly Santa’s strong suit. After spending weeks scouring the web for the best gifts for kids and then staying up until an ungodly hour wrapping said gifts, we usually make a late-night mad dash to the drugstore for something—anything—to put into the kids’ stockings. But this year, our children deserve—nay, needsome fun playthings in their festive socks that have been hung by the chimney with care. Plus, we've included a variety of Amazon stocking stuffer ideas so that you can utilize Prime one-day shipping if available where you live.

What Are Good Stocking Stuffers for Kids?

The best gifts for kids of all ages can span any dollar amount, from basic gumballs to an elaborate Lego set they may or may not get around to building. But when it comes to stocking stuffers, there are a few things that make them “good.” First, they should be small enough to literally be stuffed in a stocking. (Alright, a few special somethings that are wrapped and set just beside a kid's stocking hung by the fireplace are A-OK.) They should also be relatively affordable: most stocking stuffers will be under $50, and the majority under $20 even. But most importantly, good stocking stuffers will be things that fit with the child’s likes and interests, and bring a smile to their faces when they furiously rip open the wrapping or unearth it at the bottom of their stocking.

So without further ado, here are the 30 best stocking stuffers for kids, ages 0 to 10, that will surprise and delight.

42 Experience Gifts for Kids That Are Way Better Than Another Toy


The Top 10 Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids At a Glance

1

Best for Baby’s First Christmas

Mud Pie Baby’s First Christmas Frame Ornament

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2

Best for the Kid Who Dreads Bath Time

Sky Organics Bath Bombs Gift Set

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3

Best for Nostalgia

View-Master Special Edition Viewer

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4

Best for the Kid Who Always Wants to Tinker With Your Apple Watch

Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch

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5

Best for Keeping Kiddos Occupied As the Rest of the Fam Wakes Up

Omy Ultra-Washable Markers

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Best for Baby’s First Christmas

1. Mud Pie Baby’s First Christmas Frame Ornament

Mud Pie

Your babe may not technically need a stocking stuffer, but this one—a gift for you as much as for them—feels sentimental and sweet. Simply pop a 4x4 printed photo inside upon arrival and this ceramic picture frame, which comes with a red tartan ribbon already included, is ready to hang. Better yet, sneak it into your partner’s stocking when they’re busy wrapping and mark it From Santa and it will become instant family heirloom the whole fam will cherish year after year.

Age Range: 0+ Months

Best for the Kid Who Dreads Bath Time

2. Sky Organics Bath Bombs Gift Set

Sky Organics

These bath bombs will make any child excited to get clean. They dye the water, but not the tub, and the scents aren’t too cloying for grown-up noses. And yes, the toy inside is very exciting every time—kind of like fancy Cracker Jacks (but all cleanliness and no corn syrup–coated yumminess).

Age Range: 3+

Best for Nostalgia

3. View-Master Special Edition Viewer

View-Master

Take a trip down memory lane when you, er, Santa, pops a View-Master in your kid’s stocking and they get to experience a 3D view of some of the best sights around the world—safari animals, ocean life and dinosaurs all included. In fact, this special edition set comes with five reels total, which means it’s a toy they can keep going back to and learning from with every click.

Age Range: 3+

Best for the Kid Who Always Wants to Tinker With Your Apple Watch

4. Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch

V Tech

OK, so this isn’t the most budget-friendly stocking stuffer. But it sure is a lot cheaper to give your kid one of these instead of letting them play with your own Apple Watch. (It’s not entirely crack-proof, after all.) This high-tech pick lets kids take pictures and videos, play games and tell time. Genius.

Best for Keeping Kiddos Occupied As the Rest of the Fam Wakes Up

5. Omy Ultra-Washable Markers

Omy

These kid-tested, mom-approved markers live up to their promise: They truly are ultra-washable. (We easily removed the ink from our kids’ hands, their clothes, even the couch—oops—using just soap and water.) But that’s not all. The vibrant hues are double-tipped—one side is thick, the other thin—and the richness of color means that creativity comes easily for kiddos with a blank sheet of paper, which btw, is the perfect thing to bust out to keep your child occupied while you brew some coffee on Christmas morning.

Age Range: 4+

Best for the Kid Who Could Use Some Motivation to Brush Their Teeth

6. Colgate Kids Battery Powered Toothbrush

Colgate

OK, so we promised no boring gifts in your kid’s stocking this year, but this battery-operated (and character-covered) electric toothbrush is a necessity that also feels fun. How so? You can pick and choose from a range of familiar favorites like Bluey, Batman, Pokemon and more. Kids will love the soft bristles, plus the ability to control the on/off switch themselves; parents will love the sparkling clean teeth after consuming so many cookies. (It’s worth noting that 1 replaceable AA battery comes included.)

Age Range: 3+

Best for Kids Who Are Just Starting to Dabble in Art

7. Honeysticks Original Beeswax Crayons

Honeysticks

Our Executive Editor—and mom of two—Alexia Dellner swears by this New Zealand-made crayon set. “They’re made from honey, so are perfect for little kids who put everything in their mouths (ahem, my kid),” she says. “They’re also big and chunky so even a 1-year-old can hold on to them.”

Age Range: 1+

Best for Doodlers

8. Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Rainbow Mini Notes

Melissa & Doug

Whether your kid is just beginning to practice their pen grip or reaching the point of being a professional doodler, this mega set of rainbow scratch paper—which comes with a wooden stylus included—will be something they use again and again for crafts, creating cool illustrations or simply jotting down notes. Bonus: Kids can work with a range of colors, but the end result is mess-free.

Age range: 4+

Best for Bug Obsessives

9. Barbara Dziadosz Stamp Bugs

Barbara Dziadosz

This affordable stamp set comes with two different ink pads and an assortment (25 in total) of buggy shapes and textures—think antennae, wings and legs—so that your kid can recreate their favorite creepy crawlies or dream up their own. It’s also an editor favorite: “A set like this occupies my kid for hours,” says Rachel Bowie, Senior Director of Special Projects. “I also love that it champions inventiveness.”

Age range: 3+

Best for Expressive Kids

10. Hally Temporary Hair Color Shade Stix

Hally

If your kid has been pleading with you to take them to the salon to dye their hair purple, a decision you know they will quickly regret once their bestie deems purple “so last week,” you can compromise with this temporary, completely washable hair color. It’s also editor-approved: “This hair makeup is so fun for kids,” according to PureWow’s assistant editor Delia Curtis. “It glides on like mascara and comes out with a single wash. It’s also an easy way to incorporate funky-colored hair without the permanency of dye and minus the mess.” Did we mention they also recently did a Barbie collab?

Age range: 4+

Best for Game Lovers

11. Uno Emoji Card Game

Mattel

Only two players are required to play this classic game. Chances are that you remember this one from your own childhood, but here’s a quick recap in case you’ve forgotten the rules: The goal here is the usual race to empty one’s hand, but game-changing action cards (like skip, reverse and color-changing wild cards) can either help or hinder a person’s strategy. Still, this oldie but goodie has been given a fun upgrade thanks to popular emojis including—you guessed it—the poop emoji (so yeah, your kid will love it).

Age range: 7+

Best for the Kid Obsessed with Gooey and Slimy Things

12. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Crazy Aaron’s

Sure, your kid loves the latest high-tech gadget or super realistic video game, but trust us on this one—ooey, gooey putty never gets old. Especially this non-toxic version that won’t dry out and comes in multiple fun colors including this very cool star dust shade. Better yet, it’s a great sensory activity for kids.

Age range: 8+

Best for Screen-Free Time

13. Tonies Batman Audio Figurine

Tonies

First, an explainer: Tonies are character-driven audiobooks, songs and stories that rest atop a portable music player, called a Tonie box ($100). Assuming you already have the box—or, shhh, maybe you’re gifting one under the tree this year—popping a character Tonie or two in your kid’s stocking is the perfect surprise. In fact, several parent editors on our team rely on Tonies for screen-free fun—and there are so many options to choose from, priced affordably at just $15 a pop. “Your kid will love it and you get 45 minutes to an hour of quiet time,” Dellner says. “My son has been begging me for this Batman one, so that’s my stocking stuffer plan this year.”

Best for Game Board Collectors

14. BuYess 5-in-1 Board Games

BuYess

Checkers, Backgammon, Dominos—this deceptively simple board game comes with multiple game options to play and folds away neatly to a compact 8.7 by 5.1 inches, making it great to take on car trips or in a backpack. The rules of moving the magnetic pieces around the board before your opponent can is a great exercise in strategy and steely patience.

Age range: 13+

Best for STEAM Learning

15. Clixo Ocean Creatures Pack

Clixo

The ocean animal configurations are endless with this brand-new Clixo set. Your kid will love assembling underwater creations ranging from a Great White Shark to an Angler Fish, but also relish the chance to rely on their own imagination to dream up their own deep sea creatures. Cool details about this particular set: It comes with glow-in-the-dark pieces, but also fins and tentacles to bring your kid’s ideas to life.

Age range: 6+

Best for Expanding Vocabulary

16. LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

Leap Frog

Once kids start to talk, they don’t stop. Like, ever. But watching them learn is a wondrous experience, and books like this one will help them develop language using fun facts, words, and even sounds. (It comes with the required two AA batteries—phew!) Tap a picture to learn about colors, science, animals, and more. Bonus: It even includes Spanish should you want your child prodigy in the making to be bilingual.

Age range: 1+

Best for the Kid Who Loves Potty Humor

17. Doo Doo Kangaroo

Moose Games

OK, so this one might turn out to be a bit wider than your kid’s stocking, but you can set it right beside it. The rules of play go like this: Kids take turns feeding this silly kangaroo donuts until, well, he has to go doo-doo. Here’s where the hilarity hits—you never know when the urge will hit, but when it does the kangaroo’s potty starts to shake. Be the fastest to retrieve the donuts, not the poop, and you’ll come out ahead.

Age Range: 2+

Best for Cold Weather Fun

18. Crazy Ice Bubbles

Snow Sector

It’s true that bubbles bring year-round joy, but come wintertime, ice bubbles take it to the next level. They don’t pop! Better yet, at temps below 18 degrees Fahrenheit, they start to freeze. Kids can catch them on their sleeve or surround themselves with delicate snow globes in their backyard for non-stop fun.

Age Range: 5+

Best for a Better Bathtime

19. Glo Pals Water-Activated Light-Up Cubes

Glo Pals

These water-activated light-up cubes—sold individually or as a set—will make bathtime a delight. Simply pop ‘em in the water and they’ll start to glow, then towel them dry and they’ll instantly turn off. Great for sensory play, but also imaginative story-telling: Each cube rests inside the face of the Glo Pal, which means kids can easily bring each character to life.

Age Range: 3+

Best for a Christmas Day Read-Aloud

20. How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney by Mac Barnett

Candlewick

Truth be told, this stocking stuffer is also a great one to open on Christmas Eve. Written and illustrated by the unstoppable duo that is Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, this book features a hilarious exploration of how the heck Santa gets down the chimney—especially if there is no chimney to go down? Bottom line: Prepare to laugh out loud and also interview your child about their own hypothesis on this topic.

Best for Keeping Their Toes Warm

21. Happy Socks 3-Pack Presents Under the Tree Set

Happy Socks

The reinforced heel and toe, the ability to add a name tag—the devil’s in the details when it comes to gifting socks. In this case, we’re in it for the cute and holiday-themed patterns. Think Santa’s beard, holiday decor and more.

Age Range: 0+

Best for the Kid Who Wants a Toy with Extended Use

22. Lego Creator Exotic Pink Parrot 3-in-1 Set

LEGO

It’s a parrot! No, wait—it’s a fish. Now it’s a frog. The multi-use joy that stems from LEGO’s 3-in-1 sets is unparalleled. Here, the 253-piece set can be built (and re-built) to follow a rainforest theme. Tuck this inside your child’s stocking and prepare for massive gift-opening delays.

Age Range: 7+

Best for the Kid Who Loves a Mess-Free Crafts

23. Skillmatics Foil Fun

Skillmatics

OK, this editor-endorsed favorite is topping every list. The perfect stocking stuffer (or precursor to the rest of the Christmas Day gifts), this foil-focused craft allows kids to attach foam stickers to beautiful backdrops, then press colorful foil on top to bring their picture to life. You can also gift a variety of themes—from animals to dinosaurs to princesses—there’s something for every interest level. (Per the editor who tried it, Foil Fun is also fun for adults.)

Age Range: 4+

Best for Keeping Baby Busy

24. Crate & Barrel Sea Life Octopus

Crate & Barrel

What’s that crinkly sound coming from my stocking, your baby will wonder as you help them bust everything out. This Octopus activity toy has eight tentacles—each one made from a different material and many holding a different sea-themed item (think fish, a life preserver, even a clam). Did we mention it’s also stroller-friendly?

Age Range: 0+

Best for Encouraging Conversations About Emotions

25. Nolja All the Feels Puzzle

Nolja

A puzzle that helps kids articulate their emotions? Genius. Your kid will love the bright and colorful illustrations that bring life to common feelings like curiosity and gratitude and bravery. Also, with just 36 pieces, it’s something that you can accomplish over breakfast—then the real present opening can begin.

Age Range: 3+

Best Winter Staple

26. Reima Organic Cotton Beanie

Reima

We’re huge fans of the quality of this Finnish brand. Sustainably made from super soft organic cotton and available in six different colors, you can pick and choose the beanie that best suits your child’s style. Yes, it’s a winter essential, but it’s also the kind of item that is fun to replace each year. Hey! Santa can be practical, too.

Age Range: 1+

Best for the Kid Who’s an Aspiring Francophile

27. Ooly Le Macaron Patisserie Scented Erasers

Ooly

Your kid will love the chance to mix and match these colorful—and vanilla scented—erasers while doodling (and daydreaming) about the Eiffel Tower. Oh la la. Five erasers in total come included, which makes them the perfect item for your kid to pop in their pencil case in carry back to school post-break.

Age Range: 4+

Best for DIY Manicures

28. Nailmatic POP Polish and Nail Stickers Set

Nailmatic

This two-color nail polish set tucks easily inside a stocking, but also will spare parents any worry about spills given it’s water-based and washable. (No nail polish remover required.) To add to the fun, stickers are also included so kids can put the finishing touch on their DIY nail designs.

Age Range: 3+

Best for the Kid Who Loves to Dress to Impress

29. Super Smalls Big Presentation Mega Jewelry Set

Super Smalls

‘Tis the season, after all. Your jewelry-loving kiddo will relish the chance to bedazzle themself with this extra sparkly jewel set, which allows them to mix and match and choose from a pink heart pendant necklace, two rings and two earring sets. (FYI, ring sizes are adjustable.) Just think of how their bling will look over their matching holiday PJs.

Age Range: 3+

Best for the Kid Who Loves Practical Jokes

30. Little Stinker Bag of Reindeer Farts Cotton Candy

Little Stinker Store

What’s Christmas without a little reindeer-related fun? Your kids will LOL at Santa’s sense of humor when they pluck this bag of peppermint-flavored cotton candy—we mean, reindeer farts from their stocking. It’s nut-free and melts in your mouth.

Age range: 2+


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Freelance PureWow Editor

  • Has 5+ years of experience writing family, travel and wellness content for PureWow
  • Previously worked as a copy editor, proofreader and research assistant for two prominent authors
  • Studied Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy in the CUNY Baccalaureate independent study program.

rachel bowie christine han photography 100

Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals

  • Writes and produces family, fashion, wellness, relationships, money and royals content
  • Podcast co-host and published author with a book about the British Royal Family
  • Studied sociology at Wheaton College and received a masters degree in journalism from Emerson College

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