Stocking Stuffer Ideas Kids Will Be Thrilled With
Don’t you just hate trying to find stocking stuffers for your kids that won’t end up in the garbage a few days later or accidentally get thrown out with the wrapping paper?
Stocking stuffers need to be small enough to fit into the stocking, if they don’t then it might as well be another another gift.
Since I love telling you about toys that are exceptional for a child’s learning and development, I will list stocking stuffer ideas that your kids will enjoy and hopefully also learn a bit from.
As an added bonus, these little finds are all under $20.
Travel Spirograph
Spirographs are a fun way to get artistic without having to be good at art!
And if you travel and hate how much time your kids spend on screens this is a way to keep them occupied in the car, on a plane or even riding the train!
This spirograph is recommended for children ages 5+.
Kids Projector Flashlight
I love projector flashlights!
There are many different kinds available and there are some theme based ones.
My son had a Thomas The Train one when he was around 3 or 4.
Projector flashlights can be used for storytelling and creative play which makes them wonderful from a language development perspective.
And something like this may also help your little one get over a fear of the dark. Because it makes being in the dark so much more fun!
Travel Size Wikki Stix
I have worked with many Occupational Therapists during my career as a Speech–Language Pathologist and they always swore by Wikki Sticks.
They used them for everything including working on fine motor development, kinesthetic learning activities, visual discrimination, fidget tools, etc.
And for older children they can be used as a handwriting tool.
But as a stocking stuffer, Wikki Stix are fun! Children can use their imaginations to make different shapes or items such as flowers, animals, etc.
They are also a must have for long flights or car rides!
One thing to note, they are not great for toddlers as these sticks (which are sticky) will probably end up stuck to their clothes, the carpet or even the wall, which will cause them to lose their stickiness pretty quickly.
So if you plan on purchasing these for a toddler, supervision is probably a good idea.
And the sticky wax could easily be chewed off.
Dinosaur Fossil Kit (Stocking Stuffer Size)
Another favorite in our house.
If you have a dinosaur fan at home then this is the perfect stocking stuffer.
As we have had several of these, I can tell you that it does take work to chip away at the “rock” surrounding the fossil.
This will really be a test of your child’s attention span.
In order to keep them at it, start discussions about dinosaurs and where they may have lived and died to end up in a fossil.
Ask them if they think the dinosaur bones they are digging for are from a real dinosaur or not, and why or why not.
Be prepared for a mess, so get out an old tablecloth and have your child sit on the tablecloth on the floor.
If it is really testing his patience you can try submerging it in water for a few minutes to loosen and soften the sand.
Do You Want To Build A Snowman
Just a note that this is a 3 pack, so it will work well if you have more than one child.
Or you will have 2 spares on hand. Either way this is an awesome stocking stuffer!
Your child can work on fine motor and language skills all while having fun.
For younger children talk about the parts of the snowman (eyes, carrot nose, sticks for arms, snowballs).
Talk about the actions you are using to make the snowman such as rolling, stacking, poking, squishing, etc.
If your child gets bored of making the same old snowman over and over again, why not try making a melted snowman, or some other kind of creature/animal.
Maybe the abominable snowman!
These would also be pretty cool party favors if you are having a Frozen themed birthday party!
Ninja Erasers
These cute little guys are actually a two in one “toy”. It’s an eraser and a puzzle as they come apart (hint, not meant for children under 3). These ninjas come as a 3 pack!
Simon Micro Series Game
Do you remember the game Simon?
Now there is a mini version available and is recommended for children ages 8 and up.
With the memory maze game your children can challenge their short term memory by trying to remember the sequence that the lights are making.
A buzzer will sound when a mistake has been made.
In addition to being a fantastic stocking stuffer this game is a must have for long car rides!
Zombie Plant
It’s a plant that’s also a zombie.
Well not really, but once it has grown (takes a few days for the seeds to sprout) and you touch the leaves, the plant will play dead.
But don’t worry, it will come back to life again after a minute or 2.
You will get 2 sets here which is also nice.
And this is a great opportunity to talk with your child about the life cycle of a plant and what plants need to survive.
Ask your child what may be making the plant play dead? Is it really a Zombie?
Melting Snowman
This is another snowman your child can build.
It comes with the snowman accessories and the snowballs you can form.
And you don’t have to wait for the spring for him to melt.
After he has been built sit back and watch him start to melt.
Ask your child what may be causing him to melt?
Think of other things you can make and then watch them melt.
This is also a great way to practice vocabulary words with a younger sibling. Label each item you are putting on the snowman!
TOYMYTOY 4–In–1 Transportation Series Jigsaw Puzzle Sets
Puzzles are a brilliant learning toy and kids don’t even realize they are learning when they are working on one, which is all the better when it comes to a child’s development!
There are 4 puzzles that come in this tin.
Each puzzle varies in difficulty.
There you have it!
I hope that this has taken some pressure off of you and that these really are stocking stuffer ideas kids will be thrilled to find Christmas morning!
