2024 Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
Ahhh, stocking stuffers! These are hands down my favorite thing to shop for. I always have such a blast looking for creative ideas for my kids’ stockings. And, of course, I love sharing the ideas with you.
When it comes to stocking stuffers, I really like to think outside the box a tad. I lean towards nostalgic toys that I remember playing with, or creative things they can use that morning. I also love to stash small games in their stocking that I know the whole family will enjoy.
So, if you’re looking for some ideas for stocking stuffers for your kids, I’ve got you covered. Here are my top 25-ish stocking stuffer ideas, and don’t miss the link at the end to my FULL list with more than 100 ideas!
(Told you I think stocking stuffers are fun to shop for!).
Slinky
I’m a huge fan of gifting toy classics in my kids’ stockings. Slinkies never fail to be a huge hit in our house. And, let’s be honest, they usually get tangled a few months in so this is one I can toss in there basically every year.
Mini Construction Trucks
Yes, construction trucks are more geared towards boys who love cars, but this basic principle can be applied to any kid: get a tiny toy they love. It might be play jewelry, a mini action figure, or anything else. For my youngest, it’s anything with wheels. Every time.
Scavenger Hunt Travel Game
I’m a huge fan of anything that will keep my kids happy and occupied in the car, and this game looks so fun. Perfect if you’re a family that has to pile in the car to travel to see family after opening presents on Christmas morning!
Any Sensory/Fidget Toy
Fidget toys are ALWAYS a great stocking stuffer. Literally any kind will do, but these are particularly fun (though yes, I’ll admit, a bit noisy).
Mini Simon Game
I can’t tell you how many things had the “you’ve purchased this before” banner as I was prepping this post – this was one of them! I got this for Jackson’s stocking a couple of Christmases ago and it was a major hit in our house for a long time.
Bath Toys
This is especially great for littler ones, but big kids love some bath toys too! These little fidget toys would be a big win in my house, and I think they’d be fun in a shower, too!
Suspend Game
I love sneaking a few family games into their stockings, and this one looks so fun. I’m a fan of any game that can be played with solo, in case other family members aren’t available, and this one looks like it fits the bill.
Flashlights
I think this is on every stocking stuffer gift guide I’ve ever written, but for good reason. Kids love flashlights. You can get some cute character ones like this, or just a plain flashlight. Either way, they’ll be delighted. I promise.
Kanoodle Brain Teaser
Jackson got this a couple of years ago and it was so much fun! Puzzles are always a blast, and I can still picture him playing this at our dining room table on Christmas morning.
Parachute Toys
These were the winner of stocking stuffers in our house last year. My kids were delighted by these, and I know so many of you grabbed them for your kids too. They’re so simple and so fun!
Glow in the Dark Ceiling Stars
Jackson has these in his room and they feel so nostalgic and cozy. I won’t lie, I’ve considered adding them to my own ceiling! I don’t think there’s a kid I know who wouldn’t be delighted by these.
Christmas Bath Bombs
Another stocking stuffer I used last year! My boys think bath bombs are SO much fun, so I always love to stuff a few in there for them. And if they’re Christmas themed, even better!
Liquid Pens
Do you remember these from your childhood? Because I do! Fun pens are always a joy and my kids love hoarding them, so this would be a winner in my house, for sure.
Aqua Rings Game
Another nostalgic find!! I remember playing with these little things for hours on end, and I think my kids would too. I’ve added these to my cart for our stockings this year!
Rainbow Scratch Art
I buy these pretty much every year, and every year my kids love it so much. I actually love finding the little notecards scattered all over the house for weeks. It’s adorable.
Math Dice Game
I think Grant would love this! Anytime I can grab a little game that is fun and also educational, I consider it a plus.
Snowman Modeling Clay Kit
How adorable is this? I love giving them little activities like this that I know will keep them busy for a bit while I prep Christmas breakfast and they come down from the excitement of morning.
A Magic 8 Ball
Can you tell I love a nostalgic toy? I can see my boys giggling over this silly little thing for a long time. Plus, I always love watching them play with toys I remember loving as a kid!
Money Puzzle Box
I love tucking gift cards into stockings, and this is such a fun way to do it. You slide some money or a gift card in and they have to solve a puzzle to access it! I gave these to my sister’s kids a few years ago and it was fun!
Play Doh
A staple for stockings. Every year. Need I say more?
Lip Smacker Lip Balm
This is another one that I put on the list every year, and every year it’s one of the top 5 things y’all grab the most. Maybe it’s for your kids, maybe for yourself. I’m not judging either way.
Wikki Stix
These were a stocking stuffer in our house a few years ago and the kids played with them nonstop for weeks. I remember absolutely loving these as a kid.
Bathtub Crayons
When Jackson was little, these were a staple in our house. He played with them every single night and I was constantly having to buy more. If you have littles, this one is a must!
Cat’s Cradle
Yet another one I gifted last year! Jackson still plays with this all the time and I’ve loved watching him figure out all of the different creations.
A Rubik’s Cube
Jackson is very into Rubik’s Cubes right now – he has a friend at school who knows how to solve them and he’s been trying to learn. I think this is a classic any kid will have fun with.
A Joke Book
Maybe it’s just my kids, but jokes are a constant in our house. And often, they make them up and they aren’t actually funny. So, I love giving them some material when I can!
Character Bandaids
This may apply more to toddlers, but bandaids are a HIT every time. Don’t expect these to be used for actual wounds, just let ’em go to town.
A Favorite Snack
We always put a bit of candy into stockings, but I also like grabbing a favorite snack that we might not have on hand all the time. Bonus points if it has Christmas packaging!
Table Topics Cards
And finally, conversation cards are an absolute favorite in my house. We do one most nights at dinner, and it’s the first thing they ask about when we sit down.