Finding stocking stuffers that aren’t just cheap plastic trinkets is tricky. Here are twenty-three gift ideas that should have lasting value.
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Stocking stuffers get me every year.
Just after I’ve crossed everything off of my to-do list – the gift buying, gift-making, cookie-baking, etc. – I sit back and relax. “Now all I have to do is wait for December 25th, I tell myself.”
And then it happens. About a week before Christmas it hits me – “Oh no – I forgot to buy stocking stuffers!!”
In a bit of a panic, I hop online trying to search for the perfect tiny presents that fit into a gigantic sock .
Because of course, it would be easy to just run over to the nearest stationary or drug store and find little plastic knickknacks.
But we already have enough good-for-nothing things in our house – all that have no other purpose but to drive me crazy with the clutter they create.
If I’m going to buy a gift, even a tiny gift, it has to have a purpose, be meaningful, and hopefully last until the next Christmas comes around.
Below are a few stocking stuffers that pass that test. Each has a purpose and are arranged by kids’ interests. Happy shopping!
Science Related Stocking Stuffers:
Circuit Scribe Mini-Kit: This is the coolest thing ever! Kids can draw their own circuits with conductive ink (who ever heard of such a thing?). After drawing the circuit, a magnet and LED is used to conduct electricity.
Insect Lore Bug Viewer and Case: Help your young scientist observe bugs in this bug-friendly viewer.
Jar of Glow Stars: Recreate star constellations with these glow-in-the-dark star stickers.
Stocking Stuffers for the Artistic & Creative Kid:
Sketch and Sniff Scented Gel Crayons: There can never be too many crayons in our house. Crayons with scents? Even better!
Craft-tastic Macrame Backpack Charm Kit: Kids can create their very own owl macrame backpack charm with this kit. Similar to friendship bracelets, macrame is made with a series of knots.
Invisible Ink Pens: What could be better than writing secret letters that no one can see unless put under a special light?
Mini Coloring Rolls: Kids will have fun filling in the pictures in these mini-coloring rolls. One features Animals of the World and the other is called By Air, By Land and By Sea.
Puzzling Erasers: Erase doodle marks with these erasers – modeled after a couple of familiar hand puzzles. The perfect size for stockings.
Travel Spirograph: Just like the regular one but in a travel size.
Little Paint Pods Watercolor: This tiny watercolor set amazingly includes 36 colors!
The Gift of Experiences
Museum membership cards: Science museums, children’s museums – the gift of membership not only supports these institutions but also provides the chance for many family outings.
Tickets to a sporting event: If you have a kid who loves sports, give them the gift of a trip to see their favorite team. Even if it’s too early to buy tickets, you can create a card kids can cash-in later.
Tickets to a performance: If you have a ballerina, a theater nut or you know your kids will love seeing Disney on Ice, wrap up a few tickets to these performances.
Games and Puzzles that Fit Inside a Stocking:
Tapple Ten: Get kids digging into their vocabulary with Tapple 10 – an interactive card game that is part Uno and part Scrabble. There are 10 different games in all in this compact game.
Simon Carabiner: The four color memory game we played as kids now comes in a mini-size.
Kanoodle Extreme: If you have a kid who loves a challenge – Kanoodle is for them! Choose one of 303 puzzles and get to work. Each puzzle has the player place a few pieces on the board and then the challenge begins, trying to make all remaining pieces fit. Check out the slightly easier Kanoodle Junior for ages 4-7.
Snatch It: This competitive and fast-paced word game challenges players to think quickly while putting their vocabulary skills to the test. Here’s how it works: Place 100 letter tiles face down and then take turns flipping one tile over at a time until a word of three or more letters can be formed.
Go Fish: What kid doesn’t like Go Fish? It’s easy to play, easy to understand, and fun for all ages.
USA puzzle: This pint-sized puzzle is perfect for travel while honing kids geography knowledge.
Stocking Stuffers for the Musically Inclined:
Make Your Own Music Box Kit: For kids who love music, there’s now a kit that lets users compose a piece that can be played on a mini-music box. Just use the music sheets along with a hole punch, wind it through the box and the music begins.
Gifts of Charity:
Global Giving: Encourage kids’ generosity with a Global Giving gift card. Global Giving is a crowdfunding community that lets donors choose from thousands of projects to support. Kids will feel empowered knowing exactly where their money is going.
Fun Practical Use Stuffers:
Fun Kids Soap: These peppermint-scented penguin soaps make actually inspire your kids to take a bath.
Colorful Hair Ties: Girls will have fun with these purple ombre ties.
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