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With your kids’ advent calendar poised and ready for action, the countdown to Christmas is right around the corner. You might be in a mad dash to figure out the best big ticket gifts, but sometimes the best ones aren’t under the tree–they’re in the stockings.

Growing up, opening my stocking was my absolute favorite part of the day—they were always full of everything from essentials to unexpected trinkets and candy. Those customized stockings, or the ones that have been passed down, are the perfect place for unique, fun and creative gifts for your littles.

The best stocking stuffers for kids prove that sometimes the real treasures come in small packages–but there’s also something to be said for being practical! I mean, what kid doesn’t love a great collection of colorful band-aids? Or a cozy pair of yeti-bedecked wool socks?

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite stocking stuffers for babies, toddlers and kids–from heirloom rattles to games that the entire family will enjoy. Apologies in advance, you may need a bigger stocking.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our holiday gift guides!

Our favorite stocking stuffers for babies

Piccoliny Beanie's Bodega Brew Teether
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$22

They don’t have to be an NYC babe to appreciate an iconic cup of joe. (The 100% natural rubber teether kind, of course.) The nubby textures vibe perfectly with sore gums and such a fun design easily sticks around for the imaginative play stage that comes next.

Hape Beaded Raindrops Hape Toy Market 44314116 - Motherly
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$13.99

Easy to hold, fun to watch, and satisfying to hear! Hape’s Beaded Raindrops toy is a delight for the senses and likely to stick around well past the baby stage.

Mudpuppy Little Learner Ring Flash Cards
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$14.99

From car rides to waiting in line at the grocery store, these bold flashcards are a fun and educational distraction. The chunky design (which is totally rip and drool-proof!) teaches colors, numbers, and shapes with high-contrast imagery on each side and a removable plastic ring that keeps them all together.

Loulou Lollipop Pretzel Dog Teether
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$12.95

Who says you can’t put a pretzel dog in a stocking? The colorful teethers from Loulou Lollipop come in tons of fun shapes that are easy to grasp and are made from safe-to-chomp food-grade silicone.

Skiphop Bandana Buddy
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$8

A sweet and soft way to keep your little one entertained on the go. The fuzzy elephant features multiple fabrics and textures along with a soothing chime sound when they shake it and the hanging teether is perfect for bothersome gums.

zutano-baby-booties
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$24

For those cold days you need to keep those tiny toes warm, we love these snuggly-soft booties from Zutano which miraculously never fall off.

Baby Banana toothbrush, one of Motherly's favorite products for 7 month olds
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$5.99

Even the tiniest giftees need a practical toothbrush in their stocking! The super popular Baby Banana offers little ones a soothing, nubby surface to chew as well as their first introduction to oral hygiene. The silicone bristles are a satisfying texture for sore gums while the “peels” provide an easy way to grasp. It can also be popped right into the dishwasher!

Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt
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$8.99 $8.99

Just pop this cutie over their little hand and they’ve got a teether that requires just enough dexterity. The textured silicone on top soothes sore and swollen gums and the crinkle sound it makes keeps baby entertained.

vulli-sophie-the-giraffe
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$31.99

Does it look like a fancy glorified dog toy? Yes. Does it also possess some freakish ability to calm, soothe and entertain (almost) any baby who gnaws on its squeaky head and hoofs? Also yes.

skip-hop-portable-baby-soother
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$15.99

Parents and babies alike love this highly-rated soother that makes naps on the go a breeze. The cute little owl plays nature sounds and two songs to keep them asleep without stressing.

Red & Olive Babies
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$36

Sweet and snuggly, the pint-sized mini holiday stuffies from Red & Olive are more than just hand-made good looks. Each one is lovingly made by Peruvian artisans who are paid fair wages and 10% of all sales go to organizations and programs benefitting
seriously ill kids all across the US.

Maileg Teddy Rattle
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$14

The sweetly detailed rattles from Maileg are made to be loved and handed down from one generation to the next. We just adore the charming linen teddies that are perfect for little hands.

Copper Pearl Baby Bandanas - Motherly
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$23

Drooling never looked so stylish. The absorbent bandanna bibs from Copper Pearl are a perfect combo of baby fashion meets function. Made from cotton on the front and polyester fleece on the back, they come in a wide selection of colors and patterns.

zodiac-board-books
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$8

Introduce your little one to the traditional traits of their sign! I’m not going to say it’s always right but my perfectionist Virgo and spotlight stealing Leo kids might say otherwise.

Our favorite stocking stuffers for toddlers

Kuhn Rikon Cat - Motherly
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$12.65

Tiny chefs-in-training don’t have to wait to get in on the action. This cleverly designed chopper from Kuhn Rikon features a childproof blade that still easily chops, minces and cuts everything from cukes to pizza dough.

Roshambo Unbreakable Sunglasses
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$29.99

The colorful polarized glasses from Roshambo are not only great at keeping your little one’s eyes safe from the sun, but they’re virtually impossible to break. (We know, we tried!) They come in a ton of colors and sizes for the whole fam as well.

Bombas Toddler Holiday Calf Sock 4 Pack Gift Box - Motherly
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$35.10 $39

Eventually they’ll learn to appreciate the practical stocking stuffers! We love the giftable collections from Bombas for little feet because they’re not only super cozy, they also feature grips on the soles to keep your tiny speed demon from wiping out on the wood floor.

Marcus & Marcus Kids Training Chopsticks
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$9.99

Mealtime with a side of dexterity training! These clever chopsticks feature removable silicone rings and a topper which make them easy for toddlers to manipulate. And we won’t suggest they cure picky eating, but they’ve definitely kept our kids at the table a little longer.

CaaOcho Pure Natural Rubber Bath Toy
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$14.99

A classic rubber duckie makes a perfect stocking stuffer! The eco-friendly rubber ducky from CaaOcho is not only sustainably crafted of 100% natural rubber from Malaysian Hevea trees (making it safe for little ones to chew on), but it’s designed without holes so no gross mold can thrive inside.

Fat Brain Toys Original Dimpl
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$9.95

Babies, kids and even parents can’t resist the satisfying fun of the Dimpl. The colorful silicone bubbles can be popped in and out to help little ones work on their fine motor skills and keep their hands busy. The best part? It’s sensory exploration that’s totally mess free!

Mudpuppy Animals of the World Kaleidoscope
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$9.99

Adorable illustrations on the outside, a cascade of wonder on the inside!

Infantino Tumbler - Motherly
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$12.97

Practicality rules when it comes to toddler stocking stuffers. These mini me leak-proof silicone toddler tumblers are great for hydrating at home or on-the-go.

Be My Neighbor Book
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$15.99

Suzy Ultman’s colorful illustrations are beloved by toddlers and adults alike. Part seek-and-find, part lift-the-flap, Be My Neighbor? is one of those books you won’t dread reading on repeat for eternity. Between the heartwarming theme of community and coming together and the engaging format, it’s bound to become a reading time staple.

the-snow-day-board-book
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$6.11

Or you could slip in a classic. Ezra Jack Keat’s 1962 award-winning The Snowy Day is a toddler bookshelf must-have. With bold and colorful illustrations and a timeless story of the wonder of being outside in the quiet snow, it’s destined to be favorite for generations.

Sarah's Silks Mini Streamers
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$11.95

From dance parties to princess duties, the silk baton twirlers from Sarah’s Silks make movement a little fancier. The 100% silk rainbow ribbon flutters through the air to make shapes and swirls and even offers a fun way to practice writing and identifying letters and numbers.

Melissa Doug Sticker Wow - Motherly
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$11.99

Melissa & Doug’s Sticker WOW! sets have graced us with countless hours of quiet time. The pre-loaded (and refillable!) Sticker Stamper is oh-so-satisfying for little hands to stamp and quite frankly, we’ve snuck a few dabs in ourselves. (Can confirm. Maybe this is half the thrill of Bingo.)  They’re great for travel, mess-free and the stickers are super easy to remove if they end up somewhere they shouldn’t. (Because they always do.)

fubbles bubble tumbler
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$9.99

Every kid who has ever played with bubbles has likely cried over spilling bubbles. That’s why we love the spill-proof tumblers from Fubbles. The size is great for little hands but big enough you won’t have to refill every five minutes.

Pustefix Multi Bubble Trumpet Blower Set
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$21.96

And while we’re on the topic, no bubble blowers come close to the magic of Pustefix’s Multi Bubble Trumpet. The cascade of bubbles it puts out is super impressive, even for kids who otherwise struggle to get them flowing.

Crayola Silly Scents Twistables Crayons
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$14

When you’re a kid, few things are more satisfying than a new box of crayons. Not only are these twist up crayons a great option for younger kids who tend to snap the traditional kind at first use, each one is a fun scent. From fruits to candy to outdoor smells like beach and pine, their doodles will be a multilayered experience!

Two Sisters Holiday Bath Bomb
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$8.99

Making the nice list can really wear a kid out. Stick a bit of relaxation in their stocking with the delightfully fizzy and yummy scented bath bombs from Two Sisters. The gift-ready box comes with a peppermint kid-safe bath bomb with a surprise holiday-themed squishy toy inside. And the gift to you? It won’t stain your tub.

Ooly Tattoo-palooza
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$7.50

Whatever your kiddo is into, there’s an ooly tattoo for that. Their colorful temporary tattoo collections span everything from monster trucks to hot dog doodles that can be fashioned into their own tot-sized sleeve. The great thing is they go on easy and last just long enough–they don’t scrape off in a few hours nor do they require a gallon of baby oil and a prayer to be removed.

Vango Bizyboo Snowman Seek & Find
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$9.99

The clever Bizyboo bags are like a scavenger hunt in their pocket. Peek through the clear window to find 30 hidden objects from Christmas trees to candy canes. It’s the perfect restaurant toy, too!

Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids

Make It Cute Tiny Fairy House Craft Kit
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$19.99

These adorable fairy house kits from Make it Cute have cured our gingerbread house making PTSD. For starters, they’re made from cardstock that actually holds shape. More importantly, they keep kids engrossed in creation without the need for glue or mess-making. Each kit comes with a collection of stickers to decorate the finished product and they look adorable displayed!

Lego Spaceman Key Light
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$16.99

A new design from LEGO, the Spaceman minifigure keychain features a handy little flashlight in the foot. Perfect for when they’re searching for lord knows what at the bottom of their backpack pit.

ooly Creatibles Mini Air Dry Clay Kit
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$4.95

We love a quick hit of creativity. ooly’s Air Dry Clay Kits come with just enough material and step-by-step instructions to create two cute little creatures that will harden overnight.

Handy Famm 3-in-1 STEM Starter Tool
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$15.99

Get them involved in your next home project with this kid-friendly tool from Handy Famm. The 3-in-1 bird design isn’t just cute–it’s the real deal! With an ergonomic shape that’s easy for small hands to hold and a built-in level and and angle finder, it offers a safe way for them to help with jobs big and small.

Petit Collage Magnetic Dress Up, Music Maker
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$14.79

It’s not folklore. This 25-piece magnetic dress up set is guaranteed to keep kiddos busy as they get their star stage-ready. Ready for a new ‘fit? Just shake it off.

Super Smalls Strawberry Surprise Lipgloss Locket
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$36

For the bling-obsessed, Super Smalls is always a hit. If we had to pick one though, it’s the Strawberry Surprise Lipgloss Locket. Not only is the bedazzled berry charm filled with lip gloss, but once that’s used up it can be used as a locket!

Smartwool Kids Wintersport Glade Over the Calf Socks - Motherly
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$22

What’s a more apropos stocking stuffer than socks? And when it comes to socks, Smartwool is the absolute best. This pair will keep them warm whether they’re on the slopes or snuggling in front of the fire. (And who can resist a snowboarding fox?)

Mudpuppy Hot Cocoa Penguin Scratch and Sniff Mini Puzzle
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$8.99

With just enough pieces to be tricky but not overwhelming, this cute penguin puzzle is perfect for restaurants or travel. The best part? It smells like hot chocolate!

glowing-bathtime-cubes
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$29.99

A relaxing candlelit bath, but make it kid friendly. These colorful cubes light up when the tub is full and turn off once it’s drained.

bananagrams
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$19.99

Take away the complicated scoring and unwieldy board aspects of Scrabble and you get portable, fun and easy-to-play Bananagrams. Whether you’re playing kiddos who are just learning to spell word-nerds like myself, it’s a family hit!

Crazy Aaron's Hide Inside Mixed Emotions Thinking Putty
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$19.95

Stretch it, roll it, twist it, bounce it–there’s endless ways to fiddle with Thinking Putty. There are a bazillion different varieties, but the biggest hit at my house are the Hide Inside style. Mixed into the putty are hundreds of tiny clay pieces including six special ones to hunt for. It’s a great on-the-go toy for restaurants and even long car rides (if they’re old enough not to accidentally grind it into the upholstery, of course.)

welly bandages
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$6.99

No one likes getting hurt, but everyone loves a good bandage. The flexible fabric bandages from Welly are always a hit with their fun patterns and oh-so-stylish (and reusable!) metal tin.

Holiday Smencils
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$8.99

Make homework time a little more fun with pencils that smell like holiday treats! Each one is made from recycled newspapers and comes packaged in its own little tube which not only keeps the scent around for longer–it also makes them a great option for distributing among multiple stockings.

Magna Tiles 1 - Motherly
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$19.55

This winter-themed set of Magna-Tiles comes in clutch for travel but makes a fine addition to the home collection as well.

Squishmallows Original Clip 5-Pack
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$18.90

The magic of a Squishmallow stuffie in a portable keychain! This set comes with five favorites which is great if you have multiple kids to divide between.

Best Stocking Stuffers for Tweens

Lihit Lab Pencil Case
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$15.20

These silicone pencil cases are squishy, sweet and oh-so-fun. And the zipper comes down far enough they don’t have to wrestle anything in or out.

ooly magic puffy pens
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$16.95

From posters to journals, these magical pens make everything a little more special! Just apply the heat from a hair dryer and watch the pen strokes come to life.

Olive June Pressies 1 - Motherly
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$9

Olive & June’s Pressies’ stick on manis are not only seriously cute, they’re also perfectly sized for little fingers. The little adhesive tabs make them easy to put on without a mess and they’ll stay put for up to seven days.

Bread Stretch Shoe Laces
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$9.99

The elastic shoelaces from Bread turn any pair of shoes into slip ons but still manage to look like regular laces. Perfect for those kids who’d rather crush the backside of their sneakers than actually take a few seconds and put them on properly. (I digress…)

tenzi-dice-game
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$22.95

With nine ways to play, this seemingly simple set of dice is about to become a family night staple. Each game is fast, easy to learn and teaches kids number recognition, thinking on their toes and even hand eye coordination.

NEW DTC PDP HO26 WonderWhirl 01 silo - Motherly
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$10

Unlike some of the skincare your tween may be hounding you for, this product duo from the TikTok famous brand Bubble are formulated with ingredients which are appropriate for the younger set. The Wonder Whirl Set includes their Soft Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser and Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer to cover just the basics while looking very aesthetic on their bathroom counter.

Tree Hut Candy Cane Shea Sugar Scrub
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$8.99

They probably don’t need any excuses to take up alllll the time in the bathroom these days, but the deliciously scented Tree Hut Merry Mint Shea Sugar Scrub is as good an excuse as any. It’s packed with plant-based ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter and sugar to leave skin soft and hydrated.

stick of butter squishy - Motherly

$7.99

The most coveted squishy is not only satisfying to squeeze, it also smells like sweet butter. We’re not going to tell you this is a necessity but every stocking requires at least one fun and frivolous inclusion.

Jenny Lemons Micro Claw Clips
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$30

For the millennial moms who dotted their ‘do with butterfly clips, Jenny Lemons will make you just a bit nostalgic. Their micro claw clips update the look with the coolest shapes and pearly eco-friendly materials. So cute you’ll steal them from your kid at least once.

Posca Paint Art Markers
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$45.99

From decorating sneakers to skateboards, phone cases to water bottles, Posca paint pens are the gold standard. The alcohol-free ink goes on smooth and dries fast on all kinds of surfaces including glass, wood, metal and canvas. It won’t bleed through paper either, so going the more traditional route works, too. This set comes with 15 super vibrant colors for doodles of all kinds.

Kayali Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum Travel Spray
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$29

If you have a middle school daughter, there’s a solid chance this one is on her list. The brown sugary Vanilla 28 from Kayali is the vanilla scent these days–yummy enough for the younger set but with sophisticated layers of jasmine and musk that are grown up enough you’ll want to steal some spritzes yourself.

Anker 621 Portable Charger
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$29.99

Keep their phone charged while they’re out and about with Anker’s magnetic portable charger. The compact design gets them juiced up quickly and snaps right into place without adding too much bulk.

Wild Deodorant 1 - Motherly
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$16

Slip in a deodorant they’ll actually be psyched about and you’ve got a win-win situation. The aesthetic and effective formulas from Wild are a current favorite at my house. They come in two parts–a planet-friendly sustainable aluminum case and a compostable deodorant refill which you can mix-and-match. Each of the layered and bougie scents feel like luxury body care and the cases come in a variety of cool colors and seasonal prints they’ll be excited to show off. And did I mention it works better than any anti-perspirant without any of the nasties?

K'lani Hair Tie Bracelets
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$19.99

When their hair ties spend as much time on their wrists as they do in their hair, why not opt for something more stylish than just a simple elastic? The brilliant 2-in-1 design of these K’lani Hair Tie Bracelets look like minimalist jewelry but are ready for action whenever the need strikes. And maybe that means they won’t get lost as quickly?

Sneaker Balls
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$17.75

You love them, but let’s be honest. They stink. Their bag stinks. Their sneakers stink. And don’t even think about their sports gear unless you want to get nauseated. Pop a bit of a reality check into their stocking with the hard-working, stink-busting Sneaker Balls. All their friends moms by whose door they abandon their shoes will thank you.

Hagbis Airpod Cleaning Pen
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$7.75

If they have in-ear headphones of any kind, there’s a good chance they could use a cleaning. This highly-rated 3-in-1 tool includes implements to freshen up every nook and cranny.

Starface Hydro-Stars Pimple Patches
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$13.99

Zit stickers, but make it fashion. And not only are they adorable and effective, they also come in their own smiley face carry case with a mirror inside for keeping tabs on the situation.

Color Changing Mushroom Nightlight
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$13.88

You’re never too old for a nightlight–especially when it’s this cool. The color-changing mushroom light has a built-in sensor to turn on when it gets dark and isn’t overly bright.

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy.