Home / Holidays / Holiday Gift Guides 50+ practical & fun stocking stuffers for kids of all ages Sometimes the best presents aren't under the tree. By Sara Goldstein Updated October 22, 2024 Rectangle We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. 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 Mudpuppy Baby's First Words Ring Flash Cards • $17.99 From car rides to waiting in line at the grocery store, these colorful first word flashcards are a fun and educational distraction. The chunky design (which is totally rip and drool-proof!) features a different image on each side and a removable plastic ring that keeps them all together. SHOP MUDPUPPY SHOP AMAZON Mud Pie Animal Mirror Book • $33.50 This sweet book is a fun way to keep little ones entertained! Each page features a mirror and animal face they’ll delight in seeing reflected back. From a pokey puppy to an adorable lop-eared bunny, it’s guaranteed smiles. SHOP MUD PIE SHOP AMAZON Loulou Lollipop Taco Teether and Holder Set • $19.99 Who says you can’t put a taco in a stocking? The colorful teethers from Loulou Lollipop come in tons of fun shapes and are made from safe-to-chomp food-grade silicone. And bonus points for the included clip and beads which keep you from having to pick it up off the floor and clean it a bazillion times a day. SHOP LOULOU LOLLIPOP Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Winter Dog • $16 A sweet and seasonally appropriate way to keep your little one entertained on the go. The fuzzy pup features multiple fabrics and textures along with a soothing chime sound when they shake it and the snowflake teether is perfect for bothersome gums. SHOP SKIPHOP SHOP AMAZON Zutano Cozie Furry Baby Bootie • $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. SHOP ZUTANO SHOP AMAZON Baby Banana Banana Toothbrush • $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! SHOP AMAZON Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt • $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. SHOP AMAZON Vulli Sophie the Giraffe • $24.99 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. SHOP AMAZON Skip Hop Portable Baby Soother • $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. SHOP AMAZON Red & Olive Holiday Baby Stuffies • $35 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. SHOP RED & OLIVE Maileg Teddy Rattle • $18 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. SHOP MAILEG Copper Pearl Bandanna Bib Set • $21.95 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. SHOP COPPER PEARL Roxy Marj Baby Astrology Board Books • $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. SHOP AMAZON Our favorite stocking stuffers for toddlers Roshambo Unbreakable Sunglasses • $24.49 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. SHOP AMAZON Bombas Toddler Holiday Gripper Calf Sock 4-Pack Gift Box • $38 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. SHOP BOMBAS CaaOcho Pure Natural Rubber Duck • $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. SHOP AMAZON Fat Brain Toys Original Dimpl • $12.95 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! SHOP AMAZON Mudpuppy Kaleidoscope • $9.99 Adorable illustrations on the outside, a cascade of wonder on the inside! SHOP MUDPUPPY SHOP AMAZON Infantino My 1st Tumbler • $8.99 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. SHOP AMAZON Ezra Jack Keats The Snowy Day • $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. SHOP AMAZON Sarah's Silks Mini Streamers • $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. SHOP AMAZON Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow! • $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.) SHOP AMAZON Fubbles No-Spill Bubble Tumbler • $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. SHOP AMAZON Crayola Silly Scents Twistables Crayons • $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! SHOP AMAZON Two Sisters Holiday Bath Bomb • $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. SHOP AMAZON ooly Tattoo-palooza Temporary Tattoos • $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. SHOP OOLY Vango Bizyboo Snowman Seek & Find • $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! SHOP AMAZON Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids LEGO Lego Spaceman Key Light • $14.99 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. SHOP LEGO SHOP AMAZON Mudpuppy Unicorn Dreams Painting Kit • $12.99 All they need to add is water and a little bit of creativity! Mudpuppy’s Unicorn Dreams Painting Kit includes 10 paintable cards, each with a built-in watercolor palette at the top which makes them a fun project either at home or on-the-go. SHOP MUDPUPPY SHOP AMAZON Handy Famm 3-in-1 STEM Starter Tool • $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. SHOP HANDY FAMM SHOP AMAZON Petit Collage Magnetic Dress Up, Music Maker • $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. 😉 SHOP AMAZON Super Smalls Lucky Streak 4 Leaf Clover Necklace • $35 Some kid-friendly bling with a side of good luck! This super giftable necklace from Super Smalls is bedecked with a real four-leaf clover set in resin with a halo of rainbow gems to create a piece that’s as unique as they are. Inside the box they’ll also find a sweet little booklet reminding them of all the reasons they’re lucky to be who they are. SHOP SUPER SMALLS Smartwool Yeti Over The Calf Socks • $21 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 skiing yeti?) SHOP SMARTWOOL Mudpuppy Hot Cocoa Penguin Scratch and Sniff Mini Puzzle • $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! SHOP MUDPUPPY SHOP AMAZON Glo Pals Glowing Bath Time Cubes 12-Pack • $34.95 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. SHOP AMAZON Bananagrams Bananagrams Word Game • $13.79 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! SHOP AMAZON Crazy Aaron's Hide Inside Mixed Emotions Thinking Putty • $14.95 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.) SHOP AMAZON Nailmatic Pop Nail Polish and Stickers • $22 Safe, non-toxic and made with littles in mind, the colorful nail polish and nail sticker sets from Nailmatic are vibrant and fun to apply–and happen to wash off with just soap and water! SHOP AMAZON Welly Peculiar Pets Bravery Badges 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. SHOP TARGET Smencils Holiday Smencils • $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. SHOP AMAZON Jellycat Amuseables Avocado Bag Charm • $26 The magic of a Jellycat stuffie in a portable keychain! SHOP AMAZON Best Stocking Stuffers for Tweens ooly Magic Puffy Pens • $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. SHOP OOLY BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers • $19.99 Do they prefer doodling on themselves instead? The Body Mark Temporary Tattoo Markers from Bic are designed to create colorful body art that can be washed off with just a little soap and water. Along with the markers, each pack includes a collection of stencils to spark some inspiration. SHOP AMAZON Cocofloss Confetti Cake Dental Floss • $9 Dental floss might not be the coolest stocking stuffer, but this is the coolest floss. I mean, it is confetti cake flavored after all. And it’s not just the dessert-inspired flavors we love. The floss, which is made up of hundreds of tiny filaments and coconut oil acts like a scrubby in between teeth and works far better than the waxy stuff we grew up with. SHOP COCOFLOSS Tenzi Dice Party Game • $16.95 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. SHOP AMAZON Bubble Polar Pair Cheat Sheet • $12 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 Polar Pair Cheat Sheet Set includes their Fresh Start Daily Cleanser and Slam Dunk Hydrating Cream Moisturizer to cover just the basics while looking very aesthetic on their bathroom counter. SHOP BUBBLE Herbivore Hot Cocoa Body Scrub • $24 They probably don’t need any excuses to take up alllll the time in the bathroom these days, but the deliciously scented Herbivore Hot Cocoa Body Scrub is as good an excuse as any. It’s packed with plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter and sugar to leave skin soft and hydrated. SHOP HERBIVORE Anker Power Bank • $19.99 Keep their phone, tablet and headphones charged while they’re out and about with Anker’s top-rated Power Bank. The compact design gets them juiced up quickly and because we know they’ll drop it as often as they drop their phone itself, it’s super durable and scratch-resistant. SHOP AMAZON Wild Natural Deodorant Bundle • $15.20 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? SHOP WILD K'lani Hair Tie Bracelets • $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? SHOP AMAZON Butter and Me Choco Body Scrub • $18 It might look like a bougie chocolate bar, but these gorgeously packaged treats are actually body scrub! Just break off a piece and get to work polishing away dull, dry skin. They melt right in and a little goes a long way! They come in a collection of intoxicating scents like matcha vanilla and strawberry cacao and are almost too pretty to use–but too dreamy not to! SHOP BUTTER AND ME Sneaker Balls Sneaker Balls 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. SHOP AMAZON Hagbis Airpod Cleaning Pen • $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. SHOP AMAZON Starface Hydro-Stars Pimple Patches 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. SHOP AMAZON Ausaye Color Changing Mushroom Nightlight 2-Pack • $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. SHOP AMAZON We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy. The latest News Santa by the numbers: 8 fun facts about his Christmas Eve journey The Holidays 10 essential rules for visiting a newborn during this holiday season Holidays Kylie Kelce’s candid take on holiday gifts: ‘Please don’t buy these for my kids’ Safety 10 surprising holiday toy risks you might not know about