Like many parents, you’ve probably held off on buying the kids stocking stuffers this year. Who wants to stress about hiding that stuff, right? And if we’re honest, none of us are likely chomping at the bit to spend our Christmas bonus on junk that will be dumped out, picked through, then abandoned. Worry not. We’ve compiled a list of last-minute stocking stuffers for kids that are sure to bring smiles to little faces on Christmas morning (and keep them smiling).
Let’s Be Practical: Gifts That Just Make Sense
We’ve all opened the dreaded box of underwear from Granny. It’s embarrassing, but did we not get good use out of those? We sure did! These kids stocking stuffers are items they most likely use every day. Coming from mom or dad, they might induce an eye roll. But they’re TOTALLY cool when they come from Santa—especially when given extra thought to favorite characters, colors, etc. instead of just the regular “whatever is on sale” goods.
• Battery operated toothbrushes (bonus points for buying one with favorite characters)
• Kid-friendly toothpaste
• Flavored flossers
• Organic lip balm
• Colorful, patterned, or character Band-Aids
• Body wash or shaped soap (even better if there’s glitter or fun colors)
• Non-toxic bathtub paint or crayons
• Non-toxic, fun, fizzy bath bombs
• Brush or comb
• Roll up hooded bath towels to fit in stockings
• Socks
• Underwear
• Winter wear—hats, gloves, scarves
• Hand/feet warmers for inside gloves or boots
• Cozy winter pajamas
• Water bottles
For the Little Ladies
• Small nail polish
• Hair ties, ribbons, headbands—local dollar stores often have a wide selection of these!
• Books
• Small Lego sets (there are so many varieties to meet every girl’s personality now!)
• A locking diary
• Age appropriate jewelry (those super cute charm bracelets from the 80s are back in style, and the girls are eating them up!)
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) kits —not just for boys! Girls love these educational activities, too.
• Small purse or coin purse
• Miniature dolls or animals
• Kid-friendly lotions made with a coconut oil base
• Glow sticks with connectors for making jewelry
For the Little Guys
• Wallet
• Yo-yo—this light-up one is super awesome!
• Small Lego sets
• Card games like Uno, Skip-Bo, etc.
• Rubiks cube
• STEM kits like this cool one!
• Slime making ingredients (this recipe is a favorite around here, and so easy to make!)
• Hexbugs
• Matchbox cars
• Watch
• Books
• Small flashlight or lantern
Snacks
What is a Christmas morning without a few snacks in the kids’ stockings? After all, the kiddos have had visions of sugar plums dancing in their sweet little heads all night! We’ve compiled a list of (mostly) healthy, and perhaps some unusual, snacks.
Also Read : The Ultimate Twin Cities Christmas Event List
• Organic lollipops like these from YumEarth Organics
• Flavored popcorn
• Hot cocoa mix or K-cups
• Sugar-free gourmet gum, sweetened with Xylitol
• Organic peanut butter cups
• Gourmet gummy bears or worms
• 100% fruit leather strips
• Organic gingerbread cookie mix, along with a variety of cookie cutters and decorations
• Cane sugar-sweetened peppermint candy canes
For Your Artist
• Crayons
• Markers—if you buy the smelly kind, they’ll love you (er, Santa) even more!
• Colored pencils
• Watercolor Paints
• Non-toxic finger paints
• Stickers
• Colored paper or cardstock
• Paintbrushes
• Coloring books—kids enjoy using the “adult” coloring books, too!
• Modeling clay
• Play-doh
• Glitter or sequins
• Foam craft project kits
• Googly eyes
• Chalk or chalk markers
• Fabric markers and clothing to decorate, like this set from Crayola
Experiences
When buying last minute stocking stuffers, keep in mind that experiences are always a fan favorite when it comes to kids! You’ve read the lists of non-junk “stuff” above. Now consider giving a gift of memories as well! Tickets and gift cards easily slip right into stockings. A couple of bucks goes a long way in most of the places listed below!
• Ice cream, yogurt or smoothie shops
• Movie theaters
• Coffee shops (for fancy cups of cocoa, of course)
• Candy shops
• Favorite restaurants
• Local children’s museums
• Amusement parks
• Zoo memberships
• Tickets to a favorite live show
• Tickets to a local sporting event
Christmas is sneaking up in a hurry! Now you can avoid all the extra stress and all the junk that typically comes along with shopping for kids’ stocking stuffers. Screenshot this page, or print it off, and hit up your favorite store or website for a much more relaxed stocking stuffing experience this year!