It's officially that time of year! Kids are making their lists and checking them twice as Santa has begun conducting his annual quality assurance checks to see who's been naughty or nice. In addition to shopping for the perfect gifts for family and friends, finding the best stocking stuffers for kids has also become a top priority this holiday season.
While older kids have Christmas lists that make it easier to pinpoint what they want, it can be a little more difficult to identify the best stocking stuffers for toddlers and younger kids. This holds particularly true when it comes to figuring out the best stocking stuffers for 1-year-olds to 3-year-olds since they're still a bit too young to request gifts for the holidays.
If you're on the hunt for the best stocking stuffers for kids and don't know where to start, you've come to the right place! We've got you covered with this gift guide that has the top stocking stuffer ideas for kids of all ages. The best part is that all of the gifting options here are under $30, and there are even some hot toys under $10. It certainly doesn't get much merrier than that!
Cheap stocking stuffers (under $10!) | Trending stocking stuffers for kids | Stocking stuffers for 1-year-olds and toddlers | Best stocking stuffers for kids
Cheap stocking stuffers for kids (under $10!)
Nee Doh Noodlies
At just under $4, we think you and your kid will get a lot of mileage from sinking your hands into this bucket of "noodles" by Nee Doh. The set of five "noodles" are not only colorful, but also calming to stretch and play with. Plus, they aren't sticky and don't make a mess.
Pokémon Cards
Pokémasters of all skill levels won't be able to pass up some new Pokémons to add to their deck (and you won't be mad at the affordable price tag to make them happy). Whether they've been trying to catch a Charizard, Snorlax or Eevee, they're bound to find a few valuable surprises inside.
Personalized Name Crayons
These personalized crayons (also an Etsy's Pick!) are thoughtful and useful. Starting at just $5 for a letter, they'll love taking ownership of their very own customized crayons.
Ridiculously Cute Stickers for Kids
Who doesn't love putting stickers everywhere? This bestselling assortment gives them over 1,000 fun, quirky sticker options to play around with.
Fashion Fidgets
If they're fans of fidget toys, they'll probably love this fashionable iteration. Landing on Toy Insider's 12 Under $20 list last year, each doll (there are 18 in all!) includes at least three sensory features and features a keychain to hook it onto their backpack.
Jaciya Hair Elastic Scrunchies
Any girl will tell you, there is no such thing as too many stickers or too many scrunchies. This classic hair tie is fun and functional and blazing a triumphant return. The six-pack comes in a variety of colors perfect for your girl's daily wardrobe change.
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Game and Learn Controller
Perfect for the littlest gamer in your circle (or the toddler who keeps turning your remotes into toys), this Fisher-Price controller gives them all the buttons and toggles they love playing with. Little will they know this STEM toy will be teaching them hand-eye coordination, dexterity and other critical fine motor skills.
Ring Pop Party Pack
You won't be a sucker when it comes to gifting this holiday season, because what kid doesn't love a Ring Pop? Featuring timelessly sweet flavors like blue raspberry, berry blast and watermelon, leave a few at the bottom of their stocking or give them the whole lot to enjoy at their own leisure. (For some, that bag will be done within 24 hours!)
Sugarfina Snow Buddies Gummy Candies
A stocking isn't complete without a sweet treat, and these strawberry-flavored snowman gummies from Sugarfina are appropriately themed for the occasion. These gummies are also available in Christmas tree and penguin shapes.
Kittens vs. Gherkins
What could be cuter than dueling cats and pickles? Sweet kittens and lil' gherkins! Each baby-themed mystery bag features two soft, bean-filled plushies along with blankets to tuck them in during bedtime.
Bluey Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring Book
Budding young artists love to color, but it could get messy very quickly. Crayola stops hard-to-wash scribbles in their tracks with their mess-free Color Wonder sets, where marker colors only appear on the pages and off the walls and floors.
Nose Pencil Sharpeners
Speaking of immature, this little bugger is right up there. A pencil sharpener that looks like a nose, your kids will think it’s hilarious, and it actually has a useful educational purpose. Take the win!
Hape Blues Harmonica
You may hate me for this suggestion on Christmas morning, but when your child is the next Steven Tyler in 20 years, all will be forgiven. This 10-hole wooden harmonica comes in eight vibrant colors and is a great starter instrument for your fledgling musical genius.
L.O.L. Surprise Fashion Show Dolls
Each includes a L.O.L. Surprise doll, stickers and accessories in one tiny surprise package. They'll never grow bored of the many outfits they can create.
Kanoodle
This isn't your typical brain-teasing puzzle — for starters, it's a huge TikTok phenomenon! Its hashtag currently has over 633 million views, with players young and old taking on over 200 challenges testing one's problem solving and critical thinking skills.
MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Lifestyle
Great for play or as a collector's item, each ball (a Toy Insider 12 Under $20 inclusion!) features five miniature replicas of home decor and lifestyle pieces. From succulents to mini candles and aquariums, this stocking stuffer is sure to amuse them (and probably their parents).
Scentco Holiday Smencils
Festive in both appearance and scent, these adorable No. 2 pencils — made out of recycled newspapers — are essenced with traditional holiday aromas like candy cane, gingerbread and sugar plum.
Trending stocking stuffers for kids
Jellycat Jolly Gingerbread
Reviewers love this oh so fluffy stuffed plushie that will help to keep spirits alive even when the holiday is over. The brand notes that this plush is suitable for newborns and infants alike, as it has passed toy safety standards.
With embroidery meant to mimic icing on the cookies, Fred's counterpart, Ruby, is also available and dressed for the season with plaid accessories.
The Pencil Grip Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paints
These quick-drying paint pens promise all the fun of painting without all the mess, so both creative kids and parents can rejoice. The set of 24 nontoxic pens come in 12 colors, and they're so easy to clean that they can be taken anywhere, said many reviewers. "This creates a lovely 'paint effect' not seen with markers [and] the colors are brilliant," raved one of them.
Lego Wintertime Polar Bears
Polar bears on skis? We can't believe our eyes either, but Lego always finds a way to make the impossible possible with their thoughtful kits. This minibuild is ideal for kids ages 9+ and comes with 312 pieces to create their own wintry escapade.
Crayola Wixels Unicorn Activity Kit
Blending classic creativity with a modern techie feel, Crayola's Wixels set features two color maps to create a whimsical unicorn or any other design their heart's set on. They'll never know they're also practicing essential life skills like concentration, focus and patience in the process!
Fingerlings
Also landing on Toy Insider's 12 Under $20 list this year, these fuzzy, fingertip-hugging creatures will become your youngster's newest BFF. Each one makes over 70 sounds and reactions and can react to their touch.
TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie
Currently one of the bestselling toys on Amazon, these little turtle plushies went viral on TikTok, racking up more than 56 million views. Not only are they super cute, but kids can use them to show their moods without saying a word by flipping between the angry and happy faces.
Magic Mixies Mixlings
The little sibling of one of last year's hottest toys, Magic Mixies, has made quite the name for itself since being released a few seasons ago. Inside each miniature cauldron, you'll find a bright-eyed Mixling (there's 40+ to discover!) that's eager to unleash its magical power with the flick of the accompanying wand.
Treasure X Monster Gold Monster Coffin
A lot of these toy picks were highly recommended by Toy Insider, including this one! Your child will love discovering what's lying inside the coffin, mixing up some gooey slime and watching their monster come to life.
Sloomoo Institute Virtual Reality Slime
Playing with slime has remained a big internet trend, so if they like getting their hands dirty, stick this VR-inspired jar in their stocking. The black and green hues and surprise game-inspired charms are cool to look at, but they'll mostly be obsessed with touching, stretching and inevitably drizzling the "light, airy, fluffy" cloud dough slime.
Color My Bath
Make bath time fun with this multicolored set of 300 fizzy tablets. All they need to do is drop their favorite color into the water or mix and match to create new ones and watch them fizz. Better yet, these won't stain the tub or your towels, and they come in eco-friendly packaging.
Liquipen Fidget Toy
Speaking of pens, these ones, which were labeled Amazon's Choice under "liquid pens," double as sensory toys. Not only do they write, but your child will also be soothed by watching the colorful bubbles move like mini lava lamps.
Exploding Minions
Stuart, Bob, Kevin and the rest of the Minions are on a rampage — and your family can get in on all the fun! This iteration of the award-winning Exploding Kittens series has many of the same hijinks and action they may already be familiar with, except with an extra "Despicable Me" twist.
Lego Dots Message Board Craft Decoration Kit
Let them get in touch with their creative side with this customizable message board. It comes with over 500 pieces and hanging elements so they can adorn their bedroom door with their final masterpiece.
Santa Claws Pusheen Squish Pillow Stuffed Animal
Decked out with a Santa hat and a bag that resembles one full of toys, this stuffed animal cat will always remind children of the holiday season. Reviewers "completely adore" this stuffed animal, as children everywhere have been obsessed with the soft, squishy and "cute" plush toys.
Shashibo Shape Shifting Box
This bestselling award-winning toy just look like an ordinary cube, but just wait until their fidgety hands get a hold of it! We bet they'll spend hours trying to nail the 70+ shapes it's capable of becoming.
House of Rounds Custom Blankets
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Best stocking stuffers for 1-year-olds and toddlers
Robbear Baby Teething Toy
Anyone with a 1-year-old can tell you just how much they love playing with the remote control and putting things in their mouths. This teether brings the best of those things together, offering a toy that's both entertaining and soothing.
ALASOU Suction Cup Spinner Toys
These suction cup spinner toys can be attached to a baby's highchair or other hard surfaces and can be removed and replaced with no commitment. A fun and affordable stocking stuffer for 1-year-olds, this 3-piece set helps build hand/eye coordination while keeping little ones occupied.
Gap Toddler Cashsoft Doble Pom Beanie
Imagine how cute your toddler's going to look in this double-pom beanie from the Gap. Made of plush cotton and nylon, it is thick and cozy enough to keep them warm on chilly days.
Kids Chef Apron
This kids' chef apron is the perfect stocking stuffer for 3-year-olds and children up to 6 years of age. It features a front pocket for utensils and can be embroidered with your kid's name for a personalized touch. Made of durable cotton, this apron is machine washable for easy care between uses. There's also a chef's coat and hat available if you're going for the full look.
Crayola My First Palm Grip Crayons
Crayola's My First Palm Grip crayons make babies' first experience with coloring and drawing a breeze. This set offers six different colored egg-shaped crayons that are easy for baby to grasp and scribble with.
Bombas Toddler Gripper Slippers
These cozy slippers from the popular sock brand Bombas will be a real delight for parents of toddlers. They help keep you little one's feet warm and protected, offering a plush liner, double padded sole and gripper bottoms so they won't slip as they toddle around the house.
Alpine Muffy Ear Protectors
These ear protectors are an awesome stocking stuffer gift for toddlers and parents alike. They offer noise blocking to protect hearing along with a soft no-fuss headband. The brand notes that this product is suitable for babies and toddlers up to 36 months and has been tested and proven to reach noise reduction at 23 dB SNR in accordance with both US and EU regulations. It's also BPA-free and made without silicone to prevent allergic reactions and comes with a carrying case for easy travel.
Best stocking stuffers for kids
Uno Disney Princesses
Princesses are up for a game night, too! This regal edition of Uno features some of Disney's most iconic characters — Jasmine! Tiana! Belle! — that'll delight kids of all ages.
Brain Quest Flash Cards
With 750 questions spanning a number of topics, including a new technology subject, these Q and A-style learning cards will keep them occupied during road trips, while waiting for dinner or when wanting to quiz their younger siblings.
Available for pre-K through 6th grade, reviewers say that their children love learning via these decks of cards, oftentimes going through the prompts so fast they have to buy more.
Squishmallows 8-Inch Scented Mystery Plush
Tuck this Squishmallows mystery pack in your kid's stocking and watch their face light up with delight on Christmas morning. A miniature version of the popular Squishmallow plushie, this soft and squishy 8-inch toy is small enough for your children to carry in their backpacks when on the go.
Exploding Hand Soap
As if your child's bathroom wasn't noisy or unhygienic enough, this exploding hand soap will hopefully encourage them to wash their hands every time, and not just whenever they're being reminded to. Little balls of soap will explode in their hands when pressure is added. "It's nice soap and my grandson never skips an opportunity to wash his hands now!," said one reviewer.
Clicker Counter
It doesn't seem like a toy (much less a kids' stocking stuffer) at first glance, but this no-battery-required clicker counter is actually a hit among kids, according to reviewers. And not just because of the fun colors — kids who love counting (this goes up to 9,999!) and fidget toys will get a kick out of this clicker.
"My 7-year-old twin granddaughters LOVED playing with them to the exclusion of wanting to play or open up other gifts!" raved one grandmother who bought them as stocking stuffers.
Guess in 10 Animal Planet
Lions, tigers and bears — oh my! The zoo lover in your life is sure to adore this wild guessing game that tests their knowledge on all kinds of creatures within the animal kingdom.
Camelback Eddy Kids Water Bottle
From polar bears to frogs, construction trucks to rainbows and flowers, ensure your child stays hydrated with a fun water bottle. Stick this in their backpack for extra fuel during lunch, or keep it in the car for long road trips. Either way, you won't have to battle them over getting their recommended H20 intake each day.
LED Unicorn Headlamp
For nights spent camping in the backyard or living room sleepovers in a makeshift fort, gift them this spunky unicorn LED headlamp. With four different modes, including strobe, unicorn sound, constant light and colorful glows, this headlamp is loved by reviewers because of the battery "longevity," and the light is "super bright."
TeeHee Girls Fashion Crew Gift Box
18 pairs of socks may take up the whole stocking, but if you have a sock fan in the house, this may be a huge win! These socks are as cheery as they are cozy. Mix and match the puppy with the kitten, or pair each sock with their intended mates. Either way, your kiddo is set up for sock-sess for almost a whole month of school!
Loom Bands Kit
For the crafty and creative child, gift them kit and watch their imagination do its thing as they create keychains, bracelets or necklaces with rubber bands.
Toothbrushing Turtle Timer
This adorable turtle timer sticks to the bathroom mirror or counter and encourages toothbrushing and oral care. This is one shell of a stocking stuffer!
Melissa & Doug Magic in a Snap! Abracadabra Collection
Your child will master these 10 easy-to-learn magic tricks faster than you can say, “Shazam!” Kit is great for children ages four and up.
Not Parent Approved Card Game
If your family revels in being hilariously immature and appropriately inappropriate, this card game is a great stocking stuffer for kids eight and up. Winner of 10 industry awards, this portable and durable card game promotes giggling, playing well with others and reading from even your most resistant child. All that said, this game is not for every kid and it’s not for every family. The whole thing kicks off with a burping contest and the declaration of the burp boss. If that doesn’t sound fun to you, well then, buuuuuuuurrrrp!
My Audio Pet Scales the Dragon Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Scales' small stature and adorable snarl doesn't make him any less fierce. This pocket-size speaker also delivers high-quality sound and can pair to any media device, thanks to its Bluetooth capabilities.
Nailmatic "Mermaid" Nail Polish Set
These shimmery, water-based nail polish colors are simple to use and easy to clean. Simply use soap and water to gently wash it off the skin. The addition of kid-friendly branding makes these iridescent hues even more fun.
Philips Sonicare for Kids Bluetooth-Connected Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Not every stocking stuffer can be all fun and games, or can they? This electronic toothbrush takes one of your child’s least favorite “chores” and turns it into fun! Connectivity with an interactive app, musical alerts and a built-in brush timer will ensure a thorough and hopefully cavity-free cleaning!
Cards Against Humanity Family Edition
Introduce your children to the family-friendly version of the game that's enjoyed by adults at parties, dinners and more. The same rules apply, but this version instead features zany, random phrases and prompts that are sure to tickle their funny bone.