"...and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care." Still, it's sometimes tempting to consider the stocking stuffers for kids a formality before moving to the "good stuff" under the tree. Truth be told, and writing as a Mom who shops for the aforementioned stocking stuffers for kids, they're sometimes an afterthought even for me. With that in mind, we'd like to bring some joy and creativity back to stocking stuffers for kids! (afflinks)
Here are our family's top picks for stocking stuffers for kids (and kids at heart). They're simple. Fun. QUIET (bonus for highly sensitive kids and parents alike). They're reusable or recyclable, so they're better for the planet. And for extra points, they don't break the bank.
What we love about it: everyone in the family wants a turn with this low-tech, old-fashioned goodness. And
long after the other presents lose their novelty, this one is still slinking around the house (sorry, not sorry). I don't know anyone, young or old, who tires of seeing how far it can stretch and whether it's going to get stuck on the stairs. It's a sure winner in the eternal fun category for stocking stuffers for kids.
What would you think if I told you one of my favorite memories is my entire extended family
putting on fake mustaches together? My cousin's baby kept trying to eat hers from her upper lip, so her Mama turned it into the most hilarious baby-unibrow instead. My then-three-year-old mostly looked concerned about the facial hair everyone had spontaneously sprouted (but seemed unconcerned with her own).
To be clear, wearing goofy things isn't something my family would typically do. That's part of what made it so funny. Before you judge me too harshly, might I suggest you try your own? Handlebar or pencil-style, there's something for
everyone. We reuse them in funny art and craft projects. Caterpillars to glue on projects, anyone?
Remember these stocking stuffers for kids? They're pretty much the ultimate awesome stocking stuffer for kids, word lovers, and aspiring grammarians. I remember one night of playing Mad Libs when the entire family's noun of choice was "pickle." You can only imagine. We were all crying tears of laughter by the end of the game. What a fun way to connect!
(Click the heading for our full list and an easy way to browse.)
Big or small, books are good for developing brains. With all the time we spend on electronics, there's something really special about snuggling up and reading together.
What makes our book list different from many others, though, is that we specifically chose these books because they're "safe" (as my sensitive five-year-old decided). They don't scare anyone in our house, and they have only positive messages. They make wonderful stocking stuffers for kids.
Like that one, others like Rosie Revere, Engineer and It's Okay to Be Different build self-confidence and acceptance (and even address the perfectionist in all of us, like -Ish and The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes). They help us relax and make friends like Scaredy Squirrel did. Some of them have made us laugh with Amelia Bedelia, or think with The Berenstain Bears Big Book of Science and Nature. Some warm our hearts like Mama Seeton's Whistle.
And personally, Zoey & Sassafras is one of my favorite series of books because it covers all those bases. Truth be told, I'm a book snob, and these are the ones that are on my "good list" as stocking stuffers for kids.
And of course, reading The Night Before Christmas has become part of our Christmas morning tradition. Santa would approve!
Although we list some of these in our travel products (they're great for traveling with kids!), we play with them year-
round in our house.They're a solid stocking stuffer for kids because they're a wonderful activity to keep children still for awhile, or a great way to play when somebody's tired or under the weather. They're great for building concentration. Plus, I love how reusable they are.
These 3D wooden puzzles are SUPER cool, as well.
They're great as stocking stuffers for kids, and they also worked great in an advent calendar for us a couple of years ago (we use a "surprise" system for items that are too big for the compartments). Our
kiddo had a fantastic microscope, so we let her STEM skills soar by giving her some new things to examine. Plus, we delivered them in increments rather than all at once, so they lasted awhile. Still now, years later, she looks at them under the same microscope. These were a great investment for us, and in her education.
Although these are a bit more "standard" when it comes to stocking stuffers for kids, they're universally entertaining. Plus, they're great options for the advent calendar, too.
If my child (or my spouse) is going to spend hours lost in staring at something, I'd vote to replace electronics with something like the classic Cube puzzle! I've never solved it personally, but I watched a man sitting next to me on an airplane do "time trials" where he repeatedly solved it in less than a minute. It was incredible to watch. Can you do it? If so, how fast? How about a family challenge?
These are great for when I'm having trouble reading something small (I mean...cough, cough, not me). 
Seriously, though, I had no idea how much use these would get in my house. You'd be amazed how often my child has "had to look at something more closely" and goes to fetch these to help her. She might go for a couple of weeks without using them but ALWAYS remembers them and comes back to them. They were a solid purchase for our house!
Looking for some moments of zen in your playroom (or your kitchen or anywhere else)? This stuff is 
transfixing in the very best way. We all end up playing with it for hours on end. It's a great calm-down activity when it's time to relax post-Christmas hype.
Now, if only I can get my husband to share with my child...we're working on it.
And just in case you're counting days, here's the official countdown. May your Christmas be merry and bright!
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Click here to jump straight to our recommendations for traveling with kids.
Traveling with kids is one of the most important gifts you can give them. By taking your children with you on a trip, you communicate that they’re important and that you value their company. Moreover, travel is beneficial for their developing brains. Traveling with your kids triggers a neurochemical reaction that reduces stress and allows them to refuel emotionally*. It offers an ‘enriched’ environment because everything is new and different, which results in enhanced sensory, cognitive, and motor stimulation**.
But just because it’s important, doesn’t mean it’s easy. Having a well thought out game plan for road trips, flights, and train trips goes a long way to keeping your kids occupied and happy. Plus, time spent traveling is a great environment for learning rather than just "zoning out."
Since your child can't fly the plane himself (nope, no way), we’ve found the next best thing to entertain him: the top five types of travel products that you need for your next trip. We’ve specifically selected practical and inexpensive items that will keep your child entertained for longer periods of time and promote creative thinking for a variety of age ranges.
Our list has something for everyone. It’s a collection of the best travel toys, activities, games, and crafts to keep your kids busy while stimulating their creativity. Whether you’re heading out on a road trip, taking a long-haul flight, or preparing for a train trip, you’ll find some great options for preschoolers, grade school children, and tweens.
When you consider which travel products to pack, you want to consider the following:
Expert tip: It’s a good idea to keep travel toys packed away in a box at home so that when it’s time to take a trip, the products will seem ‘new’ and will have fresh appeal. It also helps to have a couple of new items for each journey that a child can unwrap when you need a distraction, buy some time, or avoid a meltdown.
There are five types of products to consider when planning your next vacation with the kids. The items we’ve listed are designed to encourage creativity and learning, as well as keeping your children occupied for long trips.
Coloring books and crayons were popular with previous generations, and not much has changed. According to Dr. Richard House***, a psychologist specializing in childhood development, coloring books work well to engage children’s creativity. We love these reusable coloring books (afflinks). If your child will have access to a tray table (such as in a train or on a plane), choose a pack of crayons where the crayons won't roll off. Crayola’s triangular crayons are ideal for this. And if you want to keep your kids and their things a little more contained (and perhaps cleaner), this activity tray is fantastic.
For older kids, coloring can still be a great way to pass the time on a trip. Washable markers and a couple of travel-size books in which to draw will keep them entertained for hours.
We also really like these magnetic drawing boards for a super easy option.
There is a wide range of craft activities to choose from, and the best options will vary depending on the child’s age and interests. It’s important to stick to a budget with crafts as the costs can quickly add up. Some inexpensive suggestions include stickers and lacing boards for younger kids and bead kits for grade schoolers.
For preschoolers, sticker books are a no-mess option for long travel days. Plus, they're great for developing fine motor skills. We've played with these reusable stickers for hours on end. These are fun when we're feeling wild.
Lacing boards like this one are a compact activity that works well for young kids in enclosed spaces. They’re good for developing fine-motor control and are an excellent addition to your travel bag, as they’re small and light-weight. Although they appear to be for younger kids, ours have asked for them repeatedly on trips over the years. There must be something cathartic about them, at least in our kids' minds.
Although bead kits contain small pieces and pieces that can get lost, our kids have spent hours on end stringing paper clips together. If you get colorful ones like these, they can come up with all sorts of designs and creative DIY crafts. Amazing, huh? Plus, if you happen to lose one, it's just a paper clip, so nothing irreplaceable.
Depending on the age of your child, there are a number of games that work well for long travel days. Games encourage creativity as they require problem-solving and decision making. For little kids, we like ones where parts can't get lost, such as this magnetic maze.
Remember the card games you used to play growing up? They haven’t lost their appeal and kids as young as 4 or 5 can participate. Teach your kids to play Old Maid, Crazy Eights and Go Fish, and they’ll be hooked. And all you need to do is remember to pack a deck of cards.
For older kids, travel versions of popular games such as checkers, hangman, and tic-tac-toe can keep them entertained for hours (especially if you are willing to play with them). Chess in particular significantly improves critical and creative thinking skills****.
Books are a must-have for any vacation with kids and can inspire curiosity and an understanding of the world around them. Consider where you’re traveling to, do some research and select a couple of books they'll enjoy. Books about the places you're going can be fun, too.
If your children grade-school age or older but not enthusiastic readers, they might enjoy creating their own stories or keeping journals of their holiday.
Puzzles are great for creativity. They build cognitive skills, encourage problem-solving, fine motor development and hand-eye coordination. Generally, they are not a good option for travel, but magnetic options designed specifically for travel will keep your kids (and you!) entertained for hours. Our children spend hours on this magnetic travel-themed puzzle, this construction puzzle, and of course, this unicorn puzzle.
Whether you’re planning the holiday of a lifetime or a local weekend away with your kids, it helps to be prepared. You'll find the rest of our travel recommendations for safety and entertainment here on this page.
Wise people have said that it's not about the destination; it's about the journey. We'd like your journey to be fun!
We’d love to hear from you. Let us know if there are any great travel products that you’d recommend for traveling with kids!
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Sources:
*https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/the-science-behind-how-holidays-make-your-child-happier-and-smarter/
**https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nan.12102
***https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/18/health/coloring-books-pros-cons/index.html
****http://www.scholasticchess.mb.ca/docs/ciers.pdf