53 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids and Grandkids

Recently I was with my grandchildren, and they received a prize for doing a scavenger hunt in a State Park. We were all expecting a bag of candy for their reward. But instead, they received 5 or 6 items, none of which were edible.

That got me thinking about stocking stuffers. In the past, I gave my children some candy. I bought the chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, a Lifesaver book, and maybe a candy cane. Yes, my children were excited to get candy, but would they be more excited if I gave them items that would not be gone in a few minutes? Things they could play with for weeks, months, maybe longer.

So I came up with a list of ideas for you to consider. At the time of this writing, it is only Fall, and too early to think of Christmas. No, it isn’t. And picking up a few stocking stuffers when you see them will save you time in the end. Who wants to be spending Christmas Eve looking for five stocking stuffers for each of your children or grandchildren? It’s possible to pick some of them up in the front of the store at the checkout. Stores that I would suggest you shop at include Hobby Lobby, Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, and Dollar Tree.

Stocking stuffer ideas that even Grandma would approve

1. Yoyo. Children can have a lot of fun learning how to use a yoyo and how to do tricks with one. Recently America’s Got Talent had an amazing guy doing yoyo tricks. If your children happened to see that on television, that might have been asking for a yoyo. This guy used more than one at a time, and he had tricks I’ve never seen a person do before. Maybe add a book of yoyo tricks in their stocking to give them guidance.
2. A cute notebook. These are small with something like a Dog or Cat on the cover. They are great for the child to practice their writing skills or to draw a picture with crayons.
3. A fancy pencil or two. Those plain yellow Number 2 pencils are normal. Give them something with a little more character. Places to check would be Target, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby. At Hobby Lobby, I was talked into buying pencils with things on the end by my granddaughter. Their choices were a hamburger, a bag of fries, a pineapple, and a few other items. They also had pencils with colorful feathers on the end. At Target, they have Christmas pencils in their $1 to $5 section in the front at Christmas time and other things at other times of the year.
4. Or a new pack of crayons. After a while, crayons get broken, and the paper wrapper comes off, and they don’t get a child excited about coloring. A pack of new crayons, whether 24 or 48, will fit easily in a Christmas stocking.
5. Colored pencils. Older children would prefer these over crayons.
6. A new deck of playing cards. How special that would be if your grandchild had their very own deck of new cards for playing solitaire, War, Hearts, or other games that they love? No more asking Mom where a deck of cards is.
7. Or a deck of cards for a specific game like Uno, Go Fish, Old Maid, etc. Games they can play with siblings or friends.
8. Books. I’m thinking about those little books that fit in a purse or pocket for small children. Or a paperback for older children. This may be too expensive for a stocking stuffer, but a series of books like A to Z Mysteries, The Boxcar Children, and The Magic Treehouse makes a great gift. You could put the first of the series in the stocking with a note saying the rest of the books are under the tree or some other place.
9. A fancy bookmark. Every child needs a few bookmarks since they tend to lose them on occasion.
10. Pocket knife. This has to be age appropriate for the child. The child should learn some safety rules before giving them a knife. If you have a child or grandchild in Scouts, they may need one eventually.
11. A compass. This may be something that comes in handy. Plus, children are fascinated by learning how to use a compass.
12. Lip balm. This is especially nice in a cold, windy area where lips dry out often. And it’s always special to have your own. Especially a flavored or scented one. Consider Burt’s Bees or ChapStick.
13. A pack of baseball cards, Pokemon cards, or something else. My grandsons have hit the age when they collect baseball cards. A few packs thrown in their stocking would be a great surprise.
14. Bubble bath. Kids love taking bubble baths, especially little girls.
15. Gift cards. The older they get, the more they will appreciate a gift card. Suggestions: Target, Chick-Fil-a, Hobby Lobby, McDonald’s, Burger King, Amazon, Krispy Kreme, movie theater, ice cream/frozen yogurt place, ITunes, Build-a-Bear (Discounted cards at Costco), Chuck E. Cheese, and In-N-Out-Burgers.
16. Fancy socks. Christmas socks or other decorated socks.
17. Bottle of bubbles. The kind they blow through a wand.
18. Hair bows or scrunchies. Another girl’s delight.
19. New brush or comb. I would suggest this to be a character they know. Like the girls from Frozen. Spider-man.
20. Harmonica or kazoo. Encourage them to become interested in playing a musical instrument.
21. Fancy key chain. This is nice for pretend or when they need to bring a house key with them.
22. Kid nail polish. If my oldest granddaughter had her way, she would be wearing this every day, so maybe buy a few bottles.
23. Sunglasses. Bright colors like orange, yellow, and pink make them easy to know which pair is yours as opposed to your sibling’s.
24. Play-Doh. A can or two of different colors.
25. Bouncing ball. One of those hard balls that bounces really high. Outside toy.
26. Glitter markers. This is something newer, so it’s possible your grandchildren don’t have any.
27. Wallet. Every child likes to carry their own money when they go shopping. Mom will have to make sure they don’t bring too much money or lose their wallet.
28. Chalk. For a chalkboard or outside on the sidewalks and driveway.
29. Jump Rope. A skill every child should learn.
30. Spinning top. This is a great toy that can be played with, even when a child is at home with no friends or siblings.
31. Stocking cap. Handmade is even more special.
32. Mittens or gloves. Great for winter play or a day in the snow.
33. Balsa wood airplane. We used to get these as kids, and we gave them to our kids. The last place I’ve seen them was in Ace Hardware. I hope they are still being sold.
34. A sleeve of golf balls. Or a baseball, tennis balls, or whiffle balls.
35. Tickets. Tickets to the zoo, roller skating, sports event, indoor trampoline park, etc.
36. A stick of beef jerky. Or another snack food.
37. Small rubix cube. For hours of entertainment, or maybe frustration.
38. Hand-Held electronic games. I would suggest Target or Walmart.
39. Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars and trucks. These are small enough for a stocking but also come in so many cool designs.

Grandma likes to give candy, but don’t overdo it

A small amount of candy will be a treat. Old-fashioned hard-to-find candy will be even better. If you plan on giving them candy or would like to give them just one or two candy items, here are some ideas:

1. Bag of coins. Chocolate candy covered in gold foil. These come in different sizes of coins. I’ve seen them at Hobby Lobby.
2. Pez dispenser. This usually comes with two packs of candy. Check Target and Hobby Lobby.
3. Solid or hollow chocolate shapes like Santa, teddy bears, and Christmas trees. Just like Easter bunnies, but not.
4. Roll of Mentos. Look for strawberry, fruit, green apple, grape, cinnamon, chocolate, candy cane, and more flavors.
5. Package of Gummy Bears. Children’s favorite.
6. Package of Jelly Bellies. Older children will like this.
7. Large candy cane. This can be placed sticking out of the stocking as a hint of things to come.
8. Small box of candy: Dots, Mike & Ikes, Sweet Tarts, Good ‘N Plenty, Pop Rocks, etc. Try Dollar Tree for a good selection at a good price.
9. Candy lips and mustaches. You might need to go to a specialty candy store to find these.
10. Little League Chew Bubble Gum. These are a great size to throw in a stocking. Especially along with some baseball cards.
11. Ring Pop. Every child likes ring pops. They last such a long time.
12. Sugar-Free Lolipop. Their Mom will be happy you chose this.
13. Tootsie Roll Pop. Candy with the chocolate bonus inside.
14. Candy necklace. Girl’s favorite.

I hope these ideas have given you some new ideas for your grandchildren’s Christmas stockings. They are also great ideas for parents, so you might want to share these ideas with your grandchildren’s parent(s).

Do you give your kids or grandchildren stocking stuffers? What do you usually give them? Were any of these ideas helpful? Do you wrap each gift or leave them unwrapped? Please leave me a message below in the reply section.