101 Stocking Stuffers for Kids

Learn my best tips for collecting stocking stuffers for kids and fill your kids’ stockings with fun, unique and budget friendly items. There are over 100 kids stocking fillers on this list – small gifts and treasures that will be just as memorable and meaningful as the big stuff. 

Stocking stuffer ideas for kids

Are you tired of spending money on junk just to fill up your kids’ stocking? I have become an expert stocking filler over the last 20 years and I’m here to share my greatest tips, tricks and go-to gifts! 

I’m talking practical, useful and meaningful items that they won’t just be used once and buried in the sock drawer. 

Finding the perfect stocking stuffers for kids can be challenging. I mean let’s face it – some people don’t fill stockings because it’s hard to come up with a bunch more ideas and money for little gifts when the big ones are already under the tree.

And then there’s the issue with making everything fit in that little furry sock. 

What traditionally goes in a stocking?

A Christmas stocking is an empty sock that’s hung on your fireplace mantel, wall or door that is left out in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. When Santa Claus arrives on Christmas Eve, he fills it with small toys, candy, fruits, coins, or other small gifts. 

Filling stockings for my kids is arguably one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I love coming up with ideas for kids stocking fillers that I know they will love and that fit their personalities, choosing their special ornament for the tree each year, and picking out some of their favorite treats to include. The joy on their faces when pulling out those little treats and trinkets is better than seeing what Santa left under the tree.

Tips for Choosing the Best Stocking Stuffers for kids

• Budget. You don’t want to break the bank on stocking stuffers so setting a budget will help keep you on track. Use our free printable Christmas Planner to get started. 
• Make a list. I know this was a big tip in my 2020 Holiday Gift Guide, but it’s not any less true now. 
• Pay attention. What’s that? Listen to your kids! Anything they mention could be something you can jot down as a stocking stuffer idea. Just things that kids talk about in passing can be super meaningful when it comes to stuffing that sock. 
• Collect things year round. One of my simple pleasures is getting a quarterly subscription box from Fab Fit Fun. It’s got all kinds of goodies for hair and makeup, clothes and other goodies as well as opportunities to score product at 70% off several times a year. What I can’t use goes into the Christmas box. Same for makeup samples I get when buying my beauty supplies. These work really well for my older girls. Keep your eyes peeled for little things you see at the store, and things your kids are playing with at the checkout aisle.
• Check the dollar bins. Lots of big box stores like Target, Walmart and even Michaels have budget aisles. The Dollar Tree is a great place to look, too. 
• Throw in some candy as filler. Everyone loves candy. My grandma always used to put an orange in our stockings for tradition. For us it’s chocolate santas.
• Whatever doesn’t fit in their stocking can be saved as small prizes to use throughout the year for good behavior, grades, etc.
• Add sample or mini sizes of things like body wash and soap, things they actually need. Kids love cute little mini versions of their favorite things.
• Don’t wait until midnight Christmas Eve to see if it all fits! Do a dry run a week or a few days before.

101 Kids Stocking Fillers

I’ve pulled together this amazing list based on items that have been a hit in my kids’ stockings over the years, and things I wish I’d thought of. There are a lot of links to specific items, and also just a bunch of ideas that you can find at just about any big box store. Have fun shopping!

1. Chocolate Santas
2. Their favorite snack in mini size, like Goldfish, Cookies, Nuts and Fruit snacks
3. Their favorite candy, full size or mini
4. Jolly Rancher Candy canes
5. Gum or mints
6. Holiday themed treats
7. Chocolate Reindeer Poop
8. Paint brushes
9. Watercolor sets
10. Flair Thin Felt Markers
11. Scented Pencils
12. Small Notepads
13. Finger paints
14. Erasers
15. Invisible Ink Pens
16. Beads
17. Pipe Cleaners
18. Popsicle Sticks
19. Purple Glue Sticks
20. Craft Foam Shapes
21. Kwik Stix Tempura Painting Sticks
22. Tattoo Pens
23. Kinetic Sand
24. A new ornament for the tree
25. Novelty games
26. Candy Filled Candy Cane shapes
27. Christmas socks
28. Cheap holiday toys (tops, ball mazes, etc.)
29. Socks
30. Sunglasses
31. Charm Necklace
32. Lip Smackers Balm
33. Gloves
34. Scarf
35. Hair ties, scrunchies and clips
36. T-shirt with favorite character
37. Super Hero Masks
38. Small Toy cars
39. Small packs of Legos
40. Bouncy Balls
41. Pokemon Cards
42. Rhino Hero Card Game
43. Uno
44. Mini Baby Yoda
45. Monkey Foam
46. MagMen Magnets
47. Rubiks Cube
48. Japanese Kendama
49. Fart Whistle
50. Scalp Massager
51. Silly drinking straw glasses
52. 32 Ways to Dress Baby Animals Activity Book
53. Jumprope
54. Sidewalk Chalk
55. Harmonica
56. Whistles
57. Bubbles
58. Balloon Animal Kit
59. Jelly Bean Boozled Game
60. Fingerlings
61. Small Books
62. Flash cards
63. Magazine subscription (We love National Geographic Kids!)
64. Calculator
65. Trivia games (Like BrainQuest)
66. Wendy’s Frosty’s gift certificates (supports the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation)
67. Stickers
68. Tattoos
69. Cash/Coins
70. Movie Tickets
71. Video games
72. Wallet
73. Silly Bandz
74. Mini Speakers
75. Playdough (get a recipe to make your own here)
76. Silly Putty
77. Silly String
78. Rubber duckies
79. Mini stuffed animals
80. “Just add water” growing capsules
81. Nail polish
82. Coupon book with dates with mom, etc.
83. Small Flashlight
84. Domino
85. Multi-colored pens
86. Band-aids
87. Mini plastic animals
88. Post-it notes
89. Washi tape
90. Finger Puppet Playset
91. Brush or comb
92. Magic tricks
93. Earbuds
94. Crazy socks
95. Hand squirrel
96. Slap bracelets
97. Collections (rocks, coins, etc)
98. Character toothbrush
99. Yummy smelling soap/body wash
100. Lotion
101. Character Underwear (little kids love this!)

Gift cards to their favorite store, fast food or ice cream always make a great gift, no matter their age.  

Got Teens? Check out our ultimate Stocking Stuffer Guide for Teens and Tweens!

We’ve also got tons of free printables for Christmas:

• Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags with Watercolors
• Chalkboard & Plaid Christmas Gift Tags
• Free Printable Rustic and Plaid Gift Tags

Check one more thing off your list with these simple and easy Stocking Stuffer Ideas for kids! So many kids stocking fillers to choose from! Do you have any ideas you’d add to the list? Leave me a comment below!