Welcome to Metropolitan Mama's list of the best stocking stuffers for kids (ages 7-12). I've tried to include a variety of ideas - games, toys, accessories, gear, candy, snacks, and practical things that will actually be used throughout the year. I will update this page yearly with new and unique ideas.
What are pipstickers? We're glad you asked! They are adorable, artistic, miniature stickers on a clear backing. From gummy bears and dinosaurs to avocados and art supplies, there are plentiful themes to choose from.
A fun bandage can perk up any child with a boo-boo in an instant. The circular tubes of panda bear bamboo bandages by PATCH are just the right size for a stocking and have 25 adorable, hypoallergenic bandages inside. As an added benefit, these panda bandages have a coconut oil enriched gauze, which may help to soothe minor grazes, cuts, and bruises.
For an extra-special Christmas treat, add one high-quality chocolate bar to your child's stocking.
Theo Chocolate offers organic, fair trade, and made from scratch chocolates in beautiful packaging and fun special-edition flavors for the holidays!
Dover Publication's miniature sticker books are the perfect stocking stuffer due to their size and artistic appeal. Available in a variety of themes - animals, sports, flowers, fairy tales, etc - these tiny books are affordably-priced ($1.99!) and absolutely adorable.
These "no-rip, super grip" hair ties are taking the haircare world by storm! Available in a number of colors and sizes, TELETIES are lovely to look at (In fact, they are so pretty that they can double as bracelets!) and tough enough to keep stray hairs in place for braids, ponytails, and other styles.
Waboba's hyper-bouncy balls are a kid's dream! Choose the original Moon Ball, Mini Moon Balls, or Glow-in-the-Dark Moon Balls!
They may be hideous, but they're also amazingly aerodynamic! These mini frisbee-like discs fly over 130 feet!
If your kids love trivia, they'll go crazy over the fun question and answer decks by Brain Quest. Each one has between 300-1,500 age-appropriate educational questions. Super fun for restaurants, road trips, or around the dinner table!
Westcott's non-stick craft mat comes rolled up in a rectangular case, which is a great size for stockings. The durable mat is non-stick, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant. Kids can use it to protect surfaces when creating with paint, play-doh, clay, kinetic sand, slime, glue, etc. An adult version is also available for teens and grown-ups who enjoy crafting also.
Re-stocking school supplies in December is a good idea since many items have likely been lost, broken, or worn out. A new, brightly colored ruler is a fun and practical stocking stuffer that can be used for math homework and arts & crafts.
If the girl in your life owns an American Girl doll or another 18-inch doll, consider buying a new set of doll clothes. American Girl has almost any theme you can think up. We have our eye on Luciana's astronaut-inspired outfits for holiday 2019.
For kids who are 8+ and/or reading proficiently, Quiddler is a stocking stuffer sized game, which is receiving rave reviews. The publisher describes it as a "short word game." Be the first to arrange all of your cards into one or more words. Then, watch as the others scramble to play their words against yours! Can also be played as solitaire.
If your child is between 7 and 12, there's a good chance that he or she might need deodorant! Smarty Pits offers fresh scents in appealing containers. Most importantly, their deodorant is aluminum-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and talc-free.
A strong and sharp pair of scissors can be used for so many different projects! Westcott's Titanium Bonded Scissors are 3x harder than steel and rated for heavy use, which means you can use them to cut through boxes, plastic packages, and thick fabric. They even come with a lifetime warranty! This is a great stuffer for kids who make "inventions" out of cardboard - robots, playhouses, costumes, etc.
Stuckonyou has dozens of personalizable stocking stuffers! Be sure to browse their entire collection for inspiration, but we particularly want to draw your attention to the super handy personalized elastic pencil pouch. Available in five different colors, the compact pencil pouch has an elastic strap, which allows it to be easily secured to almost any journal, sketchbook, or novel. Ideal for aspiring writers and artists! ***Be sure to check out the name labels from this brand also. No more lost water bottles and notebooks in 2020!
Kids who regularly write letters to penpals, grandparents, and friends will be thrilled to find sheets of personalized address labels in their stockings. Stuckonyou offers 68 different designs, which are perfect for ages 1-12+.
If you have a dog lover in the house, he or she will love toting school supplies, library books, and other special treasures around in the Dog Everyday Tote. Made proudly in New Hampshire by artist Claudia Pearson.
A handheld pencil sharpener is a super practical gift pick that is sure to be used all year by young writers and artists. Our kids wear out pencil sharpeners quite speedily since they draw every single day so a new one is always appreciated. The Grip Trio Sharpener by Faber-Castell sharpens both jumbo and regular size graphite or colored pencils to a perfect point. Each section has a compartment to contain shavings. Available in Silver (pictured above) and Blackberry.
Kids who spend hours in artistic pursuits will be thrilled to find Pitt Artist Pens by Faber-Castell in their stockings. This set includes four pens, which have a brush nib that works like a paintbrush for wide brush or thin lines. Colors can be layered on paper, canvas, and journals.
Little girls with long hair typically don't appreciate having their hair brushed out due to terrible tangles. Make the chore easier with Fairy Tale's Tangle Tamer Static Free Detangler - available for purchase online or at Target, Walmart, Ulta, and Safeway. Fairy Tale's hair products are free of harsh chemicals, toxins, paragons, and sulfates.
Put this in the category of super useful stocking stuffers. My kids use dry erase markers daily for school assignments, to-do lists, and big drawings on our white board. Even our 3-year-old asks to use dry erase markers regularly to doodle on small boards that are just his size! Consider putting a few new dry erase markers in each stocking (this is a great idea for teachers, entrepreneurs, and teens too!). We've found that the Quartet brand is genuinely reliable and offers bold, dark ink.
The truth is that any kind of tape is a really smart stocking stuffer - scotch tape, duct tape, masking tape, painter's tape, or packing tape (to name a few). What makes Washi Tape extra fun is that you can purchase it in specific themes and colors to match your child's interests. You can find Washi Tape in every color of the rainbow and in countless adorable designs: animals, planets, vehicles, the alphabet, etc.
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What are YOU putting in stockings for kids this year? Tweet me with your ideas!