The holiday season is a magical time to be a kid. But for adults, it can be pretty stressful. Between finishing up work projects before the end of the quarter and traveling long distances to see family and friends, it’s enough to make anyone feel a little overwhelmed.
But among all those seasonal stresses, shopping for the kids on your list is often the hardest part. What do you buy your pre-teen nephew you haven’t seen since he was in diapers? Your stepdaughter who only communicates via emojis? Your toddler grandkids who would rather chew on your toys than play with them? If you want to preserve the magic of the season for all the little ones on your list, we've rounded up the best stocking stuffers for kids of all ages. And if your child is a bit older, check out The 30 Best Gifts for College Students.
Best Life's editors have scoured the internet to bring you the best products out there, and we're hoping you'll love them as much as we do. Full disclosure: we may earn a commission for anything you purchase through links on this page, but that doesn't mean you'll pay more for them (we'd never do that to you!). Pricing and availability are accurate as of the piece's initial publication date, but it's the internet and we can't guarantee that these sweet, sweet deals will last forever, so scoop them up before someone else does!
1 | This personalized coloring book
Uncommon GoodsResearch suggests that coloring can reduce anxiety, enhance creativity, and even help improve focus. So, if you’ve got a stressed out tween or teen on your list, look no further than this customizable coloring book—you can even add a personalized message and their name for some serious Brownie points. And for some perfect presents for the parents in your life, check out these 17 Amazing Gifts For Mom That Will Make Her Year.
2 | This hot chocolate kit
Uncommon GoodsNothing’s better than hot chocolate on a cold winter afternoon. Featuring flavors like peanut butter cup, peppermint, and salted caramel, this kit comes with eight single-serving cocoa sticks that you stir into milk. They’ll have so much fun making the hot cocoa that they may even make you one—win win! And for those people who seem to have everything, check out these 25 Amazing Gifts for the Hardest-to-Shop-for People in Your Life.
3 | This fast-paced ninja game
Fat Brain ToysKnow a kid who can’t stop moving? In this high-speed game of quick reflexes, each player has three colorful ribbons attached to their wristband—your goal is to snatch their ribbons before they grab yours.
4 | These awesome foldable dinosaurs
EtsyFor the little one who knows an ankylosaurus from an iguanodon, these sturdy paperboard dinosaurs are the perfect gift. They're even connected by paper joints, meaning no messy glue to clean up! The Dinosaur Trio pack comes with a T. Rex, brontosaurus, and a triceratops, ideal for any kind of dino lover on your list.
5 | These colorful bath letters
TargetMake bath time more fun (and educational!) with these brightly-colored foam letters and numbers. Made from non-toxic foam, they stick to the bathtub when wet, but dry out quickly (meaning you won’t be peeling them off for years to come). And for more amazing gifts from the Bullseye, check out the 20 Best Gifts from Target.
6 | This personalized box of crayons
EtsyFor the burgeoning O’Keeffe or Picasso, gift this personalized box of crayons spelling out their name. These unique rainbow crayons are nestled in a gift box that comes tied with red and white twine, making this gift just as fun for them to open as it is to play with.
7 | This bar of astrology soap
Uncommon GoodsShopping for a teen who always knows when Mercury is in retrograde? This is the gift for them. These whimsical bars of soap are based on notable traits of each sign, from Capricorn’s bossiness to Virgo’s hyper-organization.
8 | This personalized ABC book
Uncommon GoodsInspire your gift recipient to dream big with this personalized ABC book. From A to Z, 26 possible jobs (astronomer, baker, carpenter, etc.) are delightfully illustrated with your child's likeness.
9 | This hilarious drawing game
Uncommon GoodsThis hilarious, fast-paced drawing game requires contestants to respond to silly prompts like “Draw a laughing squid talking on a cell phone while sitting in a bathtub.” Whoever wins keeps the card, and the player with the most cards wins!
10 | This portable waterproof speaker
AmazonThis highly-rated portable waterproof speaker will be a hit with just about everyone, but it’s especially good for the kid who loves hiking, camping, going to the beach, and doing other outdoor activities that would be enhanced with some bumpin’ jams.
11 | This fun magnetic putty
Uncommon GoodsIt's not your average slime, but this magnetic putty is perfect for the middle-schooler who loves science. Made with micron-sized iron-based particles, this putty takes on magnetic properties when placed in proximity to the included Neodymium Iron Boron magnet. Show them how it lift tacks and paperclips on its own and you'll become that favorite aunt or uncle in no time.
12 | This scrunchie set
EtsyThe '90s are back in a big way, so if you’ve got a stylish tween or teen on your list, they’ll definitely appreciate these neutral velvet hair scrunchies. They’re soft, comfortable, durable, and available in a four-pack of gray, white, nude, and black, meaning there's one that matches virtually any outfit.
13 | This Dr. Seuss snow globe
Things Remembered
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” This customizable snow globe will remind your gift recipient how special they are. This adorable stocking stuffer is ideal for little ones who love Dr. Seuss’s rhyming stories, but it's also sure to bring a tear to the eye of high school seniors ready to take that next big step.
14 | These classic Montessori wooden toys
EtsyFor the teething baby on your list, these gorgeous handmade wooden toys promote fine and gross motor development. They're perfect for babies two months and older who like grasping, rattling, and shaking things with their adorably chubby little hands and are sure to keep them occupied for hours at a time.
15 | This smart paper airplane
Uncommon GoodsFor the kid who is obsessed with planes, rocket ships, and drones, gift this smartphone-controlled paper airplane. First, fold the durable carbon fiber paper using one of the included templates, attach the Bluetooth-enabled device, download the app, and watch this baby go—it reaches speeds up to 25 MPH!
