The Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Shopping Guide

This stocking stuffer guide includes the best mix of art supplies, small games, toys & useful items for kids.

Updated November 2023

Every year it’s the same. Mid-December rolls around and we realize that the month has gotten away from us.

Between work, school events, and holiday parties, we’ve been too busy to do our holiday shopping and still have lots to do in the stocking stuffer and gift department. We always vow that next year (next year!), we’ll get it all together early so this doesn’t happen again.

But for now, to help you get your shopping done, here’s what we consider the perfect stocking stuffer mix. These items are creative, interesting, useful, fun, and small enough to fit in a stocking!

If you’re in this last-minute boat with us, here’s the stocking stuffer guide for you.

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer Mix

Note: This stocking stuffer guide is best for 4-10 year olds.

1-3 Art Supplies

A stocking has to have art supplies! Try 1-3 drawing or art materials, such as a pack of markers or a pack of paint sticks and a small sketchbook.

1 Activity Book

We love to add an activity book, doodle book, sticker book, Mad Libs, or activity pack, rolled up and tied with a ribbon.

2-3 Pieces of Christmas Candy

A few assorted Christmas candy and snack items such as a large candy cane, foil-wrapped Christmas chocolates, Pez, a hot cocoa packet, snack-sized goldfish, gum, or your child’s favorite treat.

1 Small Game

We like to include a small game to play on Christmas day, such as Sushi Go, Spot It, Bananagrams (and here’s the little kid version of Bananagrams).

2-5 Toys

Don’t forget a couple small fun toys such as tiny animals, a slinky, a bouncy ball, light fingers, matchbox cars, play foam, silly putty, or a small stuffed animal.

2-5 Useful Items

And last but not least, a few small and useful objects such as a fun toothbrush, fuzzy socks, a bath bomb, training chopsticks, erasers and pencils, a brush and hair accessories, and silly straws.

So, there you have it. Our definitive, last-minute stocking stuffer shopping guide. Hope this helps you fill your stockings this season!

More Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Holiday Creativity pack!

Let’s celebrate the holidays with all things crafty! Here are 53 pages full of our favorite drawing prompts, creative play ideas, art activities, and more!

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