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If Santa Claus needs some stocking stuffer ideas for kids under the age of 8, here are a few ideas to help him get started filling up that sock.
As parents, you sometimes need ideas on what to put in Christmas stockings for your toddlers and kids! I’m sharing with you some ideas on what to put in boys stockings, girls stockings, as well as everyone else in the family.
Stocking stuffers tend to be secondary to the main gift underneath the family Christmas tree. They are usually small, inexpensive gifts that are placed with others in a Christmas stocking. While a stocking stuffer is one of the more inexpensive items during the holidays, the low price point doesn’t mean it can’t be thoughtful and unique. While it is not a substantial present, it can be very thoughtful and is often used to bring laughter and amusement.
Below, I talk about the folklore behind the stocking stuffer AND give you some ideas on stocking stuffer fillers for kids!
What is the story behind the Christmas stocking?
Stocking stuffers and stocking fillers first appeared in early 1940s.
One of the most popular folklore about why stockings are hung and filled at Christmas goes as follows and dates back to an unknown origin.
A father of three girls who lost his wife was having a tough time making ends meet during the holidays. While his daughters had beauty, he was worried that being poor would make it unlikely that they would marry.
While the townsfolk heard about the family’s struggle, the dad refused any help. Saint Nick heard of this, and in the middle of the night, he slid down their chimney to gift them presents to help them out. Upon coming into their home, he saw their socks hanging from the mantle and filled it with gold coins. Then, he disappeared.
The girls woke up the next morning, and found the gold coins and where delighted! Because he was able to help them out, Saint Nick’s generosity allowed the girl to get married and their father was able to feel good about his daughters being taken care of.
This is the most referenced story of the Christmas stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stocking Stuffers
What traditionally goes into a Christmas stocking?
While the origin of the folklore had Saint Nick stuffing stockings with gold coins, generally small gifts like miniature toys, candy, snacks, and treats typically fill stockings during Christmas.
What do you use for stocking stuffers?
Generally, stocking stuffers are small trinkets and snacks that are inexpensive to fill the stocking.
What is considered a stocking stuffer?
Gifts under $15 that are miniature in size and can fit into a stocking are considered stocking stuffers. As an exception, jewelry is often stuffed in a stocking as a surprise gift.
Stocking Stuffer Toys for Kids
Here are a few ideas on what you can buy for stocking stuffers for the kids in your life! If you scroll down further, I’ve broken out some of the ideas by age and by gender to help guide you on the ages and what developmental phase they are going through so you can give the right stocking stuffer!
Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids by Age
Below, I’ve listed by age from baby to an eight year old on some of the best ideas for stocking stuffers. As a mom with kids in these ranges, I’m sharing some of my thoughts as they grow up so fast! While trinkets are fun, sometimes they aren’t as enduring. I’m going to share with you some of my favorite stocking stuffers that my kids absolutely loved during the holidays!
What can I put in my baby’s stocking for christmas?
If you have a baby under one years old, I will tell you that it will be you or the grandparents opening the stocking for them. I would highly recommend getting teethers, baby stuffies, baby bath toys, and baby puffs as stocking stuffers.
While your baby might not remember what went into their first Christmas stocking, these are some sweet stocking stuffer ideas for your little baby to make Christmas extra special (and so you can use the items year round). It makes for an awesome photo op as well.
I’ve listed out some of my favorite ideas below!
What can I put in my toddler’s stocking for a two year old?
At two years old, your child may be walking and showing a ton of personality! They are full of life, energy, jumping, running and having fun playing. They probably are starting to speak short sentences using words (instead of emotion) to express their feelings. Since your child is becoming more active, stocking stuffer fillers with toys that push, pull or can be thrown are amazing to them.
What you’ll want to look for at this age are toys that provide a small challenge and grow their imagination. Pretend play toys are a great way to foster their imagination.
They’ll definitely be into coloring and showcasing their abilities!
- Girls:play dough,art supplies, coloring book, bubbles, stickers, watch, doll, baby bottle toy, pillow case, sun glasses, dollar store toys
- Boys: play dough, art supplies, bubbles, stickers, action figures, cars, flash cards,barrel of monkeys
What can I put in my three year old’s stocking?
Kids have a longer attention span at three years old, and are excited about the magic and wonder of the world. They are now using most of their senses, so they love to observe others and listen. At this point, they can spend an hour focused on one single activity and thinking about how to provide a solution to a problem.
Stocking stuffers at this age should cultivate different skills through play. For example, picture books, make believe, games, crafts will help tap into these skills as stockign stuffers!
- Girls:play dough,art supplies, coloring book, bubbles, stickers, watch, doll, baby bottle toy, pillow case, sun glasses, dollar store toys
- Boys: play dough, art supplies, bubbles, stickers, action figures, cars, flash cards,barrel of monkeys, shark socks
What can I put in my four year old’s stocking?
At 4 years old, your kids are getting a sense of greater control with the world around them as well as developing a big imagination (just ask them about their dreams). They love trying differen things and their language skills are much stronger. They have already probably mastered climbing and jumping.
Moreover, they have longer attention spans and focus for longer periods on things like action figures, crafts, dolls and so much more. Stocking stuffers that tap into their attention span will be a hit with four year olds as well as parents trying to get more me time.
- Boys: Glow in the dark stars, tape measure, bouncy ball, play sword, dinosaurs, water colors, cars, night light, legos, pez dispenser, spinning Top toy, water growing toy
- Girls: hair clips, glow in the dark stars, jewelry, Barbie, backpack keychain, fairy princess wond, leg warmers, sun glasses, jewelry/makeup, flash cards
What can I put in my five year old’s stocking?
AT five years old, your child is in Kindergarten right now, which is the transition milestone from little kid to big kid. They are now experts at recognizing the alphabet, numbers and communicating with others. They love being social and having new friends, as well as learning from their new friends.
Stocking stuffers that feature some of their favorite characters as well as allow them to use their longer attention spans as well as a few multi-step directions will be some of the best stocking stuffers toys you can get! Below, I’ve listed a few five year old stocking stuffer fillers that will be sure to be a hit.
- Boys: play dough, art supplies, coloring books, stickers, snacks, action figures, small Nerf gun, flash cards, finger puppets.
- Girls: play dough, art supplies, coloring books, bubbles, stickers, watch, snacks, dolls, flash cards, dollar store toys, and finger puppets.
What can I put in my six year old’s stocking?
Six year olds are learning everything fast, especially in this modern world. They are prepared for school and spending more time away from home in extracurricular activities. They are more independent learners and can do more complex thinking than kindergartners.
Stocking stuffers that allow them to try something new will be a hit for the holidays. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Boys: retro handheld tretris, light saber, piggy bank, Nerf toy, car games, favorite snack, compass, yo yo, creepy crawlers, slime, binoculars, glow sticks, gloves
- Girls: Jump rope, glitter pens, snow globe, foam, favorite snack, jewelry, mini etch-a-sketch, silly putty, and mini backpack keychin
What can I put in my seven year old’s stocking?
At seven years old, your kids may have started developing social skills with their life long friends. They are also curious and enthusiastic at this age, asking a ton of questions. Look for gifts that take advantage of their amazingly longer attention spans. Gift ideas like games, blocks, puzzles, simple science kits, and building toys are great ideas for stocking stuffers.
- Boys: books, book light, pocket knife, laser pointer, disposable camera, digital camera, flash light, hacky sack, Rubik’s cube, cologne, gift cards, games, gloves, sunglasses
- Girls: books, book light, hair flowers, scented lotion, glitter pens, disposable camera, movie poster, body glitter, body spray, perfume, sunglasses,
- flavored lipgloss
What can I put in my eight year old’s stocking?
At this point, they are in second and third grade, and beginning to develop stronger personalities and interests. They probably enjoy sleepovers, dancing or play sports at this point becoming more independent and developing an identify for themselves. At eight, your kid is a pre-tween, so they still absolutely love playing with toys.
- Boys: books, book light, pocket knife, laser pointer, disposable camera, digital camera, flash light, hacky sack, Rubik’s cube, cologne, gift cards, games, gloves, movie tickets, bath fizz drops
- Girls: books, book light, hair flowers, scented lotion, glitter pens, disposable camera, movie poster, body glitter, body spray, perfume, detangle hair brushes, gloves, reindeer bell, post it notes, movie tickets,b ath fizz drops, flavored lipgloss
Summary
Those are some of the best stocking stuffer ideas for kids that I’ve been able to come up with. Do you have any stocking filler ideas that you want to share? Leave a comment below!
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If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, check out my holiday gift guide for the entire family.
