Do you sometimes find it harder to figure out what to put into the kid stockings vs picking the main gifts? Earlier this month we looked at some of my favorite literacy gifts for kids. Today, I thought I would share my top 10 favorite stocking stuffers for kids that will help build literacy skills. Many of these will be making an appearance in my boys’ stockings this year!
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids
1. Wikki Stix
Wikki Stix are made of yarn coated with wax. They are the perfect medium for creating just about anything! Wikki Stix stick to most flat surfaces and can easily be removed. They are great for “circling” sight words in big books, forming letters or creating characters to retell a story. Wikki Stix are recommended for ages 3 and up.
2. Finger Puppets
Finger puppets invite children to tell stories. This 10 piece velvet animal puppet set is just one of many available at Teacher/Parent Supply stores or online.
3. Crayon Rocks
We found Crayon Rocks during a trip the zoo recently. It’s the first time I’ve seen my 3 year-old grasp a writing utensil correctly which is exactly what they are meant to do! Love, love, love these and they will definitely be in my son’s stocking this year!
4. Flashcards
Alphabet flashcards will provide countless opportunities to practice budding literacy skills. Best of all you can find them at grocery stores, book stores or warehouse clubs.
5. Rory’s Story Cubes
Rory’s Story Cubes are fun story cubes that players use to link together to create a story. It’s a great game to play as a family. The game is recommended for ages 8 and up.
6. Fancy Pens or Pencils
Every writer loves to have new tools to write with. Visit any office supply store and you will find a wide assortment of pens and pencils that will fit perfectly in those stockings.
7. Book Light
Before I read on my Kindle, I had a stash of book lights. They are great for nighttime reading in bed.
8. Magazine
There are so many great children’s magazines on the market. You can pick up individual copies at local bookstores. Favorites of mine include High Five and Your Big Backyard.
9. Bookmark
Once children begin reading chapter books, a bookmark will come in handy!
10. Library Card
This is probably my most favorite stocking stuffer and it’s FREE {in most communities 🙂 }. Get your child their very own library card. Check your local library for age requirement rules.
*This post first appeared on 11/30/13.
Marianne Woodcock says
I LOVE Highlights!!!!!
Brandi Dawn says
I just loved reading magazines when I was younger. Especially Highlights!
Elizabeth says
We love Rory’s Story Cubes! Masking tape is another of our favorite stocking stuffers. Inexpensive, kids can write on it and even make letters out of it.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Love the tape idea Elizabeth. I hadn’t thought of that!
Sarah says
Thanks for the opportunity to win! Love your site!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you so much Sarah. Good luck!
Suzy says
We were planning on getting LittleMan a subscription to highlights for his birthday in February, it’d be pretty cool to win, lol.
Amanda@ Dirt and Boogers says
Great ideas! I think my son is old enough now to really enjoy his own magazine. Even if I don’t win the giveaway, I think it would be a great gift for him.
Tara says
I would LOVE to win Highlights for my son, thanks for the great giveaway!
Sue says
Great ideas!
Terra Heck says
I remember being enthralled with Highlights when I was younger. I’d love to win a subscription for my niece. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
k says
Great tips! We are a homeschooling family with three kids ages 2, 6 & 8. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway.
Tomoko says
My daughter loves High Five magazines
Tina @ Mamas Like Me says
What a great list! We also like to give small notebooks for journals and fun writing utensils. We find stockings are also a good time to restock school supplies like scissors, glue sticks, crayons, erasers, and notecards 🙂
Jodie Rodriguez says
Tina, those are great ideas! I love restocking school supplies!
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
I love your idea of the library card. The only reason my 4 year old will practice writing the letters of her name is because she wants her very own library card! I’ll be the one taking pictures in the library when she gets it! lol!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Sounds like a great incentive to me!
Erin says
What a great giveaway! Thank you!
Beth H says
Thank you and good luck to all!
Rebecca B. says
these are great ideas! I always can use new ideas for the stockings.
Cassandra says
I have been thinking about gifting a subscription for my niece. 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
Kiasa says
I would love love love to win this for my kids!!!
Susan says
Love Highlights magazine. I use some of the stories with my special education students. They love to find the items in the hidden picture section. Great giveaway.
Norah says
These are great ideas for stuffing stockings.
I would also like to add a few of my favourites to the list: paper, all sorts of paper in different colours, patterns and textures; and books, books for reading and books for writing secrets, stories, songs, poetry, ideas and dreams in.
I agree with Kathleen that these are also great student gifts. The end of our school year in Australia coincides with the Christmas holidays. I always give my students a gift which includes a book to read and a little notebook and pencil. This shows them the value I place on literacy and will encourage them to keep up their literacy skills over the holidays.
I love your posts for the encouragement given to those supporting the development of children’s literacy skills.
Well done!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Norah, thank you so much for taking the time to share more stocking stuffer ideas. Your ideas are wonderful and would make perfect stocking stuffers. I loved giving my students books at Christmas. At the end of the school year, I used to give them postcards to mail to me too. Enjoy the end of the school year in Australia and have a wonderful holiday. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments throughout the year. Best wishes!
jess says
i loved highlights when i was a kid!
Pamela says
Just recommended some if those items at parent conferences.
Nadine says
Thanks for this. My son would love highlights! My older son loves Ranger Rick magazine.
Beki Moore says
Great ideas! Thanks! 🙂 I got some puppets for class and stockings. I also got some of those great finger lights.
Lynda says
Great ideas! I’m intrigued by the Crayon Rocks since correct grip is an issue for us. Thanks!
Kathleen says
What a great list! Not only are these good stocking stuffer ideas, they are also great student gifts. I love having magazines in my classroom for my students to read.
Donna says
Thanks for this opportunity!
Jennifer Ross says
Great ideas! We also love National Geographic for Kids.
casey says
Thank you!