10 Super Stocking Stuffers
Fill stockings to the brim and bring smiles to faces young and old — without breaking the bank. Here are 10 great picks that translate to instant, "edu-taining" fun!
Fill stockings to the brim and bring smiles to faces young and old with these great picks.
Seasonal Mad Libs
These classic fill-in-the-blank pages provide great seasonal fun (along with grammar and spelling practice!) as young writers solicit adverbs and adjectives from family members to create one-of-a-kind Christmas carols. Penguin Books, $4. Ages 6 and up.
Matchbox Puzzles
Simple yet challenging, these brightly-colored and imaginatively illustrated puzzles make wonderful gifts. The 12-piece cardboard puzzles come in an assortment of kid-centric themes. Puzzle box is 2.5"L x 1.75"W. Crocodile Creek, $2. Ages 4 and up.
Automoblox Minis
These palm-sized models are a fraction of the size of the original wooden Automoblox car, but they sacrifice nothing in terms of detail and quality. A fusion of old-fashioned craftsmanship and ultra-modern styling, the mix-and-match design systems allow kids to create their own signature cars. Automoblox, $25 per set, or $8 individually. Ages 3 to 9.
Remote-controlled Tarantula
Because this spider's eight legs work separately, it mimics real tarantula-like movement. Use the spider egg remote control to send RC Tarantula scurrying across any smooth, flat surface. But warn your friends and family first! National Geographic, $25. Ages 6 and up.
Seeing Stars
For inside stargazing, this small gift box includes a silver flashlight, star-punched constellation cards, and an explanatory book by Charles Hobson. Children can hold up the cards and shine the flashlight through them to reveal a stellar display on a table or wall. Chronicle Books, $15. Ages 6 and up.
Monster Party Finger Puppets
This "frightening" trio of characters invite interaction of the very best kind. The zany finger-sized friends are engaging for puppet-masters of any age. Throw them in your bag for when you need instant entertainment. Manhattan Toy, $15. Ages 2 and up.
Animal Stampers
Easy to handle oversize stampers feature animals on top — and bottom. The cast includes a duck, chick, frog, cat and bird. Price includes a Rainbow Stamp pad of 5 colors to ensure a vibrant menagerie of images. Magic Cabin, $20. Ages 3 and up.
Juggling Kit
Three plush velour juggling cubes and the world's most user-tested juggling directions take readers from the absolute beginning (Step One: The Drop) all the way to Five-Object Juggling. The instructions are friendly, humorous, and understandable. Klutz, $15. Ages 8 and up.
Slinky
Invented in 1943, the Slinky continues to travel end-over-end across floors, down stairs, and into children's hearts. Any child would be delighted to find this classic in his stocking. Back to Basic Toys, $8. Ages 5 and up.
Harry Potter Glasses
These glasses make a great addition to any Harry Potter collection. Great for pretend play, they'll help transport your child to his favorite Hogwarts haunts. Elope, $4. Ages 6 to 10.
