100+ Excellent Educational Stocking Stuffers for Kids
Christmas stockings are a long-held tradition in the West household. Of all the gifts around the Christmas tree, it seems the stockings are the most anticipated – which is why we save them until the very last.
I remember feeling the same way as a little girl. There’s just something extra special about finding the tiny treasures inside that small space!
While we always purchase small items like toothbrushes, floss, mints, chocolate, gloves, pencils, and the like to fill our stockings, I don’t want them to be entirely practical. I also don’t want them to be filled with junk that will end up in a trash can within 5.2 days (or hours…sometimes minutes).
Over the years, I’ve found some super-fun additions for the stockings – things that have lasted AND stuck around in our house for years. The best part is that they are all educational. Educational doesn’t have to mean boring! In fact, I bet your elementary and middle school children won’t have a clue their stocking has anything to do with school.
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Sneaky Educational Stocking Stuffers
I’ve broken the 100+ items into categories, but realize that many of the suggestions easily cover more than one academic subject, meaning they pack a lot of educational value.
Brain Training/ Logic/ Critical Thinking
These games all challenge brains – and they’re all fun! At least 1/3 of them can be used by a solitary player, too. As an adult, there isn’t one thing on this list that I don’t enjoy myself – and they stretch my brain as well!
Math
Math doesn’t have to be all facts and figures! However, even the items on this list that support the facts should bring smiles.
Language Arts
Who knew there were so many ways to work on reading, writing, and spelling without a pencil and paper? And these are just the options that fit inside a stocking!
Science
Truth be told, this science list could have gone on forever. There are SO many wonderful science gems that can fit inside a stocking!
Prepared Slides for a Microscope
History
You’ll notice five Go Fish games on this list from The Classical Historian. Yes, my children enjoy these games THAT much. And, no, I haven’t been paid to say that. LOL. Both DVDs I’ve mentioned are truly worthwhile to watch.
Professor Noggin American History
Geography
Geography games are among our preferred resources for weekly geography practice.
Explore the World Memory Matching
Guess in 10: States of America
Where on Earth is Carmen San Diego? DVD
Art
Like the science list, this one could have gone on forever, too. Art supplies are easy to tuck inside stockings and usually don’t cost much at all. Rather than give an exhaustive list, here are some of my unique favorites.
Music
Musical items are slightly harder to fit into a stocking, but these options are perfect.
Educational stocking stuffers don’t have to break the bank!
Prices of these items range anywhere from 50¢ to $20. Most of them are in the middle of that range. After filling stockings with all the practical items, I usually have room to add only two or three items from this list.
Since the practical things are pretty inexpensive, I’m able to keep the stocking stuffers to a reasonable final cost. I keep in mind, though, that $10 spent on something of lasting value is worth far more than spending $10 on 10 junky things that will be broken by the end of the day.
Oh, and I should mention that, in most cases, our entire family enjoys the goodies as we play together or as the items make it to our game closet, art shelves, DVD cabinet, etc.
What are some of your favorite educational stocking stuffers?
Love this!!! I even sent this to grandparents. Thanks!!
Brandi, I do the same thing! LOL
Great list of stocking stuffers! Thanks so much for the fab ideas!
You are very welcome, Erin! 🙂