Irresistible Stocking Stuffers for Kids and Teens
by Jennifer Garry
Personally, I think stocking stuffers are some of the most fun gifts to buy. Less pressure and smaller scale than traditional gifts, they leave room for fun, sometimes quirky surprises.
This list of stocking stuffer ideas features everything from book-related games that support literacy programs around the world to innovative, adorable miniature-sized books that your loved ones are sure to adore.
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Little Chunkies: Animals in the Ocean
Available from:Board books make excellent stocking stuffers, and this one will delight your baby’s curious little hands. They will get to explore the ocean with rhyming text, colorful artwork, and raised elements on each page.
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Penguin Minis: Puffin in Bloom Boxed Set
Available from:What could be better than a boxed set of beloved classics? I'll tell you what: a complete and unabridged mini set with an absolutely gorgeous design by Rifle Paper Co.'s Anna Bond. As cute as can be, this set of Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, and A Little Princess features three beautiful books that can be held in one hand and are the perfect size to fit into a purse or pocket.
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Knock-Knock Jokes and Silly Stories for Kids
Available from:This right here is the ultimate knock-knock joke book for kids. Packed with hundreds of jokes and silly stories, it’ll keep your little comedian going for hours.
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Grumpy Monkey Party Time! Puzzle
Available from:Kids who enjoy puzzles will love this shaped jigsaw puzzle of Jim Panzee’s scowling face. With 50 large pieces, this colorful puzzle is the perfect stocking stuffer for kids ages three and up.
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Random Minis: Dear Martin
Available from:This pocket-sized edition of Nic Stone's Dear Martin is perfect for teens. Justyce is a good kid — an honor student on his way to an Ivy League college. But despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he finds himself being caught between two worlds — unsure of where he belongs. He begins writing a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to see if his teachings still hold true in this compelling and important read that tackles racial injustice.
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Duck & Goose Matching Game
Available from:This adorable matching game features your child’s favorite storytime duo—Duck and Goose! Children will match characters and scenes from the bestselling book series, strengthening their memory and recognition skills. This pint-sized game is perfect for slipping into a stocking.
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Leo Lionni's Friends Go Fish Card Game
Available from:Go fishing with the adorable characters from Leo Lionni’s books! Each oversized card contains a number and a book character, making it easy for most school-age children to play. The deck includes 52 cards and instructions for two additional games: Snap and Concentration.
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Penguin Minis: John Green Box Set
Available from:The ultimate gift for John Green lovers! This mini boxed set features the complete Penguin Minis editions of four modern classics by the bestselling YA author: Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. The revolutionary landscape design and ultra-thin paper make it easy to hold these books in one hand without sacrificing readability.
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Funniest Illustrated Jokes for Kids!
Available from:When it comes to irresistible stocking stuffer ideas, you can’t go wrong with a joke book for kids! An illustration accompanies each family-friendly and age-appropriate joke, pun, and punch-line. You and your kid will have plenty of reasons to smile.
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Marvel Spider-Man Pocket Expert
Available from:Superhero enthusiasts will be thrilled to find this pocket-sized book about Spiderman in their stocking. Fun facts about Spiderman and the Spiderverse fill each page, making it an excellent on-the-go resource for kids. Other books in this series include Star Wars Jedi Pocket Expert and Jurassic World Pocket Expert.
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Random Minis: Everything, Everything
In Everything, Everything, Maddy is literally allergic to the outside world. Olly moves in next door and becomes the greatest risk she's ever taken. This tiny version of the book is perfect for readers who just can't put it down - it will fit just as easily into their pocket as it did into their stocking.
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Would You Rather? Made You Think! Edition
Available from:Keep your kids entertained during the winter break with this hilarious book of “would you rather?” questions. It makes kids laugh, think, and get creative. The entire family will love asking and answering the giggle-worthy questions.
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Random Minis: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
Available from:Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college or move out or abandon their family. But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. When her perfect sister Olga dies in a tragic accident, Julia is left to pick up the pieces and eventually uncover the truth about her sister. This mini edition of the novel is great for the people on your list who love to read everywhere.
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Pocket Genius: Cats
Available from:Cat-loving kids will spend hours poring over the photos and facts about felines in this pocket-sized book. The small dimensions and info-packed pages make this book perfect for topping off a stocking, road trips, and on-the-go entertainment.
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Stranger Things Mad Libs
Available from:Tweens and teens who can’t get enough of Stranger Things will love finding this Mad Libs book in their stocking! Fill in the blanks and make hilarious stories about the characters and monsters from the show. It will make winter break fly by in no time.
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Guided Tarot for Teens
Available from:If tarot interests your teen, this guidebook is a must-have. Adapted from the author’s book for adults, Guided Tarot, this book teaches teens each card’s meaning and how to read them. It encourages teens to tap into their intuition and personal authority to find guidance and answers to their questions.
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Black Internet Effect
Available from:Shavone Charles offers insight and inspiration in this compact book about making space for yourself and others. She tells her personal history and how she worked up to becoming an executive at Google and Twitter. Teens looking for positive role models and self-made successes will enjoy reading her story.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2022.