Stocking Stuffers For Tweens That They Will Love!

This year I’ve discovered some amazing stocking stuffers for my tweens. It took a little digging and research, plus talking to lots of tweens, but I’ve nailed down a list that I think will help me through the season for the next few years! I’ve put together all my ideas here to help make your shopping for stocking stuffers for your tween a little easier too!

The tween years can be hard to shop for, but don't fear! We've gathered up some of the best ideas for stocking stuffers for tweens that they will love.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links

The stocking. It’s a gift that isn’t exactly a gift. In our home the stocking is fair game as soon as people start waking up (we open presents on Christmas morning once everyone is together). So the stocking is important because it sets the tone for the day. And as a mom who wants a little peace and quiet before the chaos of the big day, the stocking is the key to achieving calm in my excited kids.

But now they are getting bigger. The usual matchbox cars and pocket toys, really don’t work anymore. I had to rethink my whole stocking stuffers plan this year. And here is what I’ve come up with!

STOCKING STUFFERS FOR TWEENS

Things to Create

STEM Bracelets – I discovered Rosie Research only recently and I am so in love with their STEM bracelets! I have the Butterfly and Solar System bracelets. They also offer a water cycle and plant cycle kit. Now, my boys don’t mind making bracelets, but if you have a kid who doesn’t like making bracelets, why not have them make it as a STEM Christmas ornament?  These would look amazing on the tree!

Photo Credit – Rosie Research

Stikbots – If you have spent any time around you, you probably already know that I have a budding Spielberg on my hands. One great way to encourage that passion for film making is through stop motion. Stikbots are a fantastic tool for stop motion and they fit perfectly in a stocking!

 Stikbot Solid Aqua Blue Action Figure Light Animation Toy Social Media Skitbot Stick Bot Stikbot, Translucent Pink Stikbot Figure, 3 Inches Stikbot, Translucent Green Stikbot Figure, 3 Inches Stikbot, Translucent Red Stikbot Figure, 3 Inches Stikbot Rabbit – white Stikbot, StikBulldog Figure, Translucent Red Stikbot, Role Play Accessory, Weapon Pack Zing Stikbot Monkey Pose-able Suction Cup Monkey Figure Fidget Toy

Minifigs – Lego never goes out of style and lots of tweens love collecting minifigs. You can pick up specific minifigs or our favourite is to buy the blind packs and see who gets what on Christmas morning!

 LEGO Minifigures Series 15 – Random Pack (71011) LEGO Minifigures Series 17 71018 Building Kit LEGO, The LEGO Batman Movie Minifigures Bundle of 4 (71017) Styles May Vary LEGO The Ninjago Movie Minifigures – Random Pack of 4 (71019)

Pens – Now I don’t know about your kids, but my kids love a good pen. I’m a writer so I’m very, very particular about my pens and I think I inadvertently passed this on to my kids. My mom is an artist and also seems to have passed on a desire for high quality pencils too. So for Christmas I can sneak a few good quality pens and pencils into their stockings and hopefully stop them from raiding my stash. Here are some of our picks for pens.

 Paper Mate InkJoy 300RT Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point, Assorted Colors, 8 Count Sharpie Color Burst Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Assorted, 5/Pack (1948352) Sharpie Permanent Markers, Fine Point, 8 Pack, Assorted Colors (30217PP) Essential Mechanical Pencil Set – 4 Sizes: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 & 0.9mm with HB Lead & Eraser Refills – Ideal for Drafting, Sketching, Art Projects, Illustrations, Drawings, General writing & Technical work

To go with some great pens and pencils also consider a notebook or colouring book as part of your stocking stuffer plans.

Things To Do

Deck of Cards – Tweens are the right age to really enjoy learning lots of new card games. Card games are great for getting kids away from the electronics and playing face to face with friends and family. Have a few card games planned to teach them during any downtime on Christmas day!

Mad Libs – For your aspiring writer and comedian, Mad Libs is a great idea. The small booklets come in a variety of themes to suit all types of interests. The idea is to complete sentences with your own words to create fun stories. It is bound to result in lots of giggles and they have a number of Christmas themed ones that are perfect for stocking stuffers for your tween!

 Christmas Fun Mad Libs: Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs Christmas Fun Mad Libs: Deluxe Stocking Stuffer Edition Christmas Carol Mad Libs: Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs Best of Mad Libs

Pocket Puzzles – One of the ways you can keep kids entertained on Christmas is to give them some fun puzzle challenges to solve. These pocket puzzles, including the always popular Rubix Cube, make fantastic stocking stuffers.

 Rubik’s Cube Game Brainwright Qboid The 1-2-3 Pocket Puzzle ENIGMA Hanayama Cast Metal Brain Teaser Puzzle (Level 6) Pocket Size Sudoku Puzzles: Portable Sudoku Puzzle Book For Adults and Kids (Game, Puzzle and Activity Books) (Volume 1) NEWS Hanayama Cast Metal Brain Teaser Puzzle (Level 6) ULT-unite3D Wooden Cube Brain Teaser Puzzle yueton IQ Toys, IQ Test Mind Game Toys Brain Teaser Metal Wire Puzzles Magic Trick Toy, Metal IQ Puzzle Set of 8 SmartGames IQ Link

Gift Cards and Certificates – As my boys are getting older they want more independence. One of the ways we can foster that is buy providing them with gift cards and certificates for their favourite places so they can plan their own outings or do their own shopping. Some of our favourite picks are: book stores, Amazon, movie theatre, bowling, mini-golf, waterpark, and the VR arcade. The best part is that you can fit big adventure into a small stocking!

 The tween years can be hard to shop for, but don't fear! We've gathered up some of the best ideas for stocking stuffers for tweens that they will love.

Fidgets and Sensory Toys

Fidgets – The hot topic of the past couple of years, fidgets and fidget spinners are all the rage. Adding a fun one to the stocking is sure to be a hit. I mean what tween wouldn’t love a poop emoji fidget spinner? Other popular ones are thinking putty and squishy (stress) balls.

 Kangaroo’s Emoji Fidget Spinner FIGROL Led Light Up Fidget Spinnerand Spinner-Kid’s, Pebble XDesign Fidget Cube 12 Sides Crazy Aaron’s 11 Pack Putty Mini Tin Assortment. 3″ Party Pack Emoji Stress Balls (12 Pack)

Liquid Motion Timer – These modern twists on the hour glass are a great addition to a student’s desk and can be very calming and soothing.

Crystals and Stones – This might seem like an odd choice, but as a teenager I loved cool stones and crystals. Now as an adult, I still love a gorgeous stone. My kids are also fascinated by crystals, gemstones and rocks. They are like the original stress reliever! For some Christmas day fun, grab the Geode kit, everyone will have fun cracking open geodes to find the crystals inside. And one geode fits perfectly in a stocking!

 11 pcs Chakra Crystal Healing Kit / Lot of 7 Chakra tumbles, Chakra Pendulum, Amethyst Cluster, Raw Rose Quartz, and Crystal Point / Bohemian Meditation Set Chillipepperstone 12 Semiprecious Gemstone Box Collection Stones Rock, Natural Polished, 1/2 to 3/4 Inch NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC – Break Open 10 Geodes – TOP QUALITY! 6 Pcs Gemstone Crystal Peaceful & Romantic Heart -1 1/8

 

Practical Items As Kids Grow

Wallet – My boys are just getting to the age where they want to have wallets, so this year in their stocking I’m including their first wallets. I made sure it included a slot for bus passes, plus a coin pouch, and I made sure it was fairly small. They don’t need a huge one yet. For now I just want them to get used to the novelty and responsibility of having a wallet. Don’t forget! It’s bad luck to gift an empty wallet or purse to someone, so make sure you slip a bit of cash into the wallet before stuffing it in the stocking.

Watch – My kids don’t have cell phones. So having a watch is important for them to be able to tell the time. Watches don’t need to be expensive, and there are some great, reasonable options, making them a great addition to the stocking.

Sunglasses – Seriously, I had no idea that they could outgrow sunglasses so quickly, so a new set will be in their stockings to keep those eyeballs safe!

Socks – I grabbed these cool “cabin” socks, also known as reading socks. They have a super soft lining and are perfect for chilly Christmas mornings. I also snagged some socks with cool designs.

Toiletry items – lip balms, toothbrush, body spray, etc. Nothing fancy, but the kids still appreciate stuff like this.

Pocket knife or Utility tool – Obviously this only applies to kids that are old enough to safely have these items, but once they are ready, this makes a very handy gift.

Pocket microscope – We LOVE our pocket microscope. It’s perfect for your budding scientist and curious minds of all ages.

 Winter-Weight Thermal Fleece-Lined Cozy Christmas Holiday Sherpa Lined Slipper Socks, 3 Pair Pack (Christmas 2) My-Watch Boys Sport Digital Watch Kids Outdoor Waterproof Stopwatch LED Electronic Wrist Watches Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker Boy Scout Pocket Knife, Red EnTeck 30X 60X Dual Lens LED Illuminated Jewelry Magnifier, Pocket Microscope Magnifying Jewelers Eye Loupe Glasses

 

Traditional Items

Chocolates and sweets – If you have a chocolate lover on your hands, splurge and buy them a little box of their favourite treats to enjoy on Christmas day. I also like grabbing specially made fudges or caramels, especially if made locally by hand. These special treats are always so appreciated and there are so many amazing candy and chocolate makers out there. I love supporting small business during the holidays.

Orange – It’s a tradition to always place an orange in the toe of a stocking. I thought it was a luck thing or a symbol to bring the recipient health, turns out I was completely wrong! It comes from a story about St. Nick placing a gold ball in the stocking of three girls who needed a dowry. Go figure! I still like doing it though. Some traditions just feel right.

Candy cane – Everyone needs a candy cane at Christmas!

The tween years can be hard to shop for, but don't fear! We've gathered up some of the best ideas for stocking stuffers for tweens that they will love.

MORE FROM STEAM POWERED FAMILY

Unique Gifts For Teens Who Love To Tinker. From aspiring blacksmiths to artists to engineers, a curated list of gifts for teens who make, create and tinker.

STEAM Powered Gift Guides - From tinkers to makers to creators and artists, young scientists, writers and even blacksmiths, packed with unique gift ideas.

This massive resource on Chocolate Science, perfect for a unit study. Dive into hands on chocolate science with deliciously, simple truffle recipes.

Candy Science Making Candy Fun Science lessons with a delicious result. 10 candy recipes.