Let’s be honest, the small stuff can actually be tough during the holiday season.
Filling stockings isn’t always as easy as a quick walk through in Target’s $5 aisle. In fact, that big old sock may be hanging right in front of you as you read this, taunting you while the time ticks closer to December.
Don’t let it scare you! While iPads, iPhones, and laptops may take over a lot of wish lists these days, a stocking is a wholesome tradition that doesn’t have to break the bank and can keep kids entertained with (mostly) travel-friendly, pocket-size items they’ll love for months to come. Whether you’re shopping for a kid who loves art, sports, or plush, there are endless small options that are guaranteed to captivate their attention.
We’ve put together a list of 30 items under $20 that various ages will love to discover in their stocking to top off the holiday season. Or, stocking stuffers are great to reference when you’re looking for a little gift for your neighbors, kids you babysit, boss’s children, or nieces and nephews. Whatever the need for small and affordable toys and games is, we curated a lineup that will fill the toe to heel of that stocking with joy and childlike wonder.
SANTA COOKIE ELF CANDY SNOWMAN
A holiday version of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, this party game is perfect for all ages. It's convenient to take anywhere at any time, simple, and will get a whole crowd to laugh out loud together! The game lasts for about 10-15 minutes, and is a great addition to family festivities.
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FLAT2FAST CARD RACERS
Ready, set, launch! Flast2Fast Card Racers transform from cards to superfast racing cars with the press of a button! No pull back needed. And, Flat2Fast are portable and fit perfectly in a pocket or backpack for on-the-go play!
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4.5-INCH BUMBUMZ PLUSH 5-PACK
These adorable 4.5-inch BumBumz come in various 5-packs, including BreakfastBumz, FundayBumz, GroovyBumz, KitchenBumz, and RetroBumz. BumBumz are as unique and diverse as the people who collect them — there's something for everyone!
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SKETCH PALS FOREST FRIENDS
Choose from three clippable doodle buddies: Felix the Fox, Morris the Moose, or Izzy the Owl. Each features a tethered stylus and clips to backpacks or car seats for screen-free entertainment on the go.
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FINGERLINGS
These baby monkeys know when they're on kids' fingers. They feature glowing hearts, poseable tails, flocked hair, unique personalities, and more than 70 sounds and reactions. Collect four new characters: Charli, Leo, Ava, and Harmony.
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WAFFLES VS PANCAKES
It’s a breakfast battle this holiday season with Waffles vs. Pancakes! Players choose a side, grab a spatula, and put on a blindfold. Then players race to fill their plate with waffles or pancakes! Collect bonus Food Fighter Cards, and avoid the Totally Toast Card! It’s a fan-flipping-tastic battle packed with fun for the whole…
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LITE-BRITE MINI-X CONNECT
Create, connect, and shine! Inspired by the classic ’80s Lite-Brite toy, this mini version comes with a 4-by-4-inch grid that connects to other Mini-X Connects for bigger and more innovative designs. Each set includes eight design templates and 170 colorful pegs that light up when kids tap them.
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MINI BRANDS SERIES 5 CAPSULE
There are more than 90 miniatures of favorite brands to collect, including rare surprises. Discover iconic brands including Campbell's, Tabasco, Post-It, Maruchan, and more. The Mini Brands capsules are now made of certified recycled plastic.
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GOOGAMES
These handheld, pocket-size, sensory water games come in three styles: fruits, gems, and candies. They feature squishy buttons for tactile play and two removable backer cards, each with three challenge levels.
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MY FAIRY GARDEN HOP’S HIDEAWAY
Plant cornflower seeds with Light Fairy Rae and set up Plantimal Hop's Hideaway to watch it grow! Learn more about Hop (who is part tree, part frog), fairies, and plants with the Fairy Field Guide.
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AMI AMIS WAVE 2
Ami Amis are cute and quirky collective plush. There are 30 new characters to collect, with a mix of common, rare, and ultra rare designs. These cozy, knit, plush characters are inspired by kids’ favorite things — launching with GourArmis, Ami Amimals, and Old School Amis design themes. Ultra Rare Characters have special holographic stickers…
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INSERT CARD HERE
In this card game, kids can insert a card between two other cards — one that’s lower in value and one that’s higher. Things move fast as the players quickly change the high and low cards and introduce wild and reverse cards into the gameplay. The first player to play all their cards wins the…
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POP IT! PETS SEASON 2
These adorable little pets come in holographic blind-bags containing 17 surprises. Featuring five pets, five trading cards, five stickers, one keychain, and a collector’s grid, this cool collectible is a must-have. This bubble popping sensory toy makes the ideal gift for kids. With over 120 new characters to collect this year – there’s so much…
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SPORTS DICE SOCCER
Sports Dice Soccer is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn, and quick-to-play dice game. Players will roll the dice to “kick” the ball in the opponent's net to score. The first player with three points wins the game.
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HARRY POTTER TAMAGOTCHI
Nurture magical creatures by feeding them, petting them, and playing four different mini games at Hogwarts in Harry Potter mode or in a magical suitcase in Fantastic Beasts mode. The way kids play decides which of the 25 creatures they'll get.
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NEEDOH GROOVY THE GLOWMAN
The holidays can be stressful for everyone, Groovy the Glowman is here to help with sensory squeezes! These squishy snowmen are wearing top hats and are decked in neon colors that glow in the dark!
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BARBIE FASHIONISTAS
This diverse and inclusive line of Barbie dolls reflects the world kids see today. The Barbie and Ken dolls feature a variety of skin tones, hairstyles, body types, and fashion styles.
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POKÉMON TCG MY FIRST BATTLE
Young trainers can get the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) experience through fast decks with simplified rules designed for beginners. Kids will learn the difference between active and benched Pokémon, how to attack and evolve, and more.
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MGA’S MINIVERSE MAKE IT MINI LIFESTYLE
Make and display mini lifestyle collectibles, ranging from mini aquariums with little fish to a mini cactus with tiny bags of soil. There are more than 100 lifestyle materials, packages, and accessories to collect and create.
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DECORATE YOUR OWN GEMSTONE WATER BOTTLE CRAFT KIT
Stay hydrated this summer! Kids will love decorating their own bottles with the Decorate Your Own Gemstone Water Bottle Kit. It comes with four sheets of sparkly rhinestone and glitter gemstone stickers for kids to bling out their bottles! Include a carabiner to hang the bottle so kids can bring it on the go. Kids…
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STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE 3-INCH FIGURES
This collection of classic-inspired, 3-inch figures features Strawberry Shortcake and her gaggle of adorable friends, including Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Tart, Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom, and more. Each one is deliciously scented.
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COWS VS. ALIENS
Get ready to be “moo-ved” by the captivating charm of Cows vs Aliens as they invade the world of collectibles this “Joo-n”! These adorable bean-filled plushies are more than just ordinary toys. With their brightly colored cow and alien designs, Cows vs Aliens are on a mission to captivate the hearts of collectors with their…
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ANARCHY PANCAKES
In this fast-paced game, players race to match their pancake cards' toppings to other players' toppings, forcing them to take the cards. The first player to get rid of all of their cards and shout “Anarchy Pancakes” wins the game.
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DIMENSION: THE BRAIN GAME TO GO
In this brain-bending puzzle game, kids must place the stacking pieces on the board following a set of placement rules. With more than 200 challenges in four difficulty levels all stored in a compact case, kids can play solo or with friends on the go.
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DISNEY DOORABLES SQUISH’ALOTS SERIES 1
Kids can collect 50 different miniature Disney Doorables Squish’Alots collectible figures in Series 1. Each capsule includes 4-6 blind-bagged figures. Kids can open the front door to find the first blind bag, then twist the roof of the tower-shaped capsule to find additional 1-inch figures inspired by Disney and Pixar films.
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SILLY SCENTS SMASH UPS
The Silly Scents Smash Ups feature new scents, such as mint chocolate chip, orange dreamsicle, PB&J sandwich, raspberry macaroon, strawberry shortcake, smore, orange gingerbread cookie, rainbow donut, and red velvet cake.
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SQUISHMALLOWS TAKE 4
In this game, players must collect cards from one of four squads: Classic, Sealife, Fantasy, and Food. Whoever collects a full squad first wins! In each round, four new cards are displayed. Players must pick which card they want to collect, but if another player also wants the card, whoever grabs the exclusive Benny the…
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CARE BEARS LIL’ BESTIES SURPRISE FIGURES AND CUBBIES
These tiny 1.25-inch surprise figures feature four different themes: skating, shopping, fun tech, and food. Each capsule contains a mystery figure and two accessories. Each Lil’ Besties Cubby reveals two hidden rooms and includes two figures and five accessories with summer themes like a pool lounge.
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TWISTABLES 3X3X3 PUZZLE
This colorful, smooth, mechanical twisty puzzle has fast action for fast solves. It features a light design which won’t tire kids’ wrists or fingers.
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OUTDOOR SIDEWALK CHALK
Kids can explore their creativity outdoors with Crayola's outdoor chalk. There are three types of chalk kids can choose from. ??Super Chalk: Super Chalk lasts three times longer than traditional Crayola chalk sticks and features 10 colors: red, orange, laser lemon, granny apple smooth, cerulean, violet, white, black, pink flamingo, and red violet. ($1.25) Super…
