When it comes to stocking stuffers, moms of girls have it pretty easy…nail polish, lipstick, jewelry… but finding something small and useful for a boy is always a particular challenge. I hate just buying candy or dollar store items that fall apart, so here is a list of useful and fun little stocking surprises for boys of all ages! If your boys are tweens or teens, scroll to the bottom of the post, but many of the items are good for all boys!! All items are linked by their title. 

Looking for bigger gifts? If you need ideas for MEN find them HERE, if you need something for a TEEN BOY, I will hook you up HERE, if you want SCREEN FREE gifts for BOYS they are all HERE, or if you are ready for WOMEN’S GIFTS, I have you covered HERE.

TODDLERS

Bathtub Crayons/Chalk

Who doesn’t love a good tubby? The more toys and stuff you can bring into the water the better! Great idea for a stocking. $8

Flashlights

This gift is both fun and practical. You can shine the light in your brother’s eye and make him scream, but you can also keep it in your nightstand in case of an emergency or power outage. This one is rechargeable and water resistant. $12 and great for all ages.

Gyroscope

Who doesn’t love watching things spin? A pretty cool addition to a Christmas stocking and great for all ages. $8

Adopt A Puppy Set

My boys were so crazy about these mini animals when they were toddlers. These puppies would be perfect in a stocking! ($8)

Assorted Animal Set

Another options for your cute little animal lover. These offer hours of entertainment! ($9)

Plastic Ninjas

These are always a hit. They are very inexpensive and a fun little pop at the bottom of the stocking and perfect for car play or throwing in your purse. $6 for 20.

Dinosaur Dig Fossil

This just might be the highlight in your dinosaur lover’s stocking. So cool and only $6.

Matchbox Cars 

Matchbox cars seem to be a popular gift for years and years. Throw a few in the stocking and watch his eyes light up. I have always loved how even boys who are a little older don’t mind sitting down to play cars every now and then.  $16 for 20 cars. 

Beanie Boos

For some reason all of my boys have loved these small stuffed animals for a much longer time than I would anticipate. Lots of them a girly, but they have a few cute boys ones too. Perfect for inside a stocking. ($8)

Slinky

This blast from the past is just as fun today as it was when we were growing up. Try letting it take a walk down the stairs! $12

BOYS

Break Open Your Own Geodes

To be honest, I am SO excited about this stocking stuffer. I think it might even steal the show on Christmas morning…my boys LOVE rocks and in a rock hierarchy geodes are at the very top. Take them out of the box and divide them up.$14.99

 

Digital Timer Bookmark

I LOVE this idea! This bookmark keeps track of your child’s reading time…brilliant! No more guessing or asking, “How much longer?” They also have a version with a reading light here. Can’t wait to start using ours!($15 for 2)

Lego Tape

This is the PERFECT stocking stuffer for your little Lego lover! This allows him to build his creations any where and everywhere, even on the wall! I think you will both love this gift. ($17)

Orbeez

These strange water beads that grow with water are a new craze and the kids love watching them change and the sensory play when they have finished growing. Super inexpensive and fun, they would make a great stocking stuffer in smaller containers. ($6.99)

Beyblades

My older boys were crazy about Beyblades when they were 5-10, and the toy is still going strong. These spinning top battle each other in a little arena and the last on e standing wins. A really fun toy for those competitive boys. ($8-$50)

Laser Pointers

I am not sure why little boys love these but they do! Such an easy thing to slip inside a stocking to provide hours of entertainment (one caution a reader brought up, make sure they know to not point them in eyes and read up on warnings). $10 for two.

Silly Putty

If you don’t mind the chance of a mess, Silly Putty is every boys favorite small gift. ($4)

Thinking Putty

This toy is like Silly Putty for the big boys. They all love it…just keep it far away from your carpet! ($12 for 3)

Pokemon Cards

Chances are your son has loved these, loves these now or will love these. After three boys, I still don’t get it, but they love them and they are the perfect size for a stocking. ($3 and up)

Offbits

These creative, small robots built of nuts, bolts and other crazy items would be an awesome find for a builder inside his stocking! $15

SQUIGZ

These fun little suction cup builders are fun for every age and every surface. Easy to keep track of and use, these will quickly become a building staple in your home, car, purse, and tub ($25-$50).

Spot It

 This is an AWESOME, quick game that is great for the whole family. The little ones are sometimes even better than the older ones. You can play with only two or you can involve the whole family. It is easy to understand and easy to love and fits nicely in a stocking. (If you have very little ones, make sure you grab the jr. version). $11

Tenzi 

This easy to learn and quick dice game is fun for everyone and perfect to slip into a stocking. This game has provided hours of entertainment at our home! $13

LEGO Figurines 

Tin Can Puzzles

If you are a puzzle kind of family, these ones in the tin cans are darling and were made for stockings!  $16

Stikbots

These crazy, bendable guys have suction on their feet and hands which make them the perfect boy toy and a great, inexpensive stocking stuffer. 6 bots for $33

Origami Paper

When my friend suggested origami paper, I had to giggle because there was a time my boys were super obsessed with origami. It is such a fun little hobby and if your boys love it, extra paper is always necessary. $3

Nerf Bullets

Please tell me you lose and break these as quickly as we do…there are literally never enough. $20 for 100 bullets.

Hidden Pictures Book

My boys have always loved a great seek and find book and this one is inexpensive and lots of fun. Best for 4-6 year olds. ($3)

Fidget Cube 

The benefits of these are debatable, but that doesn’t keep boys from loving them! $6

Monkey Noodle

Another fidget style toy that is perfect for boys. Lots of stretching, pulling and playing. ($10)

Puzzle Balls

If you have a son who loves to tinker and figure things out, this little puzzle balls are a great stocking stuffer idea! ($10)

Math Dice

These cool dice are perfect for keeping kids’ minds sharp in a really fun way. Perfect size for the stocking. ($10)

Kendama

Not sure if Kendamas are cool again where you are, but they are all the rage again here for the middle schoolers, and I am all for them doing anything that doesn’t involve a phone! Grab a nice, new one for under $20.

Magazines 

My boys love perusing magazines. Here are a couple your boys might like: Sports Illustrated Kids, Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, Zoobooks 

TWEENS

Hexbugs

These are mechanical bugs that you can fit with different types of armor and then watch them battle each other. Incredibly cool for every age. They offer small less expensive sets that are little, easy to use bugs or more complicated robot types that battle in large arenas. Pretty cool! $15 for a 5 pack.

  

Playing Cards with a Card Trick Book

Boys LOVE magic! A few decks of playing cards and a Magic Book can provide hours and hours of entertainment, plus help them develop a fun new skill. Cards $5 Book $7

Cool Pens

Sword pens, syringe pens, multi colored pens, these are always a cool extra gift. Prices vary.

Yo Yo

If you thought yo-yos were a thing of the past, think again! These toys have reinvented themselves and are challenging and fun for boys of all ages with a myriad of tricks to learn and perfect. Investing in a good one is worth it ($13).

Solar Powered Grasshopper

Put this cute little bug together and then watch it power up with sunshine. A great little experiment for your buddiing scientist $8.

Magnetic Block

If you have a boy who likes to quietly fidget, these small magnetic blocks provide hours of fun and imagination. ($16) WARNING!! THESE ARE LITTLE TINY MAGNETS AND DO NOT BELONG IN A HOME WITH KIDS UNDER 12!!!

Kanoodle

Kanoodle is awesome brain and spacial relations puzzle game that is perfect for car rides, waiting rooms, or quiet play at home $11.

Mad Libs

What boy doesn’t love the chance to fill in a story with funny words and then laught at themselves? This is the perfect stocking stuffer!  ($5)

Fitness Jump Rope

One of the best ways to get in shape is jumping rope, and if you are young enough, you might think it is fun too! This gift works for all ages! $10

Fitness Tracker 

We have had great luck with the simplest Garmin. My son has worn it for almost two years with no issues or problems. If you have a fitness junkie or a kid who needs to be motivated to get off the couch, this would make a great stocking surprise $60.

Pocket Knife 
If you have a son interested in scouting there is nothing cooler than his first pocket knife. Sure to be a hit. $10 and up.

Head Lamp

This would make an awesome stocking stuffer. Perfect for dark tag, camping, or even reading at night. You will be surprised at how excited boys are about a head lamp, plus it is super useful. ($13)

Camping Gear

Rubik’s Cube

These take you back, right? They are just as entertaining and challenging as they have always been…a great little item for the stocking! ($11)

Gear Ball

This Gear ball is a Rubik’s cube with even more challenge. If you have a son who loves a little brain bender, this will keep him busy for days! ($15-$25)

Tech Decks

There are the perfect stocking surprise if you have a skate lover! Only about $3 each and you can split a pack between stockings HERE.

Bananagrams

This is a great reverse scrabble game that is perfect for a family activity! ($8)

Wallets

What boy doesn’t love a wallet. An Awesome stocking stuffer, especially if it includes a few crisp dollar bills! ($11.99)

TEENS

Portable Charger

Most teens are pretty attached to their devices, so a high quality portable charger would be a very welcome stocking stuffer! $15

Earbuds

These waterproof, sweatproof, wireless earbuds are perfect for every teen who loves music on all day long. $26

Cologne Sampler

What boy doesn’t sneak his dad’s cologne for as long as possible? Make his day and gift him some of his own. These sample spritzer sizes are the perfect way for him to find his favorite fragrance or split them in a house full of boys…perfect for gym lockers and travel.  $32

Hero Bands

These Hero Bands are an awesome piece of jewelry and a reminder of how wonderful you think someone is who needs to hear it often. The story behind them is inspiring and $2 of every band is donated to OUR Rescue, an organization that is working to end child trafficking. Great gift, great message, great cause. That’s a winner in my book. ($20 and can be customized).

Portable, Waterproof Wireless speaker

This  portable, wireless, blue tooth speaker will allow your son to take his music everywhere, and it is small enough to slide right into a stocking. $26

Ball Pump 

If your home is anything like ours, you can never find your ball pump when you need it! This would make a great stocking stuffer for your careful athlete. ($12)

Ultimate Dot to Dot

This book is full of challenges for your little puzzle mind. A great, quiet gift for your studious teen. ($12)

Whitestrips

If braces just came off and the pearly whites aren’t as white as he had hoped, grab a pack of whitening strips to start using over Christmas break $30.

Stress ball

The teen years are some of the most stressful! Give them a pack of stress balls to relieve a little of the pressure. $10 for 3.

Socks

Boys love socks, but moms don’t like to pay $12 a pair so throwing one of these “nice” pair in their stocking is a real bonus!

Hydroflask Waterbottle

Did you know that there is an “it” water bottle? If not, now you do and at $25-$35 a hydroflask is definitely a Christmas splurge. On the bright side, it is a very useful item that can fill a lot of stocking space too. It would make a great stocking stuffer for your athletic, outdoorsy, or musical son.

Solar Cell Phone Charger

If you have a kid in your life who loves the outdoors but also likes to have guaranteed power, this Solar Cell phone charger would make a great gift! Reasonably priced and always useful! ($20)

Stanley Adventure Cup

My boys always steal this favorite cup of mine! Everyone wants their own for Christmas. It keeps water cold for over 12 hours and everything fresh! Fits in a cup holder, doesn’t spill, no sweat, and dishwasher safe. ($16-$40 depending on size and color)

Air Pods

These top just about every boys’ Christmas list. They are a little pricey for s stocking but would be a fun surprise for sure!  If you don’t have quite that much to spend, we have loved the $50, less sleek option HERE.

10 Foot Charging Cord

I am convinced you can never have too many charging cords. This one is extra long for those who want to charge, text and sit on the couch. Perfect stocking stuffer!  ($16)

Battery Case for an iPhone

If your son is always searching for a charger, this case/battery charger would make the perfect stocking stuffer…no more dead phones! ($40)

Poo-Pourri

A reader brought this one up as an awesome stocking stuffer that will make your teenager or young adult son laugh but will also become very useful. I am loving it. ($17 for 2)

Thread Wallets

This has been an absolute home run for teen boys. small enough for ID and a little cash and it hooks onto your keys or a lanyard. Perfect for a teen. ($15)

    

Tough Ties

These ties are fun, funky and best of all…repel water and stains and are machine washable! That is right, machine washable. We love the crazy designs (but they also have conservative ones) and options for skinny or fat ties. Great stocking stuffer or gift! ($32)

Silk Pillowcase

Now I know this doesn’t sound like the manliest present, but if your teen struggles with acne or troubled skin, a silk pillowcase is totally worth the purchase as it really helps with bacteria and irritation. Maybe no hoots and hollers on Christmas morning, but it is a gift that keeps on giving. ($20)

Beanie

A cute beanie rolls up nicely into a stocking and doubles as a useful gift! $12

Metal Earth Scorpion Laser Cut Model

If you have a teenager who still loves to build and doesn’t mind a challenge, this is a great stocking stuffer! He will love spending quiet hours putting together this intricate scorpion, no glue required ($7).

Bike Repair Tool Kit

A reader game me this idea and it is brilliant! Absolutely small enough to fit in a stocking and super useful if you have a bike lover in your family or if hte big gift is a bike this year! ($20)

Bike Light 

If you have a bike rider in your home, safety is super important. These bike lights would fit nicely in a stocking and be so useful when your kids are riding at night or out on a trail. ($16)

Reflector Vest and Arm Bands

We had a tragic auto-pedestrian accident near our home a few months ago, and it reminded me of how important being seen is. So if you have a runner or biker in your home, this vest is a great idea to stuff in his stocking. Plus it will give you peace of mind! ($13)

Bike Bell

Rounding out the biking theme is this awesome bike bell. Who doesn’t want to be able to make themselves known on a bike or at the very least drive their companions crazy!($7)

Football Gloves

Slide these gloves on and immediately feel like a pro. Perfect for any size football player ($20). If football is not your sport, what about golf, baseball or ski gloves instead?

Car Fresheners

Do you have a driver in your family who likes to keep his car at least smelling clean if not looking clean? This pack of 12 fresheners is a great item to throw in a teenage stocking. ($15)

Hand Warmers

A reader turned me on to this one too! Such a great stocking stuffer for the skiers or outdoorsmen in your life! ($7 for a pack of 10)

A stocking is also a great place for gift cards for teenagers…think music, food, restaurants, gas, oil changes, entertainment, movies, Amazon,  play tickets, concerts, sporting events, gym pass, etc! They will love a break from spending their hard earned money on life’s necessities.

Have a great idea that I missed? Let me know all about it in the comments!!

Looking for the Best Screen Free Gifts for boys? Click HERE.

Need gifts for Men? Click HERE.

Looking for great gifts for women? Great ideas HERE.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Try these links:

60 Great Electronic Free Gifts for Boys

Great Gifts for Little Boys

Family Games We Love

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