Last-minute stocking stuffers under $5 for kids

Dec 212012

December 21, 2012 Posted by Kathie Sutin Shopping

Granted, the video game crowd is hard to impress but every kid deserves a goody-filled stocking on Christmas morning. To keep from breaking the bank on this beloved Christmas tradition, think cheap when you’re looking for stocking stuffers. Traditional stocking stuffers that are relatively inexpensive and easily found at places like Walgreens and Target include crayons, markers, coloring books, jump ropes and balls. But if you’re look for something a little different, here some stocking stuffers under $5:

Even a child of the electronic age will be fascinated by a pocket kaleidoscope.

Room Booms are a softer, gentler boomerang you can use indoors. They’re $9.95 for a pack of two so if you’re buying for two kids, the cost is about $5 each.

An old-fashioned toy that can actually captivate the interest of a thoroughly modern kid is the Jacob’s Ladder toy.

Kids with a certain sense of humor will enjoy this Yummy Pockets cookie.

Release the inner artist in your child with sidewalk chalk in a profusion of cool colors. If you live in a white Christmas area, the hard part will be waiting for the sidewalks to be cleared.

What is it about kids and stickers? They love to peel them and stick them. For them, the cheapest ones will do. For older kids, peg this gift to their interests–trains, cars, princesses, etc.

These zany drinking glasses would zing the tickle bone of many kids. At $3.99, it’s a bit pricey for a stocking stuffer but what’s more fun than sending your Kool-Aid on a trip around your head before you drink it?

At Retro Planet you can find some stocking stuffers at retro prices. For under a buck you can get a nose flute, a parachuter toy, or a bag of marbles. If you want old-fashioned jacks, paddle ball or a Slinky Jr., though, they will cost you more but they’re each under $5.

Dollartree is a treasure trove for those hunting down stocking stuffers. We found a ton of good stuff here: Glow-in-the-dark sticks, swords and bracelets to beguile any kid; glitter play pony playsets and princess dress-up bangles for the princess on your list; And our favorite “Cuddly Cousins Plush Hanging Monkeys.” Dollartree’s website even has its own tab for stocking stuffers.

Don’t forget the most important item in any kid’s stocking–candy (think chocolate, chocolate, chocolate).

Need more gift ideas?

Not sure what to buy? Check out our holiday gift guides:

Kathie Sutin

Kathie Sutin has covered everything from construction to transportation. Features, however, are her specialty especially those about travel, food, health, parenting and people. Her work has appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Midwest Traveler, Southern Traveler, St. Louis Parent, Hooked on the Outdoors, Missouri Life, St. Louis Magazine, Air Tran’s flight magazine and Sauce Magazine and websites including stlbeacon.com and aaa.com. At her last fulltime gig, public relations writer for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, she developed a vast knowledge of all things St. Louis as she spread the gospel about free and things to do in the Gateway City. That came in handy when she launched St. Louis On The Cheap as did her lifelong strategy of paying less whenever she can.

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