What are the best stocking stuffers for kids?
The answer is obvious!
Games that will keep the kids busy for days and days after Christmas is over. Games that keep them thinking, strategizing and testing their luck.
But these stocking stuffer games are not just for kids, oh no! The entire family will enjoy playing these games all year round.
With that in mind, I have curated this gift guide with our favorite stocking stuffer games. I included several types of games, and all are just the perfect size to slip into the Christmas stocking after putting out a plate of cookies for the big guy (Santa, not your eldest kid).
Be sure to snag a few single player logic games because parents need a little rest after getting up at 5:01 am to see what Santa brought. Also, I included classic family card games and clever dice games.
So much better to find these treasures in your Christmas stocking than a handful of coal, right? So I certainly hope everyone has been good this year...
(Note: game images and titles are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Logic Game Stocking Stuffers
Coggy consists of a deck of challenge cards and a movable gear puzzle. Players will work logic, critical thinking and visual perception skills as they manipulate the colored gears in an attempt to solve the conundrums on each card. The 40 challenges range from easy to difficulty so the game can grow with your child and/or be played with by different age groups.
Fifteen Puzzle. You may remember this classic puzzle game from your childhood. As a kid I loved this puzzle and it has been a favorite logic game far longer than any of the newer ideas on the market. But I still can't resist giving it a go, even though I'm all grown up! Not only is it perfect size to be a stocking stuffer, but it travels very easily so you can take it on long road trips to keep the kids off screens!
Kanoodle. My kids have played this pocket-sized game off an on now for several years and it has been such a mainstay of quiet time in our home that I've recommended it several times on this blog! The newest version has 200 puzzles ranging from easy to very difficult. I love that it comes in a little carrying case which, when open acts as the board for the 2D puzzles and when closed is the board for the 3D puzzles.
Card Game Stocking Stuffers
Phase 10. This is one of my older son's favorite card games! One year he and my mother played the game about 25 times over the course of a week! It's been around since the 1980s and I always know I can count on games that have stood the test of time. It is based on Rummy but with a clever twist. This is definitely a favorite in our house.
Themed Playing Card Deck
Fun choices: Bird playing cards | Space playing cards
If you have kids you have probably experienced sitting down to a card game and realizing there are fewer than 52 cards in your deck! But where are the missing cards? Who knows! We have several incomplete decks that hang out in our game card box waiting for a purpose in life and I love to put a fresh new themed deck in their Christmas stocking or hand them out on Hanukkah so the kids can play a few rounds of War or Spit before dinner.
Rook is a classic game that I remember playing at my grandparents when I was young. You can play with 2 players but it is excellent for playing as teams. This fast-paced game involves bidding, tricks and trumps!
Illustrated Card Game
Fun choices: Crazy 8s | Robot Rummy | Hearts | Go Fish!
I absolutely ADORE eeboo's card games illustrated by children's book illustrators. We have a few of these because I can't resist a deck of cards illustrated by Chris Raschka!
Dice Game Stocking Stuffers
LCR Wild Dice Game. We love the original LCR game and this "wild version" with some alternative game play options looks fun. LCR is a game for at least 3 players and consists of dice and chips. The rules are simple and the instructions are easy! Players pass chips to either their left, right or pop them in the center of pot depending on what they roll. This is a version of a traditional dice game, Aces in the Pot.
Pig Dice Game. This is a cute version of the traditional dice game PIG in a handy-dandy, stocking-stuffer sized container! The company makes several themed dice games that come in these little cylinders. I also love the sound of this Train Dice Game. Any kid would be delighted to find one of these cute dice games in their Christmas stockings this year.
Twisted Farkle. Farkle is an incredibly popular dice game (which I still have yet to play!) and there are some fun variations like this "twisted" version. It is fun, fast paced and not just for kids! In a twist on the original Farkle, any points you earn may not be yours to keep. A "determinator die" will decide your fate!
With all these fun choices, who wouldn't want to fill up on these stocking stuffer games! Happy playing!
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