Kelle Hampton's Blog

2024 Stocking Stuffer Guide for Kids, Tweens & Teens

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time. I may not bring you much on this blog anymore, but stocking stuffers? Reporting for duty. I will not fail you on delivering stocking stuffer ideas every year because what else would I have done with the 22 hours I spent scouring the Internet for cool little treasures and linking each thing up one by one? It’s okay because you know I am weirdly delighted by the thrill of the hunt. I speak fluent stocking stuffer. There are some really good ones this year–56 in all. I bought a lot of these for my own kids and cannot wait to stuff their stockings once they’re all tucked under the covers on the best night of the year. Happy Shopping!

1. Liquid Chalk Markers – These are really fun to use to draw on windows. Snowflakes! Holiday scenes! My kids will surely be drawing butts.
2. Secret Box Magic Trick – Easy little magic tricks are always a win for stockings (and some fun Christmas Day entertainment).
3. Sonneten Visual Timer – This timer is designed with a time bar visual display proven more effective for ADHD time management. We love using timers in our home to motivate us for quick tasks (15 Minute Shakedown!).
4. Magic Trick Finger Smoke – Another fun smoke trick for a Christmas Day Magic Show.
5. Bath Soap Slime – This is a pack of 6, so great for families with multiple kids.
6. Prank Invisible String Snake – This has Dash’s name all over it. Have you seen the reels of people falling for this and running while they’re being chased by the snake? So funny.
7. Fun Fish Socks – K.Bell makes great socks. These are sure to get noticed and invite some “Those socks are so cute!” comments from teachers and friends.
8. Colorful Initial Necklace – Simple but colorful–the best kind of jewelry for kids.
9. Unicorn Whipped Body Butter – Moisturize for winter, but make it fun and pretty.
10. Light-up Pop Tubes – Fun when you turn all the lights off at night and play with these.
11. Car Disco Ball – Music activated tiny disco ball to turn any small space into a party.
12. Light-up Beanie – We did some late night snowball fights and sledding adventures last year. This is the perfect way to stay warm and illuminate the scene.
13. Hedgehog Mittens – This was on one of my stocking stuffer lists several years ago and landed in Lainey’s stocking. We still have these and fight over them in the winter. They get so many comments!
14. Glow-in-the-Dark Sticky Balls – Fun to throw on the ceiling while you’re lying in bed (they stick for a second and then fall back down).
15. 2-Minute Tooth Brushing Timer – Getting my kids to brush their teeth past a quick 10-second *swish-swish* is always a challenge. Enter this cute tooth timer.
16. Dog Book Light – This bendable light comes in so many cute characters and is so handy for reading in the car or in bed at night.
17. Cat Hug Bandages – Life is too short not to treat a boo-boo with a cute Band-aid.
18. Butter Crew Socks – How fun are these?
19. Lovable Dogs Game – I’m excited to add some new restaurant card games to the stockings this year. My kids will love this one–rating dogs on rarity, size, temper, cutenessm, etc.
20. 100 Pics Game – Another fun restaurant card game, this one comes in several categories. Santa’s bringing us the optical illusion one.
21. Daily Kids Joke Calendar – Nella and Dash love a good joke. This little calendar offers a new one every day.
22. Cha Cha Chocolate Toothpaste – I mean, I don’t veer from peppermint toothpaste, but kids? They love anything chocolate.
23. Dual Tip Markers – This set is a great one for adult coloring books, journals and sketching.
24. Simply Dogs Coloring Book – We are always on the lookout for good coloring books that aren’t cheesy. This one is so cute!
25. Happy Salmon – The cutest game for a group of people and easy enough for young ages.

Word Nerd Calendar – I’m excited to start the year with this on our counter–introduces a new obscure word, phrase or forgotten slang every day. Custom Cord Bracelet – The bubble letter charms on these are so fun, and they come in so many different colors. Vinyl Milk Crate Notecard Holder – The most unique way to display blank note cards! Chopsticks Set Here me out here. We discovered @zenheads_asmr on Instagram, and we’re all obsessed with giving each other scalp massages now. Chopsticks are one of the favorite tools, so we promptly bought these and use them frequently. Bonus–doubles for sushi night (after you run them through the dishwasher, of course). Scalp Massage Brush – Per #4, this is the most desired brush for scalp massages. It will not disappoint. Charging Cord Organizer – Finally! No more cords dangling everywhere and no one able to find the one they need. Guided Venting Letters – These are new from Knock Knock this year (one of my favorite stocking stuffer brands), and they’re SO good for teens and tweens who need to vent some steam after a bad day. “Evidence” Zipper Pouch – My kids use these to store markers, watercolors and paintbrushes when we travel. Car (and Keyboard) Cleaning Gel – Great for teen drivers who want to clean out the crumbs in tight car spaces, but also keyboards, laptops, etc. Candy Shaped Highlighters – Lainey loves using highlighters for reading and studying. These ones are anything but boring. Ritz Carlton Hotel Scent Oil – Mask the mess in any teen’s bedrooms with a diffuser and one of these hotel scent oils. We love the Marriot one.Blue Metallic Playing Cards – Winter and holiday breaks call for card games. These ones are so pretty! Wool/Cotton Winter Crew Socks = I’ve bought this sock set for so many gifts–they’re warm, cozy, cabin vibe socks for a great price. Thermal Portable Mini Printer – The easiest way to turn photos, lists, screenshots, etc. into stickers. Connects to ipads, phones, etc. Morning Mantras Affirmations – This is my favorite brand of affirmation cards. They deliver deep truths in the cheekiest way with the tiniest inappropriate edge that makes teens smile. Watercolor Paint Set – Our family’s favorite way to decompress. Every teen needs a good watercolor set (pair it with one of Emily Lex’s watercolor workbooks !) Watercolor Paper Trading Cards – The perfect little size for individual watercolor drawings. I’ve been doing quick illustrations on these lately and love how they turn out. JBL Portable Speaker – A splurge for a stocking stuffer, but this is the BEST bluetooth speaker for tweens and teens. Lainey takes hers everywhere, and the sound is superb. “Open All Night” Bookmark – Not going to lie–having a cute bookmark makes me want to read more. “Resist Conformity” Mug – Only $10.99 and a great reminder for all teens. Elf Blush Stick – My girls stockings are full of E.l.f. goodies, this blush stick one of our faves. Mishy Match Card Game – I’m so excited to play this one with the family this holiday! The challenge is similar to rubbing your stomach while patting your head. Miniature People Figurines – These have been a big hit in our house. We place them on top of picture frames hanging in the house (and have hidden some out in public as well) and have created a whole dramatic story line for the lives of the Tiny People living in our home. Burt’s Bees Chapstick Set – This Amazon link reads “Purchased 6 times” in my cart. We’re all addicted. This is a stocking staple for us. Gratitude Citations – A clever way to combat those days when everyone’s complaining. All you have to do is issue a gratitude citation to be filled out and reminded of all the little things we have to be grateful for. Burt’s Bees Almond Hand Cream – The perfect size for backpacks. We love this for winter! Nail Clipper Set – I’m tired of looking for mine because the kids took them, so they’re getting their own this year. Word & Thought Bubble Stickers – Write funny things on them and stick them on displayed photos in the house. Teens will write some good ones. Thank You Cards – Every teen needs a good set of their own. Milk Frother – This is giving, “No, we aren’t going to Starbucks again. Make your own damn cold foam.” Mini Stanley Purse Charm – Way cheaper than a real one!

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30 Easter Basket Stuffers for 2024

Tomorrow’s entrance into March begins the countdown to Spring Break. We’re heading back to Naples for break and will be happy to soak up some sun and warmth. In the meantime, we’re dreaming of spring things and delighted that Easter falls in March this year. Time to start getting those baskets ready. I got you covered. Here are 30 fun Easter Basket Stuffers your kids will actually love and use.

1 – Ultimate Quick Quizzes Book – Nella is going to be all over this–twenty fun personality quizzes you can take by yourself or do with a friend.

2 – Affirmators! Creativity Affirmation Card Deck – We have two different Affirmators! card decks. They’re such great affirmations that build you up but written in cheeky ways to make you laugh. These are also a fun thing to add to your morning routine–read one aloud together before everyone heads out the door.

3 – Mechanical Pencil Set for Sketching – Dash is really into sketching lately. This extra special pencil set comes in a nice case with extra lead and erasers.

4 – Sketch Book – A blank sketch book–perfect kid size–to use with those pencils (I ordered a new drawing book for Dash’s basket as well)

5 – Free People Dupe Sock Set – Lainey and I have long been fans of these darling ruffle floral socks from Free People, but they’re $12 a pair. This set of five looks and feels just like them, and they’re $15.99 for a set of five.

6 – Sea Stax Puzzle Packing Game – A cute take on Tetris, this game challenges you to stack the sea shapes in certain configurations.

7 – Laptop Compact Mirror – Nella loves keeping a little pouch of makeup in her backpack and often pulls out a little mirror on the way to school while she reapplies her lipgloss. This mirror is disguised as a cute mini laptop.

8 – Hell No Button – It’s not Easter in our house unless there’s a mildly inappropriate gift in someone’s basket. Nella sometimes answers questions that deserve emphatic “No”s with “Hell No.” This button says “Hell No” in ten hilarious different ways.

9 – Archie McPhee Bravery Bandages – There hasn’t been an age my kids haven’t gone through BandAids like water. We love us some cute Bandaids, and these are *chef’s kiss*–plus the cute retro tin is a keeper.

10 – 3-pack Grump Notebooks – The perfect little list making journals for tweens and teens going through stuff–“Things That Annoy Me,” “Daily Disappointments” and “Fresh Rants.”

11 – Snail Face Wash Headband – I swear I buy cool face wash headbands every 6 months, but they always disappear. Kids are going to love this one–those snail eyes!

12 – Molin Roty Coloring and Sticker Book – The perfect coloring book doesn’t ex—WAIT. I cannot with this coloring book. The pages are the most charming drawings of rooms inside a tree cottage, and it comes with cozy furniture and decor stickers.

13 – Colored Pencils – To go with that coloring book. We have this set of colored pencils, and they’re great. Affordable, lots of colors and comes in a cute round case.

14 – Satin Pillowcase – Lainey’s been asking for one of these–all the rage with the tween and teen crowd.

15 – It’s Bananas! Monkey Tail Game – We are always on the lookout for fun games we can play together as a family. This one looks like so much fun. I ordered it and tested the size–box fits in an Easter basket.

16 – Bow Earrings – No bow, no go. These simple gold earrings are the perfect way to rock the bow trend and cute for any age.

17 – Rainbow Acrylic Cubes – These little cubes make a lovely display in any kid’s room. Stack them and play with the way they catch and throw colored light.

18 – Guess in 10 USA Game – I recently realized all three of my kids need a U.S. Geography brush-up. I promptly ordered this for Easter baskets as well as this puzzle.

19 – Ice Roller – I’ve invited the kids to join my morning ice rolling ritual as it never disappoints. We added this new one to this one we already have. The silicone mold one really delivers a cold plunge for your face–great for waking you up, soothing tired eyes, depuffing skin and calming aches and pains.

20 – Emoji Window Clings – A fun art activity that transforms included paints into emoji gel clings for your windows.

21 – Unisex Polarized Aviator Sunglasses – Classic Top Gun style for any age kid.

22 – Vivid Sidewalk Chalk – We buy this a few times a year–the best chalk for creating vibrant colored art on sidewalks (and it lasts longer). A must for upcoming sunny spring days.

23 – Talking Hamster – This little hamster repeats anything you say in its squeaky hamster voice. I already know where this is headed. Hamster’s going to be talking potty talk, and Nella & Dash are going to think it’s so funny.

24 – Would You Rather Book – Would You Rather is all the rage in our home right now. The book form allows the kids to circle their choices and quiz family members–always a hit.

25 – Mini Simon – The pre-phone entertainment we loved in our youth and still a hit with kids today.

26 – Burn After Writing Book – The best reflective journal for tweens and teens with so many great thought-provoking questions and writing experiments. This one’s going in Lainey’s basket.

27 – Picasso Paint By Number Kit – I searched high and low for a not-cheesy paint-by-number kit that wasn’t too easy or too difficult for the kids and would be fun to display when they’re finished. The answer: Picasso!

28 – Prime Croc Jibbitz – The first fashion trend my kids embraced in Michigan–Crocs. All the kids wear them here–even on snowy winter days. Dash is way into accessorizing with Jibbitz. He’s going to love these Prime ones.

29 – Band Posters – These band posters are Lainey’s favorite, and there’s always a few she wants on her Amazon Wish List–an easy pick for her Easter Basket.

30 – People Pens – How cute are these pens? Perfect for the quiz books in the baskets.

 

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Kid Gift Guide 2023

Better late than never…

These lists include what my kids are into this year, what I know will be big hits for them, what they’ve asked for and some of our best gift hits from the past.

Marble Makeup Train Case

Timothee Chalamet Stickers (to decorate the make-up case)

Glow Recipe Watermelon Niacinamide Dew Drops (apparently all the rage)

Lana Del Rey Poster Pack

Mini Echo Show 

The Comfy Dream (all three of my kids want these for winter lounging)

Faux Rabbit Fur Blanket

LEGO Modern Art Wall Art Set

Land’s End Shearling Slippers

You Look Good Rug

Jellycat Egg

Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain

Jamila Amber Perfume Oil

Stanley Tumbler

Beats Solo3 Headphones

Hatch Alarm Clock

Glossier Winter Skin Set

Taylor Swift Album Air Freshener Set

Aerie Crossover Leggings

Aerie Ruffle Boxers and Pajama Top

The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy

PacSun Sweatshirt

Sunset Lamp

Yummy World Pickle

Laguna Chelsea Boots

Tetra Tower Game

Old Navy Beanie

Old Navy Knit Scarf

Hanna Andersson Yellow Sweater

I Spy Dig In Game

Eras Tour Makeup Bag

The Comfy Dream

Water Pick

Pod Swing

Barbie Movie Doll

Luxury Plush Blanket (all three of my kids want their own cozy blanket for Christmas this year)

DIME Fragrance (use code KELLE30 for 30% off Black Friday sale)

E.l.f. Lip Oil

E.l.f. Multi Stick

Makeup Caboodle

Zip String (she’s going to love this with her wand ribbon fascination!)

Girls Ring Set

Pom Pom String Lights

Pickle Stickers (to decorate her Caboodle)

Big Joe Bean Bag

Super Skills Game (we are totally opening this and playing it Christmas Eve with the family)

Sleuth & Solve Book

Tetris Game

Magic Thumbs

LED Lights Alexa Compatible

Chukka Boots (I buy these everyday boots for Dash every year–we love them)

Gravitrax Marble Run

Gizmo Watch (We bought this for Dash last year, and I love the safety of knowing he can reach me)

Scholastic Year in Sports 2023

Crystal Hedgehog Growing Kit

Splurt

3D Doodler Pen

Tosy Flying Disk

Jellyfish Tank

Weird But True Game

L.L. Bean Sled (soooo many DMs about this sled being the ultimate best sled in the world)

Light-up Globe Nightlight (our cousin has this, and it’s so great! I learn so much from it too)

The Comfy

Laser Tag (I’m picturing all the lights off in our house and a big cousin war)

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2023 Easter Basket Stuffers for Little Kids and Big Kids

The Peeps are a plenty in the Target aisles, so naturally it’s time for unleashing the annual Easter Basket Stuffer List. I’ve split it into Little Kids & Big Kids this year, but there’s lots of crossover because there are no age limits on Spring-themed delight. Happy Basket Shopping!

For the Little Kids

Kids’ Rainbow Bamboo Toothbrushes – a pastel buffet of the prettiest little toothbrushes you ever did see Charades for Kids – cards have words and pictures, so beginning readers can play too Magnetic Funny Faces Play Set – this was a favorite when my kids were smaller and a great one to pack for travel, road trips and the restaurant entertainment bag Toddler Bunny Slippers – we bought these for Baby Mila’s Easter basket, and they’re the cutest! Wooden Pastel Twisting Worm – a classic baby/toddler toy that will make the “save forever” toy collection–and in pretty spring pastels! Kids Initial Ball Cap – Rey to Z makes the best kid baseball caps that complement any ensemble Banana Squishee Toy – fidgets still going strong in our house, and this one has irresistable squish magic. Girls’ Floral Swimsuit – classic one-piece in the sweetest spring floral print, 2T – Kids 10 sizes Pocket Bunny Solid Perfume – subtle scent packaged in an adorable solid stick, perfect for backpack pockets Wooden Bird Eggs – Montessori toys are always the prettiest–fun to play with, sort and display Manhattan Toy Bunny and Sleeping Bag – bunnies in bags, mice in cigar boxes, tiny critters that slide into little pocket homes–why are these all so captivating? Linen Hair Bow Set – the most beautiful spring hair collection at an affordable price Boys’ Sailboat Swim Trunks – give me all the Euro swim trunks (and in the sweetest print!) French Vocabulary Flash Cards – my kids still have the Spanish set Magnetic Building Sticks – Magnetic building toys are great for all ages and are always ones we keep when passing along toys. Butterfly Kids’ Kite – Best way to welcome Spring? This adorable little butterfly kite, simple enough for kids to manage. Clear Star Bubble Umbrella – The clear bubble umbrellas are my favorite–classic Spring fashion for littles. Giant Bubble Set – A hit at every age and perfect entertainment for a park picnic. Look Up at the Stars Book – We always like to include new books in our Easter baskets. This one’s a beaut. Montessori Wooden Stacking Blocks – Another great classic building toy. Bonus? They’re beautiful!

For the Big Kids

“Little Box of Happy” Blank Stationery – Recently frustrated I couldn’t find any good kid stationery when one of my kids wanted to send a note, I bought these for the Easter baskets (split them up and tie stacks with ribbon for multiple kid baskets) Barron SAT Prep Vocabulary Cards – Santa brought these for Lainey this past Christmas. They’re fun to pull out at dinner to sharpen the entire family’s vocabulary skills. Textured Orange Bikini – The bunny always brings my kids new bathing suits for upcoming spring and summer adventures–love this vibrant pop of color! Bunny Ear Face Wash Headbands – Daily rituals call for a dose of fun (I’m stealing one of these) The Adventures of Miss Petitfour – This one’s in my kids’ basket this year, a delightful one for nightly read aloud rituals. Tidal Wave Magnetic Storm Thinking Putty – We are suckers for Aaron’s Thinking Putty–the best of them all. Glossier You Solid Perfume – A cult favorite that smells divine–not to mention the little pink thumbprint case is *chef’s kiss*. My niece recently won best gift award by sending one to Lainey who exclaimed, “I’ve been wanting this forever!“ Outer Banks Soda Tab Necklace – OBX fans will be delighted. The Fuzzies Game – Always on the lookout for new fun family games, I was excited to find this one for the Easter basket. Bicycle Color Matching Card Game – A new one for our restaurant card game club–love the way this challenges your brain and calls for quick thinking. Dior Dupe Lip Oil – The perfect dupe for the Dior lip oil that’s all over social media. I tested it and approve. Rocks & Minerals Set – I’m 44 and still find delight in a line-up of pretty rocks and minerals. This National Geographic set comes with 15 specimens, a learning guide, magnifying glass and display case. Owl Pellet Kit – Dash loved when his class dissected owl pellets at school. This kit brings all the fun to home. Ooly Silver Linings Markers – Level up the art cart with these fun metallic markers, fun for journaling and letter writing. Finger Flick Football Game – Another fun restaurant game with Dash’s name all over it. Old Navy Sandals – The Easter bunny always slips a new pair of Old Navy sandals or flip-flops in my kids’ Easter baskets–they’re affordable and cute. Canvas Fanny Pack/Crossbody Bag – I love this simple classic kids’ fanny pack that comes in a variety of colors. Basket Launcher Set – Spring calls for new outdoor games. Light-up Frisbee – We had so much fun with our light-up frisbee last summer–way more fun when you play at night! Pastel Ombre Water Bottle – Our water bottle collection needs to be refreshed this time of year (two were lost to the school abyss–R.I.P.). Wireless Earbuds Cleaning Tool – also great for keyboard keys and cell phone charger ports Silicone Painting Mat – The convenient painting sesh mat we’ve been waiting for!

 

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Cozy Comfy Home Gifts for Anyone

Lore Pemberton “Nook” Print – I love this artist with all my heart, and every one of her prints radiates the vibe I want my home to be. Scroll through her prints–guarantee you’ll find something perfect for a fellow cozy home lover.Origins Feel Good Hug Bedtime Body Wrap – My sister was gifted this last year from her boyfriend’s sister who is known for always giving the perfect gift. It’s luxurious comfort–a lavender-scented warm hug. Lucid Dinner Candles (set of 2) – These are one of my favorite home purchases this year. I love my remote taper candles, but I still love the look of real flames for the dinner table. These are no-drip reusable flame candles with a secret fillable oil reserve inside. J Crew Lodge Moccasins  – These are one of my go-to gifts for everyone on my list–classic cabin-vibe cozy moccasin slippers, currently on major sale for the holidays. Round Charcuterie Board & Cheese Board Card Deck – Every cozy home gathering needs a charcuterie board. I love the look of a round one, and the cards provide endless inspiraton for what goes on your board and how to arrange it. Stonebriar Long Lasting Tealight Candles – My sister keeps these tealights (they last forever!) in a big decorative bowl on the edge of her bathtub so cozy baths are never without candlelight.Heated Throw Blanket – I forgot about the delight of a heating blanket until I was in Michigan last week. My niece had a heated throw in her living room, and I spent an entire afternoon wrapped in it, watching movies–so cozy but also great for anxiety. The Hygge Game – 300 thought-provoking questions designed to spark meaningful conversation and storytelling for a “hygge evening with friends” Williams Sonoma Hot Cocoa Mix – The best creamy hot cocoa — a great addition to a cozy-themed basket or a thoughtful hostess gift by itself. Cozy Kitchen “Sybil” Lamp – If you know, you know. The little lamps in Sybil’s kitchen in the movie Family Stone inspired me to never have a kitchen without a lamp on the counter. These mini lamps from Target are the perfect size for a kitchen counter top, adding the cozy glow you didn’t know you needed. Ardent Goods Eucalyptus Shower Steamers – Made with peppermint and eucalyptus oils, these babies just need a good shower playlist for the perfect relaxing spa night. Family Adventures Coffee Table Book – This book sits on my coffee table and never fails to inspire me when I flip through it–gorgeous photos and essays about family and spending time together on the road. Emily Lex Watercolor Recipe Cards – Everything in Emily Lex’s shop is dripping with cozy feel-good vibes including these darling recipe cards. Level up your gift by filling them out with your favorite family recipes and slip in a basket with some other kitchen goods or recipe ingredients. Warmies Slippers – I want to move to a cold climate for these slippers alone. Scented with french lavender, you warm them in the microwave before you slip them on. Soma Stretch Flannel Set – I cannot get over these pajamas, the epitome of cozy luxury. Heidi was over the other night, and I told her to borrow them so she could get more comfortable. She was so smitten, she went straight to my computer and ordered herself a pair (they’re BOGO 50% off right now). Eat Joy – a collection of recipes, illustrations and stories exploring how food can help us cope in dark times. This one is on my Christmas list this year. The Year of Cozy – Full of the most delightful inspiration for cozy recipes, crafts and projects. The photos are beautiful! East Fork Pottery’s “The Mug” – If you follow me on Instagram, you know how crazy I am about this mug. I collect them. I’m obsessed with them. I’ve turned my friends and family into East Fork mug nuts too. The perfect gift for anyone who drinks hot liquids. But beware–you’ll start a mug cult.

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52 Stocking Stuffers for Kids & Teens

It’s that time of year–my favorite list! As you know if you’ve been following here long, I take stocking stuffer selection very seriously. I have vivid memories of pulling little treasures out of my own stocking when I was a kid–from Bonne Bell Lip Smackers to 4-color pens.  My kids are equally delighted to finding what’s in theirs, and I have so much fun putting together this list every year. With no further ado, here are 52 Stocking Stuffers for Kids & Teens:

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1. Alligator Straw – The only way I’ll ever get close to an alligator. I love these random little delights in the kitchen because they’re the kind of things kids will remember years later, “Remember that alligator straw we used to have?”

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2. Pop Tube Dogs – My kids love weird little gifts like this. They will twist these bendy dogs into funny positions that dogs don’t normally bend into, and they will giggle uncontrollably at how funny they look. They will text pictures of funny bendy dogs to their cousins, and the bendy dogs will win the best gift award.

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3. Toy Train in a Tin – The perfect toy to throw in the “restaurant bag.” Yes, it actually works and chugs along the tiny tracks.

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4. Magnetic Ball – One of the more fun toys in the fidget category, these magnetic balls are larger than the tiny ones that get sucked in the vacuum and way more affordable than the name brand ones.

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5. Looper Hoop – Find the right rhythm to keep the marble spinning and try to make a basket with a flick of the wrist. This one’s going in Dash’s stocking.

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6. Thumb Chucks – These are extra fun because they light up. There’s a whole YouTube channel dedicated to thumb chucks tricks which Dash will likely master by New Year’s.

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7. Head Lamp – My sister is always great at finding the perfect quirky gifts for my kids. She sent this to Dash one year, and he loved it–great for playing outside at night or reading in bed.

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8.Flash Back Light-up Rebound Ball – Another fun light-up toy, this one has yo-yo vibes but bounces on the ground before it rebounds.

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9. Kids Bluelight Glasses – What kid who doesn’t wear glasses hasn’t wanted to try them for fun? These bluelight glasses protect kids’ eyes from computer/device eye fatigue while providing a cute studious look.

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10. Philips One Battery Toothbrush – I love that this toothbrush takes regular batteries (We don’t need any more cords and chargers in our life!) and comes in fun bright colors for kids. The added case makes it great for travel.

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11. Travel Blurt! Game – We love our card games and are so excited for Santa to bring this one this year because we’ve heard it’s so much fun.

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12.Kids Chopsticks– A cute way to level up the fun on any meal.

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13. Fashion Sticker Stylist– This is a fun one for all my kids. We’ve brought it on planes and road trips and thrown it in our restaurant bag.

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14. 3-pack Carmex – Carmex is a staple in backpacks around here, and these 3-packs are great for multiple kid stockings.

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15. Crystalina Doll with Amulet Necklace– Nella will be all over this. I mean, there’s a glowing amulet and a light-up dress!

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16. Magnet Men– These little bendable guys are super fun to play with on the refrigerator.

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17. Golf Pens – A tiny miniature golf setting that doubles as pens.

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18. Bungee Bacon – Stretchy bacon that flings? Yes, please.

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19. Glow Bugs – These have been a favorite this year. We used them in Michigan to play a late night Hide & Seek game outside.

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20. Comfy Socks– A great Bombas knock-off for kids. So comfy!

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21. Hair Clips– These cute confetti-filled barrettes are great for clipping flyaway hairs down (or, in our case, the chunk of short hair we had to cut out of the dreads Nella made from twisting her hair too much).

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22. Triple Tongue Twisters Game – It’s Go Fish! but leveled up with funny tongue twisters that help you win the game when you say them 3x fast. This award-winning game is also great for practicing enunciation and pronunciation.

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23.LEGO Dots Rainbow Bracelet & Charms – Kids can design their own bracelets with buildable tile charms that snap in place.

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24. Things on a Hamburger – One of our top three card games the whole family can enjoy. We’ve taken this on vacation, played around restaurant tables, and it always brings on the laughs.

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25. Dinosaur Pull Back Cars – Great for little kids, but bigger kids can enjoy the fun too. We love having pull-back car races down our hallway with high stakes prizes like “Whoever wins gets to pick the next takeout dinner restaurant”.

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26. Hex Bug – Moves like a cockroach but thank goodness isn’t one.

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27. Ooly Scented Glitter Pens– Ooly is one of my favorite kid stationery brands and ends up in every stocking and Easter basket. These scented glitter pens are the stuff my kid stocking stuffer dreams were made of.

 

FOR TEENS AND BIG KIDS

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1. Do One Fun Thing Every Day Journal – The perfect good headspace journal for big kids with simple daily prompts that promote creativity and fun. This one’s going in my kids’ stockings.

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2. Charcoal Makeup Brush Cleaner – An easy and quick way to clean makeup brushes to make them last longer and keep them fresh.

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3. Stranger Things Slingshot Game – Here’s your chance to knock out a demogorgan. This slingshot game flings “rocks” at creatures from the Upside Down.

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4. Touchscreen Gloves – So maybe my Florida kids won’t use these, but somewhere in the beloved land of seasons, there are kids who would get good use out of these touchscreen gloves, available in lots of colors so everyone can be responsible for keeping track of their own gloves and no one can blame a sibling for stealing theirs.

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5. Kim Krans Pocket Tarot – We have the big version of this set, and they’ve created a lot of fun at gatherings this year. I sent one off to my niece in college who already reported that she’s used them with friends.

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6. Alcohol Wipes – You’re thinking, “Why the heck would I put alcohol wipes in a stocking?” aren’t you? Because your kid’s phone is likely covered in germs, and they don’t think to sanitize it. Forget the expensive tech wipes. These alcohol wipes work just fine. Keep them stashed in backpacks, and they’ll remember to clean their phones.

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7. Apple Air Tag – If there’s one thing big kids and teens are good at, it’s losing things. An Apple air tag allows them to track the important items that matter.

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8. Portable Hand Warmers – Cold weather hikes, sledding, skiing and snow fort making days are made better with these little luxuries to slip inside pockets and mittens–and they’re rechargeable.

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9. Corn Can Safe – We learned this year that corn is a beautiful thing, it has the juice and it’s more than just a big lump with knobs. It can be a safe to disguise and hide important teen treasures.

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10. Sterling Silver Love Ring – The sweetest ring in simple script. Lainey’s middle name is Love, so Santa’s bringing this one for sure.

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11. ban.do Sticker Set – No one ages out of stickers, especially when they’re from ban.do. These are great for journals, planners, water bottles, lap tops and notebook covers.

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12. Ice Face Roller – We’re big fans of the morning ice roll routine over here. This little ice mold allows you to make your own morning concoction – add dried flowers, a little mint, essential oil – for an energizing wake-up ritual.

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13. Cleaning Putty – I keep this in my glove compartment for cleaning dust and gunk out of my car cup holders and console. Also works great for keyboards.

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14. Bliss Marshmallow Mask – The perfect stocking-sized beauty treatment with rave reviews.

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15. Heart Earrings – Santa bought these for Lainey’s stocking; but once I saw them, I wanted a pair too. Available in lots of fun colors!

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16. Portable Charge Backup – You can never go wrong with a backup charger when it comes to teens. I like this one because you don’t need a cord.

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17.Gift Card Puzzle –  A great way to add some fun when you’re relying on gift cards for certain age kids that are tough to buy for. They have to work for the gift card by solving the puzzle first–and, these are reusable.

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18. Hellfire Club Pencil Case – Keep Eddie alive with this one.

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19. Lighted Armband – Perfect for kids who rise early for runs or play outside past dark.

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20.Black Post-its and Metallic Pen Set – Leaving notes has never been more fun. Lainey’s getting these.

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21. Ooly Seeing Double Pens – Another Ooly fave, these double line pens elevate any handwriting to font-worthy.

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22. Herschel Beanie – My favorite beanie that works for any age, boys & girls.

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23. ban.do Airpod Case – If I had a nickel for every time Lainey asked, “Has anyone seen my Airpods?”, I’d buy this case so she could clip it to her backpack and never ask again.

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24. Sticker & Chill Personal Spaces– We love the Sticker & Chill books and spent the entire plane ride to Michigan this October passing this back and forth so we could decorate rooms with all the fun reusable stickers and judge each other’s creations.

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25. 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School – the greatest little bucket list for teens with inspiration and ideas for making life great–from “start a collection” and “correspond with a pen pal in another country” to “record an oral history” and “design a t-shirt.”

The post 52 Stocking Stuffers for Kids & Teens appeared first on Enjoying the Small Things.

2022 Easter Basket Stuffer List

Next week we’ll usher in March–hopefully like a lamb–and the Peeps and Cadburry eggs have officially hit the Target aisles. You know what that means? It’s time for the annual Easter Basket Stuffer List! I love to start early on these. Assembling my kids’ Easter baskets brings me so much joy, especially when I get a head start and can tuck them away completed without feeling the need to rush to Target the night before. We use Easter Baskets as a great time to stock up on some things that need replenishing–art supplies, bathing suits and flip flops. But with summer adventures and travel not far off, I also use this time to buy art and activity books, card games and little treasures my kids will use and wear throughout the next couple seasons. With that, I give you the 2022 Easter Basket Stuffer List. Happy Shopping!

1 – Stamp Garden Set
Your kids have to wait no longer for spring with this floral stamp kit–everything they need to create their own floral prints prints and patters. Combine with #2 to make a set of spring stationery.

2 – Blank Postcards
This one’s always fun to have around with kids, especially artsy ones. They’re the perfect size for small works of art–painting, stamping, drawing, etc. and fun to send out to family and friends.

3 – Bunny Plush
What’s an Easter without a bunny plush in the basket. This one is the cutest–looks like a real baby bunny.

4 – Andy Warhol Tin Can of Crayons
Crayon storage was never so cool. The perfect size tin to tote crayons for road trips, or keep them displayed in a bedroom or playroom.

5 – 365 Days of Art in Nature
The 265 Days of Art books are the best! Lainey got the Creativity one for Christmas and loved it. This nature one is perfect for upcoming days of outside adventures.

6 – Glass Water Bottle with Silicone Sleeve
Each of my kids have their own color of these water bottles they use at home (instead of pulling a new cup every time they want a drink so there’s 29 cups on the counter at night). They come in so many different colors and create a fun rainbow display on open shelving (The Home Edit uses them too!).

7 – Food Lovers Coloring Book
I’m always on the lookout for interesting creative books we’ll actually want to color in. This one has so many cute drawings that are actually fun to color–great for road trips and rainy days.

8 – Slamwich Card Game
We’re big fans of good card games that slip in a purse or backpack for trips, restaurant waits and more, and we use stocking stuffer time and Easter basket fill-ups to replenish our collection. This one’s a fun one for all ages.

9 – Stretchy Dough Balls (2-pck)
Fidgets are still a hit around here, never failing to thrill.

10 – Pop-it Tetris
Speaking of fidgets, I thought I had seen every kind of pop-it they offer, but this! I had to get this one. We love doing Tetris puzzle races to see who can complete theirs first.

11 – Bunny Ponytail Holders (12-pck)
The cutest spring accessory, and there’s enough in this pack to share with siblings and friends.

12 – Barrel of Monkeys
Another fun game to throw in a bag for restaurant waits, this one’s timeless and a great challenge for all ages.

13 – How to Draw Animals
Dash is very into drawing tutorials lately, so this one’s for him–simple and straightforward.

14 – Quicktionary Card Game
I know, I know–enough with the card games, but we can’t quit. We’re always on the lookout for a new one. I was so excited to find this fun word challenge game from Chronicle, one of my favorite publishers. This one’s for sure coming with us to Michigan this summer.

15 – Watermelon Butter Slime
Exactly when does the slime phase wear off? Because it’s still going strong here. Apparently in the world of slime, butter slime is the luxury version.

16 – Magnetic Tangram Puzzle
A fun little brain challenge for Nella’s basket–and it’s magnetic so perfect for travel (can you tell we have our summer road trip on the brain already?).

17 – Braid Headband
Have a preteen/teen who loves playing around with different hair styles (ahem–Lainey)? These headband breads look super real and come in so many different hair colors. When my hair was longer, I wore mine all the time–my long hair tucked in the back with bobby pins, so it looked like a cute updo.

18 – Jellybean Snake-in-a-Can
For the pranksters. These are never not fun.

19 – Pipe Cleaner Pets Book
Someone messaged me this book, suggesting it for Lainey. Ordered immediately for her basket–she’s going to love it! (the little Friday on the front!)

20 – Cupcake Floss
Maybe they’ll actually floss now.

21 – You Me We Journals
I love this journal so much–a great way to connect with your child and create a forever keepsake. These two identical journals are meant for parent and child to both fill in fill-in to learn more about each other and collaborate on fun.

22 – Bungee Bacon
Fidget bacon you can stretch? My kids dig weird stuff like this–maybe yours do too.

23 – Bunny Wish Bracelets
I love gifts that come in 3-packs and 4-packs for multiple kids. These sweet little wish bracelets have the cutest little bunny charm, perfect for Easter gifting.

24 – Plush Bunny in a Sleeping Bag
They had me with the little old-fashioned bunny, but then they had to blast more cute with the tiny little sleeping bag it tucks into and the teeny tiny clothes.

25 – Magic Playing Cards
Kids can perform ten different magic tricks with this trick deck–has Dash’s name all over it.

26 – Bunny Airpod Case
Lainey’s always thrilled to switch out her Airpod case to something new and cute, so it always makes a great gift for her. This little bunny is perfect for Spring.

27 – We Rate Dogs Game
I smiled so big when I found this game. It’s just the sort of fun my kids will love. You rate dogs in show events and try and knock your opponents’ dogs down in the ranks. And–it’s on sale!

28 – Kids Thermos
Nella and Dash are both due for new lunch Thermoses. I figured the Easter basket is the perfect excuse for new ones, especially if they’re accompanied with fun water bottle stickers that they can use to customize and decorate theirs. Enter #29.

29 – Roblox Water Bottle Stickers
As if I need more Roblox in my life. The kids will love these though. They also have horse stickers! :o)

30 – Scholastic USA Game Tin
Yes, there are a lot of card games on this list, but they bring us so much joy. With upcoming travel on the horizon, they’re so great for trips. At least one’s educational–a fun way to learn state geography and capitals.

31 – Kawaii Writing Stationery
Lainey loves having her own pretty stationery to send notes on or include in her Poshmark packages. These are delicate and spring-themed and priced just right. These would have been nice for the apology letters Nella wrote to her teachers last week too. :o)

 

 

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Holiday Movie Marathon Guide

With Thanksgiving break approaching, we’re preparing to hunker down for movies and fires and lots of good food. I made a favorite holiday movie checklist this year including sources for where you can find movies to rent, buy or stream. I thought I’d share it here if you’d like to print it out. Now to see how many of these we actually get through this year!

Download and print Holiday Movie Checklist

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The 2021 Holiday Bucket List

Yes, we technically kick off the holidays the day after Halloween because we are pre-Thanksgiving celebratory freaks. But hanging the Holiday Bucket List on our wall every year makes it official. We’re goin’ in, checking off simple delights and traditions that are extra special these last two months–things we often say we want to do but forget or put aside until the holidays are over and we groan that we never did take hot cocoa in the car late at night to drive and look at Christmas lights.

This list was born from pure delight, from wanting my kids to remember that we enjoyed glorious little moments together over simple holiday things–painting candy canes on our fingernails, shaping pancakes into snowmen, cutting paper snowflakes and hanging them in a window.

I started making bucket lists several yeas ago when my kids were tiny for some accountability to commit to the fun things I dream of at the beginning of new seasons. Over the years, they’ve become an important tradition in our home and something I love sharing with you. I spend many early October and November mornings alone in my kitchen illustrating each item as I make this, and that quiet time has become my church. Sharing this list with you every year is the cherry on top–or maybe steeple, if we’re sticking with church.

We print a copy of ours 16 x 20 (I just send the file to Walgreens Photo) and hang it in the main area of our home. Or you can print it on regular paper and slap it on your fridge. Our kids have so much fun checking things off, but for the record I’d still be enjoying these bucket lists even if I didn’t have kids.

Download and print your own copy of our 2021 Holiday Bucket List

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Gift Guide for Creative & Crafty Kids (and Adults!)

After including a few crafty gifts in the kid gift guide, I decided the crafty and creative gifts deserved their own guide because there are so many great gifts available for the artsy folks. So many of Lainey’s gifts have been pulled from this list. One of the best ways to foster creative kids is to have lots of creative art supplies available to them. You may want to shop for yourself from this list. :o)

1 – Refillable A5 Journal
When Lainey started journaling, she looked at a lot of journals before settling on a binder type. The size is just right, it lays open flat providing a nice work surface, and you can rearrange pages and add more. The cover comes in a variety of different colors. You’ll need A5 Loose Leaf Journal Paper to fill it.

2 – Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage
This book has delivered so many hours of creating in our house (the first night after we bought it, Lainey and her friend and I sat at the dining room table and cut, collaged and talked for SIX HOURS).  There are over 1500 different things to cut out in the book—everything from pop culture art and vintage photographs to architecture, botanicals and travel images. We collage onto thick watercolor paper and card stock, or— if we really want to get fancy—these wooden panels.

3 – Prismacolor Colored Pencils
If you have a creative kid who loves art, you may want to graduate beyond Crayola and invest in a set of really good colored pencils. We love Prismacolor!

4 – 365 Days of Art
Santa’s bringing this for Lainey this year. It’s so good, I want an extra copy for myself. It’s full of creative prompts and exercises to spark reflection through drawing, writing, painting and more.

5 – Self-Outlining Metallic Markers
After a few pop-up holiday ads kept selling these as the “Best Stocking Stuffer!,” I investigated and decided they did look pretty fun for doodling and lettering (see #12).

6 – Resin Kit
We boarded the Resin Train this past summer and never looked back. It’s easy to work with and can create so many beautiful things–jewelry, bookmarks (see #7), keychains! We’ve added dried flowers, glitter, cookie sprinkles and more. We love the bookmarks we made this summer so much, we’re making more to include in teacher holiday gifts.

7 – Bookmark Mold Kit
Includes silicone molds and tassels to turn resin into beautiful bookmarks. My favorite ones we made used glitter and sequins, but there are so many fun things you could put in these.

8 – Rainbow Embroidery Board Kit
Simple, doable for any age and a great price.

9 – Paint Chip Poetry
A fun word play game that encourages players to spontaneously create poems with paint chip names. We’ve used them to make up our own creative writing exercises as well–so great for expanding word choice and including colorful descriptions–a blue that is a “whale song,” whites that are “moonstone” and “sand dollar,” a “rich soil” brown and a “cliff’s edge” gray–delightful creative fun.

10 – Pocket Watercolor Set
Every budding artist needs a good set of watercolors. This one is the perfect size and includes 18 half pans for a variety of colors that can be mixed.

11 – One Color a Day
A brilliant simple journal that prompts you to visually document each day by creating a color and adding words or phrases that reflect your current mood, an observation, or an experience.

12 – Pretty Simple Lettering
Learn the art of modern calligraphy with this how-to hand lettering workbook that teaches the basics of creating alphabets in many different styles, how to develop those styles into one that is uniquely your own, and how to turn hand lettering into beautiful pieces of art.

13 – Sketch Your Style
This interactive guided sketchbook is perfect for anyone who loves fashion and loves to doodle, sketch, and draw. Some pages are blank, while others have printed templates to guide you through creating your own designs and drawing figures and clothing.

14 – In the Forest Watercolor Guide
We’ve gone through every Dana Fox watercolor book in our home. The pages are thick watercolor paper with color palette suggestions and rough sketches of each ocean creature already drawn–all ready for painting.

15 – Watercolor Postcards
The blank canvas of a full sheet of watercolor paper can be intimidating. These watercolor postcards are the perfect size and invitation to freely create art. Save them all to make a mini portfolio, frame them in 5 x 7 frames or slap a postcard stamp on your art and mail it to Grandma.

16 – Calligraphy Brush Markers
Goes perfectly with #12! Great for practicing lettering as well as journaling.

17 – Block Printing Starter Kit
A fun area of art to explore. For years, my aunt and uncle’s Christmas cards were a different block print my aunt used to design.

18 – Ovenbake Polymer Clay Kit
We always like to have a stash of polymer clay on hand for rainy day boredom and days when we have a creative itch to make something. It’s so versatile! We’ve created lots of jewelry with ours (add these to make earrings with your creations).

19 – Sakura Drawing Pen Set
I use Sakura pens for all my watercolor drawings–archival ink, waterproof, fade resistant and no feathering or smearing!

20 – Self-Hardening Modeling Clay
Unleash the potter withing without needing a pottery wheel or kiln. Sculptures can be painted once they dry. We’ve made jewelry bowls, candlesticks and lots of fun sculptures. See #21:

21 – Pottery & Clay Sculpting Tools
For use with #20. These will bring back school art class memories. And clay sculpting with tools is so therapeutic!

22 – A Book That Takes Its Time
One of our favorite art books that is chock-full of creative exercises and inspiration–a complete buffet of ideas and prompts. It’s a save forever book for sure.

23 – Frida Paint-by-Number Kit
These paint-by-number kits are so well-designed! A bit more modern and less tedious than the paint-by-numbers of our youth. We did the Mr. Rogers one a couple years ago, and it was so fun to complete.

24 – Yarn-Bomb Unicorn Kit
Yarn-bombing is super therapeutic, but you can only yarn bomb so many sticks before you want something a little more challenging. This kit has everything you need to complete two colorful unicorns that would look darling styled on a bookshelf.

25 – Chalk Pastels
Our favorite leveled-up sidewalk chalks. The normal thick sidewalk chalk wasn’t doing it for us anymore–we wanted more vivid colors. These take a little longer to wash off a driveway (they do wash off though), but after you see the art you can create with these, you won’t want your masterpieces washed away!

26 – Shrinky Dink Sheets
Another staple in our home for rainy days and creative itches. There’s so much you can make with these, and the process is ridiculously satisfying. All you need are colored pencils (see #3) and an oven. Add a hole punch and jewelry-making accessories if you want to turn your creations into charms and earrings.

27 – Rainbow Punch Needle Kit
It’s simplified needlepoint (the punching is so satisfying!), and the result is darling display-worthy art.

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