Are you looking for small gifts to give to family and friends who love to travel? These stocking stuffers are perfect for travelers and explorers: they are small, functional, help kids to learn about the world, and help adults to travel more efficiently. Here are 15 stocking stuffers we love, divided by age: the perfect gifts for babies, kids, and adults.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Stocking Stuffers for Babies and Toddlers
Baby Einstein Music Toy: When I take a toddler traveling, I like to bring a special, new toy for just the right moment preceding a meltdown. Lights and music are the biggest hits, and this toy has them both, plus a low/high/off volume switch.
HoMedics SoundSpa On-The_Go: When we are on the road, it is always more difficult for my kids to fall asleep and stay asleep. I have used big box fans to drown out the street noise, or even played a radio loudly between stations to hear static. My friend swears that this little sound maker is the key to sleep happiness for traveling babies. It runs on batteries and has four soothing modes: heartbeat, white noise, ocean, and lullaby.
Stocking Stuffers for Kids
HipCity Sak: This has to be the cutest little bag I’ve ever seen. Made of soft faux leather, it can snap on and off the elastic belt, and interchange with colorful accessories. What I love about this waist pack is that my girls can be responsible for their little treasures, snacks, sunglasses, etc, and have their hands free to have fun while traveling (and I never have to carry their purse!). “Wearing” their bag is so much better than a purse dragging on the ground, or being forgotten when they’re tired.
Little Passports’ “Toby” Traveling Dog & Story: Kids will love this interactive book with 7 souvenirs from Max, Mia and Toby’s travels, including a hieroglyph puzzle, travel snapshots from Australia, and a train ticket from Japan. Wouldn’t it be so fun to read the book, and then send Toby on adventures with friends or family who are traveling? They could take pictures of Toby around the world! I love the learning about different countries and cultures in this colorful book.
NatGeo Kids Magazine Subscription: Not only will this awesome magazine inspire your kids to learn about the world from home, I save all of our magazines and bring them with on trips. Then as we travel, we can lighten our load by leaving them behind for other travelers.
Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light: We have a wide spread of ages with our kids (now ages 2-11), which makes bedtimes a challenge. If we’ve been walking around all day and have skipped our little one’s nap, our little guy will go to bed earlier. These book lamps are perfect for bigger kids to read in the dark without waking anyone up. The LEDs last forever, they light up both pages of the book, and honestly we use them as flashlights if kids are sleeping and we need to get something out of our suitcases.
Safari Animal Toobs: It seems like such a simple toy, but these animals keep my kids occupied for hours on end. We brought some with us to Ireland when daughter was 2, and it was the only toy she played with and held for two weeks. Since then she has brought them to China, Mexico, Germany- even now that she’s 10 she still loves to bring them with and make little houses for them no matter where we travel.
Here are more gift ideas for little travelers from Piri-Piri Lexicon.
Stocking Stuffers for Parents
Photojojo Cell Phone Lenses: I am putting this on the list because I want a photojojo lens for Christmas:). My traveling friends take amazing pictures with their phone using these simple lenses that attach to a magnetic ring right on your phone- and for a camera lens, these are so inexpensive!
Universal Cord Organizer: Don’t tell me husband, but he has one of these waiting for him under the Christmas tree:). He has so many cords, he might need two! I love how it rolls up with a soft cover, so it’s easier to fit in your backpack.
Jet Bag Reusable, Padded Absorbant Bottle Bag: Whether you’re bringing home maple syrup from Canada, olive oil from the Mediterranean, honey from Ethiopia, or perfume or wine from just about anywhere, these bags protect glass bottles or jars from breaking, and absorb the liquid if it does leak or break. The pack of 3 biodegradable bags are perfect for transporting liquids on your travels.
Sockwell Compression Socks are great for those long haul flights when you’re kids finally fall asleep precariously leaning on you, and you can’t get up without waking them. Worry less about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when you’re stuck in your seat for prolonged periods of time.
Stocking Stuffers for Traveling Families
Night Light and USB Charger: I love when items have a dual purpose! My kids are sometimes disoriented they aren’t sleeping in their own bed, and this LED nightlight is perfect to show them the way to the bathroom when it’s dark.
Sondergut Roll-Up Chess and Checkers Game: This soft leather game board rolls up so small, you can easily stuff it in a backpack or purse to play while waiting for your plane or relaxing in a plaza. There is a little zipper pouch to store the pieces (and they sell replacement pieces in case you lose some on the way!).
Matador Blanket: Fitting in your pocket, this water-resistant blanket is a must have for your glove compartment or in your suitcase. I first learned about it at Disney World- a woman took it out of her purse and sat her kids down for a picnic under a tree! (did you know you could bring food in!?) It also works to cover yourself during a drizzly soccer game.
Travel Bottles: We have a lot of curly hair needing different creams and conditioners, and these little TSA-approved silicone containers are perfect. I like their wide openings, and that they do not leak.
I love these ideas, especially the lense for your iPhone. I’ll have to see if they make one for an iPad.