Stocking Stuffers to promote learning

One of my hidden agendas with Christmas presents is to promote learning while having fun.  You could easily spend hundreds of dollars pursuing that goal, but today I’m going to share some stocking stuffer ideas that are less than $15. After all, for a Homeschool Christmas we need to keep it affordable.

Random question I thought of as I took this picture.  Does your family wrap stocking presents, or do you just have them open?  I grew up wrapping stocking presents, and so the first year I went to go wrap them in white tissue paper (which is of course THE way to do them) and Jeff looked at me like I was crazy, “You DO NOT wrap stocking presents, that’s just silly.”

So do you wrap your stocking stuffers or leave them as is?

(two things: there are a zillion affiliate links in here, and the prices may no longer be under $15)

Stocking Stuffers to promote reading

There are a lot of great book series for kids, but I want to highlight 5 different games your kids could learn from.

1. Bananagrams(strong reader)
2. POP for Blends Card Game (learning to read)

   

3. Quiddler (strong reader)

   

4. Mini Word Puzzle Game (able to read)
5. Snap It Up! Phonics (learning to read)

Stucking Stuffers to promote math

Math is a fun subject to learn through games, you can sneak in so much learning through games, and much more enjoyable for both parents and kids than flashcards.

1. ThinkFun Math Dice Jr.

   

2. Think Fun Math Dice

   

3.  Addition Wrap-Ups

   

4. Learning Wrap Ups – Multiplication

   

5. Set: The Family Game of Visual Perception (introduce algebra concepts to younger kids)

Stocking Stuffers to promote science

This is a slightly different take than the previous two categories because there are some great science gear you can get for under $15 (and it fits in a stocking), and some great toys that will promote science learning.

1. Pocket Microscope

   

2. Safari Ltd Ocean TOOB (I cannot emphasize enough how great these are for early elementary science)
3. Professor Noggin’s Wonders of Science

   

4. My First Pocket Guide Stars & Planets

   

5. Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Pocket Naturalist Guide Series)

   

Stocking Stuffers to promote history and geography

For my kids, I’ve found a large selection of games and toys increases their interaction and knowledge of history more than almost any other thing.  The first two items in this stocking stuffer list are MUST HAVE items in our house for homeschooling

1.  Safari Ltd Jamestown Settlers TOOB

   

2. WWII US Marines Figures

   

3. Professor Noggin’s History of the United States

   

4. Timeline Historical Events Card Game

   

5. Flag Frenzy!

   

Stocking Stuffers to promote writing

Writing can be challenging for young kids because they don’t know WHAT to write or are still learning how to form their letters and words.

1. Rory’s Story Cubes

   

2.  Once Upon A Time

   

3. Lisa Frank Sketch Stationery Set (these were the height of coolness when I was a kid)
4. Blank Book (your best bet for large numbers of these are teacher supply stores or Oriental Trading from time to time)
5. Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Small Journal Series) (craft stores and Barnes and Noble always have a great supply of these, all of my kids love little books)

Stocking Stuffers to promote critical thinking

Critical Thinking will be important as you continue in life past school, why is this decision better than the other, what are the risks and rewards of one choice over the other?  All of these games promote critical thinking and problem solving, and additional bonus, they travel well for waiting in doctor’s office or restaurants.

1. Five Crowns

   

2. HABA Catch Me Mini Game To Go

   

3. HABA Orchard Mini Game

   

4. IQ Twist

   

5. ThinkFun Hoppers

   

Of course you can’t really go too far wrong sticking a pad of paper and a set of markers because you’ll be amazed what your kids will come up with just being left to create and having fun.