People who like kids and toys suggest the following stocking-stuffers, all priced less than $15. Most stuffers are available at major discount or toy stores.
– Basic Fun keychains: Mini versions of Mr. Potato Head, Etch-A-Sketch and other popular toys range from $3.50 to $5. A new game series features Twister, Monopoly and other classics.
– Beadie Babies kits: Kids transform beads and wires into tiny animals. They’ve been hot in the craft industry and are catching on with 8- to 12-year olds. You’ll find them for $3 at fabric stores.
– Beanie Babies: The plush, bean-filled toys are still hot as can be. “Kids are back into them,” says Nancy Stanek of Toys Et Cetera, Evanston and Hyde Park. Word has it that Ty plans to retire a bunch of Babies soon, meaning a brand-new bunch is on the way. They’re priced at $5.
– Wiggly Giggly ball: A vinyl ball, about 6 inches in diameter, that bounces, but giggles and laughs when it’s picked up. Wild neon colors add to the fun. It’s $15 and good for any age, from infants to teens.
– Giga Pets by Tiger Electronics: Kids still like these electronic pets, which require their care and attention through activities such as feeding, playing, grooming and training. Choose from dozens of types of pets, from Salem the Cat from the TV show “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” to Yoda from `Star Wars.” Giga Pets sell for between $10 and $15. For ages 5 and up.
– Chocolate coins: “Gelt,”available in most candy stores around the holidays, is part of the Hanukkah tradition.
– Barbie or other doll clothes: They run from $8 to $12 and are as much fun to buy as to give.
– Stationery: Lisa Frank and others offer sets that include a writing pad and matching pen. The sets are $4 to $8 at Target and Kmart. Stickers are also popular with kids.(Memo to out-of-town relatives: Add a few stamped envelopes if you really want the kids to write.)
– Radio watch: Wild Planet makes a wristwatch radio ($15) that comes with a tiny earphone. The earphone has been calibrated so kids can’t blast their eardrums. It’s great for preteens on long car trips.
– Ink stamps: A set of animal or insect stamps or the child’s name on a stamp plus colored inks make a creative gift for middle-schoolers. (Younger children will leave their stamps all over the house.) Wood and rubber animal stamps run from $3.50 to $6.99 at Toys Et Cetera. Ink pads range from 99 cents for a mini to $3.50 for a full-size pad. For customized stamps, call your local office-supply store.
– X-V Triple-Loop Racers: These racetrack cars from Mattel ($15 to $20) really work.
– Puzzles: I Spy has a line of puzzles based on the books; they’re about $8 each. Milton-Bradley makes 3-D puzzles depicting the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, a totem pole and other subjects ($6) that afford fun for the whole family. To stuff a bigger stocking, try Milton-Bradley’s 3-D Titanic puzzle (about $25).
– Kites: Go Fly A Kite make palm-size kites-in-a-bag that come complete with string. Perfect for unseasonably warm winter or spring days. They’re priced at $3.50 at specialty toy stores.
– Socks and underwear: Just kidding, though some kids might get a kick out of holiday-theme items.
