10 stocking stuffers for kids who love to travel (all under $10)

Like it? Share it!

I’m pretty good at Christmas shopping for my travel-loving family (see this post on 10 Christmas gift ideas for kids who love to travel) but I always struggle with stocking stuffers! When I was a kid, I used to get things like socks, cassette tapes (showing my age here!) and of course, the obligatory orange (or in my case, a Terry’s Chocolate Orange!) in my stocking, but I’d like to be a little more creative when it comes to the things my kids open first on Christmas morning.

I’ve spent this year doing my research and come up with some really awesome stocking stuffer ideas that are perfect for kids like mine who love to take trips and explore new places – and best of all, each of these is under $10! Read ahead for my 10 stocking stuffers for kids who love to travel.

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase an item after clicking on the link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This is at no extra cost to you, and as always, all opinions and recommendations are my own.

10 stocking stuffers for kids who love to travel

1. Sleep socks

So not the most creative stocking stuffer, but certainly one of the most practical; I swear, we never return from a trip with the same amount of socks as we leave with! These are one of our travel necessities, and something we never get on a plane without. Too many times I’ve had one of my kids kick off their shoes to get comfy on a flight, only to complain that their feet are now cold. These cozy knitted socks will keep their littles toes warm during travel – and with four pairs in a pack, you’ll have a few back ups! Look for more ideas on what to wear on for plane travel here.

2. Melissa and Doug Water Wow

I swear every child I know is obsessed with these things, and yet they’re so simple! Coloring pages that come to life when ‘colored’ with a special water pen, the designs are so much fun for kids with absolutely no mess! They’re perfect for road trips, plane trips, or pretty much any trip where you’re going to hear “I’m bored!” within the first five minutes! These coloring books are perfect for little travelers and make a fantastic activity for toddlers for plane travel.

3. MyBaby Soundspa on the go

If you think your kids might have a hard time sleeping when they’re away from home, this is the perfect gift to put in their stocking for an upcoming trip. With four soothing sounds, including white noise and a lullaby, this travel sound machine will be just what your little one needs to nod off peacefully in a strange place. It even has a clip to attach to a stroller or a pack and play.

4. Good Night World books

I’ve talked about how much I love these books before, but small sized books are one of my favorite things to put in a stocking, and these are so perfect for travel! They have them for so many different cities and countries, and we love buying them before visiting a location to read about the fun things we might do once we get there. We have over 20 of these books, and keep collecting them on our travels! You can read my full review of the Good Night World books here.

5. Reusable water bottle

A travel necessity for sure, as well as something useful to keep around the house. I buy my boys insulated water bottles so that their drinks are kept cold when we travel to warm places, and vice versa. Reusable water bottles are so much better for the environment than plastic bottles, and we never leave home without ours. I can also say with complete honesty that I’ve found my son much more likely to hydrate properly drinking out of a Batman water bottle! Drinking enough water is so important to keep kids from getting dehydrated during flights and especially when visiting places like Walt Disney World during the summer, and reusable water bottles are perfect to bring with you.

6. Plug in night light

We’ve had so many issues in the past with kids going to sleep beautifully in a hotel room, only to wake up screaming at 2am because it’s pitch black and they have no idea where they are. We’ve also dealt with the more recent challenge of a child who need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, and needs to find it in the dark quickly! A plug in night light fits easily into your suitcase, and will provide just enough light to allow kids to see where they are. These character ones are so much fun, and provide a little comfort when away from home.

7. Activity set

We get on every single flight, and embark on every single road trip, with at least five activity books (including these Kids’s Travel Guides) to keep our little ones entertained. Coloring, games, puzzles, and stickers, are all an integral part of our travel entertainment package! Of course, Disney ones are going to be all the more popular! These are adorable, and a great stocking stuffer.

8. Mini globe

Harrison absolutely loves looking at globes and maps, not only to see where he’s been, but to plan out where he’s going next! As a child I remember being similarly fascinated by where the countries were, and how big the world seemed to me – I remember being so excited to get out there and explore it! If you have a young explorer, a mini globe is not only an educational toy to teach them more about the world, but a great way to encourage their love of travel!

9. Magnetic travel game set

I must admit to hating card games and games with small pieces on plane trips; it’s so easy to drop things on the floor and never see them again! These magnetic travel games are absolutely fantastic though; the pieces all stick to the metal tins, meaning no matter how much the game is shaken around, all of the parts will stay in one place. They take up very little space in a suitcase, and are the perfect size to pop into a stocking.

10. Luggage tags

Our boys have the most adorable luggage tags for when they travel, and thanks to their small size, they are the perfect stocking stuffer for kids who love to travel! There are so many different ones to choose from, but I really like the Disney ones, especially if you have a Disney trip planned (they would make a great addition to a surprise box if you’re surprising the kids with a trip too!) A word of warning though: put these on your hand luggage instead of your checked bags. I’ve put cute luggage tags on checked luggage before and never seen them again, they just get ripped off too easily. Put them on your hand luggage where they will be safe!

What stocking stuffers for kids who love to travel do you have planned this holiday season?