Nature Stocking Stuffers for Kids Under $20

The best stocking stuffers are small, a little bit surprising, and don't end up forgotten by New Year's. That's a tall order for anything under $20 — but a nature activity book pulls it off. At $14.99, each one slides right into a stocking, and instead of another gadget that needs charging, it hands a kid a reason to get outside and look closer. Here are our favorite screen-free stocking stuffers for curious kids ages 7–12, all from the Nature Explorer collection.

1. A book for the state they know best

Pick the activity book for the state where they live and you've turned their own backyard into a season of discovery — birds, wildflowers, butterflies, and leaves, each with a fold-out map of real spots to explore. It's the rare small gift that feels personal, not filler.

$14.99 — Pick Their State

One book, their home state, a whole season of backyard adventures.

Browse by State

2. A book for their favorite park

Heading somewhere over the holidays, or dreaming of the next trip? A national park activity book is the perfect trailside companion — and just as fun on the couch in December. Kids track wildlife, decode puzzles, and sketch what they find, from the bluest water at Crater Lake to the lava fields of Hawaii Volcanoes.

$14.99 — Pick Their Park

A field guide, journal, and adventure kit in one — small enough for a stocking.

Shop Park Books

3. Stuff two, make a mini-set

Want the stocking to feel extra generous? Two books — say Birds and Butterflies for the same state — still land near the price of one bigger toy, and give a kid two ways to explore. It's an easy way to level up without leveling up the budget.

Tips for nature stocking stuffers

• Match it to the kid. Bug lover? Butterflies. Beach kid? Seashells (coastal states). There's a book for what they're already into.
• Order early. Books are made to order, so give yourself a comfortable window before the holidays.
• Add a pencil pouch or magnifier. Tuck a couple of cheap explorer tools alongside the book and the whole stocking has a theme.

Frequently asked questions

How much are the activity books?
Individual activity books are $14.99 — comfortably under $20 and stocking-sized.

What ages are they for?
Curious kids roughly ages 7–12. Younger children enjoy them alongside an adult.

Which book should I pick?
Start with their home state, or the park you're visiting. From there, choose the topic they already love — birds, butterflies, wildflowers, leaves, or seashells.

Are they screen-free?
Completely. No batteries, no charging — just maps, sketching, puzzles, and a reason to get outside.

Will they arrive in time?
Because each book is printed to order, order with a little room to spare and you'll have it well in hand.