5 Sense Stocking Stuffer Ideas - Sound!
December 18, 2024 10:15 AM Subscribe
HELP! I need some stocking stuffer ideas for a 5 senses theme. I have sight, taste, touch, and smell covered but can't think of anything for sound. Details within!
I've already ruled out for various reasons:
- iTunes gift card
- audiobooks
- CDs or tapes
- tiny twinkly music players
What am I missing? Ideally it's relatively small, under $30 but flexible on both those points. We can stretch the idea of sound (something that's crinkly or rattles in the box?), but shouldn't be crunchy snacks (since that's covered with the taste sense). Thanks!
I've already ruled out for various reasons:
- iTunes gift card
- audiobooks
- CDs or tapes
- tiny twinkly music players
What am I missing? Ideally it's relatively small, under $30 but flexible on both those points. We can stretch the idea of sound (something that's crinkly or rattles in the box?), but shouldn't be crunchy snacks (since that's covered with the taste sense). Thanks!
a harmonica
posted by phunniemee at 10:20 AM on December 18 [10 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 10:20 AM on December 18 [10 favorites]
A small brass Singing Bowl? They're very beautiful even just as an object, and very fascinating to kids as the sound they make is unique.
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 10:21 AM on December 18 [4 favorites]
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 10:21 AM on December 18 [4 favorites]
kazoo
earplugs (maybe nicer ones like these from Loop?)
mini sound machine
posted by shesbookish at 10:27 AM on December 18 [3 favorites]
earplugs (maybe nicer ones like these from Loop?)
mini sound machine
posted by shesbookish at 10:27 AM on December 18 [3 favorites]
A penny whistle/tin whistle or duck caller!
posted by fight or flight at 10:29 AM on December 18 [1 favorite]
posted by fight or flight at 10:29 AM on December 18 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure if this is what you mean by "tiny twinkly music players" but there are the little hand cranked music boxes that are pretty cute.
Otamatones are fun.
Thumb piano.
posted by LKWorking at 10:33 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
Otamatones are fun.
Thumb piano.
posted by LKWorking at 10:33 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
Whoopee cushion
posted by mefireader at 10:34 AM on December 18 [4 favorites]
posted by mefireader at 10:34 AM on December 18 [4 favorites]
A small steel tongue drum? (This sort.) (Even the larger ones are surprisingly not annoying in even a 5yo's hands... the small 6"-ish ones are inexpensive, portable, and sturdy.)
A ukulele. (Though that might require a bigger stocking.)
A kalimba "thumb piano". (These even come in keychain size.) They're not quite as subtle as the drum
posted by stormyteal at 10:37 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
A ukulele. (Though that might require a bigger stocking.)
A kalimba "thumb piano". (These even come in keychain size.) They're not quite as subtle as the drum
posted by stormyteal at 10:37 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
A bell
A cat/dog training clicker
A kazoo
A harmonica
A tin whistle or flute
A whistle (maybe a rescue whistle)
A small speaker
A fidget toy that makes sound
A book on sounds in nature, e.g. recognizing frog calls or bird songs
Sound-protecting ear covers (e.g. for woodworking)
A song/caroling lyrics collection
A USB drive with podcasts on it
A bingo game about sounds
A song you write about the recipient
Tap shoes
A small percussion instrument, like a maraca or shaker
An antique door knocker (as in the beginning of the classic "A Christmas Carol", only not haunted)
Tickets to a concert
A ukulele building kit
A foreign language learning item that focuses on speaking/listening
An audiobook
An ear-training tool
A metronome
A moisture/leak detector with an alarm
An alarm clock
This DIY Musical Game Soldering Kit
Electronic Piano Soldering Kit
Singing lessons
A book on different styles and genres of music to help them explore new sounds
posted by amtho at 10:37 AM on December 18 [6 favorites]
A cat/dog training clicker
A kazoo
A harmonica
A tin whistle or flute
A whistle (maybe a rescue whistle)
A small speaker
A fidget toy that makes sound
A book on sounds in nature, e.g. recognizing frog calls or bird songs
Sound-protecting ear covers (e.g. for woodworking)
A song/caroling lyrics collection
A USB drive with podcasts on it
A bingo game about sounds
A song you write about the recipient
Tap shoes
A small percussion instrument, like a maraca or shaker
An antique door knocker (as in the beginning of the classic "A Christmas Carol", only not haunted)
Tickets to a concert
A ukulele building kit
A foreign language learning item that focuses on speaking/listening
An audiobook
An ear-training tool
A metronome
A moisture/leak detector with an alarm
An alarm clock
This DIY Musical Game Soldering Kit
Electronic Piano Soldering Kit
Singing lessons
A book on different styles and genres of music to help them explore new sounds
posted by amtho at 10:37 AM on December 18 [6 favorites]
Mini Simon game.
posted by edencosmic at 10:48 AM on December 18
posted by edencosmic at 10:48 AM on December 18
An ocarina? One would easily fit in a stocking.
posted by pangolin party at 10:57 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
posted by pangolin party at 10:57 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
Vintage Cow in a Can. This is a little can -- they used to be made of cardboard but now are probably plastic -- that you turn over to make a cow sound. No electronics. Entirely mechanical. Fun for the whole family!
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:34 AM on December 18 [6 favorites]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:34 AM on December 18 [6 favorites]
Seconding the kalimba. I mean, looooooook!
posted by mochapickle at 11:47 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 11:47 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]
How about the absence of sound? Loops earplugs are seriously the most comfortable earplugs, and they give you customize earplug tips to get the perfect fit. The Quiet 2 are my favorite purchase of the year, and surely everyone could use a good pair of earplugs for concerts and to dampen construction noises.
Other options:
Tiny wind chimes
Tiny instruments (finger piano, harmonica)
Tiny hand bell
Tiny Gong
posted by Champagne Supernova at 12:35 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
Other options:
Tiny wind chimes
Tiny instruments (finger piano, harmonica)
Tiny hand bell
Tiny Gong
posted by Champagne Supernova at 12:35 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
Rubber ducky with squeaker
posted by happy_cat at 12:45 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
posted by happy_cat at 12:45 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
Inexpensive Bluetooth speaker.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:56 PM on December 18
posted by wenestvedt at 12:56 PM on December 18
Response by poster: Thanks, all! Marked Christmas crackers as a best answer, because that's what I opted for (based on the people I needed stocking stuffers for) but lots of good suggestions for future MeFites!
posted by too bad you're not me at 1:06 PM on December 18
posted by too bad you're not me at 1:06 PM on December 18
I was going to say baoding balls! They have a chime inside and it’s very peaceful listening to them.
posted by Night_owl at 2:41 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
posted by Night_owl at 2:41 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
One of my fave gifts to give is one of those recordable buttons, and I record compliments for the recipient.
posted by sawdustbear at 5:58 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
posted by sawdustbear at 5:58 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]
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posted by Merricat Blackwood at 10:18 AM on December 18 [2 favorites]