Need tween gift ideas this holiday season? Big kids that aren’t little but not quite teenagers can be tough to shop for. Here are some ideas!
Hi friends!
I’m only doing one gift guide this year- Tween gift ideas for kids ages 8-12. Two of my kids fall into that age group and I’ve already got quite a few on the blog. You can check out all my gift guides here. If you need ideas outside that age group, be sure to check out:
- Toddler Gift Ideas – Ages 1-3
- Kid Gift Ideas – Ages 4-7
- All-Time Favorite Gifts for Babies, Toddlers and Moms
- Gift Ideas for Busy Moms
- 50+ Small Businesses To Support
- Best Gifts For Husbands
- Best Gifts For Parents and In-Laws
This year we’re tackling the in-between age group. They’re big kids now and don’t just want toys. But they’re not teenagers so they may not have a phone. You want to get them more than just gift cards…but what do they want? Here are some ideas!
**This post is not sponsored but some of the links below are Amazon Affiliate links. When you purchase through them, I earn a small amount at no additional cost to you! Thanks for supporting The Lean Green Bean!**
Electronic Gift Ideas for Kids
You can’t really go wrong with electronics in this day and age and there are tons of great options for this age group!
- Mini Drone – lots of different options and price points available
- RC Stunt Car – these are one of my go-to birthday gifts. We have this one and love it.
- Apple Watch or Gizmo Watch – They’re starting to want more freedom and these can be helpful to keep in touch.
- Nintendo Switch or other gaming console – Switch is nice because it’s portable but there are lots of other gaming consoles. Or maybe they would like a second screen or monitor so they can play when friends are over.
- Ring light – If they like filming videos, dances etc. Or get a mini clip-on ring light that goes right on your phone or computer
- Canon Ivy Mini photo printer – Allows them to print out little photo stickers for journals, lockers etc. HP Sprocket is another option.
- Bluetooth Speaker – They can take it outside to play sports, while hanging with friends, into the bathroom for music while showering, etc
- Wireless headphones – Ask them whether they prefer over the ear style or Airpods.
- Kindle – Perfect for book lovers. Throw in a pop socket and this page-turner!
- Wireless portable charger – Help them charge their phone without the cords! I have this one and love it
- Record Player – Vinyl is making a comeback! Something like this looks retro and lets them play records but also lets them play CDs, listen to the radio etc.
- Fujifilm Instax – Another fun camera option to take mini polaroid-style photos
Other options: Gift them a subscription to Spotify, satellite radio, etc.
Tween Bedroom Gift Ideas
Now is when kids start to spend more and more time in their room so help make it a fun and relaxing space for them!
- Night light Bluetooth speaker – A fun way to combine a speaker, alarm clock and nightlight all in one. Or try one like this that projects the stars up onto the ceiling!
- LED Rope lights – A simple, easy way for them to personalize their bedroom.
- Custom Neon Name Sign – A fun wall decoration. Lots of options on Etsy too! If you don’t want to do names, they have neon signs for almost anything that fits their interest!
- Vanity – Tons of options and price points out there. Light-up mirrors make it even more fun!
- Candle warmer – A safer way for them to enjoy their favorite candle scents
- Squishmallow – They can never have too many!
- Beanbag chair – Perfect for when friends are over. Lots of different styles and fabrics. Or try a folding saucer chair like this.
- Photo hanger – Lots of options in different styles, with lights, without lights, but give them a chance to display some of their favorite photos!
Or offer to redecorate their room!
Building Toys & Games for Kids Ages 8-12
This is the perfect age for starting to tackle more advanced and detailed building projects and there are tons of fun games that will still appeal to them.
- Lego sets – There are so many options for sets to fit all sorts of interests and skill levels
- Gravity maze – The fun of a marble run with some added challenge
- Flipside – Rubix cube reimagined
- Kanoodle – challenges for all levels, easy to travel with
- Monopoly Deal – a shorter, more fun version of the board game
- Qwixx – a fun dice games
- Bopit Extreme – fun for a group of friends!
- Ticket To Ride– fun for the whole family
- Telestrations – childhood favorite game of telephone all grown up
- Chess– a great age to learn this game. Or try cribbage!
- Snap circuits – fun and educational
- DIY pinball – any kind of build your own projects are great!
- Crunch labs subscription – Choose a subscription box to help them get building! Kiwi Co also has a box.
Or let them chose a project that they want to build and pay for the materials like wood, screws etc. If they’re tech-focused, a beginner 3D printer could be fun!
Educational Gifts and Brain Games for Tweens
If you’re looking for something that will challenge their brain, keep them busy and make them think, try these:
- Foldology – all the fun of origami with an extra challenge
- Crossword Puzzles – check out one geared towards kids or they might be ready for an adult book!
- Page a Day Calendar – choose a topic they love or one they can learn from like this word a day
- Cookbook – If they like to cook, get them a new cookbook! We have this one and love it.
- Cat’s Cradle – fun string game
- Wood & Metal Brain Teasers – Solve while watching tv or listening to music. Here’s an all-metal set
- Loog Guitar – small sized guitar to learn on with video lessons included. They also have 3 string guitars for beginners to learn
- The Week Junior – We love this magazine for news and world events but you could also choose any magazine that fits their interest
- Puzzles – So many fun options. If they like puzzles, a puzzle board would be a great choice!
- Book series – So many good options out there including
You could also gift them enrollment in an in-person or online class that interests them. Outschool has some great options. This is also a great age for science projects!
Arts and Crafts Gift Ideas for Kids
Kids this age can make some seriously impressive art, take their cooking to the next level, develop their skills and have fun creating things that are beautiful and also functional!
- Woobles – a fun way to learn to crochet
- Cross stitch – another hobby to introduce them to!
- Sewing machine – this is the perfect age for them to learn to sew
- How to draw books – lots of options for both beginners and those looking to start trying out more advanced techniques
- Bracelet Making Kits– hours of fun and endless design options. If they don’t like beads, try friendship bracelet kits.
- Markers – If they like art, a new set of markers, colored pencils or paints could be a great option.
- Sketchbook – pair with a new charcoal pencil set!
- Origami – learn to make tons of fun shapes and animals
- Air dry clay – they can create for hours and then let dry or save to try again later. Pair with a set of clay tools.
- Diamond art – A fun alternative to painting. Or try paint by number projects!
- Journal kit– A starter pack to help her get into journaling or scrapbooking!
- Cake and cookie decorating tools – If they like to bake, get them some new tools and kitchen accessories!
Or get them a gift card to a place where they can make their own bath bombs, lotion, candles etc.
Physical Activity Gift Ideas
You can never have too many options to get them up and moving and away from screens:
- Over the door basketball hoop – Fun indoor option. great for bedroom or playroom doors
- Multisport rebounder – Great for outdoor sports practice
- Ebike or scooter – A fun way to get them outside. We have this one and like it.
- Hover seat – Attach it to a hoverboard for a sit-down option to zip around on. We love these.
- Slackline – Great for working on balance
- Ninja course – If you have the space, this is a fun way to transform the yard when they get too old for swingsets
- Lightup football – My 10 year old got this for his birthday and it works great. Love that it’s rechargeable
- Flag football kit – Something they can play with a group of friends
- Spikeball – Fun for all ages
- Sports jersey – Find out who their favorite player is and get them a jersey or shirt.
- Portable pickleball net – Great if you have a flat driveway or area to play!
- Weights – They might be too young for a gym membership but they can still get a workout in!
Or offer to pay the enrollment fee for a sport or local class they want to try. If they already play a sport, see if they need any new pieces of equipment – baseball bat, swim bag, new shoes, batting gloves, etc.
Tickets to a sporting event is another good option!
Style & Beauty Gifts For Tweens
Help support them as they start to develop their own sense of style, experiment with different looks and try new things:
- Kendra Scott necklace – Tons of colors. They also have a mini version.
- Lush products – bath bombs, shower products and more in a variety of scents
- Skincare – Ask for specific requests or give them a gift card to Ulta or Sephora
- Uggs – Or other slippers
- Belt bag – Everyone wants Lululemon but there are some really great knockoffs on Amazon for cheaper
- Sports jersey – Get them a jersey of their favorite player, whatever the sport!
- Heatless curlers – Fun to experiment with
- Face masks – Fun for a girls night
- Bathrobe – Perfect for winter
- Blanket – Can never have too many soft fuzzy blankets to curl up in
- Crocs – Or whatever brand of sneaker they like – Nike’s etc. If they already have Crocs, grab some jibitz!
- Owala– Can’t go wrong with a water bottle!
Or offer to pay for a haircut, trip to the nail salon, shopping trip etc.
PS. I love this Lange hair styling tool which could be a great option as well.
Gift Ideas for Big Kids
Here are a few more random ideas:
- Swiss Army knife – Something practical that will last a long time
- Sneaker display shelf – If they’re a shoe lover, give them a place to display them. They even make light up ones!
- Video game currency – If they have a favorite game, get them some currency
- Sunglasses – Lots of brands out there. I like Goodr bc they have tons of style options at a good price point
- Tool set – If they don’t have their own tools, a starter set would be a great option with some scrap wood for them to create with.
- Socks – Can never have too many socks. Or get them some fun, patterned socks!
- Needoh and fidget toys – Great to keep in their pocket or at their desk
- Nice camera – If they’re into photography they could be ready at this age for a nice camera that they can use to learn to shoot manually.
- Fathead wall decals – They have all sorts of sports and characters to fit their interests
- Pajama sets – Lots of options from silk to cotton, shorts, pants etc.
- Luggage – If your family travels a lot for sports, vacation etc they might like new luggage!
That’s all I’ve got for you today! Hope you got some new ideas!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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