Tweens, kids ages 9 -12, are one of the hardest age groups to find gifts for. I should know, I have two (almost three!) tweens. Finding the perfect gift can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of trends, interests, and ever-changing preferences. What is in one week, is out the next. This age is hard, as kids frequently no longer want to play with "babyish" toys but they aren't quite ready for what is popular with the teens.
As a mom of three, I’ve learned firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and what sparks genuine joy. My kids love to be active. Sitting at school all day isn't easy, so when they get home and finish their homework, they need a way to get out the wiggles. From outdoor toys that make playtime fun, to books that ignite those imaginations to games that entire family will love playing, these tried-and-true bring excitement long after the fleeting excitement of unwrapping.
Whether you’re shopping for a budding artist, a mini scientist, or an active explorer, this guide covers a range of interests to help you find the perfect present. With input from my kids and their friends, I’ve curated a list of tried-and-true favorites alongside some new must-haves they can’t stop talking about. Let’s make gift-giving easy and, most importantly, meaningful!
If you’re shopping for multiple ages this year, I’ve got you covered. Check out my toddler gift ideas, gifts for preschoolers, and gifts for kids for even more ideas by age. If you love the idea of giving memories instead of more stuff, check out my experience gift guide — it’s full of fun, creative ways to gift adventures and connection (without the clutter).
Why Tweens Are So Hard to Shop For (And How to Nail It)
Let me be real with you: shopping for tweens is HARD. I know this intimately because I have three daughters—ages 8, 10, and 12. That's one almost tween, one in the heart of tweendom, and one headed out the door to being a teen. So I'm living through every stage of this tricky age group simultaneously, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride!
I often have to remind myself that no matter how grown up my tweens seem, they're still kids at heart. Yes, they're dealing with real issues like acne, friend drama, and growing independence. But they still need the magic of childhood—the joy of creating something, the thrill of playing outside, the comfort of a good book.
How to Actually Nail Tween Gift-Giving
After years of trial and error (and more than a few gift flops), here's what I've learned works:
-
Pay attention to their current obsessions. Tweens go through phases FAST. What they loved three months ago might be completely forgotten now. Ask them directly, check what they're watching or reading, or subtly ask their friends' parents what's popular right now.
-
Look for the "sophisticated but still supervised" sweet spot. Think art supplies that are professional quality, not kid versions. Sports equipment that's regulation size. Books with more depth but are still age-appropriate. Beauty products designed specifically for tweens dealing with acne and skincare needs.
-
Choose gifts that build skills and independence. Tweens are developing their identities and want to try new things. Cooking kits, photography equipment, sports gear, craft supplies, or journaling materials all let them explore who they're becoming.
-
Don't underestimate the power of experience gifts. At this age, memories matter. Concert tickets, amusement park passes, escape room vouchers, or even a special outing with friends can mean more than physical items.
-
When in doubt, give them a choice. Gift cards aren't cop-outs at this age—they're perfect. My tweens LOVE having the independence to pick out their own items. It makes them feel trusted and respected.
- Remember their actual age. This is my biggest reminder to myself. My 12-year-old might look and act like a teenager sometimes, but she's still 12. She needs boundaries, age-appropriate content, and gifts that honor where she actually is, not where she's trying to be.
And my biggest personal reminder: even when they seem older… they’re still kids at heart. Gifts that honor this moment — not rush them to the next stage — are the ones that actually stick.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me continue sharing helpful parenting tips with you!
Creative & Crafty Tween Gifts
Tweens are at that perfect age where they can tackle more sophisticated craft projects but still love the satisfaction of making something with their own hands. These gifts keep them engaged for hours (screen-free time, yes!), help them develop new skills, and give them something they're proud to show off or give as gifts.
FlowArt Activity Pad: This mesmerizing art pad guides kids through creating beautiful mandala-style designs. It's part meditation, part art project, and totally absorbing. Perfect for tweens who need a calming activity after a busy school day or just love detailed artwork. Ages 8+
Science of Cooking: Ice Cream: Science meets dessert! This kit teaches tweens about the chemistry behind making ice cream while they create delicious frozen treats. It combines learning with something they actually want to eat—win-win for parents! Perfect for curious kids who love hands-on experiments. Ages 8+
The Woobles Crochet Kit: This beginner-friendly crochet kit comes with everything they need to create adorable amigurumi creatures—pre-started projects, easy peasy yarn, and video tutorials. My girls have made so many of these! It's an actual skill they can build on, and they love gifting their finished creations to friends. Ages 9+
Crystal Growing Kit: Tweens get to grow their own crystals and watch science happen in real time. It's fascinating to check on the progress each day, and the finished crystals look impressive displayed in their room. Great for patient kids who love science and beautiful results. Ages 10+
Cute Hand Lettering: Hand lettering is huge with tweens right now! This book teaches different lettering styles perfect for personalizing notebooks, making cards, or decorating their planners and journals. It's creative, practical, and they'll use these skills constantly. Ages 9+
Tween Game Ideas
There is nothing my family loves more than game nights. As my kids have grown, so have our favorite games — and this age is SO fun for strategy, competition, and hilarious group play. Games make amazing gifts for tweens because they’re fun, social, screen-free and they build real skills like problem-solving, focus, teamwork, and flexible thinking — while still feeling like pure fun.
Mexican Train Dominoes: This might be our family's' favorite game. It is a fun twist on classic dominoes — and it becomes even more competitive when you add in the “train” element! It’s easy to learn, but strategic enough to keep tweens (and adults!) interested. Ages 8+
Zombie Kidz: A cooperative legacy-style game where kids have to work together to defeat zombies before they take over the school! Tweens love unlocking new missions, stickers, and envelopes as they go — it feels like a game that grows with them. Ages 7+
What Do You Meme? Family Edition: This one gets big laughs every single time. Players compete to create the funniest meme captions and the results are hilarious. This is great for tweens because it feels super “current” — but still kid-appropriate. Ages 8+
Flinch Card Game: A fast-paced card game where players race to get rid of their cards first — but you have to watch closely and stay alert! This one is great for building focus, patience, and quick decision-making. Ages 7+
Monopoly Deal: If you love the original Monopoly but don’t love committing to a 2-hour game… this is perfect. It’s fast, strategic, and fun — and kids love that it still feels like real Monopoly but short enough to play multiple rounds. Ages 8+
Books That Tweens Actually Want to Read
My girls love to read! They have done the hard work and narrowed down their favorite series for your kids to try! These are the books they've devoured, passed back and forth between friends, and begged to stay up "just five more minutes" to finish another chapter. If you find the RIGHT book, tweens will be staying up past bedtime with a flashlight under the covers (yes, this still happens!).
The Land of Stories: Twins fall through a magic book into a world where fairy tales are real—but not how they remember them! Written by Chris Colfer, this series is lighter and funnier than some fantasy, perfect for tweens who want adventure without intensity. Ages 8+
Redwall: Don't let the animal characters fool you—this epic fantasy series features warrior mice, epic battles, and incredible feasts that'll make you hungry! Rich world-building and so many books in the series that once they're hooked, you've got months of reading material. Ages 8+
The School for Good and Evil: Best friends Sophie and Agatha get kidnapped to a magical school where children train to become fairy tale heroes and villains—but sweet Sophie lands in the School for Evil while gloomy Agatha ends up in the School for Good. It's got magic, friendship drama, plot twists, and questions about who you're "supposed" to be. My 10-year-old couldn't put these down! Ages 9+
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Percy discovers he's a demigod and his ADHD and dyslexia are actually superpowers! Greek mythology meets modern-day adventures with a hilarious, relatable protagonist. The Disney+ show has reignited interest in this series, and it's perfect for reluctant readers. Ages 9+
Keeper of the Lost Cities: Sophie never fit in—until she discovers she's an elf living in the human world. Mystery, adventure, friendship, and just enough age-appropriate romance keep tweens turning pages. These chunky books are great for long car rides! Ages 9+
Pro tip: Once your tween finds a series they love, buy the next book immediately. Nothing kills reading momentum faster than finishing a book and having to wait!
Stocking Stuffers
Stocking stuffer season is here, and it’s one of my favorite parts of holiday shopping! I’ve pulled together stocking stuffer ideas that balance practical essentials with items that spark creativity and excitement. Think tween beauty products alongside mini-games, craft supplies, and led favorite finds all tailored to your tweens growing interests.
Bubble Face Moisturizer: Tweens are dealing with changing skin, and this gentle moisturizer is perfect for their age. My girls love that this smells great and addresses real skincare needs and I love that it is designed for younger skin.
NeeDoh: These squishy, satisfying stress balls are surprisingly addictive! Perfect for fidgety hands during homework or just mindless squishing while watching TV. They come in tons of colors and textures, so you can grab a few different ones for variety.
Letter Initial Earrings: Personalized jewelry is huge with my tweens! These initial earrings let them wear something that feels special and uniquely theirs.
Sneaker Deodorizer Balls: Let's be real—tween feet get SMELLY, especially if they're active! These are practical, kind of funny, and actually solve a real problem. They'll probably laugh when they open them, but they'll definitely use them.
Scented Lava Gel Pen Set: My tweens still love fun pens for school, journaling, and decorating their planners. Scented AND sparkly? Even better! These make homework a little more fun and are perfect for passing notes to friends (yes, they still do that!).
Shop Tween Stocking Stuffers 👆
Frequently Asked Questions About Tween Gifts
What is the age range for a tween?
Tweens are typically ages nine through twelve. They’re in that strange in-between stage—not little kids anymore, but not full teens yet—which makes gifting tricky.
What do 12-year-olds want for gifts in 2025?
My oldest daughter is 12, so I can tell you we struggle with this question constantly! Twelve-year-olds are right on that cusp between childhood and teen years, so they want gifts that make them feel grown up without being too mature. From my experience with my own kids, they love gift cards so that they can make their own choices, trendy clothing and accessories are great as they come into their own style. Think about their interests too, quality art supplies if they're creative, sports equipment for their favorite activities, and books from popular series their friends are reading. Age-appropriate beauty products are also big at this stage—hello acne! Think gentle skincare, fun lip balms, and haircare items. The key is paying attention to their current interests because they change quickly at this age!
Are gift cards okay for tweens?
Absolutely! I used to think gift cards were impersonal, but with my girls at 8, 10, and 12, I've completely changed my mind. Tweens LOVE the independence of choosing their own items. It makes them feel trusted and grown-up. My girls love gift cards to Athleta, Lululemon, and other clothing stores they like. Bookstore gift cards are popular, along with Amazon and Target. They love Sephora for age-appropriate beauty products (skincare is a real need at this age!). Gift cards for gaming platforms, or even restaurant gift cards they can use with friends are great gifts too. Just pair it with a thoughtful card explaining why you chose that store, or tuck it into a small related item (like a gift card to an art store in a new sketchbook). I have to remind myself that no matter how grown-up my tweens seem, they're still kids at heart who appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the gift.
How much should I spend on gifts for tweens?
There is no magic number. I find that $25-$50 works well for birthday gifts from friends, $50-$100 for milestone birthdays or from close family, and $15-$30 for holiday gifts or smaller occasions. Quality matters more than price at this age. One well-chosen $30 gift that matches their interests will mean more than several random items. If you want to splurge, consider pooling money toward a bigger item like a gaming console, bike, or experience gift rather than lots of smaller things they might not use.
What's the difference between tween gifts and teen gifts?
This is something I'm navigating right now with my 8, 10, and 12-year-old daughters—one almost tween, one in the heart of tweendom, and one headed out the door to being a teen. Tweens (ages 9-12) are in this unique in-between stage. They’ve outgrown most kid toys, but they’re not quite ready for the teen world yet. Tween gifts lean more creative, active, hands-on, and age-appropriate—think skill building and independence with training wheels. Teen gifts often lean more into tech, mature themes, beauty, and more independence. When gifting tweens, think: “a little more grown up… but still kids at heart.”
What are great tween stocking stuffers?
Small beauty items, craft accessories, mini games, and useful everyday items like lip balm, hair accessories, and socks work great. I always add in their favorite candy and gum.
Are experience gifts good for tweens?
Yes! Tweens love experiences—think ice cream dates, mini golf, cooking classes, concerts, escape rooms, and museum passes. Memories > clutter every time. For more ideas, check out my full post on experience gift ideas.
