How to win friends and influence tweens
We've all been there: that first moment when we realize what we're with isn't it anymore. Normally, we can make our peace with that fact and settle into our new lives as "old people." But suddenly, you have a gift-giving shopping list that includes a tween niece who already drinks too much Starbucks and a tween boy who speaks in meme-related slang you neither can nor want to understand.
In this situation, it's easiest to stuff a gift card in a gift bag and move on. But that's not going to win you any points with the next generation. If you really want to impress an unimpressable tween, you've got to make an effort. Just think, if they're already unimpressed, you technically have nothing to lose and everything to gain. To help make that valiant attempt a little easier, here are some gifts that just might do the trick.
Best tween fashion gifts
A Christmas charm necklace is a seasonal accessory your tween can use year after year for holiday gatherings or just for fun. This one features three holiday charms alternating with rondelle charms for a sparkly, festive necklace that will dress up any outfit.
Claw clips are everything right now, and this set includes four of them in gorgeous colors that are strong enough to work with thick, thin, curly or straight hair.
This custom bead kit allows crafty tweens to create eight bag charms they can use to adorn their own backpacks, purses and luggage or gift to friends. The set would make a great activity at a birthday party or just for fun. As a bonus, the bead case can be customized with your child's name.
Everyone likes to lounge around their home in comfort after a long day, whether that day was at an office or at a school. Usually, though, if you have to get up for a drink or a snack, you have to leave that comfort behind. Not so with this wearable blanket-and-hoodie hybrid. It's even got a little sleep mask that can fold down from the brim of the hood for a well-deserved nap. It comes in 12 designs.
If there's one thing that's practically a given for tweens nowadays, it's that they're on TikTok. TikTok has spawned many viral trends in endless categories. Wikipedia even has a page dedicated solely to TikTok's many food trends. You can't really gift a food trend, but you can gift a clothing trend like this sweater. It's surprisingly affordable for something so viral.
Sneakers, and especially Jordan sneakers, have such a huge impact on fashion that they've developed into an entire subculture of their own. People even camp out for hours, if not days in some cases, to even attempt to get new ones. These don't draw that kind of attention since they're rereleases, but that means two good things for you: They're popular enough to even get rereleased, and they're affordable enough to be a manageable gift.
Best toy gifts for tweens
Surprise your tween with a Plush Doll Blind Box from the Kimmon Mimon Series. The dolls have movable joints so they can be played with and posed and each comes with a ring so your tween can attach it to bags.
Give your tween Minecraft's main character in posable form. This "Steve" is the movie version, portrayed by Jack Black. He's 12 inches tall and comes with his own Minecraft sword.
Kids of all ages appreciate a good mystery toy, and this blind box is a fun and trendy option. Featuring The Monsters Wacky Mart figures, your tween or teen will get one figurine out of a possible 12 to add to their collection.
If you think your tween will love these adorable emotional support nuggets, grab them up now because they tend to sell out. They are part of the cutest collection from What Do You Meme and are truly a must-have for the tween set. It includes a five-piece set of sweet smiling nuggets, all ready to brighten even the toughest middle school day.
The iconic Rubik's Cube gets a modern makeover with this light-up version that will have tweens racing to complete the puzzle before the timer goes off and the lights go out. There's even an advanced level challenge!
FYI - tweens love stuffed animals. They may be "big" kids, but they still enjoy a cute little friend to snuggle, and one of the trendiest is a Pudgy Penguin. They come with free access to Pudgy World, where they can play online games, and an adoption certificate to make them official Pudgy parents.
Tweens love Squishmallows - there is nothing more comfy and fun to tote on an airplane, for a car ride or just to snuggle in their own bed. This particular 'Mallow is styled to look like a groovy lava lamp making it part cuddle buddy and part cool room decor.
Tweens exist in that awkward middle stage between wanting only cool new toys for gifts and wanting things with actual substance. This Mario-inspired LEGO set is perfectly placed in that middle ground since it's both a cool new LEGO set (the new toy) and something with a large, recognizable design that's perfectly placed on a shelf or desk as decoration (the substance).
Most younger kids can't imagine eating raw fish, but they can certainly eat as much candy as it takes to make themselves sick. This creative kit lets them create sushi they actually want to eat, and they can even reuse the bento box and utensils it comes with as a lunch box for school. You might not want to get it for non-creative kids, though; they'll likely just eat all the pieces individually instead of making the "sushi."
Many people love a good brainteaser, and tweens are no exception. This collection of 100 folding puzzles ranges in difficulty so every tween of any skill level has some to enjoy easily and some to aspire to solve. Plus, once they're all folded up, they become cute decorations or can be given to their friends as gifts.
Another entry into the fidget toy list, this one serves some functional purpose as a working pen. Most of its pieces make up the pen, so your tween can take it to school to enjoy while listening to a lecture. It's bound to impress their friends, too, because who doesn't want to have a pen that's more than a pen?
Best science and tech gifts for tweens
This bundle includes the Switch 2 with its 7.9” 1080p screen and a full download of the Mario Kart World game. It features three modes of play, GameChat to allow tweens to talk to friends, share their screen and video chat and two controllers that attach magnetically.
A solid gaming headset is a must for the tween gamer in your life, and this pair delivers. With soft memory foam and heat-absorbing ear cushions, your child can wear this headset for hours with comfort. It offers spatial audio with head tracking and dual bass drivers for truly immersive sound.
The tween years are when children can start developing lifelong hobbies and interests, but to do that, they need to be introduced to different things. This rock, sorry, mineral collection and tumbler is a great way to introduce them to the pretty parts of geology. It also comes with jewelry pieces so they can create a new favorite accessory.
Another excellent scientific introduction is this circuit-making toy. Over 500 types of electronics can be created with this plug-and-play kit, all without the immense danger of soldering. If you already know your tween has a love of electrical engineering, you can get a set with more than 750 makeable types instead.
If the thought of your tween being responsible for super pricey earbuds makes you a bit nervous, fear not - this very budget-friendly pair of Motorola earbuds are exactly what you need for a tween who is still learning to take care of their things. They have many of the same features as the popular, expensive brands at a fraction of the price. You might as well buy a few pairs so you have some for backup. Because you know they're gonna be lost.
A very high-tech drawing pad is a show-stopper gift for the creative tween who loves making art. The 13.3-inch full HD laminated touchscreen is truly state-of-the-art and is sure to wow your kiddo this holiday season.
Best home decor gifts for tweens
Tween-age kids are trying to figure themselves out, and expressing their true self begins in their personal space. Let them claim it with a custom neon sign that can have their name or another word or phrase. The sign is available in multiple sizes and has tons of options to customize.
Usually, getting something like a throw blanket as a gift for a tween is a fast track to them expecting nothing good from you in successive years. Kinda like getting them a set of socks. But if that blanket happens to look like a favorite food, such as a tortilla, they may just love it. This blanket also comes in the form of a pizza or waffle.
More of the best gifts for tweens
Give your budding skincare fan a set of sheet masks perfect for tweens and teens. The masks are free of parabens, phthalates, silicones and formaldehyde. They are also fragrance-free and cruelty-free. The set includes 10 different masks.
Fresh off the Oprah's Favorite Things list for this year, Warmies are sure to be a hit with the tween crowd. The microwavable stuffed animal provides lavender-infused warmth and comfort. It can also be chilled and is weighted to help your child relax.
POSCA Paint Markers have been tested on over 50 surfaces including canvas, metal, surfboards, rocks. The markers have water-based pigment ink that is waterproof and non-toxic.
Got a crafty tween looking for a new hobby? Gift them this crochet kit for beginners that will help them create adorable animals. As seen on Shark Tank and listed on the Google "Holiday 100", this will definitely be a hot item this holiday season.
With its FreeSip spout and built-in straw, this reusable water bottle gives your tween options. It's cup holder-friendly, has a leakproof lock and features an ergonomic side grip handle for comfortable use. It comes in tons of colors and its 40-ounce capacity will keep your kiddo hydrated for hours before needing a refill.
This set is a full-on skin care routine gentle enough for daily use. It's plant-based and free of over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients, so you can feel good about your tween using it. It's specially formulated for teens and athletes promising to remove dirt, sweat and oil while calming redness and irritation.
Laneige is the trendy makeup brand kids are coveting, and your tween will be thrilled to open this trio of gorgeous lip balms. It looks beautiful while helping hydrate lips and avoids that sticky feeling that so many lip glosses deliver. This is the gift if you want to be the cool parent/aunt/friend.
Yet another fabulous creative gift — let your tween paint a cat lamp they can proudly display in their bedroom. The set includes 12 paint colors, a palette and two brushes so your child can unleash their creativity and make their own feline lamp.
The power these super trendy hand sanitizer mists have over teens and tweens is undeniable, and this set of five means they'll have one on hand for the next several months. The value set includes five different scents sure to please your picky tween.
Everyone likes candies and sweets, so grabbing a snack subscription like this is a no-brainer. But this snack subscription is potentially better than most because it's specifically for Japanese snacks. That makes it an incredible gift for the anime fanatics out there. It comes in one-, three-, six- and 12-month subscriptions.
Music is an incredible gift that we should all be lucky enough to enjoy. To help a tween enjoy that gift, give them these wireless earbuds. These aren't the $100-plus kind, but they still have excellent features, including a noise-canceling microphone for clearer calls. They also take only 15 minutes to charge enough for one hour of listening time.
Video games are a huge point of relaxation for those who enjoy them, and tweens are no different. To really get the most from your gaming time, you need a great headset. This lets you hear your game better than you would through TV speakers, plus it keeps a tween from disturbing the rest of the family while they game. It also has a microphone so they can play and chat with friends.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best price. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.