Best Gifts for Tweens 2022: Find the top Christmas gift ideas for tweens who have everything

Best gifts for tweens.
Best gifts for tweens.

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Is there anyone harder to shop for than a teen? Yes, a tween! Tweens are those aged between eight and 12, which is a huge time for transition. They are not a kid anymore n, but they aren’t quite teenagers. They want to spread their wings, but they still rely on you for support. But there is one constant throughout this journey: All tweens are working on building a strong sense of self by exploring new interests and passions.

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So, what holiday gifts do you buy for an eight to 12-year-old that is in the midst of tweendom? We’ve got you covered. This gift guide is as diverse as all of the interests your tween has, with everything from personalized gifts and outdoor gear to DIY kits and self-care favorites. Read on to find the perfect gift.

Best tween girl gifts

1. Blanket Hoodie

Best gifts for tweens: blanket hoodie.
Best gifts for tweens: blanket hoodie.

Too sleepy to get out of bed? Take the warmth with you by sporting this wearable blanket hoodie. Made with ultra-soft fleece, this wearable blanket is the perfect accessory for a rainy day indoors watching movies or anytime your tween is looking for added comfort.

$39 at Amazon

2. Claire's Small Backpack

Best gifts for tweens: Claire's small backpack
Best gifts for tweens: Claire's small backpack

She can keep all of her essentials safe in one place with a Claire's Small Backpack Purse. The playful yet practical bags come in five styles, from whimsical to punk rock to suit any style, and it's the perfect size to carry everything she needs for the day.

$40 at Amazon

3. Athleta Girl leggings

Best gifts for tweens: capri leggings.
Best gifts for tweens: capri leggings.

If we can’t get enough of workout pants, then neither can our tweens. These high-rise capri style pants are perfect for school, play or sports and come in eight vibrant colors. Your tween will love the pockets that are perfect for stashing keys, phone, lip balm or anything else they need while on the go.

$49 at Athleta

4. Land's End beach towel

Best gifts for tweens: initialed beach towel
Best gifts for tweens: initialed beach towel

Your tween will love packing up for a day at the beach or the pool with these vibrant, striped, 100 percent pure cotton terry towels. They come in four different colors and are generously oversized for maximum comfort.

$21 at Land's End

5. Friendship Bracelet Kit

Best gifts for tweens: friendship bracelet kit
Best gifts for tweens: friendship bracelet kit

Chances are you made a friendship bracelet or two in your time. Now share the nostalgia with your tween with this friendship bracelet-making kit. The easy-to-create three-step process makes knotting, decorating and braiding a snap.

$30 at Amazon

6. Reusable Tote Bag

Best gifts for tweens: tote bag.
Best gifts for tweens: tote bag.

Plastic bags are out, and reusable totes are in. This six-pack of lightweight, animal-themed reusable totes are washable and perfect for shopping, traveling and more. The extra-long handles make carrying easy and the small size makes it perfect for tucking away in backpacks and purses.

$19 at Amazon 

7. Soothing Face Masks

Best gifts for tweens: face masks.
Best gifts for tweens: face masks.

There’s nothing better than a fresh face. Make your tween’s face-washing routine a little more fun with this face mask sampler pack from TonyMoly. With names like “I’m Honey,” and “I’m Watermelon”, these masks are sure to brighten your skin and your mood.

$25 at Amazon  

8. Hydroflask and stickers

Best gifts for tweens: Hydroflask
Best gifts for tweens: Hydroflask

Keep your tween hydrated with this 2 oz. Hydroflask. It keeps cold drinks icy cold and hot drinks piping hot for hours. Make this gift even more tween-friendly with a stack of vinyl water bottle stickers for an extra $10.

Hydroflask $33 at Amazon

Stickers $10 at Amazon

9. DIY Wall Collage

Best gifts for tweens: DIY wall collage.
Best gifts for tweens: DIY wall collage.

Let your tween express themselves by decorating their room with this DIY wall collage kit. It includes 154 cutouts, 66 letter cutouts, 769 stickers, 41 quote stickers, 10 markers, paint-safe double-sided sticky tape, six yards of string, 90 foam squares and instructions: Everything your tween needs to showcase their favorite friends, bands, movie stars and more.

$35 at Amazon

10. Journal Kit

Best gifts for tweens: journal kit.
Best gifts for tweens: journal kit.

Jump on the bullet journal bandwagon with this starter kit. It’s a great way to introduce journaling to your tween and make the process of organization fun and creative along the way. The kit comes with everything you need to start your bullet journal journey, including pens, stickers, stencils, washi tape and more fun stuff.

$26 at Amazon

11. Etsy Personalized Pencil Case

Best gifts for tweens: Pencil Case
Best gifts for tweens: Pencil Case

This personalized pencil case is a great home for all of your pre-teen's colorful pens, markers, erasers and other classroom treasures. But it doesn’t just have to be for school supplies. Try it as a make-up bag, game card holder, sticker carrier and more.

From $7 at Etsy

12. Guitar Pick Punch

Best gifts for tweens: DIY guitar pick punch.
Best gifts for tweens: DIY guitar pick punch.

If you have an aspiring guitar player in your midst, encourage them to perfect their craft with this DIY guitar punch. Get creative with your choice of materials like old credit cards, gift cards, hotel room key cards, driver's licenses or any thin piece of plastic laying around the house.

$24 at Amazon

13. Wind Chime Kit

Best gifts for tweens: wind chime kit.
Best gifts for tweens: wind chime kit.

Arts and crafts meets science with this make-your-own wind chime kit. Build the wind chimes then use the included paints to make each one as unique as your tween. It makes for a great group activity too.

$20 at Amazon

Best tween boys gifts

14. Personalized snack bowl

Best gifts for tweens: Personalized Snack Bowl
Best gifts for tweens: Personalized Snack Bowl

If snacking was an Olympic sport, tweens would win hands down in all categories. Whether they love sweets like ice cream and cookies, or salty snacks like popcorn and potato chips, these personalized snack bowls will keep them coming back for more.

$20 at Personalization Mall

15. Apple Airtag Keychain

Best gifts for tweens: keychain.
Best gifts for tweens: keychain.

Never lose another thing with the Apple Airtag. Attach it to your keys, backpack or any other thing that mysteriously disappears. Then download the app and always keep track of your valuables’ whereabouts.

$35 at Amazon

16. My Face Socks

Best gifts for tweens: face socks.
Best gifts for tweens: face socks.

These socks are guaranteed to make your tween smile. I mean, who wouldn’t want a pair of socks with their favorite face on them? The possibilities are endless. Just upload a picture of yourself, your friend, your mom, your dad or even your pet. Then choose from hundreds of different sock patterns and styles.  In just a few days, you’ll be the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind pair of socks that are just begging to be shown off.

$16 at My Face Socks

17. LED frisbee

Best gifts for tweens: flashlight frisbee.
Best gifts for tweens: flashlight frisbee.

Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean it’s time to pack up the fun. This LED lit frisbee will keep the games going well into the evening, thanks to 20 hours of battery life. It comes in six different bold colors.

$20 at Amazon

18. Portable hammock

Best gifts for tweens: portable hammock.
Best gifts for tweens: portable hammock.

Tweens can nap just about anywhere. Support their lounging abilities with a portable hammock and help them make anytime naptime. It’s great for the backyard, camping, picnicking or anywhere the mood for relaxation might strike them.

$35 at Amazon

19. Tie Dye Kit

Best gifts for tweens: tie dye kit.
Best gifts for tweens: tie dye kit.

Tie-dying is all the rage, and this kit has it all. With 26 colors to choose from, plus table covers and aprons, your tween will be creating one of a kind wearable art in no time. You supply the t-shirts, tank tops, socks or whatever base your tween wants to design. The sky is the limit.

$16 at Amazon

20. Storage Pouch

Best gifts for tweens: storage pouch.
Best gifts for tweens: storage pouch.

Too much stuff? Organize it all with this high-capacity storage pouch. It can hold up to 60 pens and opens from the top and side for easy access. The carry-all comes in dozens of bright colors in a cool corduroy, washable fabric.

$12 at Amazon

21. Flathead Silicone Straws

Best gifts for tweens: Silicone Straws.
Best gifts for tweens: Silicone Straws.

Make a difference by cutting down on single use plastics. This pack of Flathead BPA free silicone straws come in their own carrying case with a cleaning brush. They are also extra-long, so they can be used with 20 and 30 oz tumblers.

$10 at Amazon

22. Bamboo Utensil Set

Best gifts for tweens: bamboo utensil set.
Best gifts for tweens: bamboo utensil set.

Reduce your carbon footprint with a new set of bamboo utensils. Each set comes in a colorfully designed cloth bag that fastens with an elastic band and button combo. They are perfect for everyday use and are heat and stain resistant.

$14 at Amazon

23. Plantable Colored Pencils

Best gifts for tweens: plantable colored pencils.
Best gifts for tweens: plantable colored pencils.

Turn art into life with these plantable colored pencils. Each pencil is 100 percent eco-friendly, nontoxic and biodegradable. When your pencil becomes too small to use, simply plant your pencil tip-down and the patented decomposable cellulose seed-capsules at the top of each one will release seeds for herbs, flowers or vegetables.

$16 at Amazon

24. Animal Sleep Masks

Best gifts for tweens: sleep masks
Best gifts for tweens: sleep masks

Tweens are notorious for not getting enough sleep. But these funny animal sleep masks might give them enough incentive to catch some extra zzz’s. Soft and lightweight, these masks are perfect for home, travel or anywhere your tween might need some help nodding off.

$15 at Amazon

25. NeeDoh Stress Balls

Best gifts for tweens: stress balls.
Best gifts for tweens: stress balls.

Need to de-stress? Pick up the NeeDoh cool cat stress ball. Give it a squeeze and let that tension melt away.  Each pack contains three neon-colored, non-toxic, durable squishable cats.

$12 at Amazon

2022 holiday shopping guide

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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 25 Best Gifts for Tweens 2022