I can’t believe it but I have TWO tweens in my house. When shopping for tween gifts, both for my own girls and for gifts, I like to really put thought into it. It’s really easy to hop to gift cards for friends and technology related for my own kids, but I find this age group is really really thankful for gifts and appreciates you taking time on a thoughtful gift. With virtual learning, the last thing I want is more screen time, so this year I am taking extra time thinking of great gifts for tweens. These gifts will have to entertain my kids this winter when we are potentially stuck inside without school and sports.

I’ve been working on this gift guide for the past few weeks and broke it down into categories that go along with the interests and hobbies of my tweens and their friends. I narrowed it down to our top 5 ideas for each category because the list was getting too long! Turns out this might be my favorite age group to shop for. Maybe because I vividly remember my favorite gifts when I was 9-12 years old and shopping for my girls this Christmas is like picking out gifts I would have liked at their age! Hope this guide helps you shop for the tweens on your list.

Great Gifts for Tweens

Cooking Gifts for Tweens

1. Cooking Supplies: I have been researching good tools for my budding chef and love everything from Handstand Kitchen. This Unicorn Cutting Board & Knife set is great for kids that like helping with dinner prep. I’ve found a lot of the Handstand Kitchen products on Maisonette (and they’re having great sales).

2. Fresh Baked Cookie Crate: A friend has this subscription and her daughter has shared some of what she’s baked with us. The recipes are awesome and perfect for the 9-12 age group.

3. Radish Kids: Another baking subscription but you can get just 1 box

4. Foodstirs: Another baking subscription but you can get just 1 box. Maggie got one of these boxes last year from her aunt and it was a huge hit. They currently have 30% off. My kids are getting the “out of this world donut” kit and the “pancake art”.

5. Flourshop Rainbow Explosion Cake Kit from Williams Sonoma

Sewing & Knitting Gifts for Tweens

1. Sewing Machine

2. Fun Fabric Subscription

3. Embroidery Kit: This Etsy shop has SO many adorable options for tweens to learn to embroider

4. DIY Scrunchie Kit: Love this kit from Etsy

5. Make a box of fabric and pair with a simple pattern (Pinterest), scissors and needles

Art & Stationary Gifts for Tweens

1. Watercolor Class: We are not usually into virtual classes (they seem to have enough of it with school) BUT they love the YouTube “draw so cute” and these are mini lessons to draw different watercolor pictures (like royal pets?!). It’s so cute and right now only $20 for a ton of lessons with code thanks30. If you have younger kids in the house, it’s for 6-12 so they can do it too. You don’t have to do them all at once, you pay for the package and can do the different lessons at your leisure. This pairs great with watercolor supplies! Check it out here: Simplified Watercolor for Kids.

2. Art Supplies: My kids love art supplies that look “grown up” and more professional now. The Faber Castell line is my favorite. You can find lots of options on Amazon for a good price.

3. Stationary: Encourage

4. Unicorn Yarn Craft: I found these on Etsy and they came and are so cool!

5. Ooly: All things Ooly make great gifts! There’s a ton of it on Zulily right now and also some sets on sale on their site.

Outdoor Gifts for Tweens

1. Yardbird Kickball Set: 100% the BEST outdoor thing we have for my “tweens”. Since they only hang with friends outdoors right now, my yard constantly has tweens and they are always taking out this set to play kickball. Everything you need for an awesome kickball game is in the bucket. This also makes it easy to take to the park for a game or just to keep it all organized. This might be my #1 tween gift for this year: boys and girls!

2. Platform Swing: This would be the other thing that is used by “tweens” in my yard daily. All 4 of my kids love this swing. We got it last year for Christmas.

3. Jetts Heel Wheels

4. Flybar Pogo Stick

5. Roller Blades or Ice Skates

American Girl Gifts

1. Courtney Doll and Accessories: I may be biased since I’m a Courtney born in the 80’s but this is the COOLEST American Girl doll yet! It’s a great tween gift because her clothes and accessories are super fun and they are the perfect age to chat with mom, aunts, etc about growing up in the 80’s.

2. Truly Me: Design a doll as fun and unique as the girl you’re shopping for. There’s even a pastel multi color hair option!

3. Advice Books: These books are awesome and great way for girls to read about some of the tough subjects for their age. From the body books to the friendship books, we love there.

4. Doll Hair Book & Accessories: The American Girl Doll Hair Book is really cool. There are tons of styles they can try. Pair it with an American Girl hairbrush and hair accessories.

5. Doll Friendship Tees Craft Kit: This kit comes with a book of a ideas for designing friendship tees for dolls. It’s a great deal because it also comes with 2 doll tees that they can design and then use for their dolls.

Harry Potter Gifts

My tweens are Harry Potter obsessed. If yours are too and you’re looking for some Harry Potter gift ideas, here are some fun ones I have found lately:

1. Harry Potter Perler Bead Set

2. Hogwarts Library Book Set: This was top of my girls’ lists, includes Tales of Beedle and Bard, Wizardry and more. Currently on sale for $20!

3. Hufflepuff (and other house) Zip Up PJ Jump Suit: pretty sure this gift if going to be a huge hit under our tree!

4. Face Mask Set: I mean what Harry Potter fan won’t want these??!

5. Williams Sonoma Harry Potter Baking Collection: SO many cool options from house aprons to cookie sets.

6. Harry Potter HeadBanz: My kids love this game and a Harry Potter version will be under the tree!

7. Eliza’a Bricks: A friend shared this Etsy shop with me. They’re “custom” made Lego people and they have SO MANY people from Harry Potter. Best news: they’re $3.60 each. We got Luna, Snape, Dobby and more….

Mindfulness & Yoga Gifts for Tweens

This year has been tough for kids. There is lots of change, uncertainty and stress. The 9-12 age group responds great to yoga and mindfulness activities. Here are a few gifts in that category.

1. Zenimal: This is SO awesome. We have done nightime meditation apps but what’s great about the Zenimal is that you don’t have to leave a phone, iPad etc in their room (we have a strict no device at night policy). This little “animal” turns on and has mediations loaded on it already. It’s easy to use and cool looking. It’s great for bedtime but also if they need a little relaxation while sitting for homework, etc. I would highly recommend the Zenimal.

2. 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids: We LOVE this journal

3. Yoga Mat (with virtual or outdoor yoga class from a local studio)

4. Therapy Dough

5. Yoga Cards

Makeup and SkinCare Gifts for Tweens

1. Beautycounter Charcoal Mask: fun, safe and makes skin super clean. There are also now mini packets that are fun for stockings.

2. Beautycounter Jellies: fun and so much safer than the ones you can buy kids/tweens elsewhere

3. Beautycounter Makeup

4. Caboodle

5. Bath Bomb Making Kit

Cozy Gifts for Tweens

1. Letter Pillows: I found these on Amazon and ordered for the girls. They are really cute for the price and a great size.

2. Large Nod Chair or Bean Bag

3. Slippers (JCrew and Boden)

4. Fleece Onesie: These seem to be a hit this season! This one is on sale for $12 at Target.

5. Blanket: My girls love having “their own blanket” for watching tv. I ordered these pom pom throws for Christmas.

Gift Card Ideas for Tweens

Ok I know in the intro I said gift cards are the “easy way out” for tweens BUT you can get creative with gift cards too. This is a GREAT way to support local businesses and let kids feel like they are still “out and about” while stuck home this winter. See if there is a favorite restaurant or ice cream shop that is doing curbside or delivery. Many local shops are doing shopping appointments and then you are giving a gift card to shop and a “private shopping” experience for your super cool tween. There are also many places: pottery painting, sewing classes, etc that are offering at home kits. Gift cards to those types of places are perfect!