78 Best Gifts for Tweens Who Have an Extensive Wishlist

Looking for an easy way to get a group of teenage boys to burn off some energy? This rechargeable laser tag set, designed for up to four players, delivers all the thrilling arcade action—right in their own backyard.

Tweens can’t make it through a day on TikTok without spotting Drunk Elephant somewhere on their feed. This beauty gift includes six travel-friendly sizes of the brand’s bestsellers—like a brightening moisturizer, makeup remover, and gentle exfoliator—all tucked into an adorable zip pouch.

Another perfect pick for your #GRWM tween? This soft, puffy headband, inspired by Wicked’s Elphaba, keeps their hair out of their face while doing their skin care or makeup—and looks super cute.

The Sephora kids can spot that Glossier pink from a mile away. The second they see the ribbon on this balm duo ornament sticking out of their stocking, they’ll know something good awaits.

If the neon-obsessed tween in your life doesn’t already have these customizable vibe-setting TikTok LED lights in their room, trust us, they want them.

“My tween nephew has been a gamer for a while, so I’m always looking for fun options that get him off the couch and moving instead of zoning out in front of the TV for hours. The new Mario Party Jamboree is a great new addition with over 110 mini-games that keep kids active while sparking some friendly competition,” says Lee.

A wardrobe essential that dates back to the 2000s: Ugg slippers. These cozy things are the only thing they’ll want to wear when they’re not stepping out in Nikes or Birkenstock clogs.

Until now, your favorite tween has probably been saddled with low-quality headphones. Elevate their audience experience with these noise-canceling Bluetooth earbuds, which are especially easy to pair with iPhones and iPads.

Social media is obsessed with this astronaut galaxy projector, and for good reason: It adds spacey ambience to any room, and tween boys and girls will especially love decorating their rooms with them.

They may want to start a collection of these mini squishes or split the pack between them and their crew.

The easiest way to make any child feel like a star? Gifting them a birthday gift of a custom light with their name on it, of course.

Zits might be a fact of adolescent life but these tween-approved, star-shaped stickers both zap them away and make a fashion statement.

Screen time is a fact of life for tweens, so why not make it something parents can feel good about? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro Tablet has intuitive parental controls and a sturdy, kid-proof case (because accidents are bound to happen). Plus, it includes a six-month renewable Amazon Kids+ subscription, giving them access to ad-free content like STEM activities, books, music, and shows so they can scroll with purpose, not aimlessly.

Playing their favorite outdoor games at night or having an epic indoor battle during a sleepover is a lot cooler with colorful LED wristbands.

Forget bath bombs; tweens these days relax with skin care. These chilly ice globes reduce puffiness and soothe skin, which is great for taking on packed schedules that include school, homework, and practice.

What’s a stockpile of high-end skin care if you don’t have the right home for the goods? This mini fridge—excuse us, skin-care organization fridge, as the girls call it, says Titus—keeps everything at the perfect temp and clears up space on the bathroom counter.

The parents of tweens and teens that we polled said that all their kids across the board have Nike on their lists—sweats, hoodies, and especially shoes like these crisp white sneakers.

Most tweens beg for tablets, according to the ones we polled—and an iPad in particular. Maybe this is the year you go in with a few family members. We like how portable the mini is and its variety of colors. Pair it with an Apple Pencil stylus if your kid’s a budding artist.

An initial necklace is thoughtful, personalized, and easy to wear alone or layered with other chains. It also straddles that line between childhood charms and more grown-up jewelry.

Kids these days have growing earring and ring collections thanks to affordable jewelry brands dropping TikTok-approved styles left and right. For any upcoming travel, they can store all their pearls, hoops, and gems in this monogrammed case that fits in any bag.

Over-the-ear headphones are still a wish-list favorite, and it’s easy to see why. The tweens we talked to can’t get enough of these noise-canceling ones—with a convenient 44 hours of battery life.

Budding fashionistas already know that Mary Jane shoes are having a moment. These platform Doc Martens give the trend an edgier spin, and thanks to the elevated (and grippy) bottom, they’re comfortable for wearing anytime, anywhere.

If the tween is a Swiftie and a cat lover, this picture book was made for them. It’s all about Taylor Swift’s iconic cats–Meredith Grey, Olivia Bensen, and Benjamin Button. Yep, it’s as cute as it sounds.

Multiple parents of tweens we asked said that what their tween boys want, in a nutshell, is “Nike everything.” You absolutely cannot miss with a Nike hoodie—it’s like their uniform.

This light-up version of a classic Frisbee makes for hours of fun away from a screen. So it’s a win-win for both parents and tweens like 9-year-olds who could use more outdoor time.

Rise and shine with this sunrise-mimicking alarm clock. It’ll make mornings a little less dreadful with its gradual wake-up call, especially during daylight savings.

Tweens still know how to have fun offline. This dino dig kit is proof, featuring 12 adorable eggs ready for them to excavate and discover their prehistoric treasures inside.

Mini hoops are tween bedroom staple, and this version from Amazon lets them keep track of their points thanks to the built-in electronic scoreboard.

Sol de Janeiro’s thick, aromatic Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is beloved by tweens for its sweet, salted caramel scent and luxurious texture. Give your kiddo a sample of the cult-favorite cream, perfume, and body gel in this travel-size gift tote.

“For the third year running, Lululemon leggings have claimed the top spot on my tween niece’s Christmas wish list. They’re super flattering, crazy comfy for everything from school to sports, and guaranteed to score them instant style cred,” says Glamour contributor Christa Lee.

The era of the awkward adolescent haircut is over (or never getting started), courtesy of this no-heat headband that turns out perfect curls while they sleep.

This slime-making kit is the ultimate interactive gift. Either solo or with a group of friends, your tween will formulate their very own ice-cream-themed slime, then promptly spend hours playing with it.

The Lego obsession is far from over in the tween years, and by around age eight, many boys dive headfirst into Minecraft mania. This set brilliantly combines both passions, letting them build an abandoned mine complete with a Badlands Explorer, Creeper, cave spider, donkey, and other fun figures.

Parents of tweens appreciate gifts that encourage a little more independence. With a few years to go before they can drive, an electric scooter is the perfect solution—allowing them to zip over to a friend’s house, school, or weekend sports without constantly asking for a ride.

This will make any crafter want to gather up the group chat IRL for a friendship-bracelet-making session with the besties.

Hair chalk and tinsel are in right now, as are hair jewels. They’ll have mermaid hair in seconds with this fun gadget, which snaps sparkling jewels on to their strands. TBH, we kind of want one.

Light up their room—and their face—with this all-in-one projector set that’s ideal for bedrooms and backyards. (Pro tip: Pair the streaming device with a portable Bluetooth speaker for even better sound.)

How sweet is this Calico Critters keychain? It’s perfectly appropriate for a middle-schooler and doubles as a backpack charm.

Mini makeup influencers will love this charm necklace that’s stacked with fruit-flavored lip gloss for each day of the week.

Lip oils are going totally viral on TikTok because they’re nonsticky and hydrating but lend the same kiss of color as a gloss. If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer, E.L.F.’s new iteration, available in seven different colors, is not to be missed, and it’s on the wish lists of all the tween girls we polled.

Giant tumblers (like the Stanley Cup) and water bottles continue to make the wish-list cut. We’re fans of this big ol’ Yeti tumbler, which has a straw that basically turns it into a sippy cup—for tweens and adults, that is. Its stainless steel regulates their drink’s temperature, and you can personalize it with their initials or a nickname for extra cred.

Cue squeals of delight when they tear into the gift box and discover one of the best hair styling tools on the market, which all the tween girls we polled said they wanted. Soon they’ll be filming their own GRWM (that’s “get ready with me,” of course!) vids, a trend that’s crazy popular with this age group.

If your preteen is easing into a skin care routine, these cute animal-print sheet masks are a good starting point. They also make for a fun sleepover activity with lots of selfies.

Jellycat plushies never fail to bring a smile to a tween’s face—and one cuddle with their unbelievably soft fabric will show you exactly why tweens need at least a dozen of them in rotation.

Some things never change, including the timeless charm of tie-dye. This set of pinks, purples, and blues is a cut above other options—just throw in some white T-shirts to complete the gift.

This advent calendar for kids features days of science experiments they can do at home and a beginner rock collection. It’s a fun, hands-on step up for the tween who always wants to know how things work.

Temporary hair color is a fun, noncommital way to dabble in hair dye and to express whatever mood they're in at the moment. The DIY set comes stacked with mess-free chalks, glitter, and clip-in extensions that can be washed and recolored.

Rubber band bracelets and rings are all the rage among kids, and this loom is the secret behind them. Be careful: It’s surprisingly addictive to use.

Great personalized gifts for tweens don’t have to be overcomplicated. Just take something they’re already obsessed with—like basketball—and make it personal by adding their name. Instant win.

The perfect gift for the aspiring artist, this extra-large pen turns their doodles into 3D models. They can make everything from insects to birds to art with text.

If you love Cards Against Humanity but know the OG version is too risqué for family game night, meet the Family Edition. With over 300 laugh-out-loud cards, it’s a perfect gift idea for getting the whole crew cracking up. The rules are simple: One player asks a question from a black card, and everyone else throws down their funniest white card answer.

The kiddo with a dedicated stuffie section will melt when they receive this comfy, cat-shaped beanbag that’s cute as hell. The only trouble with the gift will be figuring out how to wrap it!

Bag charms are all the rage right now—and a puffy-initial key chain like this one adds personality and whimsy to their backpack or bag.

Tweens may not need skin care beyond gentle Cetaphil, but they definitely want it—especially Glow Recipe, which is known for how it plumps and hydrates the skin (and its pretty pastel packaging). Our editors are fans of many of the minis in this set, including the radiance-boosting Watermelon Glow toner and nourishing avocado-packed moisturizer.

Middle school is an ideal time to begin a journey into music—be it through the marching band, the orchestra, or a solid starter guitar like this one. It’s a nice present that fosters an activity away from the computer.

This Magneto skateboard is specifically designed for tweens trying out the sport for the first time. They’re lightweight, petite enough in size for younger children, affordable, and come in many unique designs.

Tween girls can’t get enough of sparkly bracelet stacks. Add a pop of rainbow and Mickey’s signature magic, and you’ve got a gift they’ll never want to take off.

Tweens are upping their fragrance game, and this one hits all the right notes. It looks super cool in the background of their GRWM videos and smells like the perfect mix of vanilla, soft spices, and cocoa—not too much, just enough to feel grown-up without overdoing it.

These days, the tweens we know are practically coding long before they’re behind the wheel. This beginner-friendly kit is the perfect intro, letting young gamers dive into the world of coding to create their own retro-style games.

If you’re a parent of a tween already begging for their first phone, welcome to the club. “My tween nephew started asking for a phone when he was eight. The Teracube Thrive is a kid-friendly smartphone that balances what parents and kids want. My sister appreciated that she can approve apps, set screen-time limits, and stay in the loop with my nephew while still letting him feel like he has independence,” says Lee.

Got a tween who never stops asking questions? Put that curiosity to good use with this fun guessing game that lets players ask up to 10 questions to figure out what’s on the card, all featuring authentic NASA images and a space theme.

This kit is every tween’s dream come true: DIY bracelets served up from a vending machine. It delivers five snack-themed bracelets in the most adorable little treat bags—perfect for crafting solo or making memories with friends.

It may look a lot like a teen’s favorite sugary cereal, but this one is actually a sweetly scented (like really sweet) candle. It comes in other quirky variations too, including a yogurt smoothie bowl and trail mix.

The tweens in our lives insist on looking cute—even when it’s freezing out. Enter this fluffy sherpa jacket: the perfect blend of cozy and casual style that ticks all their boxes.

Cue the nostalgia, because TikTok has officially approved our favorite ’90s markers. The packaging may look a bit different than the retro one you remember, but the product in this set of 22 smells just as sweet as it did once upon a time.

Goodbye, sweet nursery. Younger tweens are all about starting to make their bedroom their own. This LED color-changing lamp is the perfect upgrade with swirling sequins and pom-poms that dance to the lights.

Jibbitz charms help tweens make personal statements with their Crocs. This set is an excellent gift for the tween who identifies with Wednesday Addams—it includes moody purple rosettes, a black bow, and a blood-red gemstone heart.

Every gamer or music lover will appreciate having a personalized spot to safely stash their prized headphones—complete with their name for that extra-special touch.

Fjällräven makes the tween backpack du jour, so go ahead and treat your favorite youngin’ to this vibrant peach version they’ll use all spring and summer long.

Tween girls are all about Tree Hut’s deliciously fragrant body scrubs, especially Moroccan rose. This cute gift set gives them a taste of various scents, including the holiday-appropriate candy cane.

Feed their frozen yogurt cravings with this cool kitchen gadget. It’s easy to operate—simply toss frozen fruit into the feeder for a fresh and decadent dessert.

This printer brings any smartphone photo IRL in seconds—consider it Gen Z’s answer to the Polaroid. Your favorite tween will love decorating their room, locker, or slipping a pic inside their phone case.

This adorable ornament holds mini versions of Bubble’s best-sellers—a cleanser and a moisturizer—perfectly packaged for pampering at sleepovers and after gym class.

Tweens who love making a statement are all about the sparkly details and bold styles of Lola + the Boys. This shimmering sequin bomber jacket is a total showstopper—perfect for dressing up or pairing with trendy Converse sneakers for a laid-back vibe.

Your tween can never have too many iPhone chargers on deck, especially when they’re 10 feet long and impossible to lose.

Compiled from all of TikTok’s favorite viral recipes, from pancake cereal to homemade focaccia, this cookbook is certain to be in heavy rotation as your kids work through every single dish.