78 Best Gifts for Tweens That They’ll Actually Like in 2024

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The trick to finding the best gifts for tweens comes down to selecting something that’s age-appropriate for nine- to 12-year-olds and trendy enough to satisfy their tastes. What’s popular now will likely change before you know it. To help, we polled tween boys and girls for the top presents on their wishlist for 2024. Many of them said they wanted tech gifts like Bluetooth speakers, headphones, or AirPods, (though we also included plenty of great under $20 gifts). You’re also guaranteed to delight them if you update their space with a neon sign, beanbag chair, mini fridge, or galaxy projector. Or if you’re essentially searching for a teen gift for those almost-13-year-olds, take a look at TikTok-viral products and gift sets from brands like Nike, Drunk Elephant, Starface, and Crocs. And if they’re still into toys, there are plenty of STEM sets and slime packs too.

Below are unique gift ideas straight from the source, so no matter which ones you pick, you’ll (at least appear to) be very much in the know come their birthday or Christmas.

Our top gifts for tweens, at a glanceBest Gift for Tween Girls: Glossier Limited Edition Balm Dotcom Duo, $27Best Gift for Tween Boys: Jeryswet Astronaut Light Projector, $33Best Gift for Tweens on Amazon: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera, $75Best Trendy Gift for Tweens: Scunci by Conair Wicked Elphaba Satin Spa Headband, $8Best Tween Gift for Christmas: Nintendo Switch Super Mario Party Jamboree, $431/78

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11

Need proof that trends are circular? Today’s kids are just as obsessed with instant cameras as you once were. Help them capture memories with this candy-colored bestseller. “I’ve gifted this to my teen cousins at our family Secret Santa exchange and it’s always been a hit because they can immediately start taking pictures at the family party. I recommend also buying an extra package of film or these fun magnetic frames so they have plenty of supplies to go with it,” says senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.

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Laneige Icons To Go Set

“Tween and teenage girls have high-end taste and love to splurge on high-quality skin-care products, even if their baby faces don’t need it,” says Courtney Titus, a mom of a 12-year-old in North Carolina. They want dewy, acne-free skin, and because of that, this gift set of five nourishing products from luxe line Laneige is bound to become their new, well, bestie.

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Rechargeable Laser Tag for Kids – Blasters and Sensors

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.

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Drunk Elephant The Littles 7.0

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.

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Scunci by Conair Wicked Elphaba Satin Twisted Spa Headband

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.

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Glossier Limited Edition Balm Dotcom Duo

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.

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Tenmiro LED Strip Lights

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.

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Nintendo Switch Super Mario Party™ Jamboree

“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.

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Ugg Scuffette II Slippers

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.

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Apple AirPods Pro, 2nd Generation

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.

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Jeryswet Astronaut Light Projector

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.

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Squishmallow Mini Plush Rainbow Dream Squad

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

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ManhattanNeons Custom Neon Sign

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.

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Starface Hydro-Stars Starter Pack

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

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Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro Tablet

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.

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Starlux Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag

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

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Hana Emi Ice Globes For Face (Set of 2)

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.

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AstroAI Mini Fridge

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.

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Nike Court Vision Lo Sneaker

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.

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Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation)

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.

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Fwlisesa Initial Necklaces

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.

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Mark & Graham Travel Jewelry Case

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.

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JBL Tune Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

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.

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Dr. Martens Bethan Polished Smooth Leather Platforms

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.

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Karma Is Three Cats: Life According to Taylor Swift’s Kitty Best Friends

If the tween is a Swiftie and 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.

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Nike Sportswear Club Pullover Hoodie

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.

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Tosy Flying Disc

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.

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Jall Wake-Up-Light Sunrise Alarm

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.

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National Geographic Dinosaur Dig Kit

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.

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HopeRock Indoor Mini Hoop

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.

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Sol De Janeiro Jet Set

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.