Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

What do tweens want for Christmas? 10 gift ideas they’ll flip for

Shopping for tweens can be tough. Not little kids anymore but not quite teenagers, shopping for tweens can be a balancing act. If you have a tough-to-shop-for tween on your holiday gift list this year, look no further. We’ve rounded up 10 gifts that are sure to be a hit. No eye rolls here, just great gifts your tween is sure to love!

AirPods Pro

Air Pods are on everyone’s list this year. And with Apple’s newest gen release, this top-of-the-line pick just got better. The newest version of Apple’s seminal Bluetooth earbuds are, of course, wireless and come with a charging pod. Apple upped their game with Air Pods Pro though, because not only are they more contoured and comfortable, they’re noise canceling. Now your tween won’t have to just pretend not to hear you when you tell him it’s time for chores.

LuMee Duo Selfie phone case

The quest for the perfect selfie is never-ending, but this light-up phone case might get your tween one step closer. The LuMee Duo Selfie iPhone case features a ring of LED lights around the case that turn on with the push of a button and produce a warm natural light that far outshines the phone’s flash. Rechargeable with 30 minutes of continuous use per charge, this phone case will definitely shine a light on your tween’s natural beauty.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 instant camera

If you thought the days of instant cameras disappeared back in the 90s, think again. This Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 instant camera is the Polaroid-style camera every Gen Zer is craving. Your tween will love snapping photos that she can actually touch and display in her room. No more photos lost in your tween’s camera roll: just point, shoot, and within seconds she’ll have an actual picture in herhands.

Govee LED light strips

With these Govee LED light strips, your tween will be one step closer to having the bedroom of his dreams. Operate with voice commands, a remote, or sync them with your Alexa or Google Assistant to have a constantly changing color scheme. The WiFi-enabled light strips attach to surfaces with the included adhesive and support clips, so it will be easy for your tween to configure them exactly how he wants.

Doc Martens

Yep, the ’90s fashion staple is making a comeback. Your tween will love this fashion-forward and retro addition to their closet. Choose black for a classic look or mix it up with one of Doc Martens’ awesome new colors or prints. And yes, the iconic yellow stitching still lets everyone know your tween is rocking real Docs.

LEGO architecture building sets

If they’ve outgrown superhero LEGO sets but still love building, Lego architecture sets are a sure win. Iconic buildings like the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty will keep your tween occupied and help her develop an interest in history, architecture, and geography while she’s at it!

Skincare

The tween years are the perfect time for kids to develop good skincare habits, and with the plethora of products specially designed for young skin, there are plenty of options. Try the Glossier Moon face mask because honestly, who doesn’t love a good mask? And this Clinique foaming cleanser is extra gentle, perfect for tween skin.  And your tween can store her skincare goodies in every 90s girl’s favorite organizer, the Caboodle! Yep, it’s back and we still love it!

Coodoo Almubot Robot building set

The Coodoo Almubot is the perfect introduction to coding and robotics. It snaps together with LEGO-like building pieces and will keep kids entertained for hours while they’re learning the basics of coding. Kids can use the remote or app to control the robot, and it’s voice-activated too!

Hydroflask

Hydroflasks are so hot right now. The stainless steel water bottles are the perfect stocking stuffer for your tween. They’re dishwasher safe which is good news for parents and they don’t sweat, so no need to worry about water rings on the furniture. Best of all, you can rest assured that your tween will stay hydrated at school and activities because the Hydroflask will remain within arm’s reach at all times.

Unstable Unicorns

The highest-funded Kickstarter game of all time and 2019 People’s Choice Award for Toy of the Year, Unstable Unicorns is wildly popular with tweens and teens. Build an unstoppable unicorn army to betray and defeat your friends and have a ton of fun doing it. Unstable Unicorns is a great choice for slumber parties, casual get togethers, and even family game nights.

Editors' Recommendations

Kristi Pahr
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kristi is a professional writer and mother of two. When she's not writing or playing chauffeur to her kids, she enjoys…
6 adorable family Christmas outfit ideas for your holiday photo
Matching Christmas outfits are great for holiday cards: Here are options
A family posing in matching Christmas outfitss.

Nothing says it's Christmas quite like the whole family putting on matching Christmas outfits for the annual holiday card. Ideally, you want a portrait where most of you are smiling and no one is crying or blinking. Families take the picture delightfully dressed up or completely comfy in pajamas. While either is adorable, give some thought to where your photo shoot will take place, what your kids can handle at their ages, and what else you're trying to achieve with this photo.

Once you decide on the tone of your photo, it's time to pick from the best family Christmas outfit ideas. We've rounded up six options that are a mix of formal and casual, ones that would work in many venues, and ideas for different family ages and configurations. You'll even be able to include your pets if you want to. Shopping is half the fun, so enjoy deciding between these picture-perfect pairings.
Christmas pajama ideas

Read more
These funny gender reveal ideas will delight your guests
Cute, clever and unique gender reveal ideas
Couple holding boy or girl card

Gender reveal parties have become just as popular as baby showers these days. While they are definitely not necessary, gender reveals are a fantastic and fun way to get your loved ones together for a celebration. Some couples choose to learn their baby's gender by cutting into a cake that reveals a pink or blue filling while others have popped confetti-filled balloons. If you're looking for something a bit more unique for your gender reveal, you may want to try one of these more humorous options that will include your family and friends.

These funny gender reveal ideas will require you to pick your most trusted family member or friend to find out the sex of the baby before anyone else, including you! If you and your partner are just fine with handing over the reins to someone else, then let’s dive into these funny gender reveal ideas.

Read more
Your kids won’t even miss Disney if you try these incredible staycation ideas
Two girls wearing Mickey ears holding suckers.

If driving for hours and hours, listening to kids scream about wanting out of the car, and waiting in lines for an eternity in the hot sun sounds like your worst nightmare, then you must read on. We don’t think any of that sounds like the recipe for an amazing family vacation, either.

Yes, Disney is the most coveted family trip out there. From the Insta perfect pics to the meals with your kids' favorite characters, it seems like a child’s dream come true. But guess what? Kids just want to have fun. That means you can have all that Disney entertainment in the comfort of your home for a fraction of the cost.

Read more