10 Great Gifts For Hard-To-Shop-For Tweens

Hannah Premaratne

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Do you have any hard-to-shop-for tweens on your holiday shopping list? We have some suggestions.  (Photo: Cavan Images via Getty Images)
Do you have any hard-to-shop-for tweens on your holiday shopping list? We have some suggestions.  (Photo: Cavan Images via Getty Images)

Most parents would agree that tweens are hard to shop for. Typically, 9- to 12-year-olds are starting to get too cool for some things, but they still like to geek out over others (like LEGOs and Nancy Drew).

If younger toys and clothes are off the table, what the heck do you gift the tween in your life? Here are some things they will actually want for their birthdays and the holidays.

Take a look below:

For the book lover:

Speaking as a confirmed bookworm, books are the gift that keep on giving. Whether you opt for a subscription box that gives a few new reads a month or purchase a single page-turner, you can&rsquo;t go wrong. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/33Xbiuw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amazon Prime Book Box for Kids</a></strong> is great for all ages, but you can specifically select books for the 9 to 12 age group. Each box will contain either two hardcover books or four board books for younger readers. Just choose your preferred frequency of box delivery, and you&rsquo;re good to go.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2Ketb0j" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A Kid Curated books subscription</a></strong> is great for kids in the 8 to 14 age group. They&rsquo;ll receive fun and challenging chapter books to boost their reading comprehension skills.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /><i>Pictured: <a href="https://fave.co/2Ketb0j" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kid Curated Books</a> from CrateJoy</i>

For the smarty pants:

Tweens who like to learn while they have fun will enjoy&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2O9SnWR" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this game that's also a STEM learning tool</a></strong>. This maze marble run game teaches them logic and reasoning as they work out puzzles and planning skills. <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2O9SnWR" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get it on Amazon</a></strong>.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/36ZSjl8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Little Passports</a></strong>, on the other hand, is a kid- and tween-focused kids subscription box that cultivates a sense of wunderlust from a young age. Choose from three subscription box themes for kids 9 and up &mdash; the <strong><a href="https://fave.co/33H7Jc5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Edition</a></strong>, the <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2XcgJmP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">USA Edition</a></strong> or <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2qTm2vG" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Science Expeditions</a></strong> &mdash; and your kiddo is well on his or her way to learning more about the world&rsquo;s wonders.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /><i>Pictured: <a href="https://amzn.to/2O9SnWR" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Think Fun Gravity Maze Marble Run on Amazon</a></i>

For the kid who likes to make a statement:

<strong><a href="https://fave.co/2pkCSDa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lightboxes</a></strong> are like letter boards, only more fun! All kids want to say something about themselves, so give them the space to do it with <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2pkCSDa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this color-changing lightbox</a></strong>. <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2pkCSDa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get it at Uncommon Goods</a></strong>.

For the kid in a family who loves to play games:

<strong><a href="https://fave.co/355eHYJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Exploding Kittens</a></strong> is a staple in my family, and I'd be remiss not to add&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://fave.co/2CHe5MD" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Throw Throw Burrito</a></strong> into the mix. Both are games for the whole family (ages 7 and up) and perfect for shorter periods of time &mdash; and attention spans. They're also great for getting rid of some of that latent energy that builds up in kids over the holidays. Get both <strong><a href="https://fave.co/355eHYJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Exploding Kittens</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2CHe5MD" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Throw Throw Burrito</a></strong> at Target.

For the little creative who likes to push boundaries:

A fun&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://fave.co/2q1dlzm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">henna tattoo set</a></strong> will help them explore body art that feels a bit more grown-up than stick-on tattoos. <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2q1dlzm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get it at Uncommon Goods</a></strong>.

For the kid who prefers to eat cereal for dinner:

<strong><a href="https://fave.co/34YFx4r" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This bowl-mug is perfect</a></strong> for the kid (or kid at heart) who starts their day with a healthy dose of cereal or loves to curl up in front of the Christmas tree with a cup of hot cocoa. Plus, it was designed by kids. <strong><a href="https://fave.co/34YFx4r" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get it at Uncommon Goods</a></strong>.

For tween revolutionaries:

The <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2peYL6I" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"I Am A Rebel Girl" journal</a></strong> to start revolutions is perfect for kids who identify as girls. Interested tweens might also like to curl up with <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/33Nycoq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this bedtime companion</a></strong>&nbsp;in the evenings.&nbsp; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br />Tweens who identify as boys might prefer "<strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2XhUNqz" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be Different</a></strong>" since it's the perfect nightstand book to encourage them to be their truest selves.

For the kid with a younger sibling:

This&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://fave.co/32JVXfx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DIY mechanical safe kit</a></strong> is not only going to make them feel like a spy, but it will also give them a safe haven to stash their diary, Nintendo Switch remote, or any of the things kids treasure these days. <a href="https://fave.co/32JVXfx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get it at Uncommon Good</strong>s</a>.

For the outdoors lover:

Do you have a Boy Scout or Girl Scout on your list? <strong><a href="https://fave.co/2XbOoND" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These hand-crafted authentic bird calls</a></strong> are good for enticing the chickadees to your feeder or playing nature&rsquo;s music.

For the kid with a lot of pent-up energy:

A safe and fun way to hit a ball around inside? Most parents wouldn&rsquo;t have believed it existed &mdash; until seeing&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2rIhp7Z" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this "Door Pong" set</a></strong>. It's a way to play ping-pong indoors without a table, and without fear of destroying the house. <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2rIhp7Z" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get it on Amazon</a></strong>.

Related coverage

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9 Of The Best Subscription Boxes For Kids That Aren't Toys Or Clothes

10 Of The Best Gifts For Kids That'll Grow With Them

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