Tweens, they’re tricky. What they like one week they may not like the next. Or maybe you got them something they love…but they wanted another color. Or you bought that sweatshirt in their size…when it turns out they wanted it oversized. That’s where we come in. Finding the perfect gifts for tween girls can be mind-stumping, but we did our research to narrow down an easy-to-shop list, whether the tween in your life loves skincare, reading, friendship bracelets or simply Taylor Swift. Spoiler: They all love Taylor Swift.
47 Gifts for Tween Girls, Recommended by Tweens and the Parents Who Love Them
Do *not* forget the Drunk Elephant
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The Best Gifts for Tween Girls at a Glance
How We Chose the Best Gifts for Tween Girls
We polled our editors and readers with tween-aged kids to give us the scoop on what products and people they love (are they still into Justin Bieber? One Direction broke up, right?). Then we cross-checked those picks with online reviews to make sure others agreed. (Did the product hold up over time? Was a kid likely to outgrow it?) We also scoped out TikTok to see what’s trending there for the 9 to 13 crowd. Here’s what we uncovered:
We consider the famous Stanley cup an essential because it keeps drinks cold, thanks to the double-wall vacuum insulation, and we love that it comes with a reusable straw. Turns out: Your tween will love it just as much as you do—and probably get some lunchroom cred for having it. You can choose from a 14-, 20-, 30-, 40- or 64-ounce tumbler and choose from 30 colors. If you really want to impress her, customize it with her name or a phrase that she likes.
As she enters her tween years, she may be interested in starting to play around with beauty products. Go for a brand that specializes in light, natural makeup so she can see how to apply things without running around full glam. “She wanted makeup, but we didn't want to get her something that was too grown up. Glossier is nice because it's exactly that—not too grown up...but at the same time not costume/play makeup that feels cheap,” says one parent we spoke with.
Whether you have a tween at home who desperately wants to be the next Taylor Swift or one who simply loves to entertain when you have family over, these karaoke microphones will allow her to feel like a popstar. “Microphones can take any karaoke sesh to the next level. (I've used one as a grown adult and thoroughly enjoyed it),” notes one parent tester. It comes in a set of two and connects to a phone or to the app via Bluetooth. The mics have recording capabilities so she can play it back.
At only nine-inches tall, this mini tripod will be easy for her to keep track of and take with her, so she can be at the ready to take group pictures with her friends. “The tripod can come in really handy for any tween who struggles to take decent group selfies with their friends,” says one parent. The base has three flexible legs that can wrap, and it even comes with a phone-connected remote so she doesn’t need to race the clock using self-timer, just the click of a button.
We aren’t going to lie; We too would be obsessed with a nice, hot bath with a bath bomb to make it prettier. These ones come in a ton of different scents and leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated thanks to ingredients like olive and soybean oil and Epsom salts.
The Drunk Elephant craze has not slept since it’s started, but if you’re hesitant about getting your tween hooked, we recommend grabbing her a light product like a moisturizer, which is all her young skin really needs at this point. This whipped moisturizing formula will hydrate her skin and has the famous push-top pump the kids love so much.
If you know a little artist who is always creating, this gizmo is going to blow her mind. This pen uses colored 3D filament to make layered art that’s more sculpture than drawing. “These things are so cool--The ‘ink’ gets loaded into the back of them, then gets heated electronically so you can draw in 3D. Simple enough for a tween to use, but way more interesting than your standard kid's art supply,” says PureWow Editor-in-Chief and mom-of-two, Jillian Quint. It comes with detailed instructions and even some templates for getting started.
Subscription boxes are a blast and if she is starting to get more interested in wellness, beauty and fashion, this one is a great way to gift her things she can try out. Customize it based on her interests (think: makeup, fitness products, cooking, fashion accessories). The boxes are then delivered quarterly, so you can buy them up front when you subscribe or purchase them seasonally.
Before she watches the Disney+ Series have her take a crack at these books that imagine the Greek gods…but in the 21st century. The series is perfect for kids ages 8 to 12; we’ve seen many a tween glued to her Kindle when tearing through the adventures of Percy (son of Poseidon) and his pals. Bonus: download as an audiobook and you can listen in too.
Thank Swifties for this trend! This kit comes complete with colorful beads and charms, all in the service creating a cute bracelet they’ll wear every day. “My friends and I make bracelets all the time and trade them,” a tween we spoke with raved. This set has multiple elastic ropes and 15 bead and pendant themes—like Christmas charms and dangly, metal pendants.
Another skincare brand favorite among the tween girl set. We love Glow Recipes for the gentle formulas and clean ingredients, thanks to the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Kids love it for the pretty packaging and deliciously scented products.
Tired of hearing their Olivia Rodrigo playlist on repeat? Give them (and you!) the gift of in-ear listening with a set of AirPods, which have noise canceling capabilities and keep a charge for up to six hours of listening time. Worried about her misplacing them? Grab an AirTag and attach it to the case with a keychain for easy tracking.
If you’re grabbing her a set of AirPods, you’ve got to grab her a cute case, too, duh. Casetify has tons of unique, cutesy designs from smaller artists so she can show off her case that’s not like anyone else’s.
Aerie is beloved by so many age ranges, and when it comes to cute loungewear, it really can’t be beat. This cozy crewneck is slightly oversized and comes in 13 colors. It’s a cotton-polyester blend with a fleece lining inside to keep her nice and warm.
Learning to whip up meals in the kitchen at a young age is such an incredible skill, plus it teaches focus and creativity. Grab her an age-appropriate cookbook so she can try new recipes that won’t overwhelm her. This one is designed for 8- to 12-year-olds (it includes QR codes so she can watch corresponding videos) and has more than 75 kid-tested recipes, like cucumber-avocado maki and chocolate pastry puffs.
She may be growing up too fast, but stuffed animals—Squishmallows—don’t have an age limit. “Initially I thought these things were a gimmick. (Aren't they the same as all other stuffies?) Then, I actually snuggled my little head against one and OMG it is so soft. Now I completely understand why my daughter can't get enough of these things as she enters her tween years,” said one parent we spoke with. “They're cute and collectible and remind her of simpler times, even as the rest of her world grows up.”
Young Swifties are all about the merch. But instead of wearing the same Eras Tour shirt everyone has, she can sport this cute Swiftie sweatshirt which comes in a multitude of colors and is made from a cozy polyester-cotton blend.
Don’t forget the lululemon for your trendy tween! The ever-so-popular belt bag is a PureWow reader favorite, and holds everything from lipgloss to a phone to maybe even some extra Crocs Jibbitz (should she need to make a midday swap).
Journaling and getting those feelings out after a day at school is a great outlet—assuming she can keep it safe from prying eyes (looking at you, Little Brother). This adorable diary comes with a bracelet that connects to the key so she can keep a very close eye on it. It has 160 pages of lined paper and a spiral spine, meaning plenty of room for all her deepest, darkest secrets.
Teach her that the best thing she can do for her skin is to protect it from harmful UV rays. This sunscreen from Bubble Skincare is gently formulated and has SPF 40. Plus, it’s tinted which makes it feel like makeup, even if she’s not yet ready for the hard stuff.
Rouge red is probably a no-no in your household, but how about a light lip gloss instead? This one comes in many sheer shades and is moisturizing like a lip balm. “I like that it has really simple and healthier ingredients, because my 9-year-old loves wearing lip gloss like mom, but tends to accidentally lick it off,” says one mom we spoke with.
Personalized belongings are great, both for aesthetics (so cool!) and for a kid who’s likely to leave it on the floor of her science classroom. (Raise your hand if you have a child who is always trolling the lost and found.) Add her name to this sparkly looking notebook, then gift it for school work or journaling.
Sleepwear is a great gift, especially when it’s cute. This set, made from polyester (with an elastic waistband), is available in four different colorways and will keep them cooler in the warm months. No judgment if they want to get matching sets for their friends for sleepovers.
These eye masks, made from a flexible, elastic fabric, will make them feel like they’re having a luxurious spa day from the comfort of their home. “These face and eye masks are so fun and affordable. They'll love having a mini spa day with all their friends,” a parent we spoke with raved. We love the cute “do not disturb” slogan as well as the light lavender scent.
If she has a phone at this age, a cute phone case is really an essential. This floral one is sweet and simple and the two-time military standard, recycled material makes it durable for withstanding drops. It’s available for Apple, Samsung and Google devices and is MagSafe compatible.
A nice piece of jewelry will have her wanting to wear it every single day. This cute bracelet has an adjustable sliding bead and colorful heart charms across the gold chain. Plus, the 14K yellow gold coating over the brass will keep it from tarnishing easily.
Make spa night even more creative by adding a nail “salon”. These fun stickers adhere to nails quickly with no mess, can last up to a week and peel off easily. Choose from themes like bunnies and sports and take solace in the fact that they’re only $8 for a pack of 30.
This brand has a major chokehold on the middle school set, and if your tween is on TikTok she’s likely is dying to get her hands on it. A little goes a long way with this spray, so if you teach her how to use it sparingly, it should last a long time. It has a vanilla scent with a bit of a bite, thanks to the black amber plum and woody undertones. She may spritz herself way too frequently, but don’t worry, the formula is cruelty-free and vegan.
A cute neon name sign will have her so excited to show off her room and maybe (one can hope) keep it clean. This one has the option to add a remote control ($15) so it can sit right next to her bed and she’ll remember to turn it off at night. It’s available in 12 colors and plugs in via a wall outlet (and it comes with a dimmer, too).
How fun are these PJs? Whether she wears it for lounging around the house or planning a dance routine with her besties, she’s going to love cozying up in this number made from a flannel-like material. (Just note that it may be hot for summer.)
Popcorn and a movie can be even more fun if she gets to pop the popcorn in this easy-to-use machine. All you do is add kernels and press start, how simple (and safe) is that? Plus, it’s a healthy alternative since no oils are used for the popping (it’s just air).
The tween years can be challenging (we’re sure you remember as much), so keeping spirits and confidence on a positive track is important. These little affirmation cards, which say things like “I am always learning and growing,” and “I love and accept myself exactly as I am,” are an encouraging gift she can read daily before school or a night out with friends.
If your kiddo loves taking photos, a starter camera is a great gift for her to experiment with. She can learn lens settings, angles and composition, and then how to transfer the photos to a computer. It’s easy to use because of the point-and-shoot design, meaning the camera recognizes faces and smiles so it can adjust the focus settings automatically. This camera has 4K image quality and comes with a 64GB memory, meaning it can hold hundreds of snaps.
Crocs are a favorite once again and we are here for it. From the fun colors to the option to add Jibbitz, we think they’re perfect for the middle school set, and we appreciate the pivoting heel strap, which allows for a more secure fit as she hoofs it to the bus stop. Bonus: they’re easy to clean if you have an outdoorsy chick on your hands.
Bright, fun, new bedding will add a fresh look to her room that she’s probably trying to age up a notch. This marshmallow one has a cute pattern, and the tie-dye color is super feminine. It’s available in twin/twin XL and full/queen sizes.
Summer birthdays mean pool and beach-themed items. Our editors love Funboy, and one mom we spoke with said this gift was a total success. “The girly look of Funboy floats make my daughter always want to be in the pool over the summer; her and her friends love fitting as many of them on one as possible,” she says.
A brand-new bike is an exciting gift to get your girl for spring. This one comes in a few different colorways and is made for kids between 48 and 60 inches. The seat height is adjustable (no-tools required) and it has a low stand-over frame design so she can get off it easily.
This hooded blanket was made for days she just doesn’t want to leave the house. It’s covered in Hello Kitty and is 60-by-50-inches, so it’s plenty big for her and maybe even a friend. It’s 100 percent polyester and the brand notes to hand wash in cold water, likely because of the embroidered face.
She’ll have so much fun learning how to do heatless curls with these cushioned rods, which secure in place by wrapping hair around them. (They’re easy to use, we promise.) The satin-covered cushioning will help protect the hair from breaking and pulling, and she can opt to do her whole head, or just one section. Look at that--bouncy, fun curls without any heat damage.
If your kiddo isn’t allowed to have a cell phone just yet, an Apple Watch is a great way to ease in. You can track her location on your cell phone and she’s able to text you (as well as friends who do have phones) but she won’t have access to apps or other online distractions. She’ll love the option to replace the bands with cute alternatives. You’ll love that it’s literally attached to her wrist and hence impossible to misplace.
Whether she’s on the cheerleading squad or hoping to make the gymnastics team, this mat will allow her to safely practice her skills. The inflatable mat is 10-feet long and comes with an electric pump as well as a repair kit in case of any holes. The PVC material is sturdy and durable, say reviewers, but allows enough give to help her feel confident when she’s flipping or cartwheeling away. Reviewers note it stays inflated after long periods of time (one noted she’s had it for two months) and that it’s easy to roll up, too.
Does she have some studying to do? She’ll love doing it in this comfy beanbag chair, which is filled with polystyrene beads that conform to her shape. It’s available in medium and large sizes (aka three or three-and-a-half feet wide) and the filling can be easily fluffed around simply by flipping the bean bag. Just note that you’ll have to add a separate cover (which she can swap out if it’s ever time to update her room).
If she’s already got a Stanely, help her make it even more unique (and less likely to get lost on the school bus). These name plates are adorable and can be customized by name, color, background and tumbler size. Just note that they require hand-washing.
If you’re grabbing her a pair of Crocs, don’t forget the Jibitbz! This set come in packs of five, though they are available individually. Plus, they all have themes like animals or flowers and nature. Forget how Jibitiz work? They pop into the holes of the tops of a Croc clog and swap out super easily.
If you have an aspiring George O’Keefe at home, she’s going to need great supplies to work with. This set comes with two sketchbooks (one for acrylic painting) and a drawing pad, 24 acrylic paints, 24 colored pencils, 24 oil pastels, 24 watercolor cakes and 60 crayons for endless types of creating. Additionally, she’ll get tools like paint brushes, drawing pencils, a sandpaper block, a sharpener and an art eraser. Consider it a total upgrade from the kids’ sets she likely had when she was younger.
The sporty girl in your life needs high-quality socks to get her through practice and beyond. These ones are amply cushioned to keep her feet comfortable in cleats or sneakers. They come in a pack of six and reach right above the ankle. After all, did you know no-show socks are way lame, Mom?