The 61 Best Gifts for Tweens in 2024 That Aren't Serious Cringe

They may have graduated from using your shampoo to make “potions” in the bath, but rest assured: Their eyes will light up at the prospect of making one (particularly a teeny, tiny, half-dollar-sized one) today. Each softball-sized ball contains all of the ingredients to make an (inedible) potion from the Harry Potter series, and they won’t know what they get—Skele-Gro, Amortensia, Polyjuice!—until they crack it open. How’s that for magical?

Pokémon players and collectors will be over the moon to get the recently released Stellar Crown ETB, which features some nifty new art, including cards with rainbow borders. Plus, whether your tween is collecting or actually playing the trading card game, there’s always plenty of joy to be had in tearing open those packs and seeing what’s inside.

I can personally vouch for the awesomeness of this art set, since I bought one for my own tween artist, and the quality is leagues above any of the other sets I have purchased in the past. It includes professional-level sketching pencils so kids can practice shading techniques, concentrated watercolor paints, oil-based colored pencils, blending stumps—basically, everything your tween needs to take their artistic talent to the next level.

What do you get your Nintendo-obsessed tween who seems to have all the Switch add-ons and games, from steering wheels to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to Minecraft? Enter: the Nintendo Switch sports accessories bundle, which includes two golf clubs, two wrist bands, two tennis rackets, two swords, two leg straps and two bowling grips that are compatible with all Switch sports games. Don’t forget to check off the Amazon coupon box to receive 15 percent off your purchase at checkout.

Your little wannabe scientist will go nuts over this unique projector that can fill any room with numerous nebula clouds. In other words, it’ll make them feel like they’ve traveled space and time to enter another galaxy. Along with the projector, there’s a compatible app where users can control the speed, adjust the brightness and swap the colors, as well as set presets, smart timers and routines.

This lululemon belt bag has been all over TikTok and its popularity hasn’t dwindled, especially among the under-12 set. Its water-repellent fabric makes it fairly stain-resistant, and it’s just the right size to stow a tween’s essentials. (My daughter actively wants this “to carry her lip gloss, hair accessories and allowance money.”) Just be sure to find out which of the 21 colorways they’re interested in before hitting the checkout, because you know they’ll have opinions.

He may already have a lot of workout joggers, but these are fancy and Nike. Thanks to the moisture-wicking signature Nike Dri-FIT technology, these will keep your tween cool and dry on and off the court, field, track and wherever else he wants to wear ‘em. They were designed for running and training purposes, so every detail—from the ultra-soft, stretchy and adjustable waistband to the roomy hips to the front and back zipper pockets—is intentionally and carefully crafted with the athlete in mind. It comes in Big Boy sizes on Nordstrom’s site, which ranges from S to XL or 8 to 20. Customers say they run true to size and are incredibly comfy.

Take it from TikTok, you’re going to want to play this at the next family fun night. This video, posted by @tiktokboardgames, gathered a ton of attention from viewers—3.8 million views, to be exact—showcasing the card game adaptation of what originally started off as a public campaign to promote safety on Australian Metro Trains, says Digiday. Of course, that catchy jingle went viral and has since been used for video games, TikTok voiceovers and now, card games. The premise of the game is simple: Stay alive and kill off your opponents’ beans. It’s like a modern-day Uno with accident, death and psycho killer cards hidden in the deck. Stay safe, kids.

Milk Makeup’s buildable lip and cheek blush stain has become a TikTok obsession because it’s squishy like, well, jelly and comes in a range of four vibrant shades (Burst, Chill, Spritz and Splash) of pink, red, orange and berry. Plus, its compact twist-up stick packaging makes it easy for your tween to pop it in her backpack for a quick touch-up during lunch break. “It’s not that kind of heavy lipstick that looks weird on a kid my age, but it’s subtle for special occasions and school,” my 9-year-old explained to me, when I asked her why everyone she knows is clamoring for it.

“I bought these for both of my sons and have repurchased three as birthday gifts for some of their friends on their football team, says one Abercrombie Kids reviewer. “[It’s] so soft and cozy! I love the ‘vintage’ vibe, [and it] washes well. We sized up one-to-two sizes for each child for a more oversized fit or just in case they shrunk.” The cotton and poly-blend provides an extremely comfortable fit that’ll feel just as cozy—if not more—than his worn-out sweats (you know, the ones that have seen its day).

A fresh pair of cool kicks can make your child feel confident and oh-so cool, especially when they’re the uber-trendy Nike Air Force 1s. “These are so popular at my daughter’s school,” says one Nordstrom reviewer. “She’s thrilled with these shoes and the sizing chart was spot on, [and] she even has a little room to grow in them.” These basketball-inspired shoes sport an absorbent and comfortable cushioning that’ll come in handy when your kid is running amuck.

Rubik’s Cubes are having a late-elementary school renaissance—seriously, editors were shocked at how many kids raved about them—and this one stood out for offering a fresh twist on the classic. The Galaxy Cube features both single and multiplayer modes with epic challenges that are out of this world, including music and voice-guided instructions from Mission Control. Some of the games include Tic Tac Go, Rocket Trail, Space Command (think: Simon Says) and Shooting Star where they’ll have to keep the tail of the blue comet short. A charging cable is included, so they can plug it in once the power is low and play with it again in no time.

What’s better than a basic basketball? A glow-in-the-dark one, of course. This ball, which has the same feel, handling and size as professional basketballs, is equipped with vibrant LED lights that automatically turn off after play. While a pump is not included, it does come with spare batteries that are good for up to 30 hours of play. One Amazon buyer, who gifted it to her nephew, says, “He wouldn't put it down! He even tries to bring it to basketball practice most weeks. It lights up solidly when you bounce it but turns off after a period of time—not too long, maybe 15 to 30 seconds—to save battery.” They’ll never miss the ball (and you’ll feel a wave of relief spotting them on the court so easily.)

Now is the time for your tween to try every hobby under the sun, and they’ll be so excited when they receive these retro roller skates. Impala quad skates are at the top of my tween girl’s wish list because they’re Ideal for beginners and made with durable, wear-resistant and vegan materials; plus, they’re available in some darn cute color combos, such as a green and orange, yellow and orange, cherry red and black and lilac monochrome.

This might be the only time you’re OK with your kids throwing food. The Throw Throw Burrito game is sure to get a rise from your goofball, and it’s especially fun for a packed house to play. “My family had a riot playing this, but it’s not for the easily insulted,” says one Amazon reviewer. Think of this as a card matching game and dodgeball combined with…flying burritos. The players will want to collect cards, match three cards of a kind to earn points and throw burritos at people to make them lose points—hence the dodging. (There are also three types of cards that trigger burrito battles, intensifying the playful competition.) Let the burrito wars begin.

In case you missed it, axolotls are the new unicorns. (Seriously, they were even the mascot of the 2023 Girl Scout cookie campaign.) If your tween’s been dreaming about one, gift them this wriggling toy, which lights up in various colors to show its mood and swims in its included inflatable pool. In our toy testing, kids couldn’t resist deciphering the axolotl’s color-changing moods and cooing as it zipped around the pool.

Your tween might be experiencing their first bouts of hormonal acne and, with it, all the emotions that seem to come as a package deal. These Starface pimple patches are a cute and fun way to make acne woes feel more lighthearted and boost your kiddos confidence. The colorful stars are equipped with powerful hydrocolloid medicine that works to absorb the gunk from pores and reduce inflammation. And with 96 stickers in one pack, they can even share it with their friends at the next sleepover.

American Girl dolls are as hot as ever—especially its line of Truly Me dolls, which let kids sift through more than 70 options to find the pal that best suits their personality. When editors polled tweens, it was a dream-item experience (particularly the chance to go to a store and select the doll, as well as the accessories and outfit to go with it). But I’ll let you in on a little secret: Across the board, the most popular dolls among kids editors polled were ones with multi-colored highlights. So if you’re looking for a true surprise gift, that’s probably a safe bet.

If your tween is interested in the way gadgets and gizmos start from a pile of buttons, plastic, circuit boards, screens, wires and magnets to becoming a full-on working game console, then you just might have a future engineer on your hands. Good news, with projects like this Create Your Own Video Game Set from Uncommon Goods, they’ll develop a better understanding of what goes into the mechanics of constructing a handheld video game console. The beginner-friendly kit will introduce them to coding and programming languages like JavaScript and Python, and the purchase comes with everything your child’s going to need to get started, including: Xtron Pro, silicon case, cable tie, USB type-C cable, Sprite design card, stickers and a quick start guide. Best of all? It can convert it into their own smartwatch, too.

Got a competitive tween on your hands? They’re going to go crazy for this Spikeball set, which is meant to be played outside in the yard, lawn or sand. In a nutshell, the rules are strikingly similar to volleyball, and you’ll need at least four people to play. “I purchased this as a ‘family gift,’ and it was a huge hit! My 12-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter both loved it, as did my husband and I,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Game is portable [and] easy to understand but surprisingly hard to master.” Prepare to break a sweat.

Gen Z has made friends with press-on nails, and the new iterations come in subtle colorways and shorter lengths that are cool without being extra. This kit includes everything you need to master the look, such as a cuticle pusher, nail clipper, file, buffer, strengthener and set of 42 short, mani press-ons. Oh, and it includes a removal kit too for when it’s time to switch ‘em out. So, which style do you think your tween will like more…the cheetah French almonds or the star clusters in the squoval shape?

They may have their handy dandy smartphone to snap all the selfies and pictures they desire, but there’s something so special and exciting about getting an instant photo. The Fujifilm Instax pack features an automatic exposure that’s designed to capture the perfect shot whether it’s nighttime or daytime, and it comes in four dreamy pastel colors like this mint option. According to one satisfied customer, the “camera has a nice focus to it, [and] all the images come out vibrant and crisp. [I] would definitely gift it to a teenager or young adult into photography.” While you will have to buy the film separately, the camera does include the two AA batteries needed to operate it and a strap for easy travel.

Whip this out the next time the kids come over after school and they’ll be occupied for hours practicing their aim on this inflatable target set. It has an opening at the base which can be filled with water or sand to make the target pop back upright once it’s been knocked over. “You can blow it up in less than two minutes with a good pair of lungs,” says one Amazon reviewer. “You can also buy any size Nerf ball to make it easier…it's even fun for an adult to play with the kids.” Psst: It’s also compatible with all NERF blasters like the Elite 2.0 Flipshots Flip-8 blaster and the DinoSquad Raptor-Slash dart blaster, to name a few.

Tweens continually told us they were intrigued by Laneige after seeing it all over TikTok. Why? Buyers can't stop talking about how buttery smooth this mask makes their lips feel. And the results last all day, so they can make it through school feeling good about their pout. PureWow Associate Fashion Commerce Editor Stephanie Meraz attests, “While I no longer trudge to school every morning, I do still suffer from chronically dry lips—especially during the bitterly dry winter months—and the Laneige lip mask is a godsend. I slather it on every night before bed…and it’s prevented my lips from quite literally peeling off. Plus, the small tub has lasted me months on end.”

Perfect for the junior electrical engineer, this easy-to-assemble lamp teaches them all about the principles of tension and tensegrity as they build a lantern that floats in mid-air. It comes with all the equipment they’ll need to construct their lantern, such as the individual lantern pieces, a stand base, sticky foam sheets, cords, rubber rings, cord spacers, an LED strip and an illustrated illustration booklet that they can use to follow along step-by-step. “It’s functional and magical at the same time,” one reviewer shared. “My daughter needed some help taping the wires down (she broke one of the connectors the first time we tried) because it’s a delicate and tight area. But other than that, it was a simple build. She loved having the choice of color for the light.”

OK, picture day is right around the corner. Enter: The Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0. That’s right, the OG brush—beloved by PureWow’s Editor-in-Chief—got a few upgrades this time around. It’s lighter, slimmer and narrower in design, so buyers are in agreement that it feels less like a workout to blow out their hair. One reviewer explains, "My arms don't feel like they will fall off when I'm done. The 2.0 also seems to glide through my hair easier." The new brush boasts three times the ceramic titanium tourmaline technology, which will help protect your hair from heat damage and minimize the frizz. Looks like a smooth, silky blowout is in the cards for picture day after all. (Just don’t forget the heat protectant!)

These stunning hoops are made of gold-plated brass that has a good resistance to tarnishing if cared for properly—i.e., she may want to take them off before cannonballing into the pool—and a comfortable post-back closure. They’re also hypoallergenic, so they shouldn’t cause any irritations or allergic reactions, either. It’s available in two additional sizes (37- and 46-millimeters), but the petite size (23-millimeter) makes for a great everyday wear that she can reach for again and again. If she’s a fan of delicate fine jewelry, this keepsake pair is going to get you a gasp of appreciation when she’s ready to swap out her starter earrings.

Prepare to become the favorite aunt with this sound-activated light blocks kit from Uncommon Goods that’s compatible with standard Lego blocks. “My nephew loved these,” raves one reviewer. “These were great because he can build whatever he wants, then use it as a nightlight! I bought the bigger set so he would have more to build with.” This interactive kit gives your tween full creative and imaginative range to build amazing geometric sculptures like a skyscraper or robot, and they’ll lose it once they figure out that it 1) lights up and 2) is sound activated.

From salty snacks to soccer practice, trying to keep your tween hydrated is no joke. “Kids my age are thirsty,” my tween explains, adding that the Stanley Quencher tumbler gets extra points for social media cred. This stainless steel and dishwasher-friendly bottle is travel-friendly and holds up to 40 fluid ounces of their favorite beverage. And that drink will stay iced for up to two days or hot for up to seven hours, thanks to that double-walled vacuum insulation. Bottom line: If Olivia Rodrigo and TikTok say it’s cool (and the 30.6 million searches certainly says something), then you can bet your tween will think so, too.

This upgrade to a basic skateboard features a pivoting deck and 360-degree inclined casters, meaning that just by shifting their weight, riders can speed up or slow down. At only eight pounds, this is a wheeled challenge tweens will love taking on. There’s a bit of a learning curve with this one, but once they get the hang of the swivel acceleration, there’s no stopping them. “I still think about my Ripstik fondly far too many times than I should probably admit to,” confesses PureWow Editor Meraz. “It was the board I’d pull out every day after school and ride back and forth down our quiet street. It was a little scary at first to learn the mechanics of it all (i.e., how to accelerate, stop or turn), but with a bunch of practice and helpful hands—literally, hands—from everyone in my family, I eventually got the hang of it and was gliding in no time.”

Remember how the most popular American Girl dolls right now are the ones with rainbow highlights? Well, that may be due to tweens’ sudden interest in all things hair chalk. Multiple tweens interviewed told editors they dreamed of cotton candy streaks in their hair—occasionally to their parents’ chagrin. But fear not, moms and dads: Hally’s Shade Stix are easy to swipe on, thanks to its mascara-like color wand, and they wash out.

Whether they’re a diehard skateboarder or just want to look cool, these comfy, classic water-resistant slip-ons will be appreciated. The popular California brand specializes in providing some of the most iconic and classic skate sneakers, designed for movement and wear. I’ve found that the thick rubber sole has a nice bounce to it and provides a flexible cushion for the bottom of your foot, making them a comfortable sneaker for everyday use (not to mention a cool one).

A liquid bronzer with a vegan and cruelty-free formula that also doubles as skincare? No wonder this racked in over 300 million views on TikTok. The hype is *so* big around these Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi drops, that it caused a flurry of demand, and the product flew off the shelves. Good news: It’s back in stock and just as good as ever. “The vegan formula includes cocoa extract, which features antioxidants that brightens the complexion and reduces redness,” says PureWow Associate Editor Chelsea Candelario. “You'll also find platinum peptides and chronocyclin (which is similar to vitamin D) that helps soothe, smooth and hydrate your skin.”

If there’s one thing we trust your pop-obsessed tween to want more than anything in the world right now, it’s the limited-edition GUTS vinyl by Olivia Rodrigo. (My daughter’s response was simply: “Olivia Rodrigo! YESSS!”) Back when the album released in early September, fans of Rodrigo jumped at the opportunity to get their hands on this colorful vinyl. And as TikToker @daylightgab quickly noticed, the catchy, new songs were overshadowed by the deluxe track hidden at the end of the vinyl. Parents, your tween will definitely want to hear it.

Your kiddo won’t want to take off these cute Old Navy leggings, which are made with a high performance four-way stretch and buttery soft lightweight fabric that’s meant to feel like a second skin. And they’re available in iridescent tie dye designs, solid hues and fun patterns. “My daughter thinks these leggings are the most comfortable thing,” one reviewer says, adding that the durability is her fave feature. “Leggings often get holes in the knees especially during gym class if she falls on the gym floor, but these have yet to do that.” Oh, and did I mention that these are moisture-wicking, too? Yeah, that’ll come in handy at recess.

This 1,073-piece Lego sculpture is rated for ten and up, so it’s not going to be impossible to put together. In fact, many reviewers rave about the easy assembly and sturdiness of the finished product. But don’t let that fool you; your tween can spend hours taking their time on the build, so you’ll still have the chance to reclaim some me-time after all.

Chances are, your kid already has these platform UGGS marked down on their wish list because it’s all anyone (1.5 million people, to be specific) can think about on TikTok. They boast the same treasured qualities as the originals but with an extra two-inch platform bottom. Whether your tween chooses to style them with sweats or under straight leg denim jeans, the ultra-minis make it so easy to style since it doesn’t have the added bit up top that can make your pants bulk out. “I used to think regular UGGs were the greatest, [now] multiply that feeling by a hundred and you have these,” one reviewer says, who raved about how comfy they are.

Whether they’re into makeup tutorials, fitness demos or just the latest TikTok dance, the tween in your life will find a use for this adjustable ring light that has nearly 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon when they’re making videos or joining a Zoom study session. It has a high sensitivity touch panel with three color modes (cool white, warm yellow and daylight) and ten—yes, ten—brightness levels. It’s USB-powered, so you can forget about replacing any batteries, and there’s a phone holder in the center that’s compatible with most smartphones. What’s more, this comes with a pocket-sized remote control that uses Bluetooth to snap selfies and group photos in an instant without needing to connect via an app. Don't forget to apply the coupon to get $6 off.

This cunning read is a part of a four-book series called The Tween Witches’ Guides, and it unlocks all the secrets astrology has to offer. It’s ideal for readers aged 10 and up who are curious to read about how the stars influence things in their everyday life, like their latest grade on their math test or the big food fight that broke out in the cafeteria last week. Your tween will certainly get a kick out of this entertaining guide full of colorful, graphic illustrations. And remember, they’ll have three additional books in the series (on crystals, palm reading and spells) to look forward to once they’ve torn through this one.

Our sources say that these rubber band bracelets are all the rage right now. (They’re basically the new form of friendship bracelet.) They’re also pretty easy for kids to make with the included tools, and the crafting process is great for fine motor skills and creativity. It’s also great for building frustration tolerance…but that applies mostly to parents, since I can guarantee you will be finding tiny rubber bands floating around all over your house.

A digital tuner, a strap and everything your little warbling giftee needs to become uke adept is in this bundle featuring a 21-nch soprano ukulele, picks and more. The musical gift comes with free online profession video lessons for beginners, and there’s an added digital clip-on tuner that’ll help your little entertainer hit all the notes. “I have to say how impressed I am with the sound of the Donner—it is rich and warm,” says an Amazon reviewer who gifted it to her granddaughter. “It gives sharps and flats indications, and the screen [turns] green when you're in tune. Overall, and for the money spent, this is nearly a perfect way to start playing ukulele.” Check off the Amazon coupon box for an additional $6 off.

A CGI head popping out of a toilet is every bit as absurd (and mildly disturbing) as you think it is. And it’s that absurdity—paired with the fun of simply saying “skibidi” that seems to have gotten Gen Alpha obsessed with all things Skibidi Toilet. And now, the characters from the YouTube series are available in a set of mystery figure collectibles. Just note that they’re designed for ages 13 and up, so parents, use your discretion when determining if this toy is right for your kid.

He'll want to host hangouts in his room with this 28- or 33-inch-wide, best-selling faux leather lounger chair that’s a little more structured than yesterday’s free-form blob. While it’s definitely a splurge, the durable saddle-style upholstery cover is spot cleanable and tough enough to stand up to all his ruffian friends. And Pottery Barn Teen used a new construction on this model to keep the filling in place, so there won’t be any lumps, bumps and wonky holes down the road.

The editor-approved and tested SolaWave skincare wand recently got a major upgrade. This warming wand uses twice the red-light therapy compared to the original version to help kill off acne-causing bacteria and calm redness which seems to run rampant for tweens. “I have been struggling with acne and discoloration form PCOS among other things, and this has been the only thing that has helped,” says one reviewer. “For the first time in my life, I’ve been getting compliments on my skin!” In as little as ten minutes post-cleansing, a few swipes of this vibrating Galvanic current wand will really bring out your giftee’s healthy glow.

Thermoplastic clogs with a strap that can be flipped back or hinged forward to make a slip-on shoe…convenience, thy name is Crocs. It’s no wonder they’re an Amazon best-seller. Don’t believe me? These rubber shoes garnered more than 140,000 five-star reviews from Amazon customers alone, who collectively rave that they have a comfy sole, are easy to slip on and feature a wide toe box that can help prevent your kiddo from developing blisters or more serious foot issues. Plus, they have a myriad of colorways to choose from, like a banana yellow, lime green, orange sorbet, ballerina pink and much more. Now put ‘em in sport mode and lock that strap down, because it’s go time.

Soft faux suede texture covers this oversized pillow that can help the student (or Netflix binger) not get a sore neck or back when they’re logging in the hours. It is filled with 100 percent polyester that’s supposedly incredibly supportive and comforting according to one reviewer who received the pillow as a gift. So while it won’t necessarily get them up and out of their bed rotting activities, it will provide an extra layer of support that’ll stretch all the way up to the head (thanks to that extra tall back design) as they do it.

She will shriek when she gets a load of this excessive in-the-best-way silk scrunchie set. This pack of five scrunchies comes in an assortment of neutral and pink hues. The uber-popular hair ties are made from 100-percent mulberry pure silk that won’t tug, damage or tear your hair like traditional hair ties tend to do. Oh, and she’ll love that it won’t leave any lumps and ridges in her hair when she takes out her ponytail.

If you’re looking to reward your superstar student with something that you know they’ll appreciate and use daily, look no further than the Apple AirPods Max. They’re the new, reimagined over-ear headphones designed to deliver exceptional sound quality and optional noise-cancelling capabilities. The battery life can vary by use, but there is typically around 20 hours of listening on this sleek gadget. One of the really cool features with the Apple product is that it uses spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, which basically means that it’ll sound like there’s a surround-sound movie theater experience happening around them. And these headphones won’t leave them with sore, achy ears either because of the soft knit-mesh canopy and squishy memory foam ear cushions.

If he’s the type of guy who fights you to wear t-shirts everywhere—even your sister’s wedding—ease him out of his comfort zone with this loose-fitted blue plaid number made by L.L.Bean. He’ll enjoy the soft feel of the cotton fabric so much, and the long sleeves will be a godsend for the times he refuses to wear a jacket when the colder months approach.

Thanks to KiwiCo, the science lab can now come home with your tween. This kit lets them craft two kinds of soap that looks like quartz in a science experiment and only requires the included molds and a microwave. They’ll get the chance to play with colors, learn about mineral science and experiment with mesmerizing chemical reactions. Then, when they're done, they've got something to inspire them to keep clean.

Your tween’s suddenly all about skincare routines (thanks, internet), but you’re not sure where to start. This Bubble trial kit features a cleanser, moisturizers, sleep mask and eye cream, so they can dabble in hydrating their skin and soothing redness as puberty takes hold of their pores. Plus, the colorful set all comes in a fun travel case.

Calling all aspiring chefs! With the Raddish subscription box, your tween will quickly become a chef equipped with all the cooking and baking skills needed to whip up a healthy meal they’re proud of. Join one of three specialized cooking clubs (cooking, baking or global), and Raddish will send a cooking kit and digital recipes every month. Think: handmade sushi, Swedish meatballs, three-cheese raviolis and more meals the whole family can enjoy. The only caveat? You’ll have to supply the ingredients, but they will provide a complete grocery list to use at the store.

A marble run, logic game and STEM toy all wrapped in one—with 60 challenges that are designed to help develop critical thinking and reasoning skills—this game is revered for entertaining kids for hours. “It’s been a huge hit,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “It's educational and inspires creativity, making it a great choice for kids” who like puzzles, challenging activities and smart games  It comes with an instruction manual, a game grid, nine towers, one target piece and three marbles.

Ask any tween: Robes are so grandma and grandpa. So, gift an oversized hoodie that they can toss over their PJs for body confidence, no matter what is going on growth-spurt-wise. It’ll feel like they’re wrapped in their favorite fuzzy, comfy blanket all the time. And they’ll get a kick out of the giant pocket with top and side openings at the front that’s big enough to hold their book, snacks and even the cat (yes, really) all while keeping their hands nice and toasty. Did I mention it has an extra-cozy sherpa lining?

Your little makeup guru will be speechless when you gift them his ginormous box big enough to store all their beauty faves, from lip glosses to blushes to concealers. Some reviewers wish it came with additional compartments in the bottom interior for organizing, but you may prefer having the open space to fit bulkier lotions and brushes. There’s also an auto-open tray in the middle with a flip-lid mirror that’ll come in handy when your tween has a sleepover (midnight makeovers are a must, right?). Best of all, the lid is secure, so it’s less likely to tumble open.

Your tween is itching to be more independent—and you want to stay connected…but you’re not ready to spring for a cell phone. That’s where Google’s new smartwatch comes in. Your kid can make calls and text up to 20 people using the watch—all numbers preapproved by you, via the FitBit Ace LTE app. A fitness tracker and games are designed to get kids moving, but there’s also a “school hours” mode that makes the watch just a watch, so it won’t be a distraction in class. Oh, and as a parent, you can pop into the app to see your kid’s GPS location, just to make sure they made it to piano lessons after school without issue. Peace of mind that tweens don’t cringe at? No wonder it won a 2024 PureWow Happy School Days Award.

Movie night from bed, anyone? That’s just what you get with this portable Kodak projector that boasts a clear, crisp image and 4K resolution. “We bought this for our grandson for his 13th birthday,” says one Amazon reviewer. “He wanted to have a 'home theater' in his bedroom, so [we] came up with this as a solution, and oh did he get excited! He hooked up his Xbox to it and immediately started playing. He later used it on his computer with a wireless keyboard and mouse, and is having an absolute blast!”

This summery rattan bag just screams ‘tween-about-town.’ The floral applique is oh-so pretty, and the size is just right for accommodating the very minimal amount of stuff your tween actually needs to tote around, but still gives her that polished, grown-ish feeling that you know she’s desperately seeking. And yes, the price tag is pretty high, but I can personally attest to the quality of Ivy Cove products (I have a leather Ivy Cove backpack that I’m totally obsessed with), so you can count on this accessory to last.

My daughter has these hair tie bracelets and stacks them on her wrist every day for a multi-functional accessory with a boho chic aesthetic. Apparently, the hair tie bracelets have garnered some positive attention from her friends, too, because more than one parent has texted me to ask where I got them.

The pima cotton pajamas from LAKE are ridiculously soft, incredibly well-made and downright adorable, to boot. The material is Peruvian Pima Cotton, which is prized for both its silky feel and cozy-but-cooling effect. Snag a set and your tween will enjoy supreme comfort and superior style at their next sleepover.

This travel-friendly puzzle is a TikTok sensation—and it’s definitely gone viral for good reason. For starters, it’s a great (and wonderfully colorful) fidget toy for restless tweens that, unlike other such toys, actually has real educational value. There are 200 different puzzle challenges that range from beginner-friendly to extremely difficult, so your kid is unlikely to get bored with it anytime soon. In fact, it’s so engaging it might even lure your tween away from social media for a good while.