Checklist · 18 picks · 7 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Tweens are a tricky age. They have mostly aged out of toys, but a lot of teen gifts are too much, too expensive or just not age appropriate.
This list sticks to the middle: things a 9 to 12 year old can use right away, from science kits and card games to cozy gear and a first real gadget. I built it from published guides I read, mainly Reviewed's list of 47 tween gifts and Today's gift guide for 12 year olds, and only kept products those outlets actually named. Each pick says which outlet liked it and why. One tip: tweens care a lot about looking current, so ask a parent which color or character they like before you buy. When in doubt, pick a game or kit they can do with friends.
Who this is not for. If the person is already 13 or older, skip this list and head to the teen gifts page instead.
Shopping ahead of Black Friday (Nov 27)? Open the picks you like on Amazon and add them to your cart now. They wait there until you're ready to check out, at whatever price Amazon shows that day.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith | budget | under $15 | creative kids who like messy projects | 1 outlet |
| Creatology Large Rainbow Pony Bead Box | budget | $15-25 | bracelet swappers | 1 outlet |
| Choose Friendship My Friendship Bracelet Maker | budget | $15-25 | beginners who want an easy start | 2 outlets agree |
| Cityrosy Scratch Rainbow Art Kit | budget | under $15 | quiet craft time | 1 outlet |
budget journal
Best for creative kids who like messy projects
Today names it as a journal under a low budget cap that tweens can rip, write in or paint.
Picked by Today best journal under a small budget.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
budget friendship bracelet kit · About 2,300 beads
Best for bracelet swappers
Today recommends this bead box for making friendship bracelets, a craft it lists among its tween gifts.
Picked by Today craft kit pick for 12-year-olds.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget friendship bracelet kit
Best for beginners who want an easy start
Reviewed's tween gift list includes this kit with 20 pre-cut threads and a board that holds the strings in place.
2 outlets agree. Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens. HGTV best friendship bracelet kits.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget art kit
Best for quiet craft time
Reviewed lists this scratch-art kit for making colorful rainbow designs.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge E-reader
Best for kids who read a lot
Today lists the Kindle Paperwhite for 12 year olds as a waterproof e-reader with a 7-inch display and no social media.
2 outlets agree. Today best gifts for 12-year-olds. Neil Chase Film best gifts for writers.
$150-200
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge instant camera
Best for tweens who love photos and scrapbooks
Today includes the Instax Mini 12 in its gift guide for 12 year olds and points to its selfie mode.
Picked by Today best gifts for 12-year-olds.
$50-100
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploding Kittens Card Game | budget | $15-25 | game nights with friends | 1 outlet |
| Not Parent Approved Card Game | budget | $15-25 | families and sleepover groups | 1 outlet |
| Codenames Word Game | mid | $15-25 | groups of friends or family | 1 outlet |
budget card game
Best for game nights with friends
Reviewed lists Exploding Kittens as a strategy card game with sabotage and humor that works for family or friends.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget card game
Best for families and sleepover groups
Reviewed picks it as a quick, funny family card game with simple rules.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid board game · 2 to 8+ players
Best for groups of friends or family
Today names Codenames as a word-association team game in its gift guide for 12 year olds.
Picked by Today best party game for 12-year-olds.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget science kit
Best for curious kids who like published projects
Reviewed lists this kit, where tweens dig out real gems like amethyst and tiger's eye, with a guide included.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid science kit
Best for kids who love experiments
Reviewed includes the National Geographic chemistry set, which has over 100 experiments including fizzing and rocket launches.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitsch Satin Heatless Hair Curler Set | mid | $15-25 | tweens who want curls without heat | 1 outlet |
| Starface Big Lil Gift Set | mid | $15-25 | tweens starting a simple skin routine | 1 outlet |
| Stanley Quencher Tumbler | mid | $25-50 | tweens who carry water everywhere | 1 outlet |
mid hair tool
Best for tweens who want curls without heat
Reviewed lists Kitsch's satin heatless styling set as an overnight curl kit, with satin to control frizz.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid skincare set
Best for tweens starting a simple skin routine
Today lists this set of star-shaped acne patches, vanilla lip balm and a pouch in its guide for 12 year olds.
Picked by Today skincare pick for 12-year-olds.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid tumbler
Best for tweens who carry water everywhere
Reviewed lists the Stanley Quencher as an insulated tumbler with a handle that keeps drinks cold for hours.
Picked by Reviewed 47 best gifts for tweens.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crocs Classic Clogs | mid | $25-50 | tweens who like customizing | 1 outlet |
| The Comfy Original Jr | mid | $25-50 | movie night and homework | 1 outlet |
| Fast Food Shoe Charms | budget | under $15 | stocking stuffer for Crocs fans | 1 outlet |
mid clogs · Check size before buying
Best for tweens who like customizing
Today lists Crocs Classic Clogs as comfortable and customizable with Jibbitz charms.
Picked by Today footwear pick for 12-year-olds.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid wearable blanket · Junior size
Best for movie night and homework
Today includes The Comfy Original Jr as an oversized wearable blanket for warmth and comfort.
Picked by Today wearable blanket pick for 12-year-olds.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget shoe charms · Sold singly or in sets
Best for stocking stuffer for Crocs fans
Today lists food-themed shoe charms for Crocs as a small gift sold individually or as a set.
Picked by Today small gift pick for 12-year-olds.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid skateboard
Best for tweens starting to skate
Today lists the Retrospec Alameda as a maple-deck skateboard suited to a 12 year old's build.
Picked by Today outdoor pick for 12-year-olds.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Spot a mistake? A broken link, a wrong price range or an outdated pick: tell me at hello@allsetlist.com and I'll fix it.
Games, craft kits and science kits tend to be safe bets, and both Reviewed and Today list several. An instant camera or a Stanley-style tumbler suits kids who want something that feels more grown up.
Today's guide for 12 year olds leans toward things they can show off or use with friends, like a skateboard, Crocs with charms, or a Kindle. Skincare and room decor also show up in the Reviewed list.
Yes. I mixed the list on purpose and did not split it by gender. Games, science kits, cameras and outdoor gear work for any tween.
Card games like Exploding Kittens, craft kits and journals are good low-screen options. They also work well for a group of friends.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.
