Ideas to shop around
Directions rather than one particular thing, for when you’d rather choose. Some come with a few that fit.
Craft Kits for Tweens
Kits with everything included. Brand kits from Creativity for Kids or Klutz cost more than loose supplies but come with clear instructions.
3 that fit · about $14.99 – $24.99
Make Your Own Clay Jewelry Bowls Kitabout $24.99 · amazon.com
DIY Mosaic Photo Frame Craft Kitabout $14.99 · amazon.com
Nollh DIY Journal Kitabout $17.98 · amazon.com
LEGO Sets for Tweens
LEGO is the safe pick at this age. Choose sets rated 8+ or 9+ so the build is a challenge, not a toddler-level set.
3 that fit · about $15.99 – $22.49
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Retro Gaming Consoleabout $15.99 · amazon.com
LEGO Technic Bush Planeabout $22.49 · amazon.com
LEGO Speed Champions Bugatti Vision GTabout $22.35 · amazon.com
Slime and Science Kits for Tweens
Hands-on experiments. Elmer's and National Geographic kits are safer and more reliable than unbranded ones.
2 that fit · about $11.92 – $24.99
UIVIEHIR Slime Kitabout $11.92 · amazon.com
Original Stationery Galaxy Slime Kitabout $24.99 · amazon.com
Family Games for Tweens
Games that work for kids and adults together. Classic brands like Mattel and Hasbro are easy to find and replace.
3 that fit · about $9.95 – $24.99
Herd Mentality Board Gameabout $24.99 · amazon.com
Hedbanz Picture Guessing Gameabout $15.39 · amazon.com
Goat Cheese Pizza Card Gameabout $9.95 · amazon.com
Diaries and Sports Gifts for Tweens
Journals for quiet time and balls or gear for active kids.
3 that fit · about $8.49 – $21.98
Axolotl Diary with Lock and Keysabout $8.49 · amazon.com
Secret Diary with Lock for Girls Ages 8 to 12about $21.98 · amazon.com
Glow Sports Blanket for Boysabout $14.39 · amazon.com
Building and puzzles
Hands-on builds for tweens who have outgrown simple sets. LEGO Creator and Speed Champions reward patience and look good on a shelf.
3 that fit · about $17.39 – $23.99
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Retro Roller Skateabout $23.99 · amazon.com- LEGO Speed Champions Bugatti Vision Gran Turismoabout $22.35 · amazon.com
Ravensburger Happy Animal Buddies 300 Piece Puzzleabout $17.39 · amazon.com
Card games and outdoor play
Games for friends and family. UNO variations add twists to a game most kids already know, and Nerf is the standard for blasters.
5 that fit · about $10.88 – $24.99
Mattel UNO FLIP! Card Gameabout $11.99 · amazon.com
Mattel Liar's UNO Card Gameabout $11.78 · amazon.com
Nerf Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 Blasterabout $10.88 · amazon.com
Nerf Elite 2.0 Trailblazer RD-8 Blasterabout $17.99 · amazon.com
80SIX Multisport Helmet for Kidsabout $24.99 · amazon.com
Crafts, slime and journals
Creative gifts for quieter time. Elmer's slime kits are safer and cleaner than many unbranded kits.
4 that fit · about $15.27 – $28.64
Friendship Bracelet Making Kitabout $15.99 · amazon.com
CAGIE Diary with Lockabout $15.27 · amazon.com
Elmer's Color Rush Slime Kitabout $28.64 · amazon.com
Elmer's Celebration Slime Kitabout $23.06 · amazon.com