From the viral six-seven trend to Italian brainrot memes, tweens are hard to figure out. This is perhaps especially true during the holiday season, when you’re racking your brain for a holiday gift idea for preteens that won’t elicit an eye roll.
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We removed some of the guesswork by speaking to 20 tweens to decode what items they are coveting this year. From trendy skincare to Squishmallows, here are 47 holiday gift ideas for kids ages nine to 12, both boys and girls.
All prices current at the time of publication.
For the stylish dresser
Ugg Classic Mini Boots
Photograph: Courtesy of Zappos
They’re cute and comfortable and really easy to slip on, and they go with every outfit. They’re easy to slip on if you do swim. Caroline, 11
$129.95 at Zappos $129.95 at Nordstrom
Lululemon clothing
Photograph: Courtesy of Lululemon
They are very nice clothes, number one. And number two, I heard really good stuff about them, and all the people wear them. Lizzy, 9
$59 at Lululemon $68 at Lululemon
Oversized clothing
Photograph: Courtesy of Abercrombie
I really like baggy stuff, like oversized hoodies and shorts. I really like Free People and Abercrombie & Fitch, and maybe White Fox. Charlie, 11
$38.21 at Abercrombie Kids $128 at Free People
Dog claw clips
Photograph: Courtesy of Anthropologie
I really like dogs a lot and dachshunds are my favorite. Summer, 10
$6 at Target $28 at Anthropologie
Fingerless gloves
Photograph: Courtesy of Free People
Because they are really soft and comfy, and I think they look cool. Della, 11
$38 at Free People
Wide-leg sweatpants
Photograph: Courtesy of Abercrombie
I want pants that are baggy but like, sweatpants that don’t have a cuffed bottom. Della, 11
$29.71 at Abercrombie Kids
Abercrombie sweatpants
Photograph: Courtesy of Abercrombie
They look cute and they’re probably cozy. Caroline, 11
$29.71 at Abercrombie Kids
Pierced earrings subscription
Photograph: Courtesy of Pierced
It’s an earring brand that has seasonal and holiday items. Caroline, 11
From $15 at Pierced
Nike Air Max Shoes
Photograph: Courtesy of Nike
I think they’re really stylish. Nolan, 11
$110.97 at Nike $129.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
For the stuffed animal and toy collector
Mini Squishmallows stuffed animals
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
They are fun to play with, and I have a little house for them so I can play with them and I’m able to watch the show while I play with them. Nadia, 9
$4.99 at Target$4.99 at GameStop
Jellycat elephant plush toy
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I want the elephant one. It’s so cute. Evie, 12
$35 at Harley Lilac $36 at Amazon
Hatchimals collectible toys
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
You’re able to take care of some of them, and there’s some where you have to do certain stuff, and they’re really fun. Nadia, 9
$11.99 at Target$16.99 at Macy’s
Littlest Pet Shop collectible animal toys
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
Lots of people play with them. People make videos of them. I watch those videos and I see them saying lines for them. I just think they’re good to play with. Lennon, 10
$29.99 at Amazon$19.99 at Target Photograph: Courtesy of Gamestop
Eevee Pokémon toy
Eevee is cute, of course. She’s just a little fox. Lennon, 10
$10.97 at GameStop$17.99 at Target
For the thrill-seeker
Nerf guns
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
They are a great way to interact with friends and maybe have a fun battle, which could increase your ability to focus. And it’s fun. Noah, 11
$31 at Amazon $33.99 at Macy’s
Electric scooter
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Lots of my friends have them, and I want them because they’re fast and cool. Jackson, 11
$169 at Amazon$196.62 at Lowe’s
Hoverboard
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
My friend has a hoverboard and it’s really fun. Smith, 10
$58 at Walmart $109.99 at Jetson
For the crafty and creative
Wicked Legos
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
I like Wicked a lot and building Lego. It distracts me and I get concentrated. Summer, 10
$46.99 at Walmart $52.99 at Target
Needlepoint set
Photograph: Courtesy of Le Point Studio
Some arts and crafts, and sets. Maybe a needlepoint set or a learn-to-crochet set. Della, 11
$45 at Le Point Studio
KingArt markers
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I like drawing. I love foxes, so I draw lots of foxes. Lennon, 10
$17.97 at Amazon $29.59 at KingArt
Festive Gingerbread House Lego set
Photograph: Courtesy of Lego
It helps you get smarter, it has rules and it’s interactive. Nadia, 9
$39.99 at Lego
Electric guitar
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Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I really want an electric guitar because I know someone who can give me lessons, and I think they’re cool. Elsa, 11
$146.99 at Amazon $149.99 at Walmart
3D printer
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I want to make cool things with it. Nicholas, 10
$219 at Aoseed$259.99 at Amazon
Markers
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Alcohol markers do really well with blending. Charlie, 11
$19.99 at Amazon $24.99 at Target
For the gamer and techie
PlayStation gaming console
Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart
Maybe a PlayStation. I like all the games. The popular ones are Fortnite. Peace, 11
$353.95 at Amazon$474.98 at Walmart
Roblox gift cards
Photograph: Courtesy of Target
It has an infinite amount of games inside of it, so you can play any game you want basically. Jackson, 11
From $10 at RobloxFrom $10 at Target
Nintendo Switch gaming console
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
A Nintendo Switch game or gift card, because playing a good video game is always a pleasure. Elysian, 11
$319.50 at Walmart$329.99 at Amazon
Apple Watch
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I need them for school, or just a normal watch because I need to look at the time. Peace, 11
$159.99 at Amazon $199.99 at Walmart
Yellow Apple iPad
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
My iPad is really old, so I really want a new one, and I like the yellow coloring. Summer, 10
$299.99 at Walmart$299 at Amazon
Amazon Echo smart speaker
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
My Siri never listens to me. Evie, 12
$99.99 at Amazon$99.99 at Best Buy
For the sports fan
Customized NFL team football
Photograph: Courtesy of Franklin Sports
There’s a football that has your favorite team on them. I think a lot of my friends play football, and a lot of my friends like that brand too. Smith, 10
$24.99 at Franklin Sports
Massage gun
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I’m an athlete and I need it for recovery. Nicholas, 10
$29.99 at Amazon
Autographed sports posters
Photograph: Courtesy of Steiner Sports
I think a lot of my friends are sports players and are asking for paintings. Smith, 10
From $14.99 at Steiner Sports
Huupe smart mini basketball hoop
Photograph: Courtesy of Best Buy
It has a TV screen and it calculates how many shots you made, and you can watch games on it. Smith, 10
$499 at huupe $499.99 at Best Buy
For the beauty and skincare lover
Ulta gift card
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I like Bubble skincare products a lot. Charlie, 11
From $10 at UltaFrom $15 at Amazon
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Photograph: Courtesy of Revolve
I really like the Pink Sugar flavor. Evie, 12
$24 for one at Sephora $220 for set of 12 at Revolve
Touchland Power Mist hydrating hand sanitizer
Photograph: Courtesy of Sephora
I also want the Touchland Berry Bliss because it runs out, and I traded it for some ducky Squishy. Lizzy, 9
$10 at Touchland$10 at Sephora
For the star student and bookworm
Stationery set
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I just came to middle school and I want stuff for school, especially stationery. Peace, 11
$19.78 at Amazon$22.99 at Walmart
Silent fidget toys
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I like silent fidgets because the teacher allows you to play with them in class. Molly, 11
$12.99 at Amazon
Brain teaser
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
Just a puzzle of some sort because they challenge me and are fun to solve. Elysian, 11
$20 at MoMA
Harry Potter series box set
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I have watched all the movies. Irys, 9
$52.62 at Amazon$52.62 at Target
Wings of Fire-inspired merch
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon
I really like the series. Pichamon, 11
$29.99 at Amazon
