Since time immemorial, humanity has struggled with the great mysteries: Why are we here? Is it nurture or nature that shapes who we are? What kind of gift do you get a tween girl? OMG, they’re so hard to shop for — and seeing that gifts for tween girls can literally run the gamut depending on their particular current obsession, it can definitely be a challenge for the gift-giver in their lives.
OK, maybe that last one hasn’t been around since the dawn of time, but it still remains confusing. Heck, the nature of tweens themselves is pretty confusing: What even does one consider a tween? (The consensus seems to be children between 9 and 12, though others consider tweenhood to run until the end of middle school.)
But the confusion runs deeper than that: This is an age where a lot of kids start really trying to figure out who they are, where they fit in within their family, peer group, and even the world. Priorities shift, their brains (and bodies) are constantly changing — it’s a real trip. As the adults in their lives, it’s our job to try to help them through it as best we can by being supportive, knowing when to let go, and knowing when to keep them safe. So … yeah, it’s definitely a tough time for literally everyone involved.
But it’s not all bad. This particular stage of your child’s growth can be incredibly exciting, and, well, we’re not saying gifts will make it easier, but these gifts for tween girls can serve as little offerings that let your child know, “Hey you: We see you and we think you’re great.”
For the tween girl who has decided their bedroom is in dire need of an upgrade, this marquee-style initial (available in all letters, naturally) is perfect. Lights change to 16 different colors and four different modes to match their whim and can be managed via remote control (so no fiddling with it on the wall).
With a cozy hood and roomy pockets, this ridiculously soft robe is perfect for just stepping out of the shower or spending hours watching Netflix on a lazy weekend in. Available in four colors, this robe can also be personalized with a monogram or name.
Get their space Instagram-ready with these fairy lights. Spanning more than 30 feet, the dainty glow of 100 LED lights adds just the right amount of whimsy. And if they want to adjust that whimsy, they'll be able to control brightness and eight different twinkling modes via remote control.
A place for everything and everything in its place! That’s the idea behind this charming rainbow phone or tablet holder. They'll have a docking station for their device while it’s charging, a place to put it so it doesn’t get lost, or a stand for when they're watching a YouTube video or Facetiming.
Name necklaces are a right of passage for a tween girl; though, if they don’t want their name engraved, they could have any word of their choice made into a chic piece of jewelry instead. Made of sterling silver, this piece can be customized with four different types of metal plating (gold, white gold, or rose gold) and 12 different fonts!
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Perfect for Harry Potter Fans
Pottery Barn Teen ‘Harry Potter’ Time-Turner Clock
Hermione used her time turner to take more classes, but what would your tween do with extra time? This time turner doesn’t actually add more hours to the day, but it is very pretty and is a lovely addition to the room of any die-hard Potterhead.
If you’ve always wanted to play Cards Against Humanity with your tween, but aren’t prepared for some of the conversations the NC-17 cards of the original game might necessitate, you're in luck! You can enjoy this family-friendly version of the irreverent, off-the-wall game of wit and weirdness, now rated PG.
There’s something so romantic about vinyl, and your tween will enjoy listening to music the old-fashioned way with this portable record player. And if they ever want to listen to more modern music, fear not! It comes equipped with Bluetooth capability so they can stream as well.
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Includes Prompts, Quizzes, and More
‘Just Between Us’ Mother and Daughter Journal by Meredith and Sofie Jacobs
Tween girls and their moms often find themselves on uneasy ground — they're going through so many changes, and mom doesn’t always know how to handle them. What do you say to each other? With this journal, you don’t have to say it; you can write it all down with the help of thoughtful prompts.
The premise of this card game is simple: Each team has two “spymasters,” who know the location of secret agents, represented by different cards. Each card has a word on it. Using one word only, the spymaster must get their team to guess the proper cards to find all their agents. But watch out for the assassin!
Your tween girl can use the Echo Dot to play music, audiobooks, podcasts, ask Alexa questions, set alarms, check the news, call friends and family, and much more. Multiple Echos can be used as an intercom (no promises about whether your child will actually listen, though).
Your tween artist will feel like a pro with this foldable, rollable, super portable easel. Made of wood with telescoping legs, spacious compartments, and an artist's palette, it’s perfect for painting outside or bringing along to school or art class.
As your tween girl begins to collect more jewelry and baubles, they’ll need somewhere to put them. Why not avoid tangling necklaces and keep everything easily accessible in style? This attractive stand’s three tiers make it easy to see everything at a glance, and the integrated accessory dish means there’s a place for all kinds of jewelry.
No one outgrows getting excited when they get a package in the mail, including super-cool tween girls. This monthly subscription box is just for tweens and teens that celebrates girls everywhere. Each box contains five to eight curated products — from stationery to skincare to educational products — that remind girls they’re awesome.
Your tween girl can make an announcement, inspiring message, joke, or any mood that needs to be shared with this letterboard. Available in a variety of colors and sizes, the board comes with 300 easy-to-place letters, characters, and shapes, so they’ll always be able to express themselves.
Does it seem like your tween bookworm has already burned through everything their local bookshop has to offer? Consider this monthly subscription box, which will send them a specially curated book every month. It comes complete with an accompanying playlist and book club guide that gives recipes, TV and movie recommendations, and thought-provoking questions to enhance the reading experience.
Think Pictionary — well, kind of — with a healthy sprinkling of potty humor. Draw the ridiculous prompts on the card (sometimes you’ll have to do this with your eyes closed or with your non-dominant hand), steal cards from opponents, and just try to do it all without laughing (you won’t).
Whether your tween is interested in yoga for mindfulness, relaxation, fitness, or just wants to try it out, they’ll get to practice in comfort with this luxe mat. Cushioned for support in poses and comfort in Savasana, the warrior mat is also dry-wicking, slip-free, and anti-odor-formulated.
This set of 12 beautifully handcrafted bath bombs are made with all-natural ingredients that are specially designed to moisturize and soothe. With gorgeous scents like coconut and shea, lavender, and “Fun on the Beach,” as well as a pleasant fizz, your tween will love relaxing in the tub and pampering themselves.
It’s the little things that sometimes bring us the most joy, and with this collection of 12 makeup and skincare goodies, your tween girl will get an adorable pick-me-up counting down to any special date (or just for whenever they need a little something fun in their day).
Her name is, inexplicably, Stargirl, and from her first day at Mica High, she’s causing a stir. Everyone is enchanted by her. That is, until they aren’t. Over time, her differences make her the subject of scorn rather than adoration. Will she submit to the pressure to become normal? Or will nonconformity conquer all?
Teach your tween girl from the earliest possible age that they should make “me time” a priority, whether that’s curling up with a good book, getting out in nature, or relaxing with some spa treatments. This cruelty-free set includes two sheet masks, two eye masks, and a pedicure treatment.
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National Book Award Winner
‘The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation’ by M. T. Anderson
While most dystopian YA fiction takes place in an imagined future, Octavian Nothing imagines a not-so-far-fetched vision of the past. Octavian and his mother live in a strange house with a cadre of rational philosophers. Given a robust, classical education, Octavian believes himself privileged, until he learns the true nature of the philosophers’ experiments.
Tween girls getting a tarot deck is a rite of passage for some, which is great: They’re a great tool to promote thoughtfulness and self-exploration. This set is perfect for beginners: Beautifully illustrated, the deck comes with a guidebook aimed at young tarot enthusiasts that make the concepts of each card easy to understand.
Whether they’re hanging out with their friends or belting out break-up songs in front of their mirror (even though she hasn’t started dating yet), your tween will love this karaoke microphone, which can be paired with a phone or tablet to play their favorite songs. Adjust the voice and music volumes and sing along!
Is it interior decoration if it’s outside and on your bike? We don’t know, but this chic little vase adds a great touch to any bike’s handlebars. Simply attach this 3D-printed, biodegradable plastic vase with a rubber band, and voilà! Pop in the faux flower that comes with it or pick some of your own.
When you’re a tween girl, fashions change like the weather. With this 15-piece mini nail polish collection from Nicole Miller, however, they’ll be ready with perfectly coordinated nails for any trend. Shades of pink, purple, blue, and green pop with glossy or glitter finish. (We won’t tell if you borrow a bottle.)
We love this Treasure & Bond crop pullover and we’re going to bet your tween girl will, too. Cute, casual, available in two styles, and made of super soft, organic cotton, it also comes with an added bonus: When you buy Treasure & Bond, Nordstrom will donate 2.5% of net sales to organizations that empower youth.
Creative and quirky prompts coupled with calculated acts of destruction make this a unique journaling experience your tween girl will love. They’ll have a chance to think outside of the box, create, destroy, and reflect in a way that nurtures their inner artist, and it eliminates the idea that things have to be picture-perfect to be worthwhile.
Trends come and trends go but through it all: the checkered Vans. Your tween girl will kick it old school, literally, with these iconic shoes. Slip-on, comfy, and sturdy, they go with everything and add a pop of style to even the most casual outfit.
Jamie KenneyJamie Kenney is a freelance writer for BestProducts.com; Her other work has appeared on Bustle, Parents, Playboy, McSweeny's Internet Tendency, the Takeout, and Romper, where she covers parenting, news, entertainment, and likes to help readers see the ridiculous (and hilarious) side of motherhood.
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