Check out this list of creative gifts for tweens and teens, perfect for kids aged 9 and up!
Updated November 2024
Tween kids are notoriously hard to shop for. Gone are the days when you can casually stroll through the toy aisle and find the perfect gift. As our kids age, their tastes change and their opinions strengthen.
Luckily, we’ve been working hard to bring you an incredible list of ideas that even the most discerning tween on your list will love!
These gifts all encourage creativity and have the potential to help kick off a new hobby or dive deeper into something they already love.
The Best Creative Gift Ideas for Tweens
Instant-Print Camera
I know Instax cameras are all the rage, but that film gets really pricey really fast! This thermal printing camera is a great alternative at a lower price point, and I’ve found that many kids like it just as much as its pricier cousin. Plus, this particular camera comes with markers to decorate your prints for an extra-creative twist!
Paint Markers
These vibrant paint pens have gone viral in recent years, and there’s a good chance they’re already on your tween’s wish list. For bonus points, throw in a pair of white canvas sneakers or some plain tote bags ready to decorate!
High Quality Pens
Your artsy tween will definitely appreciate a nice set of felt-tip pens. We especially love this set that comes in a wide range of colors perfect for all kinds of doodling!
Friendship Bracelet Kit
I don’t know about you, but I spent quite a lot of my tween years crafting up dozens of friendship bracelets for everyone I knew. I’m thrilled that (thanks to those Swifties!) the fad is back and bigger than ever. If beads are more your jam, I’m loving kits like this one!
Audible Gift Subscription
Has your tween discovered the joy of audio books? A gift subscription to Audible can be such a fun way to encourage a lifelong love of stories. Choose between 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, then print a gift certificate- the perfect unexpected stocking stuffer!
Tattoo Markers
For the tween who comes home covered in doodles, a set of body markers like this is a perfect gift!
Hair Chalk
We love this temporary, dust-free hair color, letting kids get creative with their hair, wash, and repeat! My tweens have also gotten a lot of use out of these clip-on hair colors.
LEGO Gear Bots
This LEGO engineering kit is so fun to build and create with. The perfect STEM gift for LEGO obsessed kids that also encourages a lifelong love for engineering. Check out this gadgets version too!
Loom Knitting
Loom knitting is a wonderful introduction to this craft, simple enough for beginners, but with fantastic results!
Candy Chemistry
This chemistry candy-making kit is perfect for any young scientist with a sweet tooth. Your kids will have a blast experimenting with flavors, learning scientific principles, and enjoying the fruits of their labor! (We also love this Glowing Candy Lab for more edible science fun)
Chemistry Kit
Your tween can take their chemistry love to the next level with this incredible science kit! The instructions are easy to follow and have enough ingredients for hours of experimentation.
Gravitrax
Think of Gravitrax as a leveled-up version of your classic marble run. It’s a bit of a splurge, but our family has gotten so much fun out of this unique building set!
Stylophone
Your musical tween is going to LOVE this cool little gadget. A pocket synthesizer whose retro design is a recreation of the 1967 classic, it’s been used by artists like David Bowie and The White Stripes. Definitely cool enough for the hard to please tween or teen in your life.
Electric Drum Set
This drum set is a wonderful way for kids to explore drumming without the investment of a giant set. It’s lightweight, easy to store, and comes with headphones to keep the noise down!
Karaoke Machine
A fun little karaoke machine for your blossoming vocalist! We especially love this set because it comes with two microphones for double the fun.
Mini Eraser Kit
Your tween can make 25 different mini erasers with this adorable kit! A great way to learn more about sculpting with clay while making something fun and useful.
Polymer Clay
If you’re looking for a more open-ended activity, a pack of polymer clay could be the perfect gift.
Slime Kit
Kids LOVE making slime, and it’s not hard to do it yourself with a simple homemade recipe. But a kit like this one is fantastic to gift!
Drawing Tools
Any artsy tween will get hours of use out of a nice set of pencils like this one.
Self-Paced Drawing Class
If your child is really interested in expanding their skills, they’ll love this online Master Class for Kids. Three modules walk students through the basics of line and shape, light and shadow, and one-point perspective. All from the comfort of home. (And if painting is more their thing, check out the Watercolor Workshop!)
Art Set
We love this set of unique art supplies like watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons.
Wood Whittling Kit
A beginner’s whittling kit is the perfect way to introduce kids to woodworking. These are real tools that can be dangerous when used incorrectly, so please use caution and your best judgment when deciding to gift. Many kids aged 9 and up are fully capable of giving this hobby a try with great success!
Guided Journal
A guided journal like this one can be a great way for kids to approach thoughtful reflection. We love the Big Life Journals in particular (they have one for younger kids too!)
Button Maker Machine
Have a tween who love to collect buttons for their bags and jackets? This button maker machine is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving! Your child can design and create their very own buttons to keep for themselves or give away to friends. Endless fun for your crafty kid!
I hope this list of creative gifts for tweens makes shopping a bit easier this year. It’s so fun to watch creativity blossom in tweens, and these are the types of gifts that can really help those new hobbies thrive!
More Helpful Resources for Tweens
- 18 Fun Arts & Crafts for Tweens
- The Best Art Supplies for Tweens
- 10 Fun Stocking Stuffer Ideas
- 15 Creative Stocking Stuffers for Kids
- Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Guide
- 5 Premium Art Supplies for Gifts
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