Tween gifts

[redheadk]

I was going down DD’s Christmas list and things we chose for her with dh this morning and it hit me: everything is either to wear, for ballet, for her room, or makeup/skincare. There’s nothing to actually DO. No toys, no activities of any kind.

I’m going to grab a Wooble kit from Joann’s but I’m sad that we’ve apparently left the toy stage behind completely.

I’d like for her to have something to engage with over break, besides skin care and makeup. Something to open up and make/do.

What sorts of things are you getting your tween that fit the bill?

[nicolewi]

Legos
“Butter slime”
Art supplies

[nicolewi]

If she likes little logic puzzle/games, there are some good ones by Think Fun. My kids like “Cat Crimes”.

Also, there’s always board game/card games. Throw throw burrito is really fun. My kids also like the goofy taco takeover game, chameleon, sushi, go, etc.

[redheadk]

nicolewi, the cat crimes activity and butter slime are exactly what I need to get her! We have a billion board games (3 versions of throw throw burrito) that never get played and I would frankly like all the art supplies to magically disappear at this point. She really uses them but leaves a mess when she does, ugh.

[fancynewbeesly]

So my 12 year old:

She LOVES miiverse where you make your own resin food
books
softball net
skateboard
bead animal kid
animal crossing figure cards
a regular digital watch (non smart watch)

[thebreakfastclub]

My almost 11yo wants cash and an upgrade for his computer. So that's what he will get.

Toys are over except for Legos sometimes. I will shed tears of joy when I donate those Legos!

[momof2]

I haven’t decided yet, but my kid likes to bake so I will probably try to find some cool stuff she can use for that. She still likes art, but we have a million supplies. She likes to read, but she isn’t a fast reader so she already has at least 15 books in her room that she hasn’t read. She seems to be over Lego but she won’t let me donate the 50 sets she has yet.

[quesyrah]

Legos and puzzles are always a hit with my kids (10 and 13).

My 13 year old is pretty much out of the “build whatever” LEGO stage but he loves the bigger and more intricate sets that you build and display.

Both my kids like putting puzzles together and then we use puzzle glue so that we can frame them and hang them in their rooms. We’ve done Nintendo, Star Wars, a random video game themed one, Zelda…

[abs]

DD loves frozen drinks and baking. I’m getting her a smoothie maker and recipe book and some fun baking supplies. Everything else she wants is stuff for her room.

[luckystar2]

Dd was also into baking so I definitely did some things for that at that age.

Different baking kits, fun baking supplies (like molds, sprinkles etc). Different baking cook books. I got her a GC for a cake decorating class for us to do together. One year she got an ice cream maker from her grandparents.

[ellipses84]

My 12 year old DS doesn’t have any toys on his wishlist. He likes board games and video games and his brother is finally at the point where we can play more complex games together as a family. Thats what he’s getting aside from sports apparel and equipment. I got him some little puzzle games from Barnes & noble as stocking stuffers (like open the cypher box or get the metal rings apart, not jigsaw puzzles). If she doesn’t have a rubix cube, magic 8 ball or perplexus ball, those are entertaining for that age (and there’s lots of unique variations of the standard versions now). He’s not crafty or artistic but DS2 is, so I’d get him nicer (not crayola) art supplies at that age.

[sandandsea]

Board games and card games can be good at that age. Throw throw burrito, taco cat goat pizza, parade, Rummikub.

[wanderingback]

I don’t have a tween but I feel like make up and skincare can def be things to do if that’s what she enjoys.

Not exactly the same but what about a little home spa kit? Does she do her nails? Nail art? Some fun make up like more bold colors or stuff for designs? Those kind of things that she could do on the weekend for fun if that’s what you’re looking for?