22 Best Gifts for Tween Girls Sure to Impress
Updated: Aug. 23, 2023
We've got the best gifts for tween girls in a variety of price-points. Make her holiday sparkle!
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Tweens are in between being kids and teens. So, buying gifts for tween girls can feel tricky—maybe even impossible to shop for. This stage of life means they still like some of the cuter kid stuff they were into last year (like the hottest Christmas toys). But they also may want to try out some new things as they shift toward more mature trends. Our main tip is figuring out what they’re into, which is often answered by how they spend their time. Are they music lovers or art fans? Do they like going to the movies with friends or read a book in their room? Is their style simple or glamorous?
Whether your tween is obsessed with fashion and makeup, jewelry, sports or yummy snacks, we’ve got presents she’ll adore. There are also some fun customizable options if she loves putting her name on everything. If your tween isn’t particularly girly, that’s okay too. Some of our items are gender-neutral, so she’s sure to vibe with something on our list. We made our selections based on lots of positive reviews, and included a variety of price-points. With presents starting at just $10, these universally-appealing picks also make affordable stocking stuffer ideas for kids.
For the bookworm: The Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set
Looking for gifts for tween girls who are also book lovers? Pick up the Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set by Marissa Meyer, which includes Cinder, Scarlett, Cress, Fairest, Stars Above and Winter. These futuristic re-tellings of classic fairy tales are perfect for seventh to ninth-grade readers. It’s a set of books she can enjoy reading while sitting by the fireplace over the holiday break. Bonus: she’ll actually put her phone down!
For the snuggler: Squishmallows Kellytoy Plush
The thing about this age group is they are literally in “be-tween” categories. So, some plushies are still cool (trust us). This 12-inch pink unicorn plush toy is for those who skew younger. Each Squishmallow is made with soft materials in varying shapes and colors, and the affordable price tag helps if they grow out of it sooner than later. It’s also the perfect size for doubling as a pillow on long car rides, airplane trips or just hanging on the couch. And with free next-day delivery for Prime members, it also makes a fab last-minute gift.
For the doll fan: LOL Surprise Tweens Fashion Doll
If you’re searching for gifts for tween girls who are too mature for stuffed animals but still enjoy playing with dolls, this LOL Surprise pick is a winning option. The fashion-forward doll comes with 15 surprise accessories, and the reusable packaging turns into a bedroom play set. How fun!
For the minimalist: Pura Vida Bitty Opal Choker
This delicate necklace can be worn on its own, or layered with other baubles for a more sophisticated look. The simplistic design means it will go with basically everything, and last her well beyond her tween years. When it comes to gifts for tween girls who already have a charitable-conscious: This company provides sustainable jobs to artisans around the globe, making it an ideal gift that gives back.
For the crafty tween: Slice DIY Crafting Bundle
This crafting bundle for the artsy type makes a superb idea for gifts for tween girls who are creative. This kit includes a retractable precision cutter, ceramic scissors and a safety cutter—all sized for smaller hands. We love that these products are specifically designed to cut everything except for you and your family. The blades are made from zirconium oxide, which means they’ll never rust. If she’s into taking pics, she might like one of these gifts for photographers as well.
For the one with a sweet tooth: Sugarwish Build Your Own Gift
Since you know your tween best, pick out the treats she’ll actually love (and devour) with this build-your-own Sugarwish gift option. Top categories include popcorn, cookies and savory snacks, with options starting at just $23. Candy is where the company really shines, with 70 different flavors to choose from, including gummies, chewies, jelly beans, chocolates and more. Shopping for a gift for your sister? Sugarwish also has wine and flower options, too!
For the birthday obsessed gal: Birth Flower Necklace
If your tween is that girl who bases everything on the month she was born, this birth flower necklace won’t disappoint. It features a beautiful hand-drawn design and comes in gold, sterling silver and rose gold hues. It’s also a unique bauble and gift idea for best friends obsessed with astrology.
For the tween who loves tea and cookies: Sip By Cookie Tea Oven Gift Set
Your tea-loving tween will be smitten with this adorable cookie tea gift set. It comes in four pastel-colored oven-shaped boxes, each containing two ounces of loose tea (enough to make 90 cups total). The line-up of fun flavors includes almond cookie black tea, almond cookie herbal tea, dark chocolate cookie black tea and sugar cookie sweetheart tea. We love that you can separate the boxes to use as gift toppers or Secret Santa gifts as well.
For the girl who customizes everything: Little Words Project Custom Bracelet
For $30 you can design your own colorful beaded bracelet for a personalized gift she’s guaranteed to love. The custom gold-plated option costs $40, if you’re looking to splurge. Choose from 12 color options and four sizes, then add her name, hobby or a short text up to 13 characters. If you’re not feeling creative, that’s okay. Best-sellers include “Be happy” with lucky symbols, “Grateful” in creampuff and “Breathe” in a dreamy bluestone.
For the subscription connoisseur: KiwiCo Subscription
First off, you choose the KiwiCo subscription that’s right for your tween based on their age, interests and your budget. Each crate focuses on STEM or STEAM and contains interactive enrichment activities to get them off their screen and using their hands and mind. Bonus points: We love that this subscription box lets you switch lines, pause or cancel at any time.
For the sketch-artist: Wanderlust & Wildflowers Colored Pencil Set (10-Pack)
On the hunt for gifts for tween girls who love sketching and doodling? Pick up this colored pencil set, the perfect gifts for artists of all ages. The pencils have a unique barrel design that sets them apart from the rest. The set and coordinating box also features 10 eye-catching floral prints, which are sure to be as beautiful as her forthcoming masterpieces. These are compact and terrific for travel, and can also be used as a frugal stocking stuffer gift idea.
For the snow-bunny: L.L. Bean Winter Lined Pom Hat
For staying warm while outside building a snowman or waiting for the bus, this L.L. Bean winter hat is the answer. The plush fleece lining is soft on her skin, making it incredibly comfortable and cozy to wear all season long. For just $30, you might even get one for yourself, too. Or plan ahead and buy a few extras to use as stocking stuffers for all the women in your life.
For building positive self-esteem: “My Name Means” Throw Pillow
Your tween can start and end the day with her own personalized throw pillow. There are two design options and eight different color choices. You’ll get to enter her name and the historical meaning that matches it. Or pick your own set of words, like dancer, strong and smart. After all, middle school causes a fair amount of self-doubt, so her room should radiate positive vibes. It’s also one of the rare cheap Christmas gifts that’s totally customizable.
For the study-bug: Red Bubble Butterflies of North America Laptop Sleeve
This nature-themed laptop sleeve comes in three sizes and features an encyclopedia-design line-up of butterflies on the cover. A foam padding protects your tween’s laptop from scratches and minor dings, and the zip-up sleeve keeps it securely in place. Plus, it’s easy to clean with a damp cloth for those unexpected spills.
For the scented diva: Abbott Sampler Set
Your tween will love this perfume sampler set with six clean scents formulated by master perfumers Antoine Lie and Steven Claisse. Each one is inspired by nature and made with earth-conscious and cruelty-free oils. Plus, the bottles and box are 100% recyclable, making it a notable eco-friendly gift. The smaller containers are perfect for travel, and also ideal for layering so your tween can mix two or three together for her own creative fragrance that best expresses her mood.
For the bling aficionado: Amyo Pave Huggie Earrings
If she’s requesting diamond earrings but you’re not ready to splurge on the real thing, these Amyo hoop earrings are the next best thing. They come in five sizes and are made of sterling silver, topped with a 14-karat gold layer. The sparkling pave crystals are made of cubic zirconia, but we won’t tell if your tween doesn’t. Even more to love: They are hypoallergenic, lead-free and nickel-free, which makes them outstanding gifts for women with sensitive skin.
For the hairstyle maven: Mermade Hair Hair Dryer
Beauty gifts for tween girls are usually a safe bet, especially this trendy blush-colored hair dryer. The professional-quality dryer has two speed settings (amplified or concentrated airflow), and a cool shot function so she won’t get overheated. With ionic airflow technology that increases moisture, your tween’s hair will be safe from long-term damage.
For the eco-friendly tween: Trailblazer Craft Kit
For less than $30, your tween will get an empowering craft kit inspired by Greta Thunberg. Each set includes a sustainable glass water bottle with waterproof stickers. The bamboo cap has a handy hook that makes it easy to attach to her backpack or sports bag. A set of “LeadHER” questions is meant to inspire your future trailblazer to make a difference in the world.
For the gal who shines bright: Pottery Barn Mini LED String Lights
Perfect for setting the mood in her room all year long, these silver mini LED string lights make the winter months more cheerful and festive. She can attach them to hooks around her closet doors or set them inside a glass vase or jar. We love the 150-hour battery life and the on-off switch that comes with a timer if she wants to fall asleep with these on.
For the weekend traveler: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
This medium-sized carry-all bag is the perfect size for sleepovers and for other overnight adventures as she gets older. It’s made to last and is the perfect size for slumber parties. Choose from six different colors to best suit her style. She can feel good about this bag too, since it’s made from 16 recycled water bottles and is 100% vegan.
For the sleeping beauty: Juniors’ SO Boxy Pajama Set
With 11 different color choices (pink tie-dye is our fave), you’re sure to find a design that matches your tween’s style. These nicely-priced pajama sets feature a long-sleeve V-neck top with a rounded hem, and elastic-waist pants ideal for getting cozy during the holidays, or hanging at home with friends. Don’t forget to snatch up some as a gift for your teen as well.
For the binge-watcher: Dell 27-inch Monitor
For the tween starting to crave her own privacy, this 27-inch Dell monitor lets her watch shows in her room from Netflix, Disney Plus and AppleTV (just to name a few). It also lets her switch between streaming and console gaming if that’s her thing. Plus, it’s perfect for doing schoolwork at her desk, and the bigger screen puts less strain on her eyes. We love that it’s something she’ll grow into as well, staying useful well into her high school years.
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