Last year I really struggled to find unique holiday gifts for my three tween boys.
A tween which is a very distinct category of boys and girls generally between the ages of 8 and 12 who are pre-adolescent. According to the US Census there are currently 20 million tweens in the U.S. and they are projected to hit 23 million by 2020.
After much market research (asking other tween boys!) I came up with a list of holiday gifts for tween boys that turned out to be a big hit.
This year I’m struggling yet again. Back to the ‘field’ I went to ask other tween boys what they were hoping for.
It’s not easy buying for a tween. Video games are an easy way out, but I thought I would share some tech-free alternatives fit for a tween boy. Maybe there’ll be one that works for yours.
15 Tech-Free Gifts for Tween Boys
Percy Jackson 5-book boxed set
There are a few series out there that I find impossible to read along with my kids. Percy Jackson is NOT one of them. I’ve been reading on and off with my 10 year old and Rick Riordan makes the adventure entertaining for all ages. The Percy Jackson series follows the adventures of young demigod (half mortal, half Greek god) Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover. There are many referenced to Greek mythology throughout.
We happen to have every variation of the Perplexus and each one provides hours of entertainment. The Perplexus Twist is a three-dimensional puzzle game that exercises eye-hand coordination, dexterity, and spatial reasoning. It adds a new twist to things by allowing the puzzle solver to turn and align the tracks.
ChopChop: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family
My 11 year old LOVES to cook. I’ve been a fan of ChopChop Magazine for quite sometime. Now they have this fantastic cookbook to help inspire kids of all ages to work together in the kitchen. What a great way to encourage healthy eating!
This Snap Circuit kit has been one of our favorites for many years. This exciting building kit allows you to create things like a dual-speed fan, periodic doorbell, photo sensor police siren, flashing laser light and more.
All three of my kids are working on perfecting tricks with their Diabolos. They make it look so easy. I tried it out this weekend and discovered that I need a lot of practice-it’s not as easy as it looks. If your kids like yo-yos they’ll love a Diabolo.
Franklin Sports 3-in-1 Indoor Sports Set
It’s getting cold here so outdoor play isn’t always an option. If your child has any interest in sports this indoor sports set will provide hours of entertainment.
Wooden Chess, Checker and Backgammon Set
Nothing like a good game of chess, checkers or backgammon on a rainy or cold day. I like this set because it’s wooden and all of the pieces can be stored inside.
Wood Folding Game of Mancala
Mancala is a great game for counting and strategy. The game’s simplicity makes it a breeze even for children to learn, while the wealth of player options keeps it challenging for older players.
Rainbow Loom
Looking for hours of entertainment? The Rainbow Loom is your answer. There are a gazillion types of bracelets to make and they can even create their own. I have a collection of bracelets, rings and necklaces.
Quoridor Classic Game of Strategy
Quoridor was a big hit on the beach last summer. Quoridor is a fast-moving strategy game that is similar to chess insofar as players move pawn-shaped pieces across the board. The difference is that there are wooden fences one erects to block the progress of and force a different route upon an opponent.
Buddha Board
I could play with this all day! Using the Zen concept of living in the moment is exactly what the Buddha Board allows. Paint your designs, pictures, doodles, or whatever you are feeling on the board with water. Your image comes to life as you paint and then slowly disappears as it drys, leaving you a clean slate to start over with.
The Hobbit 4-Book Boxed Set
If there’s interest in hobbits and wizards this is another great series for the tween group.
Classic Origami Kit
You can never go wrong with an origami kit. This kit contains The kit contains:
A 64-page book with complete instructions and clear, step-by-step diagrams for 45 different projects and sheets of folding paper in eight different colors and gold foil.
Uncle Skunkle’s Destruct 3 Board Game
I ordered this for my 11 year old and I’m waiting for it to arrive. The description starts off by saying “Ever since you first knocked down your little brother’s wooden block tower…” Sounds like the perfect toy for our family! Players take turns building a tower while opponents try to destroy it using a catapult, pendulum or ramp.
Celestron PowerSeeker Telescope
This is a great telescope for both novice and advanced astronomers. The PowerSeeker series is designed to give the first-time telescope user the perfect combination of quality, value, features and power.
What’s your favorite gift for tweens?
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