31 best gifts for tweens they'll actually think are cool
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I might have been a gift guide writer for three years, but locating suitable gifts for tweens — anyone falling between the ages of 8 and 12 — is virtually impossible. I'd argue that's because your giftee is not quite yet at teen status, but also doesn't want the kid presents you used to buy them, meaning you've got to strike the right balance.
Second reason it's so damn tough: because it's been years since I was that age, and a lot has changed. While I adored my Groovy Chick-themed bedroom and would happily waste hours playing online make-up games, tweens now are all about K-pop and TikTok.
But to spare the rest of you painful hours scrolling, I've compiled a list of perfect gifts for preteens, all approved by my 10-year-old nephew. Your options — which he's also said could make suitable gifts for teenage girls and gifts for teenage boys — include adorable Squashmallow plushies, tech gifts such as wireless headphones and tablets, or cosy evening essentials like a dressing gown, an oversized sweatshirt and slippers.
Yep, he's labelled the above — as well as various personalised gifts and LEGO gift sets — as so sigma. Not skibidi. Mad lit. Yeah, I had no idea either, but apparently they're compliments. So, read on for our edit of the best gifts for tweens, whether shopping for birthday gifts or last-minute Christmas gifts, most available for speedy delivery.
How I choose the best gifts for tweens & why you can trust me:
To sum it up in one sentence, it involved hours of scrolling and quizzing my Gen Alpha cousin on what's hot and what's not. But I've also attended countless press days and have chatted with various experts about 2025 shopping trends to ensure I'm clued up when it comes to curating gift guides.
And, because I wouldn't recommend anything to you that I wouldn't to a pal, I aim to personally review as many products as possible. Once they arrive in my hands, I consider the following:
| Design | Is it practical, fit for purpose and aesthetic? |
| Price point | Would I be willing to spend that much? Is it good quality? |
| Delivery | How quickly did it arrive, and what were the associated costs? |
| Giftability | Would this make a suitable birthday or Christmas gift? Is it something the recipient actually wants, needs and would enjoy? |
Essentially, you can be reassured that only products and brands I genuinely love and would be happy to recieve myself make it into the Glamour Gift Shop.
Ahead, the best gifts for tweens in 2025, approved by Glamour's gifting editor.
Stanley 1913 x LoveShackFancy Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler
What was once an oversized water bottle, helping you hit your daily water intake in one serving, is now a fashion accessory — and even more so when shopping from the limited edition Stanley x LoveShackFancy collab. This pretty pastel tumbler keeps all 1.18L of your tween's favourite beverage ice cold for hours, and even comes with a kitsch bow straw topper thrown in.
Best dressing gown for tweens
Fluffy Strawberry Short Dressing Gown
It's a known fact that tweens spend more time in their dressing gown than anything else. We love the short length of this option from Boux Avenue, as well as the strawberry print and oversized hood. Need we say more?
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Boux Avenue discount codes.
Squishmallows Romeo The Strawberry Soft Toy
While Jellycats are often praised for their aesthetic looks, Squashmallows are loved for their softness, offering physical and mental comfort whenever needed. This pink option is known as Romeo and received his school's poetry award, thanks to his natural wordsmith skills!
Best loungewear for tweens
Loungewear: what was once exclusively reserved for wear at home is now a mainstay of any tween's wardrobe. We love the burgundy colourway of this Lounge hoodie — yep, the brand has expanded its offerings from just lingerie to clothing and chic accessories, too — and the contrasting rope-style drawstrings.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Lounge discount codes.
Made up of 558 pieces, this Wicked-themed LEGO set is sure to keep your tween occupied for hours. Plus, the figurines, once complete, will make a sweet addition to their bedroom shelves. Really, there's no better gift for the Elphaba and/or Glinda-obsessed.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these LEGO discount codes.
Best Korean skincare gift set for tweens
Laneige is Glamour's go-to for all things lip hydration; the brand’s iconic Lip Sleeping Mask is many of our editors' desert island must-haves. The good news is that this set contains three mini sizes in three classic flavours: Vanilla, Sweet Candy and Berry. But there's also the addition of two lip balms in Gummy Bear and Mango, which we like to pair with a lip liner for a glossy finish.
Best stocking filler for tweens
The one hair trend that's extended to all generations? Prioritising our hair health and, as a result, limiting heat. As a result, we've seen a hike in interest in heatless, overnight curls. This gift set packs everything she needs to look salon-fresh every AM, including the pure silk rod, a claw clip and two silk scrunchies to keep it in place, plus a cosmetic bag to store all of the above in.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Boots discount codes.
Best gift hamper for tweens
Technically, this is more of a beauty bundle than a gift hamper — but whatever you label it, the contents are sure to please the tween in your life. As well as Glow Hub's new cherry-scented Hair & Body Mist, they'll also find the Barrier Builder Ceramide Serum Mist, a fast-acting spot treatment and the Lip Slip Lip Oil in shade 'Candyfloss', all packed inside a peach jelly bag.
Best tech gift for tweens
The Nintendo Switch 2 is great for gaming on the go. But we suggest you add a bestselling game to your basket too – think Mario Kart, Animal Crossing or anything Disney – so they can use it as soon as it's unwrapped on Christmas day.
Best Sol De Janeiro gift for tweens
Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition GlowMotions Glow Body Oil Carnaval Queen
What tween doesn't want to look like a glowing goddess? Sol De Janeiro's newest launch, a scented, shimmering rose gold oil, is designed to both nourish the skin — thanks to the addition of cupuaçu butter, coconut, açai, and sunflower oils — plus leave a subtle sparkle on the skin. But it also carries the brand's signature Cheirosa 62 fragrance, with notes of pistachio and salted caramel scent.
Combine two teen-favourites, and you've found the perfect stocking filler for any teenage girl. Yep, Jellycats and bag charms are two trends we see continuing well into 2026. This bear, known as Bartholomew, is super soft and will add an adorable touch to any member of her extensive bag collection.
Not only designed to reduce hair breakage, but a silk pillowcase also ensures her acne-fighting skincare stays put, too. Plus, and arguably most important, this pretty pink floral option will make her feel like a princess every time she climbs into bed.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Sephora discount codes.
Paper Trails Softback Spiral Academic Year Diary
What tween doesn't appreciate fresh stationery at the start of the year, be that school or the calendar year? This aesthetic diary from the pros at Papier runs from August 2025 to July 2026 and includes pages for their school timetable, upcoming deadlines and weekly overviews.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Papier discount codes.
Teen Skin Fix Deluxe Routine Kit
One way to show you care about the tween in your life? Invest in their skincare routine. This deluxe set includes seven everyday essentials, including two cleansers (day and night), pimple patches, an exfoliating scrub, a purifying sheet mask and an ultra-moisturising hyaluronic acid serum to limit the production of sebum while also encouraging a dewy glow.
Mr Maria Miffy Bundle Of Light Mini Lamp
There's nothing wrong with still wanting to sleep with a nightlight. But why not gift her a cutesy upgrade in the form of this Miffy light, designed to emit a moon-like glow? This one wipes clean and automatically switches off after 15 minutes to avoid draining the (included) batteries.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Urban Outfitters discount codes.
Best jewellery gift for tweens
'Be The Sunshine' Fixed Charm Bracelet
Coco Chanel may have said to remove one thing before you leave the house, but tweens tend to live by ‘more, more, more'. This 925 recycled sterling silver bracelet, coated in 14k solid gold vermeil and finished with a sunshine charm, looks chic when worn alone or stacked with all her other favourites.
The one thing a tween can never have too many of? Tote bags — specifically ones strong enough to hold everything from her tablet to her latest shopping haul or the essentials for a sleepover with her bestie. This checked option from one of the fashion set's favourite brands, Damson Madder, has a metal zip closure and a showerproof coating to keep their belongings safe, a well as metal poppers to alter the size.
Good Squish Curious Pleated Cotton Scrunchie
Is she Team Claw Clip or Scrunchie? If she falls into the latter, then you can't go wrong with this contrasting coloured hairband from Good Squish, consisting of a 100% silk inner and an oversized cotton frill.
Save when you shop the best gifts for tweens with these Selfridges discount codes.
It's well-known that tweens love Crocs, jibbitz and their phone, so why not decorate the latter to match their favourite pair? With the option to customise every element, from the size, colour and charms, this is one way to outdo their other aunts and uncles — and protect their most prized possession.
More beauty gifts for tweens:
Arguably, there is no generation more in the know about all things beauty than Gen Alpha, tweens spending all their spare time watching EYNTKs from experts and in-depth reviews on YouTube or TikTok. Approved and loved by the tweens in our lives? All of the below.
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More tech gifts for tweens:
Shopping for a teenager is no easy feat — we can barely keep up with which water bottle is trending this week — but the best tech gifts for teens have one big advantage: they offer universal appeal and serious staying power. Here's what editors have splurged on for their nieces and nephews ahead of the big day.
