30 cool gift ideas for tween girls 9-12, all tween girl approved
We love shopping for our tween girls, who were so wonderful in helping us to put together this tween holiday gift idea list. They're into so many different things at this age, and really starting to create their identity, making it fun to help them explore all their sides -- stylish, sporty, funky, bookish, adventurous, radical, and always, silly.
PS YES, boys will like plenty of these gift ideas too. And tween girls will like plenty of the gifts for tween boys that we've recommended. Cool.
- UPDATED FOR 2021 -
All gifts have been editorially determined by our staff. There has been no compensation for inclusion. (We know that's rare.)
There are affiliate links in this guide, which means that some purchases will generate a small commission to help support our own small woman-owned business, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us!
All prices accurate at time of publication but subject to change.
Be sure to visit our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide posts and our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide posts for even more fabulous gift ideas
including 50+ cool gifts for kids and teens, all under $15
I Am a Rebel Girl: A Journal to Start Revolutions
Inspiring creativity, positivity, and passion for things kids care about.
$20, Rebel Girls
Pair With: Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, Vols I and II or the brand new Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Stories of Black Girl Magic
Bath bombs gift set
This box of a dozen is best we've tried.
$26, Life Around 2 Angels on Amazon
Madpax Spiketus Rex half pack backpack
The super popular half-pack is now available in a hot new out-of-the-blue navy color.
$50, Amazon
Owl Crate Jr. middle grade book subscription box
Each box contains a new release hardcover, along with 3-5 fun items around the theme of the book
$36/mo with discounts for longer subscriptions
Instax Instant Camera + Film Bundle
Instant cams are of our top tech gifts for teens and it's also perfect for tweens. Lots of colors too!
$114.95, Amazon
Black Girl Magic Christmas Tee
5 colors in sizes for tweens...and babies, and kids, and teens, and you.
$30, By Keeks with Love
Jetson Hoverboard
With light-up wheels! And Bluetooth speaker!
$199, Amazon
100-Trick Magic Set
With a magic-obsessed tween girl in our ranks, she has the Thames & Kosmos magic kits at the top of her list.
$24.99, Amazon
Day at a local ropes course
However long you think they'll want to stay, add a few hours. Trust us.
Shown here: Spins Hudson; prices vary at locations near you
Make Your Own Candy Bento
Yes, you can order them for adults, too
Starting at $28 for 3 choices, Sugarfina
Color-Changing LED Lightbox
But we can borrow it, right?
$20 and up, Uncommon Goods
Folding gymnastics mat
Lots of sizes and colors from Tumbl-Trak, a top-rated gym mat company
$71 and up, Amazon
Kala Learn-to-Play Beginner Ukulele
Top-of-the-line entry ukelele made of gorgeous mahogany and a walnut fingerboard.
$69, Amazon
Light-up unicorn headphones
Because of course they have to light up. They're magic.
$17.97, Amazon
Hamilton coloring pages, postcards, or note cards
Just add a set of good fine-tip markers, then put the soundtrack on repeat.
$7.95-14, The Coloring Project; Markers $12.99 on Amazon
Related: The Hamilton Funko Pops are here!
Kids Burton Vent Gloves
Snowboard chic, in 5 different colors and patterns. If you're feeling really generous...just add a Burton snowboard!
$39.95, Burton
Star Wars Women of the Galaxy
"A diverse galaxy of heroes and villains, renegades and rogues, caretakers and, sometimes, unscrupulous scum.”
Yes!
$19.46 Amazon, or your local indie bookseller
Carpool Karaoke Mic
Bluetooth wireless speaker, voice and sound effects...all that's missing is James Corden.
$43, Amazon
Black girl ballerina water bottle
Also available as a coffee mug...for hot cocoa.
$24.99, The Trini Gee
Girls Doc Martens
Outrageous and always in style.
$80, Zappos
Funko Pop's Funkoverse DC Comics Game
The strategy game that makes an awesome gift for a cool tween girl
$19.99 on sale, Amazon
Also see our picks for 7 great new board games for the family that take 30 minutes or less
Meade telescope
Great gift for future astronomers and current star-gazers, at a nice price
$64 and (way way) up, Amazon
Braiding practice mannequin head
Kristen swears by this gift for a tween girl, as endorsed by her own braiding-crazy tween daughter.
$28.99, Amazon
MAD Magazine subscription
If you weren't aware, yes it's still around, and yes, our tweens still love it.
$19.99/1-year subscription, MAD Magazine
KABOOM! Explosive Science Kit
Don't worry, it's safe!
$39.99 on sale, Amazon
Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty Minis
Our kids loooooooove these. Times infinity.
$21.99, Amazon
Faux fur beanbags
So many cool styles to choose from!
$104 and up, Pottery Barn Teen
Diamondback electra cruiser 24” bike
The classic kids' holiday gift, only modern.
$380, REI
Be sure to visit our 2020 Small Business Holiday Gift Guide
which helps support dozens of indie shops, makers and artists with the best gifts for everyone on your list.
See our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide here
And don't miss our guide to 50+ of the coolest gifts for kids under $50.