The Best Gifts For Tween Boys
Looking for the best gifts for tween boys this Christmas? I’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find 60+ items sure to wow your 9-to-12 year old—no cap!
If you’re buying for a tween girl, be sure to check out the gift guide I created with my trendy daughter!
60+ best gifts for tween boys
Tween boys are a special group. Think: upper elementary through early middle school.
They’re still young in so many ways, but they’re also growing in their interests and abilities. To meet them right where they are, I came up with a list of ideas ranging from artistic to adventuresome and everything in between!
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to inspire creativitY
It can be easy to think that only girls or very young boys want art supplies. But tween boys are creative too! And if we get creative in what we offer them, there’s no end to what they might make!
3D Doodler Pen: Such an accessible way to enter the world of 3D creations. Your tween can follow the guidebook or follow his own imagination.
Solar Paper: Make a work of art using the sun and a found or favorite object. The process of waiting and rinsing is half the fun. Plus the end results are often display-worthy!
Acrylic Markers: These aren’t just for paper. Use them to draw on rocks and sticks, graffiti boxes, create posters and so much more. The colors are vibrant and show up on just about anything!
Clay Kit: Everything he needs to form funny creatures including sculpting tools, googly eyes and 18 unique clay colors.
Camp Snap Camera: The beauty of a no-screen disposable camera with the convenience of a digital format. Because sometimes old school is better. Use my link to get $5 off.
Stop Motion Camera: Okay this is seriously so cool. Your tween can set up and film stop motion videos with legos, clay and other creative elements with ease. The set even comes with software so he can put the clips together into a video!
Rainbow Loom: Tween boys love making and wearing rainbow loom bracelets. And some of them can churn out designs I don’t even understand! Get him started with this bright neon kit.
Flip Book Set: I absolutely love this set, which comes with 14 books. They’re the perfect size for creating moving pictures. Such a unique and fun gift!
Paper Ninja: Paper Made kits are so darn cute and approachable. They come with everything you need to fold 13 ninja figures and accessories—no glue or tape required.
to give him a project
Keep his hands busy with open-ended tools or a project kit. This might be my favorite category in our list of the best gifts for tween boys. After all, he’ll build skills that will last him a lifetime!
Pocket Knife: Boys love nothing more than to carve sticks and carry around a pocket knife like the big guys. And you can trust that it’s a safe first knife because of the rounded edges, blade locking mechanism and carrying sheath.
Whittling Kit: This whittling kit comes with all the tools he needs to carve foxes, gnomes, tree spirits and more. To really round out the gift, you might consider adding a set of blocks and a blade-resistant glove, to be worn on the hand holding the wood.
Rokr Fisherman: This wooden puzzle requires a fair amount of concentration from kids and about an hour and a half to build. But the end result is so fun and mind-bendy that it had me smiling from ear to ear!
Pinball Machine Kit: The best kit from Smartivity by far. I can hardly believe the price on this one. Your tween will build a working pinball machine complete with flying targets and a simple way to keep score.
Balloon Sculpting Kit: Kids young and old go nuts for balloon creations. But learning how to make your own balloon dogs, swords and laser guns? Now that’s extra cool. This kit will keep your tween busy for hours!
Carpentry Tool: This carpentry tool includes a working jigsaw, lathe, drill press and sander—all in one unit and all safe for kids. A great entryway into woodworking with peace of mind.
Lego Technic Orbit: Legos are a classic building project for a reason. This one, from the Technic line, includes a functional rotating arm that moves the moon around the earth and the earth around the sun. A great educational piece that looks darn cool sitting on a desk or dresser.
the best tween gifts for a sense of adventure
Tween boys want to feel capable of surviving whatever comes their way. Give him a nudge in the right direction—and your own trust in his abilities—with one of the items below.
Fire Starter: Do you know any tween boys who are not obsessed with making a fire? I sure don’t. This ferro rod fire starter is safe for young hands, yet challenging enough to produce big cheers when he’s finally successful.
Fishing Tackle Kit: Everything he needs for a morning at the creek. Includes lures, hooks, sinkers and more—all in a convenient carry case.
Slackline: All you need are two trees and a slackline for hours of outdoor fun. This kit includes a guideline for learning and holds up to 300 lbs, which means it won’t break when his friends join him for a who-can-hold-on-the-longest contest.
Slingshot: A simple slingshot, clay ammo, and a jaunt through the woods will keep him busy for days on end.
Pocket Shot: For younger tweens—or easier transport—try this pocket slingshot, which can toss acorns astonishingly high and far.
Adventure Backpack: Don’t let the size of this backpack fool you. It’s small for a reason! Toss in a Nalgene, a few snacks, and a first aid kit, fasten the chest strap, and he’s ready for a bike ride through the neighborhood or a hike in the woods.
Zip Line: Your yard will be THE hangout spot as soon as you set up a zipline. This one is designed to be super safe and comes with a 10-year warranty!
Bike Ramp: Bike ramps are so fun, and this one is extra awesome. Here’s why: your tween can fold it up, wear it as a backpack and bike over to a friend’s house for sweet jumps on the go.
Sleeping Bag: Every boy needs a sleeping bag. This one is great for 3-season camping and sleepovers. And the top-notch quality means it should hold-up well past the time he outgrows it.
Keep scrolling for more of the best gifts for tween boys!
to get him active
Kids of all ages need to move—but this is especially true for those wiggly 9-to-12 year olds. That’s why no list of the best gifts for tween boys would be complete without items that get him moving.
Pogo Stick: A great way to get energy out and have fun while doing it!
Flag Football Set: Elevate his backyard football game with a set of flags designed for his favorite NFL team!
Four Square Ball: That upper elementary crowd really gets into a game of four square. They have all kinds of wild rules we didn’t know growing up—and I love it! Gift him his own regulation ball for playing four-square on the driveway at home.
Sports Net: If your tween is into sports, he needs a net. This one is great for throwing baseballs and footballs, hitting off a tee and practicing soccer kicks.
Activ Flyer Frisbees: Not all frisbees are created equal. These are self-leveling and easy to grab, making a backyard game of toss that much more fun.
Moon Ball: This ball is truly fun for all ages. It never bounces quite where you think it will, and it looks awesome when it’s inevitably left out.
Disk Golf Set: This basket and disc set includes everything your teen needs for a backyard game with friends or practice time alone.
Capture the Flag: The classic game of Capture the Flag, now in a glow-in-the-dark version. The set comes with enough bracelets for 20 players, and a glowing orb for capture. I especially love that they include 12 new and interesting variations to play!
Backyard Badminton: This portable set pops up quickly for easy play in the backyard or at the park. It comes with four rackets and two shuttlecocks—perfect for including friends in the fun!
Boomerang: Boomerangs are so fun, but they can be tough to get the hang of. This one offers tweens a chance, while being challenging enough to hold their attention. Besides, the design is way cool.
for the love of science
Science has a special way of rocking a young boy’s world. So lean in! The gifts below are sure to blow his mind—and offer tons of fun in the process.
Rocket Kit: He’s sure to get psyched about this one. Ready to fly right out of the box, this set comes with two working rockets and a launch system. Make sure you also grab the engines, wadding and batteries mentioned in the listing. These items will enable him to launch the rockets over and over again!
Break Open Geodes: What tween boy doesn’t want the freedom to smash rocks with a hammer? Enough said, but I’ll say more: These rocks contain beautiful crystals inside.
Rock Tumbler: Give him something to do with that growing rock collection. This tumbler turns jagged, dull rocks into beautiful, shiny masterpieces.
Chemistry Kit: Everything he needs to conduct 45 science experiments in the comfort of his own home. And the 5,000+ 4.7 star reviews speak for themselves. He will love this kit!
Microscope: Microscopes meet a huge need for curious boys. He can get a close-up view of bugs, coins or even a strand of hair. This set comes with 20 specimen slides for additional learning.
3-D Mirascope: Not to be confused with a microscope, the mirascope is also about the science of optical illusion. Place a small item—like the provided plastic frog—at the base of the mirascope, and it will produce an image that looks just like the real thing at the top. Only your tween won’t be able to touch it. Totally mindboggling!
Mars Dust Globe: The fun of a snow globe, but with mars dust. If your tween boy loves science and outerspace, he’ll be mesmerized by this one. Bonus points: it can sit on his dresser or desk for years to come!
Snap Circuits: Every tween boy I know loves snap circuits—which teaches kids about electronics in a safe and approachable way. This kit includes a guide for over 300 projects.
Keep scrolling for more of the best gifts for tween boys!
for fun and games
Of course, a list of the best gifts for tween boys must include games. Kids this age are all about competition. And the games below are fun for tweens and adults alike. A win win!
Rhymes with Duck: A fun rhyming game that will have your tween and all of his friends quacking up!
Splendor: The best family game—hands down! Fun for kids and adults. But look out: once your tween learns to strategize, he’ll be hard to beat.
Poker Set: So many tween boys are playing Black Jack these days, which is super cute! This set lets them up the fun with plastic chips and a serious-looking carrying case.
Cup Stacking: A rush of a game that can be played by one person or a time challenge with two.
Super Slide Game: The goal is simple: move the red square to the bottom, center of the board without picking up any pieces. But actually pulling this off gets harder with every level. With 500 levels—yes 500!—your tween can play this game for years to come.
Perplexus Maze: The ultimate boredom buster. Move the ball through the maze without it falling off. Easier said than done!
Travel Chess: This generation is so good at chess! Give him a way to play on the go with this board that folds up to tuck in a backpack or even a car drink holder.
Puck Game: So fun for when he has friends over! Use the string to send pucks onto your opponents field. The first one to get all five pucks on the other guy’s side wins.
Hook and Ring: Classic restaurant patio game in a made-for-home size. The added wooden cups ups the intensity of the game, making this perfect for quick and rowdy tournaments.
Magnetic Dart Board: This dart board lets him challenge his friends—or you—to hit the bullseye. Plus it can safely stay in his room for brain breaks during homework.
Foosbots: Foosball on the go and a fidget all in one. Could not be more fun! This set comes with two players, goal lines, a ball and a travel case.
Shocking Game: In this hilarious game, four friends grab hold of a handle and wait out the music on each turn to see who might get shocked. It’s a small thrill, but one that really works for tween boys.
more of the best gifts for tween boys
Tortilla Blanket: He can wrap himself up like a tasty burrito in this blanket. Sure to get a laugh, with the bonus of also being cozy and warm.
Rubber Nunchucks: Unleash his inner ninja with these tween-friendly nunchucks. The weight makes them feel and perform like the real deal, even though they’re made of rubber.
Wallet: Nothing makes a tween feel like a teen quite like carrying around a wallet. This one is well-made, with loads of storage and a few accessories to amp up the fun. Add a few bucks to get them started and you’ll be the hero of the day!
Magic Kit: This is one of those magic kits where you won’t need to play along, pretending like you have no idea how he pulls off a particular trick. Instead, you’ll be scratching your head and asking to see another!
Zip String: Have you seen this toy that went viral on TikTok and even snagged a deal on Shark Tank? So fun and sure to be a hit on Christmas morning!
Book Safe: You might get a confused look when he unwraps a dictionary. But when he realizes it’s actually a safe that discreetly tucks into a bookshelf—complete with a secret code required to open it—his mind will go wild with what he might store inside.
I hope this list of the best gifts for teen boys knocks the socks off of your own 9-to-12 year old this Christmas!