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30 Unique Gifts Tween Boys Actually Want

Trying to impress a tween? We asked them what they'd want to unwrap.

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gifts for tween boys

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Figuring out the best gifts for tween boys usually takes a bit of detective work. Unlike finding a gift for a kid who's likely psyched to write a list, your favorite 9-year-old to 12-year-olds (or even 13-year-old boys) may be a bit more tight-lipped, so we polled our own friends and family in that in-between child and teen phase. There are several categories, a.k.a sports, video games, and tech, that are typically a big hit with this hard-to-shop-for age group. From gifts for gamers, to new drops for LEGO connoisseurs and much more, we've rounded up options that are sure to score you some serious cool cred.

Our top picks:

Hacky sacking is back—yes, seriously. One parent reported it brought the neighborhood kids together to play, as her son went running down the block to show his friends as soon as he opened it.

The budding builder in your life will enjoy screen-free fun with this super cool sports car LEGO set, that has 801 pieces and is geared (see what we did there) for ages 10+. It even comes with realistic doors that rotate 90 degrees.

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He might claim to be too old for a nightlight, but this celestial lamp is super subtle. He can control the brightness and color with the remote. I’ve got one, and I honestly love using it at night to wind down.

The internet is obsessed with NeeDoh squishy toys, and they’re topping wishlists this year. They can be squished, stretched, and used as stress relief. The Nice Cube is the most popular shape, but there are tons to choose from. Keep in mind, they’re a bit tricky to find online right now, because they keep selling out, so snag one when you can.

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This cool experiment from YouTuber Mark Rober lets your tween design a parachute for a reusable egg—there’s even yolk slime inside. "My son dove right into this and starting constructing the egg drop parachute," a parent told us. Ages 8+

RELATED: Most Popular Toys of 2026

The boys want a cozy spot to do their homework, read, draw, and let’s be honest, play video games. This bean bag chair is available in a ton of colors.

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Monopoly gets a modern update with this version of the beloved board game. Instead of using pretend cash, players do their banking with a free app—no counting required. My nephew thought it was a blast to “tap” his card and pay for things.

Kids can turn any drawing into their very own video game—picture a golf course, pinball, arcade battle, or epic maze. When he’s done, snap a photo and watch the sketch instantly come alive.

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According to my 11-year-old nephew, Tech Deck is cool again. They can ride these mini skateboards with their fingers on tables, desks, or really wherever. There’s 10 in the pack, so he can share with friends.

It may seem silly, but it’ll keep him entertained when he’s alone. He can bounce it anywhere and it’s designed to bounce right back.

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This should come as no surprise: Tweens still love stuffed animals, and Jellycats are topping their wishlists. The amuseables collections turns just about anything into a smiley sidekick—think burgers, croissants, pickles, and sports gear, like soccer balls.

They’ll feel like their favorite superhero with this Toy Award winner. Once they fasten it onto their wrist, they can shoot a string that seemingly floats in the air. When we gathered kids to test toys in the Good Housekeeping Institute, everyone wanted a turn with this one.

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All they need is water! They’ll dip a paint brush into water, doodle their prettiest (or silliest) design, and watch as the artwork slowly fades away—then do it all again. As someone who no real artistic ability, I love drawing on mine.

RELATED: I Tried the Viral Buddha Board Instead of Scrolling

It’s no surprise that tween boys are into drones, and this offers a good bang for your buck. It runs for up to 21 minutes at a time and performs a number of tricks, including circle fly, 3D flips, and more.

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When our testers added this Samsung tablet to our list of the best kids' tablets, they cited its large screen, vivid graphics, and 128 GB as strong selling points. It's ideal for tween boys since you can set parental controls, plus it offers all the best qualities of an iPad without the cost.

One second he's a robot, and the next he's a truck. In six steps, this Transformers action figure changes from a vehicle to Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots. Pretty cool, right?

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Whether they're playing in the snow or the pool, tweens can take this water-resistant Nerf football just about anywhere since it's designed for all-weather plays. Sports fans will enjoy its easy grip grooves and distance-optimizing tail.

Football fans will flip for this face-paced card game. It’s all about speed, strategy, and getting to the end zone before your opponent. Two to four people can play at once.

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When you're gaming on multiple systems, switching between controllers can be a pain. This handy version lets gamers play their heart out on both versions of the Nintendo Switch plus Windows PCs with one single controller. It has TMR joysticks, pro-level back buttons, vibration and motion control, and other fun features.

From a floating coin to magical snow and more, this chemistry set comes with everything tween boys need to channel their inner magician and scientist. There are 10 tricks in total with detailed instructions and educational resources on the science behind each of them. And yes, a magic wand is included.

Hacky sacking is back—yes, seriously. One parent reported it brought the neighborhood kids together to play, as her son went running down the block to show his friends as soon as he opened it.

Headshot of Alyssa Gautieri
Alyssa Gautieri
Senior Gifts Editor

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.

Headshot of Chrissy Callahan
Chrissy Callahan
Contributing Writer

Chrissy Callahan is a freelance writer with 15 years of experience. She’s appeared in a range of media outlets, including TODAY.com, Parade, Teen Vogue, and StyleCaster. In 2016, she published her debut book: The Paris Bath & Beauty Book, which includes 40 homemade beauty recipes.  

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