Luckily, we tested and researched the best gift options on the market considering the age appropriateness of the item, safety considerations, and the potential educational value. Through our tests, we chose the ALEX Toys Spa Hair Chalk Salon as our top pick. The kit fosters tween’s creativity, is easy-to-use, and the chalk washes out easily for enjoying again and again. Here, the best gifts for tweens. Our tester found that the chalk pens are precise and easy to use with minimal mess. A comb is helpful for distributing the product, but this can also remove some of the color in the process. The chalk works best on light-colored hair when applied with high pressure. Note that kids with brown or black hair may not get the same results. The best part? The hues come out with a quick wash of the hair, so you won’t have to worry about anything being permanent. Each day, tweens can pick a new color and design to experiment with. Our tester noted that the chalk did not transfer to clothes or fingers and washed out easily with shampoo. ““Kids today can find access to anything," says teacher and literacy coach Alicia Drozd. “Even with older kids now, it’s important to talk to them and set up rules.”
Safety
STEM toys are great for tweens, since they encourage exploring new things and imagining—two things that tweens tend to be great at. Just make sure that any gifts that include intricate pieces to build with specialized tools, chemical solutions, or advanced skills are still safe for this age group. It helps to set some limits with your tween, such as they need to ask an adult before performing certain tasks like chopping food in their culinary kit, so that you both feel comfortable.
Educational Value
Games and toys can be both educational and fun. Tweens are a great group to take advantage of toys that teach or develop a new skill, such as cooking, coding, or movie-making. Physical games that encourage socialization with friends and family are also great for this age group.
Interests
One of the most important things to think about when choosing a gift for a tween is what they love to do and explore. Whether they are into sports, art, or anything else, they are probably very enthusiastic about their hobbies. Choosing a gift that is geared toward their interests shows that you value their opinions and listen to them when they share.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce and The Spruce Crafts, covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, crafts, and the holidays.
