1. Erector Tuner Cars
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
Remember the classic Erector construction sets? Nostalgia buffs can buy the old style sets, but I’m betting most tween boys would rather have a kit to build a tuner car. It’s a radio-controlled car that will also play your MP3 tunes. The innovation that makes the car kits workable is the development of flexible pieces.
Other Options
If you have a grandchild who is a Lego fan, the Star Wars Death Star is the Holy Grail. Another, more affordable but still fascinating, piece is Market Place. I also like the K-Nex sets which teach principles of physics such as simple gears and inclined planes.
2. Geomate Jr. Geocacher
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
Tweens love geocaching, and grandparents like to give gifts that will get them outdoors. Made by Apisphere, this easy-to-use GPS device automatically displays nearby geocaches whenever it is turned on, eliminating the need for downloads and computer connections. An optional kit allows for periodic updating.
Other Options
Books about geocaching, containers for caches or books to log discoveries will be appreciated by all geocaching fans. Other gifts that a tween-age outdoor enthusiast might enjoy include pocket-sized binoculars, identification guides or a good compass.
3. Clocky
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
Invented by an MIT design student, Clocky is an alarm clock that functions normally until the second time you hit snooze. At that point, it takes off on its own, traveling on oversized wheels to some unknown location so that you will have to get out of bed and find it the next time it goes off. It has a clean, whimsical design that tweens will love—at least until the third time it goes off!
Other Options
If your tween has an iPod, a alarm clock that is also a docking station is a good bet. Most of them are fairly clunky-looking, but Innovative Technology has one with a round halo-type design that looks futuristic and fun. The atomic clocks that never have to be set are another popular choice for the bedroom.
4. Hyper Dash
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
This game is a parents’ and grandparents’ dream as it combines problem-solving skills with physical exercise. The set consists of an electronic tagger that plays music and gives directions to the player. The tagger is used to hit targets, which can be placed close together indoors or spread out when playing out-of-doors.
Other Options
My grandkids’ other favorite electronic game that doesn’t require a console is Catch Phrase. Apples to Apples is a no-tech game that's fun for tweens. Air hockey games played on tabletops or the floor are other possibilities.
5. Masterpieces Up Close
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
No gift list would be complete without a few book selections, and this book tops our list because it’s a combination of a book and a game. The game is to find the small details from famous paintings. The book gives interesting information about the artworks and artists.
Other Options
The same author has produced The Louvre Up Close and Art Up Close. The Art Fraud Detective and other books by Anna Nilsen similarly prompt kids to look hard at great works of art, but they have a narrative framework.
6. Head Chefs by Fiesta
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
These cooking tools for kids are also bendable figures. They are simply irresistible. Combine them with a good cookbook for kids such as The Kids Cookbook from Williams-Sonoma to create a gift that’s useful and fun.
Other Options
Honest Pretzels is a vegetarian cookbook for kids eight and up. Author Mollie Katzen is in the James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame, so this is the real deal. Chef’s hats and aprons make nice additions to a cooking gift and are available in smaller sizes from multiple websites.
7. 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
There are several of these books that teach you to transform T-shirts into wearable art. Sometimes the result is a little too bare for modesty, and most of the designs are not workable for chunky tweens.
Other Options
My grands and I love the Klutz line of activity books. The one I’m dying to try is Paper Stained Glass: Color-by-Number Art for Your Windows. The friendship bracelet one is perennially popular, but I’m betting that Fairies: Petal People You Make Yourself is a winner, too. Guys might take to the building cards sets, which can be used to construct pirate ships, space ships and even Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
8. Razor Ripstik
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
I was intrigued the first time I saw neighborhood girls riding their Ripstiks. With a gentle undulation of their hips, they propelled themselves down the street, laughing and talking. I understand that it’s almost as easy as it looks. A Ripstik is one of the best known brands of what is called a caster board, which is something like a skateboard except with only two wheels.
Other Options
My grandkids have loved their Razor scooters, and they have held up very well. The tween-agers still love to ride them. So if the idea of a caster board scares you a little, go for a scooter instead.
9. Jakks EyeClops Bionic Eye
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
This is a device which plugs into the TV and enlarges everyday objects to 200 times their regular size. It takes a little practice to operate, but is much more satisfying than peering through a toy microscope. Great for the budding scientist, or for the kid who simply wants to know what Grandpa’s nose hairs look like when enlarged 200 times.
Other Options
Kids also love spy gear. Night vision goggles or scopes, voice scramblers and other devices are made by companies like Wild Planet, National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Just be sure they wait until they get home to use them.
10. Harajuku Lovers Tee Shirt By Gwen Stefani
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
Venturing into the world of fashion is tricky with tweens, but I can’t imagine a tween girl who wouldn’t like this line of tees. For the uninitiated, Harajuku is a district in Tokyo where young Japanese show off their original fashion sense. These tees are quirky and cute at the same time. The Harajuku Lovers website is a lot of fun to visit as well.
Other Options
Harajuku Lovers also has a line of five fragrances that come in little doll-like containers. As for other clothing sources for tween girls, Justice for Girls is a little more budget friendly than some of the others. The Gap and Old Navy are reliable though not quite as cutting edge. Target continues to be the best of the discount stores when it comes to tween fashions.
11. Coal Beanies Coal Lewis Beanie
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
Top Pick
For cold weather, every tween boy needs a beanie. As far as I can tell, a beanie is the old stocking cap with a new name, except that these come in stripes and bright colors instead of the old neutrals. The trendiest have a bobble on top, like this model from Coal.
Other Options
Trappers are hats with ear flaps, often featuring faux fur or pom-poms. Trappers are a riskier choice. They are newly cool, but some tween boys may not have gotten the word. A hoodie would be a safer choice. In my experience, tween boys are harder to please than tween girls when it comes to clothes. If your tween grandson is conservative in his taste, it’s probably best not to venture too far out of the Holy Trinity of Old Navy, the Gap and Aeropostale.
12. Target Magic Box Gift Card
Photo © Target
Top Pick
This gift card is also a flippable, foldable magic box. Tweens will hold on to the card long after they've used up the value. It's one of the WOW! line of Target gift cards, and it may not measure up to last year's disposable camera, but it's still pretty cool. It comes in denominations beginning at $25.
Other Options
Some tweens aren’t all that stoked about clothing, so instead of a gift card for a clothing or department store, consider getting a gift card or gift certificate for an activity. Movie passes are always a good choice, as are gift cards to a local fun center, where they can play arcade games, drive bumper cars and play mini golf.
