30 cool gift ideas for tween girls 9-12, all tween girl approved

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. 

Bath bombs gift set

This box of a dozen is best we’ve tried. 

Madpax Spiketus Rex half pack backpack

The super popular half-pack is now available in a hot new out-of-the-blue navy color.

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

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!

Black Girl Magic Christmas Tee

5 colors in sizes for tweens…and babies, and kids, and teens, and you.

Jetson Hoverboard

With light-up wheels! And Bluetooth speaker!

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.

Day at a local ropes course

However long you think they’ll want to stay, add a few hours. Trust us.

Make Your Own Candy Bento

Yes, you can order them for adults, too

Color-Changing LED Lightbox

But we can borrow it, right?

Folding gymnastics mat

Lots of sizes and colors from Tumbl-Trak, a top-rated gym mat company

Kala Learn-to-Play Beginner Ukulele

Top-of-the-line entry ukelele made of gorgeous mahogany and a walnut fingerboard.

Light-up unicorn headphones

Because of course they have to light up. They’re magic.

Hamilton coloring pages, postcards, or note cards

Just add a set of good fine-tip markers, then put the soundtrack on repeat.

Kids Burton Vent Gloves

Snowboard chic, in 5 different colors and patterns. If you’re feeling really generous…just add a Burton snowboard!

Star Wars Women of the Galaxy

“A diverse galaxy of heroes and villains, renegades and rogues, caretakers and, sometimes, unscrupulous scum.”
Yes!

Carpool Karaoke Mic

Bluetooth wireless speaker, voice and sound effects…all that’s missing is James Corden.

Black girl ballerina water bottle

Also available as a coffee mug…for hot cocoa.

Girls Doc Martens

Outrageous and always in style.

Funko Pop’s Funkoverse DC Comics Game

The strategy game that makes an awesome gift for a cool tween girl

Meade telescope

Great gift for future astronomers and current star-gazers, at a nice price

Braiding practice mannequin head

Kristen swears by this gift for a tween girl, as endorsed by her own braiding-crazy tween daughter. 

MAD Magazine subscription

If you weren’t aware, yes it’s still around, and yes, our tweens still love it.

KABOOM! Explosive Science Kit

Don’t worry, it’s safe! 

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Minis

Our kids loooooooove these. Times infinity.

Faux fur beanbags

So many cool styles to choose from!

Diamondback electra cruiser 24” bike

The classic kids’ holiday gift, only modern.

 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.