Gift Guide for Tween Girls: The Ultimate List (Ages 9-12)

I know, I know, the word “ultimate” is overused. But I’m so pumped to share this gift guide for tween girls with you, because I’ve already parented one child through tweendom and have another that is in her full blown tween era. It’s a fun, unique, sweet, in-between stage (the American Academy of Pediatrics has a good rundown of what’s actually going on developmentally if you’re curious)- one day it’s all dolls and glitter, the next she’s curating a whole “room aesthetic” on Pinterest.

I sorted everything in this tween girl gift guide by interest because I know how much that can differ at this age from kid to kid. Hopefully this allows you to jump straight to what fits your tween: the book lover, the crafty one, the room-decor obsessive, whoever she is this month. My own tween would be thrilled with every single item here (and my girls already own and love many of them).

Thank you for shopping through my links for the items that serve you. It directly supports my family and we are so grateful. Shop this list for a holiday gift, a birthday or just because. There’s something here for every kind of tween.

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The Ultimate Gift Guide for Tween Girls (Ages 9-12)

Tween Book Lover Gift Ideas

I’m starting this gift guide for tween girls with books, because a good book is a gift that rarely misses at this age.

Warmies

Adorably soft stuffed animals that you can warm up in the microwave for a cozy snuggling partner while you cuddle up with a good book.

Rechargeable Blue Light Blocking Book Light

Blue light blocking with a soft amber glow, this rechargeable book light is perfect for evening reading.

Reading Pillow

For added comfort on the couch, on the floor, on the bed or wherever your bookworm lands.

Murdle Logic Puzzles

Little murder-mystery logic puzzles that she solves with clues and a grid. These are a big hit with tweens who love a good puzzle or a mystery book, and they’re great for car rides.

Attainable Sustainable

For the budding homesteader, this beautiful book is full of pictures and easy instructions for a wide variety of sustainable living tasks, from candle making to herbal tinctures to gardening, canning, woodworking and more.

Wizarding Almanac

The only official companion to the seven Harry Potter novels, this almanac is packed with details and pictures from all the places, potions, beasts and more from Harry Potter.

Picturepedia

An encyclopedia filled with everything a kid could want to know about science, technology, nature, geography, culture, sports, hobbies, history and more, all in vibrant color!

The Land of Stories

Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, twins Alex and Conner leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy-tale characters they grew up reading about.

The Vanderbeekers

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.

Tuesdays at the Castle

Tuesday is probably the most boring day of the week. However, for Princess Celie, Tuesday is the best day; that’s the day the Castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing! She is the only one who takes the time to map out the new additions, and when the king and queen are ambushed, she is the only one who can protect their home.

Keeper of the Lost Cities Boxed Set

Kaitlyn is obsessed with this series right now! Twelve-year-old Sophie discovers she’s an elf with special abilities and moves to the hidden world of the Lost Cities. This boxed set has books 1-5, so she won’t have to wait for the next one.

The Penderwicks

A beloved family story that is quickly becoming a new classic, the Penderwicks books are filled with humor, family and high jinks, as breezy and carefree as a clear June day.

Lap Desk

A sturdy lap desk with a little storage drawer and a stand for a tablet. Great for homework, drawing, journaling or reading in bed.

Related: Parenting Tweens

Crafty Tween Gift Ideas

Journal Set

Let her create her own unique journal to fill with her thoughts.

3Doodler Flow 3D Printing Pen

A 3D pen that lets her draw in the air and build little sculptures, keychains and room decor. It comes with filament and a stencil book, so she can start creating right out of the box.

Pressed Flowers Resin Coaster Kit

Real pressed flowers set in resin to make pretty coasters. It’s a fun weekend project, and the finished coasters make sweet gifts for grandparents and friends.

Woobles Beginner Crochet Kit

Featured on Shark Tank, these kits are *truly* for beginners and will walk you through each step with detailed instruction to succeed in crocheting.

SparkBlocks Circuit Blocks

Electronic building blocks that snap together to make working circuits with lights, sound and spinning fans. A fun, hands-on way to learn how electricity works. Use code HEALTHYSLICE10 for 10% off.

Outline Metallic Markers

These metallic markers make doodling so much fun!

Clay Bead Kit

Consistently one of our best sellers for good reason: excellent price on a colorful kit with everything she needs to make personalized clay bead bracelets.

Elmer’s Confetti Slime Kit

Bring on the sparkle! This kit has everything she needs to make her own glittery, squishy slime in fun colors. It’s a sensory favorite that never goes out of style.

Polymer Clay Crafting Kit

Create, bake, decorate. We are on our third set of clay around here as the girls love making trinkets to put in their rooms and give to friends.

Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets Lego Set

For the Harry Potter lover, this set is full of fun magic and details of the Chamber of Secrets.

Pottery Wheel

Get creative with a real spinning pottery wheel kit that comes with everything you need to create a masterpiece.

Fashionista Gift Ideas for Tween Girls

Cooluli Mini Fridge & Primally Pure Everything Facial Spray

Mini skincare fridges are all the rage right now, and while it will hold a few sparkling waters too, she can use this to keep a refreshing facial mist or moisturizer chilled and ready.

LULULEMON Everywhere Belt Bag

The crossbody bag every tween seems to want right now. It holds her phone, lip balm and a little cash, and it comes in lots of fun colors.

Klee Naturals Deluxe Makeup Kit

A fun first step into makeup without the harsh ingredients. Klee Naturals kits are made in the USA just for kids and are free from parabens, talc and synthetic dyes.

Dazzle Dry Prima Ballerina Mini Kit

A non-toxic, quick-dry nail system in a pretty ballet pink. Quick dry and nontoxic is the perfect combination for a tween that wants to be fashionable in a hurry.

Olive & June Press-On Manis

No glue needed and they last about a week, so she gets a salon-looking manicure that pops right off when she’s ready for a new look.

Kendra Scott Ari Heart Huggie Earrings

A sweet, stylish step up from a plain stud. These small heart-shaped huggie hoops are trendy but still tween-appropriate, and come in lots of pretty colors.

Kendra Scott Elisa Gold Locket Gift Set

A dainty gold locket that comes as a gift set with colorful stones to swap in. It’s a sweet keepsake she can personalize and wear every day.

OMY Hair Chalk

Temporary color for her hair that washes right out. Perfect for spirit days, sleepovers or just trying out a fun look without any commitment.

TYMO CurlPro Plus Curling Wand

An automatic rotating curling wand that does the work for her, with an anti-scald design that makes it a safer first hot tool for a tween.

Beginner Sewing Machine

Let her create her own fashion with the incredible gift of a real sewing machine and fabric to practice on.

Styling Head Doll

A styling head that will allow her to practice all the latest braids, twists and hairstyles she likes.

Flower Hair Claws

A fun set of colorful accessories to jazz up any outfit.

Initial Stud Earrings

Gold-plated sterling silver studs shaped like her first initial, with colorful sparkly stones. They’re hypoallergenic, which is great for sensitive ears, and make a sweet personalized gift.

UGG Tasman II Slippers

The slipper every tween seems to want right now. Cozy enough for the house and sturdy enough to wear out and about. Check her size, since many tweens are moving into women’s sizes by now.

Mood Ring

A nostalgic classic that never really goes out of style. She’ll love watching the color shift and guessing what “mood” it says she’s in.

Room Decor Gift Ideas for Tween Girls

Marshmallow Faux Fur Tie-Dye Bean Bag Chair

A big, squishy faux fur bean bag that becomes the coziest spot in her room for reading, music or FaceTime with friends.

LED Strip Lights

Color-changing LED strip lights she can control from an app. They are an easy way to give her room that glowing “aesthetic” tweens love.

LED Picture Clips

Remote controlled LED lights allow her to show off her favorite pictures.

Instax Camera

The mini size is perfect to take around with her to snap pictures of all the things she loves the most.

Northern Lights Projector

Transform her room with a projector that casts swirling northern lights and stars across the ceiling. It’s a perfect way to wind down before bed.

Custom Neon Name Sign

Any tween loves a personal touch in their room, and this custom neon sign will let her show it off in style. *Customization takes a little time, so order ahead of when you need it.

Lava Lamp

They are back in vogue and create a peaceful glow.

JBL Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

This small but mighty waterproof and portable speaker will allow her to rock out to her favorite tunes no matter where she is.

Flameless LED Colorful Candles

Add some safe ambient glow with these cute and colorful flameless candles, controlled by remote.

Decorative Essential Oil Diffuser

This diffuser is perfectly sized for a bedroom, letting her create the mood she’s after with aromas, whether relaxing or creative.

3-Tier Bracelet Holder

A velvet T-bar stand that keeps bracelets and necklaces untangled and on display instead of buried loose in a drawer. A nice bit of storage for a room that’s otherwise all sparkle.

360 Rotating Makeup Organizer

A clear spinning organizer that keeps her makeup, skincare and hair stuff tidy on her dresser or vanity, so everything is easy to find.

Gift Ideas for Tweens Who Cook

America’s Test Kitchen Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs

Hands down one of the best kid cookbooks out there, full of detailed step-by-step pictures for legit recipes.

Personalized Embroidered Apron

The kid aprons are probably getting a little small, so level up with an adult-size apron embroidered with her name. It has pockets, too, and makes her feel like the head chef.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Perfectly sized for beginning cooks, this enameled cast iron is durable and brightly colored.

Mini Donut Maker

A unique gadget that will allow her to make delicious treats in a fun size.

Fun Taco Holders

Everyone loves these cute and functional taco holders.

6″ Tong Set

An underrated but super useful cooking tool for everything from pasta to salad to turning items on the stove.

No Cut Gloves

For the nervous knife handler, these gloves protect hands while allowing the use of a real knife.

Active Tween Gift Ideas

Not every tween wants a craft kit, so this gift guide for tween girls has a pick for the ones who just want to move!

Girls Adjustable Flashing Inline Skates

A fun and active gift that grows with her! These adjustable skates light up as she rolls, adding sparkle to every glide, and combine excitement and exercise while helping her build balance and confidence.

Surprising Gift Ideas for Tweens

These might not be the first things you think of, but they’re some of the sneakiest favorites in this gift guide for tween girls.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner

Hard-sided luggage has been a favorite birthday gift around here. This spinner suitcase rolls easily, holds up to travel and gives her a grown-up bag of her own for trips.

Roller Rabbit Polo Pajamas

Soft pima cotton pajamas in a fun print. Every tween loves a cute, cozy set to change into after a shower, and these feel extra special.

One Line a Day Journal

A great way to write down thoughts and favorite memories without having to dedicate a lot of time. She’ll love having so many years to look back on, all packed together in one journal.

Fahlo Shark Tracking Bracelet

This pretty bracelet comes with a QR-code card that links to the real life of a wild animal. Scan the code and you get your animal’s name, photo, story and an interactive map showing their movements in the wild.

Dominion

For the game lover, this deck-building game plays differently each time and is a ton of fun for the whole family.

Jellycat Amuseables Pickle

Yes, it’s a plush pickle, and yes, tweens love it. Jellycats are super soft and a little silly, which is exactly why they end up on so many tween beds.

Little Gifts & Stocking Stuffers for Tween Girls

Every gift guide for tween girls needs a few small, fun things for stockings, party favors or Easter baskets.

Cat’s Cradle

A classic hit and great way to keep hands busy.

Paint by Sticker Books

A unique twist on paint by number. Take these anywhere and complete them by adding the correctly shaped sticker to the picture.

Bath Bomb Set

A hidden surprise inside will make bath time colorful and fun.

Hidden Pocket Scrunchies

A hair tie with a secret zipper pocket built in. Genius for stashing a little cash, a hair clip or lunch money.

Mini Bop It

A silly little toy that somehow engages tweens for longer than you’d think!

Experience Gift Ideas

Looking to gift an experience instead of a physical gift? Here are a few experiences my tweens really enjoy and would be thrilled to receive:

• Escape Room
• Rock climbing
• Movie theater
• Bowling
• Splatter paint experience
• Audible membership

Shopping for a specific age? I also have gift guides for 9 year old girls, 10 year old girls and 11 year old girls, plus a list of the best gifts for teen girls for when she’s ready to level up.

That wraps up this gift guide for tween girls for now! Did I miss a tween girl favorite that your daughter or niece is obsessed with? Let me know in the comments. I’m always looking to update and grow this list for other moms!