The Best Gift Ideas for What To Buy Kids Ages 10-Tween-Early Teen

This one is for the “kids!” I have kids in quotes because for those readers that have been with us for a while, I’ve seen you at events, you’ve shared pics of your kids. They’re older now. Also, it is already super easy to shop for little kids. There is a near infinite amount of options, and let’s face it – little kids are into just about everything. It is when they hit about 10 years old does it start taking the same amount of thought as you would put into an adult. So we figured, we should probably look into this. What are some of the best gift ideas for what to get for kids Ages 10-14 (or older in some cases, a couple of these would actually make great dorm room gifts too). Here’s what we came up with!

Marmals
https://www.marmals.com/

Yeah MARMALS! I bet you’ve never heard of such a thing! They’re new, and they are super cool! This is EXACTLY the type of thing you want a kid to be playing with. They come in a STEAM-style cardboard KIT of sorts where kids can assemble in creative ways, color (they come with little markers), swap, and move. So if you want a kid to get into constructions toys and art toys, these are a 100% fit.

The Gabb Z2 Phone For Kids
https://www.gabbwireless.com

This is a full on smartphone with music, phone, messaging, contacts, camera, video, gallery, calendar, calculator, clock, voice recorder, FM radio, file manager, bluetooth and of course: fingerprint sign in and gps tracking! It’s a parent’s dream come true.    Now, even though it looks like a smartphone, there is No Internet Browser, No Social Media, and No foolish apps.   It helps kids learn how to use phones well so they are not left behind tech-wise But protects them from all the downsides of screen addiction and scary apps and every other societal horror that smart phones have unleashed on previous generations.   They can’t be cyberbullied on here, but they Can Call YOU!

 

“TOP 100” Scratch-Off Poster
https://www.ennovatti.com

These are Bucket-List posters and they’re awesome. There posters where you can scratch off movies you’ve seen or albums you’ve listened to. Great for older kids! And for the 10 year olds there is one for Top 100 Kids Movies. You can even play it where you watch the movies WITH the kids in order for it qualify for a scratch off. Plus, let’s face it, for some of you regular readers on of this blog you’re probably in a few of these movies or on a few of these albums. That makes it extra fun.

 

Spontuneous
https://www.songgame.com/

This is a crazy fun game where a word is given and it’s a race to blurt out any song containing that word. Don’t pretend like you already don’t have a Pavlovian response to trigger words that make you belt out a song (even if most of the time in your head). This is definitely a win with kids, and another game that you can play with the kids should you choose.

 

Tellinga Stories!
https://www.tellinga.com

This is super cool, you send them pics and they create cards with hand drawn stories – a card arrives every other day to tell a story.

 

Learning Blankets
https://www.birdyboutique.com

Birdy Boutique makes these Very big and quite soft educational blankets. Most are for younger kids but their world map + dinosaurs blanket would be a good fit for a kid who is going to learn this material in school soon or has just recently covered it. This is the perfect movie night blanket for kids too. It’ll also look cool in their room IF you can get them to make their beds :D.

 

Acrylic Painting Party
https://www.artstudiolive.com/

I love this. It is 4 canvases and 4 full sets of acrylic paints and brushes. So, great for 1 kid, and up to 4 at a time. Also good for a family fun night. They have step by step videos that you access too. Keep in mind, acrylic paint is not easy BUT it is super fun – a lot of kids will really dig this.

 

Little Learning Hands
https://littlelearninghands.com/

This is Hands Down my new favorite cultural education company. This subscription company seems so down to earth, yet this is some serious quality stuff. Opening one of their subscription boxes is a totally exciting experience. I absolutely love the complete myriad of things that kids can learn, and so in fun ways from 3D puzzles (which are the best part) to language and info books, fun facts, realistic play money, to science-y and other fun projects. I almost want to divide up the box into multiple gifts :D. But don’t, a kid getting to open up a box like this every month has got to be exciting for them. Think about it, you’re going to give one of these to a kid and say “You love this one? Just wait, you’re getting a new one every month!” Only downside? They have artists from Spain and Cuba on their “Listen to Mexican Music” playlist lol. But I won’t tell if they add some Anand Bhatt “El Latindio” music to it :D.

 

Creativity for Kids
https://www.fabercastell.com/

I love these! This brand rocks. They make everything from Grow yourself glow in the dark terrariums, pour on rock painting kits, to acrylic sets to a #HATNOTHATE Hat Knitting Kit to a Modern Calligraphy set! Everything here makes for absolutely stellar gifts. The best part about gifts like these is you can have fun with the kids too. The terrarium is so much fun, it is a HUGE upgrade from the chia pets we had to play with as kids.

 

Craftbud Candle Making Kit
https://www.Amazon.com/

The first thing you notice when you open the box is WOW! It smells Awesome.  As in you will just sit there for a while and keep smelling the inside of the box.  I am not kidding.  It is something else.  This is an excellent gift idea.  And could last for years of candle making.  There is A LOT of stuff in this kit.   Parents will need to help – but you will want to.  My guess is this will eventually secretly turn into a gift for the parents.  It is completely useful and a zen-like level of fun.

 

Personalized Mini Basketball
https://www.groovyguygifts.com/

OK, so this is a ringbearer gift but who says it has to be? Look how cool it is. It is actually a pretty high quality mini basketball. As in, the kid can actually use it! It is easily palm-able and will be dunk-able in most at home indoor toy hoops.

 

Shopping for kids over the age of 10 does not have to be a pain, it can be just as much fun as shopping for an adult you know well!