9 Top Gifts for Tween Boys 2022

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Buying gifts for tween boys can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.

By this age, most kids are into some type of activity or have a strong interest in something.

So you would think this makes it easier to find your tween a present.

Just get them something they need or want having to do with their hobby.

Well, there’s one problem with that….everyone else is doing the same thing.

Bombarding kids and parents with tons of Lego’s or all things baseball can get old.

Grandparents seem to take this to a whole new level.

When our oldest was about 4, we had everything Scooby-Doo you could imagine.  It’s fun for a while but most kids have outgrown or given up most interests.

It the long run it gets to feel wasteful and as the interests change, how many Wiggles, Scooby, Cat in the Hat, Lego, Ninja Turtle, Beyblade, Minion, Superman, The Walking Dead blankets do they need anyway.

But if you do get one,  seriously, get a full size one, the tiny toddler size ones seem fun, but it doesn’t cover anyone for long.

I like finding a balance between useful, fun, needed and long-lived… if I can.

A few of these hit them all.

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Besides the ideas further down, here are some other gifts for tween boys.

 Elecstars Touch Bedside Lamp, Night Light with Bluetooth Speaker The Manual to Manhood: How to Cook the Perfect Steak, Change a Tire, Impress a Girl & 97 Other Skills You Need to Survive Marky Sparky Doinkit Darts, Kids Magnetic Dart Board Capture the Flag REDUX: The Original Glow-in-The-Dark Outdoor Game Wireless Bluetooth Beanie 
 VersionTECH. G2000 Stereo Gaming Headset

1. Gift Cards to Do “Stuff”

While this may seem like a cop-out on the shopping side and not a need, I disagree.

For one, as a parent of three kids, it can get expensive taking them fun places.

Because of these cards we have been able to do fun things with the kids even when we couldn’t afford it.

Museums, movies out, Redbox movies in or go out to lunch.    Mini-golf.  Roller skating.  Ice Skating.

When in doubt, what tween doesn’t like one of these…

What’s in your local area that tween boys like to do?

Family fun time is a necessity, and yes, I know there are so many things you can do for free.

Memories of these trips and the bonds they help create are important.

Even if there’s yelling and crying involved.

Or is that just us?

And by us I mean me.  LOL

But be honest,  we all love to go bowling, or to Chuck E. Cheese, okay well maybe not actually Chuck E. Cheese.

But everyone looks like the fun parent or the awesome gift-giver when we get to go places we might not normally be able to dish out for.

If you buy gifts for families with more than one kid, get either one big card for everyone or individual cards for each member.

Similarly, if you do store gift cards, all the same store can turn into a family gift.

We have pooled together gift cards to get one big family gift.  That’s fun too.

2. A Water bottle for the adventurous and sporty tween

 LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle

This water bottle is not inexpensive but having safe water is priceless.

If your tween likes to hike, camp, or play sports this is great because you can refill on the go without worrying about the quality of the water at its source.

3.  Sleeping bags make great gifts for tween boys

Buy on Amazon

Look for sales, look for coupons or go in with someone else.

But get a good one. You can see all the best ones available from Amazon here.

Done right, this gift can last a lifetime.

Whether your family camps or your kids get involved in scouts or goes on sleepovers or tents in the backyard.  Or heads off on a road trip with his girlfriend at 21.

A good sleeping bag is an awesome thing to have.  And the Wiggles one won’t last, neither will Toy Story.   Cheap bags are too small and not at all warm.

We also have another one by Northface bought back around 1995.  It’s still perfect.

Grab one of these ideas below to go with the sleeping bag for a great theme gift.

&

 Coleman Cooler Quad Portable Camping Chair Outdoorsman Lab Inflatable Sleeping Pad Coleman Stainless Steel Mess Kit The Boy’s Book of Adventure: The Little Guidebook for Smart and Resourceful Boys

4.  Kindle Fire is a gift loved by all ages

 All-New Fire 7 Tablet (7

We got these tablets last year.

Two of the kids and I have them.

It has saved fights over the TV.

Over Netflix.

Over the computer.

It has kept them busy at doctors’ offices.

On long car rides.

And have been used for learning apps.

For multiple years the kids had homework using one of these apps.

While I’m not promoting excessive screen use, these tablets are excellent.

They perform like an expensive tablet, with a nice price tag.

Always a great price, though we snagged them during Black Friday for $35.

They do offer a kids edition, however, we just have the regular one.

Ours came out before the version with Alexa, so I don’t have any opinion on that.

Regular websites are a bit slow, but we don’t use it for that.

Games, apps, and even Netflix work great.

The camera isn’t great but for just beginning with photos and video, the kids enjoy it.

 Fintie Silicone Case for All-New Amazon Fire HD 8 (Compatible with 7th and 8th Generation Tablets, 2017 and 2018 Releases Snug Play+ Kids Headphones Volume Limiting and Audio Sharing Port (Blue) Car Back Seat Organizer

Amazon has its own app store, it contains MOST apps you find on Google Play.

I use mine exclusively for reading.

46 Outstanding 5th Grade Reading Books That Are Lit

Not just for purchase, e-books can be “borrowed” from the library.

Don’t’ forget the volume-limited headphones or earbuds to go with it.

5. These solar lights are super cool gifts for tween boys

d.light S2 LED Task Light, Rechargeable Solar Lantern

 d.light A2 Portable Solar Light for Camping

 We have two of each of these at our house.

While we bought them for emergency use, the kids love them.

We have used them as night lights, bedside lights for camping, taken them on vacation, or used them for fun. These are a must-have for reading under the covers.

We bought them 12 years ago and they’re still just like new after tons of use!

6.  National Geographic Kids Almanac

 National Geographic Kids Almanac 2020 (National Geographic Almanacs)

I bought this book on a whim for my son years ago.

While he does really like it, my daughter loves it so much that the newest version has been on her wishlist for Christmas nearly every year since.

Right now we have two, but you better believe it will be under the tree again this year.

With a format of little tidbits, my tweens like to read it at bedtime and frequently spout off little facts…”Hey did you know…”

7. A ukulele is one of the hottest gifts for tweens

 Kala KA-15S Satin Mahogany Soprano Ukulele Bundle

We don’t have one of these yet, but we want one.   

***Update:  Okay, now we have one! 

My tweens love watching YouTube tutorials and fooling around learning how to play.

Music is an interest that can be a lifelong hobby.  

The ukulele has become quite popular with many age groups, but I think the size makes it much easier for kids than a guitar.

Our friend’s daughter has one and taught herself to play.

Within just a few months she can play quite a few adult popular songs and we have seen her live and via the internet.  

She does have a musical background and just turned 14 (so a bit older than the tween set).  

But she’s already amazing.

8. A trampoline is always a welcome gift in this age group

Maybe they’re in gymnastics or cheering or maybe they just like to jump around like any other kid.

How about getting a backyard trampoline?

**GIFTING TIP** Trampolines can be a risky endeavor so be sure the parents AND their insurance are okay with this gift before proceeding any further. 

And please always get a trampoline with sides.

2022 Buying Guide: How to Choose a Trampoline

9. How about a subscription box for year-round gifting

Does your tween boy love sports?

Get sports fun & training delivered monthly in a box from Sports Box!

Baseball, softball, basketball, hockey, football & soccer boxes customized for kids of all ages.  Boy and girl options as well as one-time gift boxes.

For more subscription box gifts for boys check out this post.

Check out these posts for more ideas for gifts for tween boys:

• 2022 Buying Guide: How to Choose a Trampoline
• 50+ Valentine Gifts for Girls
• 125+ Gifts for Teenage Girls
• Awesome Gifts for Tween Girls (some overlap)
• Awesome Gifts for Teen Boys  (some overlap)
• Subscription Boxes for Girls
• Gifts for Moms

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7 Cool Party Ideas for Tween Boys

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