32 Gifts for Tween Boys That They’ll Actually Find *Cool*

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Tweens are those individuals that fall between child and teenager — think between the ages of 9 and 12. The concept of a “tween” encapsulates this super fun and awkward stage of not being a grown-up, but 100% thinking you are (until it’s time to take out the trash or clean the kitchen, of course).

But if you ask us, tweens get a bad rap. The truth is, this can be an exciting time not just for them, but also for you, the adults in their life. Though it’s not all sunshine and roses, the other side of the surly, salty coin of tweendom is a brain bursting with new ideas and a kid ready for a new range of experiences and adventures.

We’ve put together a list of gifts for tween boys that they’ll actually find useful. That doesn’t mean you can’t opt for a classic pair of socks, but there are other options out there that’ll strike their fancy. Also, let’s be honest: When you asked them what they wanted, they either said “I don’t know” or ticked off a whole bunch of items that require payment plans. We tried to balance things we know are popular with tween boys — gaming, sports, and electronics — with gifts that will expand their horizons while keeping them engaged. Happy shopping!

Dual Shot Sport

For the tween boys who like sports, this arcade-style basketball hoop game will be a slam dunk. Players can choose between 10 different modes to play with family and friends when the competitive itch strikes. The battery-powered hoop set can be used indoors on a rainy day or outside during the summer and is made with durable steel and nylon designed to last for years ahead.

Axe Throwing Target Set

Release your tween boy’s inner Viking or ninja with this set. Throw (plastic!) axes at the bristled target, solo or against a friend. The set includes three throwing axes and a bristle target board.

Mobile Battery Grip with Wireless Shutter Button

Many tween boys are constantly on their phones, whether that’s texting friends or playing video games. The SnapGrip allows for a comfortable and secure grip on a smartphone and can prevent accidental drops.

Its built-in battery can be used as a tripod perfect for filming TikTok videos while simultaneously providing the device with extra juice for long-term use.

The Original Human Dog Bed

Everyone loves sleep, especially tween boys who are out playing with their friends, doing homework, or just enjoying life. This larger-than-life dog bed is designed for humans with a vegan fur exterior and a 360-degree supportive plush pillow bolster for optimal comfort. Plus, there’s a side pocket big enough to hold those nighttime essentials, like a Nintendo Switch or favorite book, for easy access.

The Supersized Gel Blaster Surge XL

Let the games begin! Tweens can get their competitive juices flowing with this supersized gel blaster. They can select from three modes — single shot, triple round burst, and auto and can reach targets up to 150 feet away. Additionally, it can be connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone for real-time updates and feedback on accuracy and technique for a more optimal playing experience.

Neon Effect Frame

For the tween boy who wants to keep the status of having the best bedroom decor, this neon effect frame is the perfect gift. With three bright pens, individuals can jot down thoughts, messages, and other fun doodles to put on display when illuminated. They can even have friends write on it for a collaborative activity so everyone can join in on the fun.

The Body Spray

Tween boys with active lifestyles and hormone changes might start to sweat more — and that’s okay. This body spray can help get rid of unwanted body odor with ingredients like aloe vera, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and zinc, and leave them with a refreshing citrus scent.

It’s small enough to fit in a backpack or gym bag for easy access after sports practice, when a quick refresh may be warranted.

Reusable Under Eye Sunblock Patches

This is a more practical gift for tween boys who spend a lot of time out in the sun, whether that’s playing football or going to the beach. These patches work to block 98 percent of the sun’s rays and stay put for hours at a time on the bridge of the nose or under the eyes.

Shocktato Party Game

Tweens are usually interested in participating in the latest trends, especially ones that are good riffs on a throwback, and the Shocktato is one of them.

Pass along the toy (hot) potato and wait in anticipation for a jolt that leaves players laughing and smiling. This game is perfect for birthday parties, game nights, or hang-out sessions where an element of surprise is needed.

Bluetooth Hat Beanie

This stylish and functional beanie is ideal for tween boys who want to listen to music on the go without headphones.

With Bluetooth connectivity, they can connect it to their smartphone or other electronic devices to take calls and play their favorite tunes. Plus, the headphones are removable, so they can be tossed into the washing machine for an easy clean.

Super 3D Pen

3D printing is the latest craze among kids and tweens alike and this pen combines creativity with technology together for a fun and easy activity. It comes with a silicone drawing surface to bring designs to life, 10 colorful filaments, and a variety of nozzles to alternate between to prevent unwanted clogs and snags.

Mini Portable Personal Fridge

Many tweens want to foster a sense of independence and a mini fridge is the ideal way to do that. Made to fit up to six cans, this plug-in fridge can be placed in a game room or bedroom for easy access with the lift of a finger. It’s available in four different colors (red, white, pink, and green) and uses thermoelectric technology to help conserve energy.

Mobile Gaming Controller

Compatible with any iPhone, the Backbone controller allows your tween to play hundreds of titles on a variety of gaming services, including Apple Arcade, Xbox Game Pass, and more.

Add games to your library and record, edit, and share gameplay directly through the Backbone app. You can even voice chat with friends as you play!

More: Cool Gift Ideas for Gamers

Scratch Map

The world is opening up to your tween these days. Why not mark the occasion with this map? On its own, it’s a handsome decoration for any room, but as they travel more, they can scratch off the various states and countries they've visited for an increasingly vibrant, constantly evolving, interactive, conversation-starting piece!

Bean Bag Chair

Perfect for the living room or their bedroom, this super-soft bean bag chair is filled with just the right amount of fluffy, lightweight beans for a comfortable gaming, reading, TV, or homework spot.

As beans compress over time (it happens), keep the seat cozy (and reduce waste) by refilling the shell. New beans are sold separately.

Fleece Hoodie

For the perfect combination of comfort, quality, durability, and design, you can’t do better than The North Face. Just ask folks who live in places with harsh winters — we’ll tell you!

We love this quirky hoodie and its decal-type graphics on the sleeves. A tween boy can never have too many hoodies!

Here to Slay

This fast-paced role-playing card game is as brutal as it is adorable! You and up to five friends are bands of heroes who must gather all different card types into your hand to win… or, you can use your cards to defeat three monsters. Easy to learn, but delightfully frustrating to conquer.

Obstacle Course

Perfect for the tween boy who wants to blow off steam outside or down in the basement, this assortment of obstacles is all he’ll need to build strength and coordination — or just have fun.

The set comes with two slack lines and various accessories and obstacles. With a weight limit of up to 600 pounds, he can even invite over a few friends!

Architecture Tokyo Skyline Set

This isn’t a little-kid Lego set. We love this beautiful kit with true-to-form models of real Tokyo landmarks, including Tokyo Tower, Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo Skytree, Chidorigafuchi Park, Shibuya Crossing, and more. Each landmark is scaled to give an accurate representation of the comparative size of each.

MLB Stadium Illustration Poster

Whether your tween likes the old-time charm of Fenway Park, the modern grandeur of Yankee Stadium, or just baseball in any way they can get it, this frameable piece of art by Seth and Maddy Lucas is a perfect tribute to America’s pastime.

With all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums artfully rendered, this poster is a great addition to their (probably messy) room.

Exploding Kittens Card Game

The hilarious illustration and captions on the cards are half the fun in this Russian Roulette-esque game. Players draw a series of cards to control the action of the game with one goal in mind: Don’t pick up the Exploding Kitten. If you do, don’t worry! There are defuse cards, but use them wisely.

Crate Subscription

With this monthly subscription box, your tween boy will have a chance to try hands-on projects that promote timeless skills like wood carving, basket weaving, and even scrimshaw. Each crate includes all the materials they’ll need, including reusable tools and easy-to-follow instructions.

Bears vs. Babies Card Game

From the creators of The Oatmeal and Exploding Kittens, this game is all about building hideous monsters who eat delicious babies! (Don’t worry: The babies are awful.) It sounds scary (and disturbed), but it’s actually family fun for two to five players. Highly strategic and hilarious, each game only takes about 20 minutes.

Hover Soccer Ball

A cushion of air helps this contraption glide on hardwood, tile, short carpets, and even asphalt. It’s perfect for practicing fancy footwork when you can’t make it to the field (and for helping ensure he doesn’t kick a soccer ball in the house and knock over that fragile family heirloom… again).

Foosball Table

Doesn’t it feel like we all had that one friend with a foosball table in their basement when we were growing up? Every time you went, that’s what you wanted to play. Why not give your tween boy the chance to be that friend? This table set has 10 options for friendly competition, from foosball to pool to ping pong.

Gaming Chair

Online gamers are often a tween boy’s favorite celebrities, and what do they all have in common (other than millions of followers on YouTube)? A sick gaming chair.

Optimally designed for comfort as well as style, they’ll take their gaming to the next level — or at least feel pretty cool.

Camera Drone

Your tween boy will get to explore from above with this mini drone. Equipped with an HD camera, it captures pictures and live video and can even stream beautiful scenery in real-time.

Voice and gesture control make it easy to use, with commands like “take off” and “landing.”

Poker Set

Everyone should know how to play poker, and it’s probably about time your young man learned. This handsome set includes 300 high-quality chips in five different colors, a deck of playing cards, a dealer button, two betting buttons, and five poker dice in a sleek, aluminum carry case.

Wireless Earbuds

These noise-canceling, waterproof Bluetooth earbuds can be charged for up to 5 hours of battery life and controlled with a simple touch.

Recharge in the carry case, which holds 80 hours of charge time, conveniently displays charge levels, and can also be used for phones and other devices.

Calm 300-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Nothing soothes the mind and encourages concentration while having fun quite like a puzzle. For added relaxation, this puzzle pairs via the Calm app (a 30-day trial subscription is included with purchase), which provides an accompanying soundscape or meditation to listen to while putting it together. Perfect for the tween boy.

“Wringer” by Jerry Spinelli

Every year in Palmer’s town, 10-year-old boys serve as “wringers” at the Family Fest pigeon shoot — assistants who snap the necks of injured birds. Palmer doesn’t want to hurt pigeons but doesn’t feel as though he can break the tradition. A beautiful exploration of toxic masculinity and compassion, Wringer is a must-read for tween boys.

Junior Archery Set

Archery is a fun, time-honored hobby that requires patience, concentration, and practice. This set from outdoor experts L.L.Bean comes with everything your kid will need to start hitting bullseyes, including a beautifully designed recurve bow, three arrows, a hip quiver, armguard, and even a paper target.

“Feed” by M.T. Anderson

Titus is a teenager who, like everyone else in his world, doesn’t have to read, write, or even think for himself, since his brain has been connected to the “feed” (the internet, basically) his entire life.

Well, almost everyone: Violet is plugged into the feed as well, but she also cares about the real world, and she’s making him care, too.

'Wicked Comfy' Pajamas

Whether you’re from New England and want to celebrate that proud heritage or just want to get in on New Englanders’ unique brand of coziness and charming colloquialisms, these pajamas are perfect. And since they come in a wide variety of kid and toddler sizes, they’re perfect for cheesy, matching outfit holiday photos!

Hookey Board

Beloved by Australians, Hookey is a classic ring-toss game that can be played solo, in pairs, or on teams. It’s kind of like darts, only we don’t entirely trust tween boys throwing pointy objects, so everyone can enjoy this game in complete comfort! This set includes a carry case for fun anywhere you go.

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