23 Gifts for Tween Boys That Are Cool and Unusual
Updated: Apr. 08, 2024
Having a hard time finding the perfect gifts for tween boys in your life? We’re about to make your life a whole lot easier!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
The ultimate tween boy wish list
If you’re shopping for gifts for tween boys this year, you might be wondering when finding the perfect gifts for boys got so hard. Kids between the ages of 8 and 12 are in that twilight phase between their childhood and teen years, moving away from playing with cars and growing into the world of tech. That said, many of the best gifts for teens aren’t quite right for them yet, so you might be scratching your head.
From fascinating STEM toys to cool scooters that light up, these new-to-market gifts for kids are among the best Christmas toys you’ll find this year, but of course, they’re also perfect for birthdays, other holidays, and “just because” gift-giving occasions.
For other shopping challenges for little (and not-so-little) ones, check out our guides on the best gifts for toddlers and tween girls and all our very best gift ideas.
For adventurers: Huffy Valcon Mountain Bike
If you’re a kid, one of the best sights you’ll ever see is a brand-new bike topped with a big red bow. This cool HuffyValcon mountain bike provides a super smooth ride with rugged mountain details; a hi-ten steel frame offers sturdy support even if he’s a rough-and-tumble type. It’s one of the best gifts for tween boys thanks to a 20-inch size that makes riding a breeze.
For future engineers: KiwiCo Subscription
Keep your tween occupied all year ’round with this genius KiwiCo subscription. Each month, he’ll receive a surprise crate that contains an activity tailored to his interests and age, each designed to encourage curiosity and creativity. He’ll be creating a DIY flashlight and starting a vortex lab in no time—and yes, those are actual projects he might receive with KiwiCo.
For basketball players: GlowCity
There’s no reason his love of hoops has to quit when the sun goes down. This glow-in-the-dark GlowCity basketball makes it easy for him to see and play well after dusk. It’s surprisingly budget friendly, and because it’s one of the most popular Amazon Prime gifts for tween boys, it ships fast.
For the fan of family game night: Taco vs. Burrito Card Game
Load up his gift pile with the hysterically funny Taco vs. Burrito card game that will be a new family game night favorite. Add it to your collection of classic board games for a creative twist and watch his face light up. It’s a strategic multi-player game that only takes a few minutes to learn and is beloved by people of all ages. Plus, it’s a totally screen-free gift for kids!
For gamers: PowerA Moga Bluetooth Controller
The clever PowerA Moga XP5-i is a Bluetooth-enabled video game controller that works with Apple devices. It turns ordinary handheld video games into mind-blowing experiences he’ll brag to his friends about. While it’s one of the dreamiest gifts for tween boys, we think it also makes a great gift for men who love gaming.
For Pokémon trainers: Pokémon Go Elite Trainer Box
A strong belief that he’s got to “catch ’em all” means he’s ripe for this Pokémon Go trainer box. It comes with 10 Pokémon GO booster packs, 65 sleeves, a foil promo card and 45 energy cards that will rock his Pokémon-loving world. It’s one of the best gifts for tween boys who have graduated from Pikachu plushies and are ready for the next level of training.
For hikers: Merrell Nova 2 Sneakers
Tell him to go take a hike in these Merrell Nova 2 sneakers and he’ll happily oblige. They offer the comfort and support of Merrell’s best hiking shoes with added flair and tween-friendly colors. If you’re in the mood to coordinate, you can pick up some of the brand’s walking shoes for men as well.
For laptop users: Gamer Warning Laptop Sleeve
Whether he uses a Chromebook for school or loves his laptop for gaming at home, this witty laptop sleeve from Redbubble is a brilliant pick. It keeps one of his most important belongings safe thanks to foam padding and a zipped top. Most importantly, it gives a witty glimpse into his game-loving personality. That makes it a tween gift he’ll use and remember for years to come.
For neighborhood friends: Razor Sonic Glow Electric Scooter
He’ll roll around like his very own traveling concert on this electric Razor Sonic Glow scooter, which boasts LED lights and built-in speakers. The Bluetooth-enabled speakers can play whatever songs are on your kid’s playlist, while the LED lights on the steering column pulse along to the beat of the music. It can reach speeds up to 10 mph and hold a charge for about 55 minutes.
For tweens with stuff to shuffle around: State Kane Bike and Scooter Bag
Scooting around town means carrying important essentials. Whether it’s a few bucks to grab a slice of pizza, toys to share with friends or a few tissues, this brilliant Kane bike and scooter bag from State is a brilliant buy. It’s one of the most useful gifts for tween boys, and he’ll definitely use it year-round.
For dino dudes: SnowCandy T-Rex Snow Tube
He’ll come flying down the biggest, snowiest hill in the neighborhood in this SnowCandy snow tube shaped like a ferocious dinosaur. The funny, photo-realistic design makes it one of the best gifts for tween boys sandwiched between the all-dino-everything age and more mature teen years.
For soccer stars: Round Soccer Ball Rug
Deck out his room in this eye-catching round soccer ball rug with a bold five-foot diameter. It’s one of the best gifts for tween boys who never miss a practice or game. Classic black and white coloring makes it easy to coordinate in any bedroom or play space. Need more ideas? These are the best washable rugs for every room in your house.
For tweens with style: Kidpik Subscription Gift Box
Give the gift of style to the favorite boy in your life. Each personalized Kidpik subscription clothing box comes with seven mix-and-match items, including shoes. They’ll input details about their own personal preferences to customize their picks, making this one of the best subscription boxes for kids of all styles.
For movie buffs: Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector
He’ll have his very own movie theater in his pocket if you give him this palm-sized pocket projector from Kodak. Compatible with iPhones, iPads and Androids, it will project your tween’s favorite content in HD, whether it’s the big game or his favorite YouTube videos. Here are more tech gifts you’ll want to keep for yourself.
For gaming with friends: Madden NFL 23
If there’s one thing tween boys love, it’s their video games. Well, the new Madden 23 is here, and the graphics are so real that you’ll wonder if you’re actually watching a live NFL game. Your tween will love the new “home field advantage” feature, which gives their home team some extra momentum. Of course, a video game obsession doesn’t magically stop when boys are no longer tweens, so this could be a great gift for your brother, too.
For music lovers: Beats Flex Wireless Headphones
Perfect for remote learning or listening to his favorite tunes, these Beats headphones offer great sound at an affordable price. The earbuds are magnetic, and they play music automatically when they’re in your ears and stop playing it when they’re taken out. How well do they work? Pretty darn well, according to the 31,000-plus glowing five-star ratings on Amazon!
For singing tweens: Carpool Karaoke The Mic
Your tween can sing his heart out in the car, just like the celebs in the popular segment from “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” All you have to do is pair the Carpool Karaoke microphone with your car’s audio system and your child is ready for his moment. This would also make the perfect best friend gift for the right person.
For budding scientists: National Geographic Earth Science Kit
The best gifts for tweens are the ones where he’ll have fun while learning. (Shhhh, don’t tell him!) This National Geographic kit is packed with more than 15 scientific experiments. He’ll get to make a volcano erupt, grow crystals, generate a water tornado and more.
For out-of-this-world tweens: eVscope eQuinox Telescope
This sophisticated eVscope eQuinox telescope is the perfect gift for any budding astronomer. It’s easy to use and gives tweens and adults professional-grade views of other galaxies, the moon, planets—and maybe even some extraterrestrials.
It comes with its own carrying case and software to guide you through your sightings. No advanced training is required for this decidedly splurge-worthy piece. Expect it to be the newest family heirloom. You can also look to the stars for shopping inspiration with these astrology gifts that will seem tailor-made for everyone in your life.
For winter adventurers: BearPaw Drew Youth Hickory
These suede BearPaw boots will be his new favorite shoes, whether he’s chilling out at home or heading to school. And they’re not only super comfy—they also have NeverWet technology to repel water and keep his feet nice and dry. The brand also makes some of the best men’s slippers if you’re also shopping for Dad.
For eco-conscious: Nixon Light-Wave Watch
Buy a cool gift and reduce his carbon footprint in the process with this unique, eco-friendly watch. It’s totally powered by the sun and constructed from tide ocean plastics. It comes in four different colors and also makes a great gift for dad!
For optimists: Life Is Good Tee
Some people are born optimists. By the time they’re approaching middle school years, they’re already the ones spreading endless good vibes to friend groups and teams. Reward their positivity with this fun-to-wear Life Is Good tee that champions their message in a fun way that makes one of the cutest gifts for tweens. This affordable piece also makes one of the most uplifting stocking stuffer ideas.
For snowdays: Carter’s Snow Suit
He’ll play outside for hours on even the coldest days in this Carter’s color-blocked snow suit. A fleece-lined midweight jacket and a matching ski bib make it ideal for snowball fights, sleigh riding and ski trips. This matching set’s easy maintenance makes it one of the best gifts for tween boys planning to spend time at one of the best ski resorts. Available in kid sizes through 14, it also fits a variety of body types and styles.
