Mints Holiday Gift Guide - Tweens and Teens
We recently polled our community of moms in technology for gift ideas for people of all ages in their lives. We got such an overwhelming response with so many good ideas, that we decided to compile them in a series of guides with options for all ages.
We hope we can help you simplify at least one small part of your holiday season with these easy-to-shop options that will help take the guesswork out of the “what to get” question that plagues us each year. Having tried and tested recommendations from moms definitely helps! We’ll start off with a few options for the younger set (that may still be hits with your teens) and continue with hits for teenagers.
Don’t miss our previous guides for the youngest kids from newborn to Kindergarten, and elementary schoolers that are already big hits with our community. Check back soon for our final guide for the adults, and don’t forget to treat them (or yourself) to something special this holiday season! Now, let’s jump into the gifts.
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Middle school is hard. But let’s face it, can’t most of us use a little extra snuggle time these days? Squishmallows were celebrated by moms as being popular with their tweens, and a great way to add a little cozy into your child’s day. We love this ramen and sushi set, but there are tons of other options - you’re sure to find one that will make your middle schooler smile!
Pony Bead Kits
If your tween is anything like mine, they’re obsessed with making bracelets and tiny animals out of pony beads to share with their friends. This kit will have them crafting for hours with everything they need to get started. Bonus, you may even end up with the sweetest gifts of your own from this creative screen-free activity!
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
This interactive card game is not only reasonably priced and easy to pack for trips, but it’s also celebrated by moms as a hilarious way to get your kids off their devices and laughing. Fast-paced and fun, the game requires full attention along with fully hilarious body movements. A fantastic stocking stuffer for tweens or teens!
Fidget Ball Spinner
Another great stocking stuffer, this spinning ball is great for anyone who likes a good fidget toy. Aesthetically pleasing, it will dress up any desk and have your kids’ friends saying “oh cool, can I see that?” Grab one or two to help add some chill to the holiday season!
Universal Yums Subscription
Take your child’s tastebuds on a trip around the world with a Universal Yums subscription box. These interactive gifts send a big package of snacks from a specific country each month along with sheets for tasting notes, stickers, and maps that make exploring not only educational but delicious. A huge hit with our community, these are a great idea for people who want to give an “experience” rather than things.
Holiday Gift Card Book
Another idea for those who wish to give experiences rather than things, these gift card books were celebrated by moms as a good way to gift several gift cards at once, perhaps around a specific theme. Grab some gift cards from your tween’s favorite restaurants and snack spots, or give some practical gift cards for gas stations and grocery stores for teens who’ve recently left the nest. This is a great way to make gift cards more fun.
Ballpark Bucket List
Do you have a little baseball fan in your life? Continue the momentum of an exciting World Series season with this Ballpark Bucket List journal. Your child can track the ballparks they’ve visited, sharing thoughts and notes about what it was like to be there. A great keepsake, why not pair it with tickets to a spring opener in a ballpark near you for the ultimate fan’s dream gift?
Fjallraven Mini Backpack
These mini backpacks were celebrated by our moms community as trendy, practical, and popular with their middle and high schoolers. They come in a number of different color options, and can be easily personalized with buttons and patches to make them unique.
Woobles
Crocheting is making a comeback with kids, and these Woobles kits include everything you need to get started making your own fuzzy friend. They come in a variety of designs and were praised by our community as being easy to follow and fun to make.
Cricut Starter Bundle
A special gift for older teens, our moms recommended a Cricut starter set for children who love to create. With everything they need to bring their designs to life on real-world products, this is a great gift that will offer hours of entertainment for crafty teens.
Pet Paint by Number
For your animal-loving teen, nothing beats a custom pet portrait that they can paint themselves. This kit comes with all that’s needed to turn their beloved pet into an original work of art!
Custom Pet Sweatshirt
Another surefire hit for the pet-loving kids in your life, this custom embroidered sweatshirt will bring your family pet to life. A thoughtful made-to-order gift that will let your teen celebrate their love for their dog or cat, these unique designs are sure to inspire happy tears when they’re opened on the holiday! (Hint, order soon to ensure delivery in time for the holidays.)
Hydroponic Garden
Your science-minded teen will love learning to grow their own food with a hydroponic garden kit. Controlled via app, this set will help take indoor growing to the next level, providing plants with the perfect amount of life. The LED lighting system ensures quick growth, making this a satisfying, educational, and delicious gift!
Vintage CD Player
Teens these days have been turning toward vintage tech, and music is no exception! This portable CD player with a funky record player look is a super fun gift for your music-obsessed child. Pair it with a few CDs, or a gift card to allow them to choose from the stacks at a thrift store to build their music collection.
Webcam Cover
It’s never too early to start talking to tweens and teens about cybersecurity. Grab this webcam cover as a stocking stuffer and include a discussion about data protection. It wouldn’t be Moms in Tech without some technology tie-in!
Classic Book Set
One of our members shared the fantastic idea of getting your teens into classic books with beautifully bound versions of timeless novels. Whether it’s Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, or any number of other options, gift your teen a library of old favorites to help spark or continue a love of reading that will serve them throughout their lives.
Hope you’ve found inspiration in these picks and you’ve found something to help streamline your holiday shopping! Stay tuned for the guide for adults, coming soon!