I have a ten-year-old, and man, tweens are the worst people to shop for. Are they too old for dolls and toys? Are they too young for technical gizmos and clothes? No kid wants to open a gift card.
I've scoured the pitches, the Internet and the catalogs to find these five fun gift ideas for tween girls.
3Doodler
3Doodler, $99
Does your tween love to create but is so over the kiddie kits in the toy section? The 3Doodler lets her ideas become 3-D reality in a domain that's totally hers; the 3Doodler is not a toy appropriate for younger kids because it gets hot (in more ways than one).
Download stencils and ideas or turn her loose on her own. Also available (as are refills) at Michael's.
Young Architect
Young Architect by ALEX TOYS, $80
For the young HGTV or DIY fan, why not gift a 3-D set of walls and floors to renovate as often as she wants? And she'll learn the basic principles of architecture while she's at it.
The Young Architect kit comes with room templates, furniture guides, plastic walls and all kinds of stickers and fun stuff to color to make her designs special. The best part? She can use it over and over, alone or with her friends, and it packs flat.
Boodle Box
The Boodle Box subscription, $20/month
The Boodle Box is basically the tween version of the Jelly-of-the-Month club, except stuff a tween girl might want. You can do a one-time box for $25 or a 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription for $20/month. Each box contains fashion, beauty or artistic surprises.
Camelio Tablet
Camelio tablet, $60 and personality pack, $16 each
Got a Monster's High, Hello Kitty or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan on your hands? Or maybe more than one?
This workhouse 7" tablet runs Android 4.1 (JellyBean) and can be personalized with "personality packs" for up to five people. Personality packs are sold separately. Pop on the case and set the theme with a personality card. You can also strip off all the themes and use it as a spare for yourself.
Polka Dot Spa Wrap
Polka Dot Spa Wrap, $20
Let your tween use the bath towel for her hair and wrap herself in this plushy, knee-length spa wrap. Embroider it with her name or initial, and no brother or sister can ever swipe it. Hands off!
Rita Arens is the author of the young adult novel The Obvious Game& the deputy editor of BlogHer.com.
