So after speaking with tweens, parents, game developers, bookstore owners, and toy specialists, we’ve gathered their top recommendations and separated them by type.
Jennifer Lynch, a content developer and toy-trends specialist at the Toy Association, says kids don’t actually play less as they enter their tween and teen years, rather, “how they play is really what changes.” As the mom of a tween boy myself, I’ve noticed my son’s most recent wishlists - which include collectible Funko Pops, Nintendo Switch accessories, and drawing supplies - usually fall into these categories, too. We’re sure plenty of adults wouldn’t mind those gifts, either, so here, we asked them to go beyond the obvious, including the games, activities, toys, tech, and books they’re hoping for, as well. But when we talked to a handful of tweens, we learned all they really wanted was to not be treated like children - meaning no one wants Legos, but lots want a PS5.
While they’re interested in a lot of the same things as 17-year-olds and even some adults, many of them still enjoy playing with plush toys. Tween boys (roughly ’ tween the ages of 9 and 12) straddle a real middle ground.
