toys

We’ve rounded up the best gifts for babies, toddlers and kindergarteners, now we’re bringing you a gift guide for the first year of a child’s double digits — 10-year-olds!

Also known as “tweens,” 10-year-olds are just a few years away from their teenage years and refining their interests every day, making gift-giving the perfect time to capitalize on their newfound interests and passions.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a few new toys and games to change things up during playtime or a family friend who has no idea what to buy a 10-year-old for their next birthday party, we’ve rounded up the best options according to toy experts, librarians and even a few recommendations from real-life moms, to make things easier.

Since “besties” are prominent during this age, finding gifts that they can share with their friends is always a plus, too. Board games, collaborative crafts, LEGOs are all great avenues to go in.

“They’re starting to spend more time with their friends and a bit less time with their parents, and their activities reflect this shift. 10-year-olds engage in a range of activities with their friends, from organized sports to video games to hanging out and talking,” Dr. Katie Davis, Associate Professor at the University of Washington Information School, Director of the UW Digital Youth Lab and author of “Technology’s Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up,” told the New York Post.

By age 10 they’re ready for more sophisticated board games, read on their own, work independently on school projects and can figure out how to fix mistakes without talking to mom or dad but it’s important to note that not every child’s development grows at the same speed.

“Some 10-year-olds are on the cusp of early adolescence, whereas others are very much still doing things they did at 8 and 9-years-old,” Davis said. “Some 10-year-olds will be happy playing with the toys of their younger siblings; others will be more interested in leaving behind their childhood toys for activities and toys  (though they may not call them ‘toys’) they associate with tweens and teens.”

The following gifts have all been hand-picked by experts, so rest assure you’re in good hands to find the perfect gift they’ll love. For more information about the…