Shopping for tween boys can be tricky. They’re getting too old for certain toys (Mom! That’s for babies!) but aren’t quite ready to leave childhood behind.
Thankfully, I have an 11-year-old boy in my household who has very strong opinions about what makes a good gift!
This list includes some of his all-time favourites, along with practical gifts, games, books, and sports equipment. Most of these items have been used and loved in our household for years.
And, as always, don’t overlook secondhand options! We’ve found quite a few of these items at thrift stores. This guide can be just as useful for generating ideas for your next thrifting adventure as it is for online shopping.
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*All prices are in USD and reflect pricing as of publication in November 2026.
1. LEGO Technic | $47
Both boys in my household love LEGO. John collects Star Wars sets, and Indy collects cars.
Last Christmas, we gave Indy this LEGO Technic Bugatti, and he loves displaying it in his room.
LEGO is one of those gifts that never gets old in our household.
2. Birkenstock Boston Clogs | $170
Indy was DESPERATE for a pair of these clogs.
We’ve made a tradition of giving each of our kids a special gift to mark certain milestones in their lives, and when Indy’s turn came around, Birkenstock Boston clogs were his pick.
They’re not cheap, but they’re all the rage and very high quality. Bonus: I can fit into them, so if he sizes out, I will inherit them. Yes, please.
3. Percy Jackson Book Series | $30
Indy and I have been reading the Percy Jackson series together over the last few months, and he is SUCH a fan. (I have to admit, I greatly prefer Harry Potter.)
If you’re shopping for a tween who enjoys adventure, mythology, and plenty of action, this is a great option.
You can buy the Percy Jackson series as a set, which makes a lovely gift. (There are hardcover editions available, too, though they’re pricier.)
4. Soccer Ball | $15
Self-explanatory!
A soccer ball is a classic gift for an active tween boy. Perfect for the backyard, park, or an impromptu game with friends. (Insert most other sporting equipment: a portable badminton/volleyball/pickleball net! his dream trampoline… not happening!)
5. Rock Tumbler | $90
Indy has been enamoured with rocks in recent years. He loves finding them, collecting them, and learning about them.
A few years ago, we bought him this rock tumbler for Christmas. It’s a fun addition to any rock enthusiast’s repertoire and gives them a chance to transform their “treasures” into polished stones.
6. Telestrations | $32
This is such a fun game to play with a group of kids!
In case you’re unfamiliar, Telestrations is basically a combination of drawing (Pictionary) and the telephone game. You don’t need to be artistic to play (in fact, the worse your drawing skills, the funnier the results tend to be).
This is a great option for family game nights, birthday parties, and sleepovers.
7. Tech Deck Fingerboards | $37 (10-pack)
These seem to cycle in and out of popularity, but they’re small (which I love!) and fun. Indy has a sizeable collection.
A Tech Deck set is a relatively inexpensive gift that can provide plenty of entertainment without taking up much space. (He’s also been gifted Tech Deck building sets before, which he found to be a lot of fun.)
8. Laser Tag Set | $95
We bought a laser tag set secondhand years ago, and it has provided hours of fun.
Anytime there’s a group of tween boys over, laser tag (along with Nerf guns) is in high demand.
We highly recommend a laser tag set, and this one comes with great reviews!
9. Guinness World Records Book | $18
Indy LOVES reading about Guinness World Records.
I guess I have to admit there is something endlessly fascinating about the biggest, fastest, strangest, and most unusual things in the world.
The latest edition of the Guinness World Records book is a great gift for curious kids who enjoy browsing facts and pictures.
10. Cash (and a Cash Box) | $20 (for the cash box…)
Cold. Hard. Cash.
My kids always like receiving money and having autonomy over their purchasing decisions.
Indy particularly enjoys tracking his cash. He currently keeps it in a wallet, but I thought a little cash box like this would be a fun way to store his savings.
11. Video Game Controller Ornament | $11
This is a holiday-specific suggestion, but it’s the ornament we gave Indy last year.
He loves video games (specifically Minecraft), and I thought this video game controller ornament was adorable. He really liked it! And I feel like it accurately captures a very real interest in his life right now.
I always try to give ornaments that reflect the kids’ current interests. They’re a fun way to capture a little snapshot of each stage of childhood. Since the kids will take their collections with them when they move out (they’ve each gotten a new ornament every Christmas since birth), decorating their own Christmas trees will be a walk down memory lane.
12. Fishing Scale and Measuring Tape | $10
This gift will appeal to a niche market, but if you’re buying for someone who loves to fish, it’s a great option.
This fishing scale also has a built-in measuring tape! Perfect for weighing and measuring the day’s catch. Indy-approved!
13. Over-the-Door Basketball Hoop | $35
We bought Indy an over-the-door basketball hoop years ago, and it has been one of the most-used toys in our house.
HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS have been spent shooting baskets.
I can’t find the exact brand we own online (we bought ours at a local store), but this over-the-door basketball hoop looks very comparable.
This is an excellent option for active kids, especially when the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor play.
14. Mini Hockey Nets | $44 (2 nets + 2 sticks)
Ditto for mini hockey nets!
We found ours at a thrift store, so I’m linking to a similar set of mini hockey nets.
Indy uses them for both indoor soccer and mini sticks. They’re lightweight, easy to move around, and have provided countless hours of entertainment.
15. LEGO Classic Bricks | $64
Back to LEGO!
While themed sets are fun, at the end of the day, Indy often prefers making his own creations.
And for that, you need BRICKS.
A box of LEGO Classic bricks provides endless possibilities and is a great way to supplement an existing LEGO collection.
16. Boogie Board Writing Tablet | $30
This one is a bit of a stretch since our kids didn’t use these extensively, but we found some Boogie Boards at a thrift store, and they worked very well for doodling. A few weeks ago, I watched a toddler entertaining himself with one at church, and it reminded me of how well these work.
Eventually, one migrated to our fridge, where it became a handy spot for writing lists.
A Boogie Board writing tablet is lightweight, reusable, and doesn’t require a constant supply of paper!!! And no ink to get all over fingers and clothes.
17. Cozy Bathrobe | $20
Indy loves being cozy. (As do I…)
He wears a robe (or, as we learned from Rachel when we were in Wales, a “dressing gown”) almost every day.
I always find his robes secondhand, but this plush bathrobe looks especially wintry and cozy and has great reviews.
18. Wallet with AirTag Holder | $35
Speaking of cash…
Indy doesn’t have a debit card yet, so if he’s taking his allowance somewhere to spend, he’s bringing it in a wallet.
John owns something similar to this wallet with an AirTag holder, and I think it’s SO smart to have a way to track a wallet.
Trust me… tween boys are not always the most reliable when it comes to remembering where they’ve put their belongings.
Note: AirTags need to be purchased separately!!
19. Lap Desk | $29
Again, we found ours at a thrift store, but this time it was the exact brand I’m recommending!
I’ve used a lot of pillow desks (as I grew up calling them) over the years, and the Sofia + Sam brand is definitely the highest quality I’ve tried.
We use our Sofia + Sam lap desk ALL THE TIME. (While I’m typing these words, I can see it in my peripheral vision!)
It’s great for reading, writing, using a laptop, or working on projects while sitting comfortably on the couch or in bed.
20. Nerf Howler | $20
Such a fun, easy gift.
The Nerf Howler is easy to throw (would work for much younger kids, too), makes a silly noise as it flies through the air, and is small and compact enough to toss into a bag when heading to the park or beach.
A great option for kids who love being active outdoors.
Your turn:
- Do you have a tween boy in your life? What gifts have been especially popular?
- Did you have a favourite toy or game when you were 10–12 years old?
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