On gifts for tweens, 9–12
Tweens hold opinions, and the gift has to survive them. This division files presents with a little independence built in: cameras, craft kits with real results, first grown-up objects and things to do with friends. Every pick is checked for age suitability and against the CPSC recall list. Trends move quickly at nine to twelve, so the Department reviews this edit each cycle and retires anything that has lost the room.
Jolly Approved
Peekimo Interactive Pet and Wearable Charm
A screen-free digital pet worn as a bag charm. Reacts to voice and touch and unlocks five games. One AAA battery, installed.
A pet that clips on and never needs walking.
Jolly Approved
The Woobles KPop Demon Hunters Rumi Crochet Kit
A beginner crochet kit for making a Rumi doll, with video tutorials. Rated 12+. Younger crafters will want a hand.
Rumi, crocheted by hand. Patience included in the box.
Jolly Approved
Bandai Tamagotchi Paradise
A handheld virtual pet with a zoomable world to raise characters across land, water and sky. Small parts.
Back after thirty years, and needier than ever.
Jolly Approved
Jazwares Pikachu Puppetronic
A 16-inch Pikachu hand puppet with a moving mouth, eyes and ears, lights and sounds. Takes 3 AAA batteries.
Pikachu, operated by hand. The audience reacts accordingly.
Jolly Approved
CrunchLabs The Crunchinator
Mark Rober’s hand-cranked crusher that multiplies a child’s force more than 30 times. Pinch risk. Supervise.
Thirty times the force. Crushed in the name of science.
Jolly Approved
LEGO Nike Dunk Trickshot
A 454-piece red Nike Dunk with a lever that launches it at a hoop.
Sneaker culture, rendered in brick. Shoots on target.
Jolly Approved
LEGO Olivia Rodrigo’s Flower Bouquet
Eleven buildable flowers with Olivia Rodrigo details: guitar petals, cherries and stars.
Eleven flowers. No watering required.
Jolly Approved
Stickerbox AI Sticker Printer
Hold the button, describe a picture, and it prints as a sticker in seconds. Uses AI image generation. Needs Wi-Fi, an app account and refills.
Say it. Print it. Stick it on everything.
Jolly Approved
Gui Gui Mega Slime Haul
Five textured slimes, tools, figurines and decoration packs. The most-listed toy of the season. Ingredients undisclosed. Wash hands after play.
The season’s most-listed toy. Hands to be washed afterwards.
Jolly Approved
Nike Tech Fleece Big Kids’ Hoodie
The full-zip Tech Fleece hoodie in big-kid sizes and eight colours. Runs snug. Size up.
The uniform of the school run, upgraded.
Jolly Approved
Lululemon Dual Pouch Wristlet
A wristlet with two detachable zip pouches, one of which works as a wallet. Small: each pouch is 4.5 by 2.8 inches.
Two pouches. One very organised tween.
Jolly Approved
Nike Giannis Immortality 5 SE
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature basketball shoe in big-kid sizes. Sizes run 3.5Y to 7Y.
Signature shoe. Signature moves sold separately.
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What "Jolly Approved" means
Every product here fits its maker's age rating for this division and has been checked against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database, along with the brand's recent recalls. Any caution worth knowing is on the card. The Department works from public information from manufacturers, retailers and the CPSC, and re-checks the edit every cycle; last reviewed .
Looking for gifts for a 9-, 10-, 11- or 12-year-old? This edit covers digital pets, LEGO, craft kits, slime, sneakers and style for an age group with firm opinions and fast-moving tastes.