The 40 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds, According to Parents and Experts

Stumped on what gift to buy that special 10-year-old in your life? The first step is to consider where they are developmentally. Kids in the preteen years are in what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls “middle childhood,” which is marked by a focus on peer relationships, increasing independence and desires for responsibility, and newfound interests—all of which can be fostered by the right gift. For instance, STEM-based toys can build self-confidence and new skills, a child-appropriate smartwatch can help grant independence in a parent-approved way, and early makeup kits for kids can help foster self-expression.

Every child is different, but to help you find the best gifts for 10-year-olds, we scoured and researched the best-selling toys, visited toy fairs, and surveyed close to 900 parents from our research panel and staff to curate this guide.

Our Favorite Toys for 10-Year-Olds

Shop more of our editor-approved gifts and toys on Amazon.

Arts and Crafts for 10-Year-Olds

If you notice that the "arts and crafts" category of our gift guide has the most recommendations, that's because creative gifts are ideal for 10-year-olds. Kids in this age range are budding with creativity, can handle more advanced crafting skills like beading and bracelet-making, and are learning more about expressing themselves individually.

IQ 10 Pack Gel Pens

Amazon IQ LEGO Stationery 10 Pack Gel Pens

$33 at Amazon $28 at Target

Super Smalls Entrepreneur Bead Kit

$75 at Amazon View on Supersmalls.com View on Shopdanrie.com

Crayola Ultimate Light Board

$25 $20 at Amazon $20 at Walmart $33 at Office Depot

STMT Stationery Set

Amazon STMT D.I.Y. Artist Stationery Set

$17 at Amazon View on Sears.com

BIC Tattoo Marker

$30 $15 at Amazon

Kiss Naturals DIY Lip Balm Kit

$25 at Amazon $25 at Etsy

Gionlion Bracelet Kit

Amazon Gionlion 5,200-Piece Friendship Bracelet Kit

$9 at Amazon

AOSTAR LED Photos Clips String Lights

$7 at Amazon

Elmer’s All-Star Slime Kit

$40 at Amazon $40 at Walmart

Tangerine Plaster Kit

View on Tangerineartkits.com

Crazy Aaron's Super Scarab Thinking Putty

$15 at Amazon

3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set

$50 $42 at Amazon $50 at Target $50 at Best Buy

Learning and STEM Toys for 10-Year-Olds

Not only are STEM toys a helpful way to introduce high-level tech concepts like coding, but they can also provide fun opportunities for kids to connect with their peers—an important milestone at this age. And if you're on the millennial side of parenting, you may even be able to teach your kid a thing or two when you introduce them to the fun of Tamagotchi.

Tamagotchi Uni

$60 $42 at Amazon $104 $42 at Walmart View on Entertainmentearth.com

Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet

$30 $24 at Amazon $25 at Target $30 $24 at Walmart

Elenco Mechanical Coding Robot

Amazon Snap Circuits Teach Tech Mech 5, Mechanical Coding Robot

$50 $29 at Amazon $29 at Walmart $58 at Staples

Canal Toys Photo Creator Instant Camera

$60 $54 at Amazon $87 at Walmart

Crunch Labs Build Box Subscription

View on Crunchlabs.com

National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit

$60 at Amazon $79 at Walmart $60 at Walmart

National Geographic Microscope Science Lab

$40 at Amazon $40 at Walmart $50 at Michaels

Thames & Kosmos Lollipop Lab

$22 $15 at Amazon $15 at Walmart

4M Solar System Planetarium Kit

$16 $13 at Amazon $21 at Walmart $22 at Wayfair

Abacus Brands Bill Nye VR Space Lab

$60 at Amazon $60 at Walmart View on Abacusbrands.com

Pretend Play

Pre-teens are teetering between the world of little kids and big kids, but let them be little for just a while longer by encouraging pretend play whenever possible. Plus, imaginative play can get on their level, with engaging toys like a working claw machine, blind pack toys, and even their own makeup set to start experimenting with their look. Or take pretend play to the next level and bake delicious (real) cake pops with a baking kit designed for kids.

Building Toys for 10-Year-Olds

We're a big fan of building toys for kids because they're gender-neutral, encourage both focus and creativity, and provide nearly limitless re-building opportunities. Legos are always a hit with kids in this age group, but we also provided more buildable options.

Sports and Outdoor Toys for 10-Year-Olds

We support getting—or gifting—any toy that gets our kids up and moving. And you're definitely going to want to join your 10-year-old on a backyard expedition to try out their new metal detector—who knows? You might just find a whole trove of hidden treasures together!

National Geographic Metal Detector Starter Kit

$50 at Amazon $70 $50 at Target

Micro Kickboard Sprite LED Scooter

$110 at Amazon $140 at Bloomingdales

Lifetime Portable Basketball System

Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System

$230 at Amazon $200 at Walmart $194 at Home Depot

EastPoint Sports Easy Setup Badminton Set

$50 $44 at Amazon

Board Games and Puzzles

Board games and puzzles can be a helpful way to engage and connect with tweens before they fully cross over to the world of smartphones and screens. Whether you're buying a new puzzle or board game, having the opportunity to play and laugh together always feels like a gift.

Dolphin Hat Games Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

$10 at Amazon $10 at Target $13 $10 at Walmart

Hasbro Gaming Twister Air Game

$20 $11 at Amazon $13 at Target $8 at Kohls.com

Ravensburger Puzzle With Light

Amazon Ravensburger Ball Globe Puzzle With Light

$80 $60 at Amazon

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Barbie Edition

Amazon Monopoly: Barbie Edition Board Game

$25 $18 at Amazon $25 $18 at Walmart View on Toywiz.com

Our Review Process

To choose the best gifts for 10-year-olds, we surveyed 774 parents from our research panel and 101 parents and caregivers on our staff to find their kids’ favorites, all while checking out the latest offerings at various toy fairs and press events throughout the year. We also spoke to the following experts during our research to make sure our picks lined up with 10-year-olds’ developmental and educational needs:

Anne Huntington, research assistant at the nonprofit Education Development Center
Joy Lorenzo Kennedy, PhD, a developmental psychologist and researcher at the Education Development Center

How to Choose the Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds

10-year-old kids are hitting just as many developmental milestones as their older and younger peers. When shopping for a gift for these preteens, keep these age-related changes and stages in mind.

Increased independence and responsibility: At this age, kids can handle more advanced tasks and responsibilities, so you can choose gifts that require more attention and care, like intricate craft sets and electronic toys.
Peer-to-peer relationships: Many 10-year-olds are building key relationships and coping with peer pressure, so gifts and toys that foster their own skill set and interests can help them navigate the tough world of middle school. Encouraging kids to follow their own interests can also help support their increasing independence and foster self-confidence, suggests Dr. Kennedy.
Physical changes. Puberty, which can start as early as 8 for some children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), brings a lot of changes, like growth spurts and necessary weight gains, to 10-year-olds brains and bodies. Gifts that get children moving or encourage the whole family to play together are great ways to encourage physical and mental at any age and help kids get the recommended one hour of physical activity per day.

Safety: Just because choking hazards are no longer a concern doesn’t mean you don’t need to consider safety at all. 10-year-olds still aren’t quite ready to handle things like motorized vehicles or even violent video games, says Huntington, but safety gear related to preferred activities (like bike helmets and soccer shin guards) can make great gifts that also promote safety and independence.
Educational Value: 10-year-olds are learning about socialization through play, too, notes Dr. Kennedy, and gifts like board games can help kids socialize. Meanwhile, puzzles encourage logic and critical thinking, and gifts like crayons, paint sets, or knitting supplies offer opportunities for imagination and interaction.
Trends and Gender Norms: Dr. Kennedy points out that there are plenty of gender-neutral gift options available, from Lego sets to sports equipment to games, but it’s always best to follow a child’s lead when possible: “Use their interests, not society’s norms, to decide what to gift,” she recommends.

Who We Are

Sarah Bradley is a Parents writer who lives in Connecticut with her husband and three sons. As a homeschooling mom with kids ages 9 through 14, she understands the importance (and challenge!) of finding that “just right” gift when shopping for kids who fall into the “middle childhood” age range.

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