If you've been holding out on getting your tween a phone, a smartwatch is a good alternative. It's a great way for them to stay connected without all the distractions of a smartphone. At a starting price of $249, the newApple Watch SE 3 costs considerably less than the Series 11, but offers many of the same features, including the powerful S10 chip, sleep scores and wrist temperature sensing.

Create a fun, chill space for your tween with these affordable LED strip lights. Set them on a solid color or rotate through different hues on rainbow mode. You can also sync them to music. I purchased one and ended up buying a second strip for my son's room because he loves them that much. They come with an app, but my kid prefers to use them with Alexa for voice control.

AirPods are a tween staple. The AirPods 4 feature a slightly smaller design and better sound than their predecessor, according toCNET's David Carnoy. Apple offers two models of the AirPods 4, the cheaper, entry-level version for $129, and the step-up earbuds with noise cancellation for $179.

Available in multiple colors, JBL's smallest Bluetooth speaker is durable, dust-proof and has an IP67 water-resistance rating, which means it can survive being submerged in water. Despite its small size (it actually fits in a large pocket), it sounds better than you might think. All in all, it's one of thetop micro Bluetooth speakers out there.

The Switch 2 is a splurge, but it's not as expensive as the PS5 or Xbox Series X, and it's easier to travel with. It offers endless entertainment, with games including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World. It's fun for adults, too.Read our review of the Nintendo Switch 2.

If the tween in your life is into PC gaming, level up their toolbox with a gaming keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL is our favorite budgetgaming keyboard, thanks to its durability, quiet switches and eight lighting zones. Bonus: It's IP32 water-resistant, so it won't matter if your tween is a chronic spiller.

Any gamer will tell you that three things are key in a headset: comfort, battery life and sound quality. HyperX's Cloud Alpha Wireless headset wins in all three categories, according to CNET gaming hardware expert Lori Grunin. You can find more of hergaming headset recommendations here.

VR is becoming popular among kids and the Meta Quest 3 is ourtop pick for the best VR headset for 2026. Kids can do more than just play Gorilla Tag. They can also play table tennis, golf, take piano lessons and even "attend" their favorite band's concerts, all from the comfort of their home. Note that preteens need to obtain their parent's permission and be at least 10 years old to sign up for a Meta Quest account. As a parent, it's especially important to monitor the account and create screen time limits.

If your tween is a Swiftie, chances are they'll want to have plenty of friendship bracelets on hand. Yes, trading friendship bracelets with fellow Taylor Swift fans is a thing. This kit comes with 6,000 clay beads in 24 colors, along with letters and charms for customization.

If your tween is into boba tea, also known as bubble tea, this kit has everything they'll need to make their own delicious concoctions at home. It includes tapioca balls, a variety of loose-leaf teas, straws and recipe cards.

Selfies are important. And what better way to take selfies and fun pictures with friends than with an Instax? It's easy for your tween to throw into a large pocket or backpack so they can document daily life. There's also something great about immediately getting a physical photo after snapping a pic.

Once your tween starts snapping pics with their Instax, they'll need a great backdrop and lighting. These dreamy string lights help add a magical feel to any room. With 50 clips for their favorite pics, your tween will love their sparkling retreat.

If your tween wants to document their next action adventure, GoProaction cameras can't be beat. We love the newer GoPro Hero 13, but not its $430 price. The GoPro Hero 12 costs considerably less and offers many of the same features, including excellent image quality and video resolution.

They might have outgrown Hot Wheels, but no one is too old for this 1:12 RC monster truck from Haiboxing. Keep in mind that it's not like the remote-controlled cars they might have had when they were little. With speeds that surpass 20 mph, it takes some practice to learn how to maneuver it.

They don't have to be a seasoned pilot to fly Deerc's budget-friendly D10. It's easy to operate and has a built-in camera that captures and records high-definition video. It's compact, foldable and weighs just 5.8 ounces, so tweens can take this drone just about anywhere.

Gel Blaster's Surge is tons of fun for kids and adults. Note that you definitely want to take this one outside and the "Gellets" do sting a little on impact -- not as bad as paintball or airsoft -- but protective eyewear is still recommended. The gel pellets are water based and evaporate after shooting. That means no more cleaning up a hundred foam darts.

An electric scooter is a great way to get tweens off their screens and outside. Luckily, not allmotorized scooters are the bulky behemoths you see commuters zipping around on. Razor's E100 is for kids ages 8 and older, and the max speed is 10 mph. Tweens will especially appreciate the blue LEDs on the deck that light up when they twist the throttle.

Spikeball is a trendy, fast-paced game that combines elements of volleyball and four square. Instead of hitting a large ball over a straight net, your tween will be smacking a softer, grapefruit-size ball onto a bouncy, ringed net, sort of like tetherball but without the string. Be prepared, parents: This is a physical game that requires fast movement and probably some diving to score points. Consequently, this might be best for just the kids, although it does require four players.

This clever drone can be used with any Nerf gun or gel blaster for target practice. Just throw it up and the drone levitates and maneuvers as it tries to avoid blasts and tracks your hits. It's fun to play solo or with a group of friends.

Ping-pong is a great rainy day activity, but not everyone has the space -- or the pocketbook -- for a full ping-pong table. Enter Pro-Spin's portable ping-pong set. It comes with two paddles, three balls and a retractable net that clamps onto any table. We were impressed by the overall quality of the equipment, although it works best if you have a standard rectangular dining or patio table.

Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask became popular on TikTok and is still a favorite among tweens, thanks to its intense hydration and soothing antioxidant ingredients. They can wear it while they sleep to soften dry lips, or slip it into their backpack to prevent dehydration throughout the day.

As any tween will tell you, this is the age where skin care becomes front and center. Youth to the People's Superfood cleanser is known for tackling oily complexions while being gentle on your skin and it's a top choice among tweens.

Sol de Janeiro's popular scents are deliciously sweet, with notes of warm vanilla and caramel, and plenty of beach vibes that are perfect for tweens. This set includes the popular Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, a moisturizing shower gel and a light perfume mist.

Give the gift of luminous skin with this six-piece mask set. Tweens will find every mask they need for a healthy complexion, including a green tea sheet mask to brighten and purify, an aloe mask for intense hydration and a coconut sheet mask to clean and revitalize.