Need a last-minute birthday gift for your child, their friend, or a younger relative? Shopping for the perfect birthday gift can be overwhelming. There are so many options and youth change their minds and interests daily.
Preteen gifts can be especially daunting as it can be hard to find age-appropriate items. Does the present seem too young or too mature for the birthday boy or girl?
Before you stress at the store, check out this guide to the top 5 preteen gift ideas for the summer.
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1. DIY Kits
Making perfume, digging up real fossils, and creating model rockets that you get to shoot off with your friends is fun for almost any age. Big box and craft stores carry a variety of options for boys and girls and hit the mark for most interests.
Some make-it-yourself kits can be done as a group and others are better with one person, so knowing a little about the preteen you are shopping for will help you decide what to purchase.
If you know of a specific interest, monthly kits about science, cooking, or crafting are readily available. Many of them offer a one-month order if you don’t want to commit to more.
2. Table Top Games
Smaller versions of popular games such as air hockey, foosball, and ping-pong mean that the birthday present can be taken anywhere. Arcade games are making a comeback with mini versions that just need access to a power source.
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Playing board games is both fun and beneficial, especially for the developing brain. They come in a plethora of options from roleplaying, quiz, strategy, card games, and more.
3. Preteen Gifts for the Outdoors
Getting a preteen outside doesn’t need to be hard, especially if you find them the right summer toys. Popular outdoor ideas include a hammock, kick croquet set, or jumbo-sized games like checkers or yard dice.
Water games are always a good idea, especially if you live somewhere hot. Water balloons, giant squirt guns, and slip and slides are guaranteed to keep kids outdoors.
If you want them to try something new, the Onewheel Pint is an option. You might ask, “Is it hard to ride a Onewheel?” Like popular gift items such as scooters, bikes, and skateboards, it helps teach balance and coordination.
4. Cameras
Many preteens don’t have access to phones, which are a popular tool for taking photos. Getting the birthday kid a camera will help them be able to document their memories, all summer long.
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Digital cameras hold a memory card that can be easily accessed on a computer. Polaroid cameras print out the photo right after it’s taken and underwater cameras are available to keep the pictures coming, no matter the activity.
5. Movie Bucket
Summers mean later nights. What better gift than a movie bucket or basket containing popcorn and all their favorite snacks? Find a container that they can repurpose for something else later in their favorite color or theme.
If you know what kinds of movies they like, you could purchase them one to put in, but you may want to consider a gift card for a digital movie rental company instead so that they can choose.
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Shopping Made Easy
By using this guide to complete your birthday shopping, you will soon be the guru of preteen gifts. This can be easily referred to for birthdays or gift-giving all year long.
Browse our online magazine for some more healthy lifestyle tips!