We’ve already rounded up the best gifts for toddlers, babies and kids, but now we’re looking to the double digits with the best gifts for 10-year-olds.
To be sure you are getting something that will stimulate the curiosity and social skills of your almost-tween, we’ve curated the perfect list of gifts for this age by poring through dozens of parents’ reviews on things 10-year-olds like. We also asked Shop TODAY staff who have a pre-tween in their life to share what their kids are currently interested in and what they’re planning on gifting them this year.
From toys to interactive STEM kits and art gifts, here are the best presents to give 10-year-old children.
Tackling a Rubik’s Cube is a rite of passage for every kid.
Age: 8+ | Grid size: 3×3
A classic Rubik’s Cube is a toy that stands that test of time. You probably have your own memories of playing with it as a child and now you’ll be able to watch the 10-year-old in your life do their best to solve the puzzle (and if they’re competitive — solve it faster and faster every time). They also just added a new version of this famous cube that is inspired by the game Tetris.
Discover your fate and future with this Magic 8 ball.
Rebecca Dube, former TODAY.com parenting editor and head of TODAY Parents, has two boys to buy gifts for. She says her 5th grader was recently gifted a Magic 8 Ball and he can’t get enough of it. They’ll have a blast asking the “all-knowing” 8 ball all of the questions on their mind. Similar to the Rubik’s Cube, you’ll be able to bask in a bit of the nostalgia, too.
We Love It for: Hands-on fun.
Includes: 2 tubes of Elmer’s slime activator, 1 bottle of pink translucent glue, 1 bottle of blue glitter glue | Age requirement: 3+
This slime kit was a Gifts We Love Winner last year, and for good reason: it offers hours of fun for your kid while simultaneously taking them off their devices. Once they’re done crafting up the perfect batch of slime, they’ll also have a fun, sensory item that can help them manage big emotions.
You can create up to 70 different shapes with this sensory toy.
Themes: 12
This fidget cube transforms into over 70 shapes and is available in 18 different colors and patterns to choose from. Your 10-year-old will enjoy playing with this sensory puzzle box, which has over garnered a near-perfect five-star rating on Amazon.
Doodle and create 3D art with this pen.
Ink colors: 3
Combining artistry with a little bit of STEM, this bestselling 3D printing pen allows them to create free-wind masterpieces at their own speed us ing PLA plastic.
Build your own space base and rocket ship launchpad with this Lego set!
Number of pieces: 1,422 | Age: 8 Years old and up
Aspiring astronauts and space admirers can prepare for their greatest mission yet — building this rocket launchpad with more than 1,400 pieces.
Everyone’s favorite plush has also been turned into family-friendly card game.
Age: 8+ | Number of players: 2+
Squishmallow plushies are a favorite among kiddos and adults for their cuteness and softness. Now, enthusiasts can take their love for the adorable toy to the next level with this Squishmallow-themed game. To win, players must compete to collect four cards from the same squad.
Build a unicorn army and attack other players!
Number of players: 2-8
Betrayal, destruction, mischief and mayhem are the names of the game when it comes to this rousing (and “relationship-destroying”) multiplayer card game. The goal? To be the first to create a seven-unicorn stable before everyone else does!
This is a game that’ll get the whole family laughing.
Age: 10+ | Number of players: 4+
Your 10-year-old will actually enjoy hanging with the family when you gift them this Kids Against Maturity card game. This game set includes 600 question and answer cards and is great for players of all ages.
This wooden set can be used to play chess or checkers.
Includes: 24 checker pieces, 32 chess pieces
Dube also has this “classic” board game saved in her cart. “I feel like you can’t go wrong with this one,” she says. The beautifully handcrafted game board comes with both chess and checkers pieces.
According to the brand, this make-your-own-maze game can help kids with critical thinking and problem solving.
Age: 8+
Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach says her nephew likes this part maze game, part marble game. A great gift for 10-year-old boys and girls, the maze game requires reasoning skills and visual perception. Create towers and build a path for your marble to reach its target.
Build your own worlds and realms from scratch with the game of Minecraft.
Compatible game system: Nintendo Switch
Brach’s nephew is also very much into Minecraft — and we can see why. Perfect for an age when strategy and world-building are a focus, Minecraft allows your pre-teen to build anywhere from small buildings to entire worlds with blocks.
Go on extreme missions with Sonic characters.
Compatible game systems: Xbox Series X, Xbox One
Here’s a chance to play four classic Sonic games fully remastered in high with impressive graphics. It’s also available for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 and 5.
Go on a galactic quest in this video game.
Compatible platform: PS5 | Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Earning accolades from both critics and PlayStation fanatics across generations, this is the must-have title they’ll be excited to add to their video game lineup. Players in this traditional platformer go through 50 unique galaxies as ASTRO, fighting and collecting their way through their quest to find their fellow ASTROs.
Play as your favorite Mario characters and battle each other!
Compatible game system: Nintendo Switch
The first side-scrolling Super Mario game since 2012, Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes place in the Flower Kingdom world, where players have to save it from enemies and disasters alike. Different pop-ups such as Wonder Flowers and Elephant Fruit transform the characters to their advantage in order to help them along the way.
Travel through dimensions with Zelda.
Compatible game systems: Nintendo Switch
Considered by many (including your favorite gamer) to be one of the most anticipated games of last year, this latest iteration takes Link on a quest through various landscapes in a journey to find Zelda and defeat the disturbing forces overtaking Hyrule. Besides the breathtaking animation, players are loving Link’s new abilities and powers — they may have already had a taste for them if they happen to be on TikTok.
These headphones are specifically made for kids and are tangle-free, according to the brand.
Colors: 5 | Special features: Tangle-free wire, foldable
Whether they’re eager to bop to their own tunes or just tune out the parental figures, these wired headphones are sure to please. They even come with a two-year, hassle-free warranty!
Create your own virtual reality and learn all about the science behind it with this kit.
Age: 8+ | Experiments: 30
This super cool VR interactive science kit is hosted by TV personality and scientist Bill Nye! Watch as Nye leads interactive scientific lessons and experiments come to life with this 50-piece set creating over 30 different projects.
Making memories is always more fun with an Instax camera. This mini version is compact, cute and prints out high-quality photos.
Colors: Five
This film camera allows them to get started on their photography journey early with captures that will instantly print to make the cutest collectibles. Your 10-year-old will love taking this on trips, playdates and school events to capture memories they’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Nurture your virtual pet with the Tamagotchi.
Ages: 5-7 | Features: Ability to take photos, connect to other devices, play 17 included games
Tamagotchi is a blast from the past, and guess what? It’s back and better than ever! Equipped with a camera and touch buttons, 10-year-old kids will love taking care of their new virtual friend.
Another version of this nostalgic toy, the Tamagotchi Uni, was featured on Toy Insider’s Hot 20 list of the must-have gifts for children in 2023.
Kids can play games and watch videos on their very own tablet.
Colors/designs: 5 | Memory: 32 GB | Features: 32-hour battery life, 10.1″ display, parental controls and screen limits
The new Fire HD is bigger and faster than ever. It includes seemingly endless apps with kid-friendly movies, TV shows and books. It also includes a kid-proof case with a built-in stand.
For active kiddos who love to run around and play sports.
Colors: 13 | Fit options: Toddler, little kids, big kids | Sizes: XS-XL | Fabric: Recycled polyester
These Nike shorts come in ‘big kid’ sizes for your growing tween. They’ll be able to effortlessly run around their school playgrounds and fields with these soft, comfortable and airy shorts.
Hold everything in this pouch that can be worn in multiple ways.
Colors: 19
If your daughter and her best friend have yet to discuss the Lululemon belt bag, then it’s only a matter of time before they start asking for it. This polyester and nylon bag comes in ten unique shades and includes interior pockets to hold all her essentials.
These crocs are comfortable and colorful.
Sizes: 2-6 (Kids) | Colors: 38
The Crocs Kids’ Classic clogs are the go-to for casual comfort and style. The wide, roomy footbed is made from Croslite foam material, which warms and softens from body heat and molds to kiddos’ feet.
Everyone knows a JanSport lasts forever. Gift them one that’ll become their go-to bag for everything.
Colors: 25 | Special feature: Water-resistant
You can’t go wrong with a brand-new backpack right before school is in session. There are a variety of colors and designs for the kid in your life to choose from.
A pajama set that features monkeys on them.
Sizes: 2-14 | Material: 100% Pima Cotton | Colors: 6
These monkey pajamas have been trending this past year. If they are due for a new pair of pajamas, have them try these 100% pima cotton jammies that are sure to be comfy according to reviews.
These sneakers are stylish and comfortable.
Sizes: 3.5-7 | Colors: 16
The Nike Kids’ Grade School Air Force 1 shoes offer the Nike Air all day comfort with leather uppers and rubber outsole that give durability and traction.
Make some origami that looks like Harry Potter characters.
Age range: 8 Years and up
If they’re waiting in anticipation for their Hogwarts letter to come in the mail, make the time fly with this inspired origami book featuring 15 foldable crafts and thorough step-by-step instructions to make their masterpieces come to life.
This plush blanket will keep you warm on those cold days.
Size: 60 x 72 in | Colors: 32
Are they a notorious snuggler? Then they’ll immediately want to wrap themselves around this “oversized” plushy throw measuring 60-by-72 inches. It also comes in 15+ colors and patterns to suit their current aesthetic.
This takes fidget toys to the next level with its ability to light up.
Age: 5+ | Requires: 3 AAA Batteries
A previous Toy Insider Top 20 pick, this is a great budget-friendly find for children of various ages. They’ll be distracted all day long with this light-up sensory toy.
You can draw and color on this pillowcase!
Designs: 9
Let their imaginations run wild before bedtime with this colorable pillowcase. It comes with 10 washable markers, so all you have to do is throw the pillowcase into the laundry to start again.
This crochet kit teaches you how to crochet some of your favorite animals and includes everything you need.
Your crafty 10-year-old will love stepping into the world of amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting cute little stuffed creatures — and we bet it’ll be even more fun for parents and kids to do together.
Take it from one reviewer: “My 9-year-old learned to crochet with this kit (and I relearned after decades of no practice). We had so much fun learning and working together. … Our round Pierre looks super cute and we learned a ton! We just bought our next kit already!”
These wooden puzzles strengthen your brain and teach you how to construct something from scratch.
Pieces: 260
Dube says her eldest “has done basically every Lego kit in existence,” she says. While this marble run is marketed mainly towards adults, Dube is hopeful that it will be good for her and her kids to do together.
An interactive game the whole family can play without remotes.
Ages: 5+ | Games included: Fruit Ninja, Starri, Whac-a-Mole, Go Keeper, and Party Fowl | Set-up notes: Requires HDMI connection
There’s no controller needed for this game that uses your body movements to play. Kids can play real-life games like Fruit Ninja or Whack-a-Mole by using their arms.
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds and 9-year-olds.
