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From video games to fidget toys, these 40 gifts are perfect for pre-tweens

We're here to make shopping for your almost-tween easier.
/ Source: TODAY
By Carey Reilly

We've already rounded up the best gifts for toddlers, babies and kids, but now we're looking to the double digits. 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 bestselling gifts for 10-year-olds. We also asked Shop TODAY staff who have a pre-tween in their life what those kids are currently digging, or what they're planning on gifting them this year.

From toys to board games to interactive STEM kits, here are the best gifts for 10-year-olds. Click on the links below to shop by category, or keep scrolling to see all 39:

Bestselling gifts for 10-year-olds

ThinkFun Gravity Maze

Shop TODAY Editorial Director Adrianna Brach says her 10-year-old nephew likes this part maze game, part marble game. The maze game requires reasoning skills and visual perception. Create towers and build a path for your marble to reach its target.

Bill Nye Science Kit

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.

Buttheads Fart Launcher 3000

Got a kid at home who's a real prankster? They will probably get a kick out of this fart launcher blasting stinky smells up to 10 feet away. It's recommended to be used in a well-ventilated area.

The Don't Laugh Challenge - 10 Year Old Edition: The LOL Interactive Joke Book

Give the gift of laughter to the witty child in your life. For less than $10 and with over 2,500 five-star ratings, this book won't disappoint.

Tamagotchi Pix

Tamagotchi is a blast from the past, and guess what? It's back and better than ever! Equipped with a camera and touch buttons, kids will love taking care of their new virtual friend.

Educational Insights Artie 3000 Robot

Artie is the drawing robot that helps kids learn to code. Don't know how to code yet? No problem — Artie has pre-programmed drawings too!

Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Remote Control Car

Climb walls with this gravity-defying race car. Watch the car climb up and zip down walls and ceilings with the "zero gravity" laser control.

Craft-tastic DIY Mythical Pom Animals

These pom animals are almost like mini stuffed animals that they can make. With the included tools and accessories, they can craft a "pandacorn," a "meowmaid" and a "narwhal."

Winning Moves RACK-O Card Game

Although this game was originally released in 1956, it's back and makes for a great gift! Let the kids play or get the whole family involved. Amazon shoppers love it, too — RACK-O has over 12,000 five-star ratings.

Best toys for 10-year-olds

ROKR Marble Run 3D Wooden Puzzles Model Building Kit

Rebecca Dube, TODAY.com parenting editor and head of TODAY Parents, has two boys to buy gifts for this year. Her eldest, who's nine years old, "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.

Beyblade Burst Surge Speedstorm Motor Strike Battle Set

Perfect for the competitive kid in your life, this spinning top set is a new take on a classic battle game. Plus, it landed a spot on Toy Insider's Hot 20 gift list last year!

Lego City Space Deep Space Rocket Launch Control

Aspiring astronauts and space admirers can prepare for their greatest mission yet — building this rocket control center with more than 800 pieces.

Chuckle & Roar Pop It! Bubble Popping Fidget

This is another Toy Insider top 20 pick, great for children of various ages. They'll be distracted all day long with this sensory toy.

Primed Youth Soccer Goal

Let your soccer star improve their control and accuracy with this popular goal. It's both durable and lightweight for easy repositioning on the field or in the backyard.

Best board games for 10-year-olds

15-Inch Folding Chess and Checkers Board

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.

Funko Disney "The Haunted Mansion" Call of The Spirits Board Game

If they love the Disney theme park attraction, they'll love this game. Explore all the classic rooms of the ghost-infested manor, from the festivities-filled ballroom, to the attic and out to the graveyard and beyond in search of spirits.

Funko "Back to The Future" Back in Time Board Game

This super cool "Back to the Future" game pits players against Biff and his gang. It even includes a miniature DeLorean Time Machine and seven movie character figures plus the 3D Clock Tower acts as a dice-rolling randomizer.

"Harry Potter" Labyrinth Game Ravensburger

Try to find your favorite "Harry Potter" characters in this new game.

Best video games for 10-year-olds

Minecraft for Nintendo Switch

Brach's 10-year-old 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.

EA Sports FIFA 23, Nintendo Switch

Let your tween get lost in the realistic graphics of EA Sports' new FIFA 23 game. It's also available for the PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and PC.

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, Nintendo Switch

Here's a chance to play all three original Spyro games fully remastered in HD with impressive graphics. It's also available for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Best tech gifts for 10-year-olds

National Geographic Dual LED Student Microscope

Have a curious 10-year-old who's a fan of science, but you don't love the mess at-home lab experiments make? Dube recommends this cool dual microscope by National Geographic, which fits the bill. "The microscope is a great way to encourage curiosity and a love of science that doesn't end in a baking soda volcano exploding all over your kitchen."

KiwiCo Tinker Crate

And if your pre-tween cannot get enough tech and science experiments to satisfy their curiosity, why not get a monthly subscription box? Dube says, "Tinker Crate from Kiwi Co ... has various levels of subscription for monthly mini-engineering projects that are fun for kids." If you just want to try it out, there's an option to gift a month without renewing, but it's a bit pricier.

Osmo Coding Starter Kit for iPad

This starter kit makes STEM fun and accessible while still teaching coding fundamentals.

Tiny Planetarium: See the Stars!

Have an astrology lover in the family? Gift them this three-inch star projector that comes with an adorable booklet about the stars.

Noot Kids On-Ear Headphones

Boasting over 28,000 five-star ratings, these colorful headphones are sure to wow the 10-year-old in your life. For less than $20, you've got a great tech gift that will certainly impress any kid.

My Audio Pet Splash Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

This waterproof speaker floats, making it perfect for bath time, the pool or the beach. The speaker connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet.

Hot Wheels ID Smart Track Kit

Your child can make more than 20 different unique courses with this smart track. Turn your smartphone into a racing video game and connect to the track via bluetooth to create a cool racing experience.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition

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.

Best clothing and accessories for 10-year-olds

Epielle Character Sheet Masks

"I think this is a cute stocking stuffer," Dube says of these fun animal-themed face masks. And each "character" has a purpose, whether it's calming irritated skin, hydrating or detoxifying.

The North Face Reversible Mossbud Swirl Jacket

From the playground to slopes, this reversible jacket by The North Face will keep your child warm, cozy and dry!

Kids' Nike Air Force 1

The Nike Kid’s Grade School Air Force 1 shoes offers the Nike Air all day comfort with leather uppers and rubber outsole that give durability and traction.

Custom Dog Socks

Warm your toes and your heart with a pair of custom pet socks, featuring your pet's face. Just upload a photo of your pet, choose from the various styles and patterns from the dropdown and enjoy!

Crocs Kids' Classic Clogs

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.

Pair Eyewear The Cedro

These eyeglasses allow children to quickly customize the look of their glasses anytime, anywhere. They have designs for every holiday and even the new line of Marvel characters. Great for optical glasses, sunglasses, and blue light glasses, these are available in both prescription and non-prescription forms.

Unique gifts for 10-year-olds

Woobles Crochet Kit

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!"

Craft-tastic Scratch and Sticker Interactive Journal

This interactive journal is for dreamers, artists and thinkers. With more than 500 stickers, personality quizzes, doodle activities and more, anyone can spend hours with this journal.

Playshion Complete 22-Inch Mini Cruiser Skateboard

Encourage them to get outside and try a new skill with a new skateboard. You can find this version in a bunch of fun and bright colors.

Color Your Own Fairytale Storybook Pillowcase

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.

Snurk Twin Duvet Cover Shark

Sleep in the belly of a great white shark with this super fun duvet cover.

Alicia Tan and Cassidy McKenna contributed.