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These must-have gifts and toys will have your 10-year-old calling you cool in no time

We're here to make shopping for your almost-tween easier.
Kara Birnbaum / TODAY
/ Source: TODAY

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-old boys and girls. Click on the links below to shop by category or keep scrolling to see all our picks.

Bestsellers | Toys | Board and card games | Video games | Tech | Clothing and accessories | Unique gifts

Bestselling gifts for 10-year-olds

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 2,700 verified five-star ratings on Amazon, this book won't disappoint.

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 13,000 verified five-star ratings.

DIY Mythical Pom Animals

These poms are adorable mini stuffed animals that they can make themselves. With the included tools and accessories, they can craft mythical creatures like a pandacorn, a meowmaid and a narwhal.

Scratch and Sticker Interactive Journal

This interactive journal is for dreamers, artists and thinkers alike. With more than 500 stickers, personality quizzes, doodle activities and more, anyone (even those who haven’t been a tween in decades) can spend hours with this journal.

ThinkFun Gravity Maze


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.

Best toys for 10-year-olds

Chuckle & Roar Pop It! Bubble Popping Fidget

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 sensory toy.

Target Hook and Loop Potholder Set

For a craft that's simple enough for them to figure out solo yet entertaining enough to keep them occupied for hours on end, opt for this potholder set. With 115 cotton loops, templates and the hooks needed to complete this craft, you can ditch your oven mitts and replace them with this handmade and practical piece of art.

Franklin Sports Blackhawk Backyard Soccer Goal


Let your soccer star improve their control and accuracy with this bestselling soccer goal. The perfect gift for 10-year-old boys and girls who love sports, it's both durable and lightweight for easy repositioning on the field or in the backyard.

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. 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.

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 in 2021!

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.

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.

Best board and card games for 10-year-olds

Unstable Unicorns

They’re never too young to appreciate some healthy competition amongst friends. This strategic card game may look precious upon first glance, but don’t be mistaken — there’s plenty of destruction and mayhem that awaits them when they start playing.

Kids Against Maturity Card Game

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.

What Do You Meme? Squishmallows Card Game

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.

Tenzi Dice Party Game -

There's multiple ways to play this fast-paced dice game, that includes 41 dice. Players compete against each other to see who can complete the challenge first, whether it's stacking them on top of one another, rolling them until you get the same number, or making up your own game.

Whether you're trying to pass time in an airport or want to add a little competitive edge to family game night, this game also includes a guide to all the ways to play.

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 "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.

Munchkin Deluxe Board Game


Providing all kinds of medieval fantasy fun without needing to role-play for hours on end, this addictive card game has all of the dungeons, dragons and butt-kicking your 10-year-old could possibly want.

"Between the humor and the gameplay, I can already tell it has LOTS of replay value," one verified shopper mentioned. "The first thing my nephew asked when we finished the game was "That was awesome! When can we play this again?""

Best video games for 10-year-olds

Minecraft

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.

Sonic Origins Plus

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.

EA Sports FIFA 23

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

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Considered by many (including your favorite gamer) to be one of the most anticipated games of the 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.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch Game

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.

Best tech gifts for 10-year-olds

Noot Kids On-Ear Headphones

Boasting over 30,000 verified five-star ratings, these colorful headphones are sure to wow the 10-year-old in your life. For less than $15, you’ve got a great tech gift that will certainly impress any kid.

Casely Airpods Case

For the smiley, energetic pre-tween, gift them with an Airpods case that is sure to match their personality. Available in every version of earbuds the brand has to offer, from the first edition to the third, this design mimics their water bottle or phone case, decorated with stickers.

My Audio Pet Splash Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker


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

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, 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 this year.

Educational Insights Artie 3000 Robot


Artie is the drawing robot that helps kids learn to code, making it a fun and educational gift for 10-year-old girls and boys. Don't know how to code yet? No problem — Artie has pre-programmed drawings too!

Bill Nye VR 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.

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."

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

Claire's Matte Blue Flower Claw Clip

Does your soon-to-be tween love to do her hair? Pair this fun, floral-shaped claw clip with other hair care accessories to make an amazing gift for a 10-year-old girl.

Custom Dog Socks


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

Ink + Alloy Grace Multi Mix Stretch Bracelet

Your 10-year-old will seriously swoon over these adorable stretch bracelets from Ink + Alloy. Her and her friends will love stacking all the different colors bracelets as they continue to collect more. "Beautiful and so well made. Will definitely be purchasing more," raved one verified five-star reviewer on the brand's website.

KTMKH Taylor Swift 1989 Tracksuit

If your pre-tween is in her sweatpants era, she will definitely appreciate this Taylor Swift tracksuit. This adorable set comes in five unique colors and includes both hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

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.

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.

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.

Unique gifts for 10-year-old

"Difficult Riddles for Smart Kids," by M. Prefontaine

Does your almost-tween have a curious mind and loves to learn? If so, this activity book that includes 300 riddles and brain teasers will make the ideal gift for them.

"This is a total brain-teaser bonanza! A treasure trove of mental challenges perfect for young, sharp minds. From tricky twists to brain-boggling conundrums, this book is a fun ride through a world of perplexing puzzles," said one verified Amazon reviewer.

The Big One Oversized Supersoft Plush Throw

Are they a notorious snuggler? Then they’ll immediately want to wrap themselves around this “oversized” plushy throw measuring 60” x 72”. It also comes in 15+ colors and patterns to suit their current aesthetic.

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.

Shashibo Shape Shifting Box

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 41,000 verified five-star reviews on Amazon.

National Geographic Science Magic Kit

This Amazon's Choice chemistry set features 50 unique experiments and magic tricks for your pre-tween to enjoy. Complete with a wand and white gloves, your 10-year-old will feel like a real magician and scientist in no time.

Funko Pop! Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Storefront

If they're waiting in anticipation for their Hogwarts letter to come in the mail, make the time fly with this action figure from Funko Pop! of Fred standing outside his shop.

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!"

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.

HearthSong Multi-Way Tug-of-War


This modern iteration of the classic gym class game tests them (and three of their friends) and the laws of motion as they use their strength and agility to be the ultimate winner.