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Forbes
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
The 25 Best Gifts For 10-Year-Olds Celebrating Double Digits
Turning 10 is an exciting milestone for kids—and their parents. To celebrate their first double-digit birthday, it's OK if you want to go a little overboard—especially in recognition of how they've grown and are continuing to grow into big kids. The best gifts for 10-year-olds recognize their budding maturity, as well as new passions and skills. Celebrate your big kid's milestone birthday with one of these best gifts for 10-year-olds. After consulting child and teen play therapists, independent toy store retailers, and attending two toy industry trade shows this year, I also reviewed my own tweens' favorite items to compile this list of the best gifts for 10-year-olds in 2025. Just remember, these almost-teens still enjoy play—and the therapists I spoke with say games and toys are still good for their development—but they'll turn their noses up on anything deemed too young or uncool. 'Tweens are coming out of that baby stage, so toys for them might feel very babyish, [after] they've gone through that hormonal shift,' says Kerri Adams, a child and family therapist and cofounder of Love Play Grow in New Jersey. Because of this, parents may have to re-engage kids in play—opening up that card game or Lego set and diving in with them. Amazon Kick off their next decade with a delicious new book series that's all about fearlessly confronting American tween issues. Follow 10-year-old Mia as she navigates sticky social situations, as well as thorny societal challenges as the daughter of Chinese immigrants. My daughter flew through this series as this age. Author Kelly Yang has a great voice that delivers a compelling story that doesn't hit kids over the head with heavy messaging. Amazon Whether they're still into Legos, or just into speed and Formula 1, this sub-300 piece Ferrari is an ideal big-kid set. Casey Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, says this recently launched Lego F1 Speed Champions series 'has already been selling great' with tween boys. 'Ferrari is the best selling of the bunch,' he says. 'Speed Champions has been one of the hottest parts of the Lego line for the last couple years…. and I imagine they'll just keep going since this year is F1 crazy.' They can display it out of reach of younger sibs once completed. Walmart If they're already staking out the makeup aisle, get them started with a foundational skincare routine. Bubble creates gentle, tween- and teen-appropriate skincare options in colorful packaging that appeals to younger beauty fans. Opt for one of Bubble's starter kits, so they can test out which products their skin responds best to. They're also perfectly giftable and a hot tween party set. Amazon I've seen this Gecko Run in action firsthand, and it's a clever spin on more old-fashioned marble runs. Its sticky adhesive pads allow kids to build vertically on smooth surfaces from glass to plastic to ceramic—and then reposition the whole thing and build again whenever they like. This deluxe set includes 90 pieces, so no need to purchase additional expansion packs. Amazon This game favors the players best able to crack up their teammates, making it ideal for the family clown. Each player gets 10 cards with pre-written answers that they'll submit anonymously in response to the prompt card. Pick the answer you think is most likely to elicit the most laughs. Just be warned that this kid version of the game includes plenty of fart and poop jokes—which always draw the biggest laughs among my kids. Adams points out that all that laughter is a good thing for the whole family: 'A lot of what brings families together is laughter. Laughter is a stress reliever and laughter is what creates bonds.' Amazon This best-selling Rick Riordan book series takes kids on an epic adventure through a fantasyland of Greek gods and their demigod offspring as good and evil forces battle monsters, magic and more with time hops from ancient times to modern day. My fourth grader flew through this series just after turning 10 and has gobbled up many more of Riordan's titles afterward. Amazon This adorable skincare duo from TonyMoly includes a strawberry-themed lip gloss and hand cream—and the winking Patty The Cow Squishmallow. It's the perfect pair for a tween starter set to keep in their backpack or belt bag. Amazon If you have the space to stow it and a safe place to drive it, I highly recommend Radio Flyer's Extreme Drift Go-Kart, the brand's new and award-winning electric go-kart for big kids. It offers three speeds (5, 8 and 11 mph), including one reserved for teens, so they'll get plenty of use out of it—and it absolutely blew my 10-year-old away as a splurge birthday gift. In fact, he was so happy with it, he didn't mind that I'd said no to a smartwatch. The seat is adjustable and the 36-volt battery recharges fairly quickly, so your thrill-seeker can get back to cranking out donuts. Amazon Press a button on this handheld device and watch the ZipString fly into loops and various shapes with a flick of their hand. Advanced flyers can create tricks and more elaborate displays with the string, and my 10-year-old has no problem swapping out the various strings for different effects. A tip from Sartain led me to this pick, which he says was 'a huge hit last year' and the new Luma glow-in-the-dark strings are now 'flying off the shelves.' Nike You can't go wrong with a fresh hoodie for this age group. Whether they've misplaced their current one or just want another colorway for their rotation, these Nike Big Kid Pullover Hoodies come in more than a dozen colors with a roomy front pouch to stash small things in. They're comfortable and long-lasting, but pay attention to the sizing: Nike can run smaller, and my 10-year-old is already wearing the XL kids size of this hoodie. Walmart The brand-new Gui Gui slime from Moose Toys is easily one of the hottest new toys for kids this season. It just became available at Walmart and is rolling out to additional retailers in August. It's also one of my 12-year-old daughter's favorite slimes she's ever sunk her hands into. She called it 'high-quality' and loved the scent and mix-ins. Gui Gui is available in four styles of slime: clear, butter, gloss and cloud and each one comes with various mix-ins including charms, so kids can 'style' their slime. They can store it in the included container when not in use. Flip 7 This fast-paced card game combines a bit of strategy—and a bunch of luck. Be the first to reach 200 points as cards are dealt around, but be wary of receiving doubles—otherwise, your turn is over and you lose all your points that round. It's been a family game night hit with my tweens and grown-ups alike. It's easy to grasp (even our 6-year-old has joined in) and moves quickly, so it's perfect for when you're short on time. Just be aware that this game keeps selling out at mass retailers and indie shops alike. Sartain says it's especially popular in the 9- to 12-year-old age range. 'We've been selling a lot more games to tweens and teens than ever before: Uno No Mercy, Catan, Flip 7 and Sushi Go,' he says. Target The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 makes snapping quick pics of family, friends and all their adventures a cinch for budding photographers and creative kids. It's a great first camera for tweens who don't have a smartphone yet. Pair it with a scrapbook so they have a place to stow all these fourth- and fifth-grade memories, or purchase it as part of a Fujifilm Instax bundle to get them started with everything they'll need including extra film and a carrying case. Fat Brain Toys This newcomer from Fat Brain Toys brings a popular adult game to kids in a more competitive tabletop form. Hook Rally requires two competitors to play at once, each vying to cast their ring onto the same hooks. The first player to capture three hooks wins. It's a simple game they can start playing straight out of the box. I love that it's a bit of a quieter game—at least compared to others my kids screech through—and requires pretty intense focus and hand-eye coordination. Amazon This is the perfect gift for the crafter—or the socializer—who loves to share their creations with friends. The portable STMT D.I.Y. Glitz Bead Case includes more than 600 pieces for them to assemble multiple friendship bracelets, including assorted alphabet beads, pearl beads, various charms, more than 500 round beads and five bundles of elastic cord and 10 bracelet threads. Amazon The magnetic Shashibo Shape Shifting Box from Fun In Motion opens up to reveal different patterns and colors as kids (and adults) manipulate the toy into different shapes. There isn't a puzzle to solve necessarily, the way there is with a Rubik's Cube—instead, it's more of a sophisticated fidget toy that reveals different designs and shapes as kids open up its sides and move it around in their hands. They can connect one Shape Shifting Box to another, too. It comes in kid-friendly designs like this silly Spongebob SquarePants theme and the new Hello Kitty box. Amazon A built-in timer ups the challenge on this viral solo puzzle game. Kids fight against the clock to position the Kanoodle pieces into the game board to solve up to 500 puzzles, including many new ones. Kanoodle games have an age rating starting at 7, and my 10-year-old easily bested the basic starter set, solving each puzzle one by one, so I know he'd appreciate this timed challenge. Amazon Cloud slides appeal to many ages for that pillow-like feel beneath your feet as you traipse around the house. But shark slides are having a bit of a moment with the tween and early teens. They're silly, comfy and fun—and my 10-year-old and his friends in the New York City suburbs can't seem to get enough of them. They come in a different colors and brands, so they can select the set that most appeals to them. Fresh off the new Minecraft movie, which has my whole family singing Jack Black's Steve's Lava Chicken, this 500-piece Lego set brings that cinema experience home. Rated for ages 10 and up, it's a petite set but comes with plenty of fun accessories and nods to both the movie and the game, including a fighting ring, a baby zombie and a chicken jockey. Amazon While the Nintendo Switch has long been popular with families of young children, the PlayStation 5 is the coveted console of big kids. And with the new Nintendo Switch 2 not yet available (release date is June 2025) and selling for nearly the same price ($450) as the PlayStation, I'd highly recommend the PS5 for these tween gamers who have likely moved well beyond Mario Kart and the petite controllers included with the Switch. Amazon If they've outgrown Play-Doh, but are still drawn to more artistic pursuits, this Pott'd pottery kit may be just right. My oldest daughter received this set last Christmas and has made several pretty pinch pots and small designs with it. It comes with a generous supply of air-dry clay, so there's no kiln or wheel needed. They'll sculpt their designs by hand, let them dry and then use the included paints to add any finishing touches. Amazon If you're in a pinch and the birthday party is happening tomorrow, gaming digital gift cards for in-game purchases have become the party gift du jour in my area. Find out their game or console of choice before selecting Roblox, V-Bucks (for Fortnite fans) or a generic Xbox or PlayStation gift card. Amazon The exceedingly soft and huggable Squishmallows remain the go-to plush friend for kids, tweens and teens. They come in a multitude of friendly characters and sizes and are beloved by all age groups. Younger kids may use them in their imaginary games while your 10-year-old might prefer this cheery Olma Strawberry Cat as a reading pillow or simply as chic room décor. Walmart At age 10, they might already be begging for an iPhone. Stave off that conversation with the big kid gift of an Apple Watch SE (the brand's most affordable model), so they can flex a bit of independence—and you can still track their whereabouts. It's my top pick for the best smartwatch for mature tweens and teens. You can lock it down to whatever your comfort level is, restricting sites, apps, contacts and usage hours. Get the cellular version for kids without a phone and use your iPhone to set up their new watch and manage it via your Apple family settings. Amazon If your 10-year-old is always dragging out the mixing bowl, you might treat them to a cooking or baking kit. This Baketivity cake pop set provides the instructions and a full suite of pre-measured dry ingredients and decorative toppings to make their own delicious treats—no cake pop pan necessary. They'll just need to scoop up a few fresh items and follow the recipe to create this sweet treat the whole family can enjoy. The kids and baby team at Forbes Vetted spends extensive time testing, researching, and yes, playing with toys and the best gifts for kids, tweens and teens. We care deeply about safety and pay close attention to recall notices.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
25 Of Our Favorite Easter Basket Ideas For Teens
Even if they've outgrown the Easter bunny, you can still treat your teens to an Easter basket stocked with personalized gifts. Although it might seem surprising, the treats they're craving aren't only of the beauty and tech variety. Incorporating some playful items, games and activity sets might be better received by your teen than you're expecting, says Brenna Hicks, a play therapist with 20 years of experience. 'We're all hardwired to need play in our lives,' she says—and playtime can offer a whole host of benefits from reduced stress and anxiety levels to stronger family bonds. After speaking to Hicks, as well as other experts in gifting, tweens and teens and attending multiple toy and gift trade shoes in the last few months, I selected these top Easter basket ideas for teens in 2025. Create a tempting display of treats with these can't miss Easter basket ideas for teens. Hicks says she still organizes an egg hunt every year for her 15-year-old son. 'I think you capitalize on just having fun with your teen, number one,' she says. Although teens—and tweens—shift away from little kid imaginary play and 'more toward activity-based' play and items, you can still find plenty of toy-like fun to fill their baskets. Hicks plans to add a Rubik's Cube, favorite candies and something related to her teen's passion for baseball into his basket. 'Give something that you know your teenager likes, that they care about, and try to make it playful or interactive in some way.' It's through play that 'kids make sense of their world,' and when kids and teens have the space for play, they feel better, she says. Plus, it's often during play that teens and caregivers find ways to reconnect and laugh together. Amazon Games remain hot with tweens and teens, including boys, says Casey Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, including Uno Show 'Em No Mercy. My own tweens love this version of Uno that moves a lot faster and ups the challenge for older kids with essentially more types of wild cards—and more painful ones like a draw 10. Hicks also points out that teens are more likely to open up to you, talk and connect when playing a game with you or just keeping their hands busy. 'They can squeeze a squish ball, they can doodle, they can do a puzzle, they can play Uno,' she says. 'It doesn't really matter what it is, but if their hands are actively doing something, they're more likely to feel comfortable dialoguing.' Amazon Slime is irresistible to kids, even teens. Customizable slimes or those with mix-ins are popular at Tutoring Toy among older kids. Similarly, the tweens and teens that attend therapy or family therapy at Love Play Grow in New Jersey most often pick up slime, a creative activity or another tactile sensory item, say its therapist founders Kerri Adams and Christina Eromenok. 'They love slime, but expensive slime,' says Eromenok, who recommended this Dope Slime brand, along with Kawaii Slime. 'I think a lot of families have a hard time remembering just how much stress teens are under. Socially there are so many challenges, and they put so much pressure on themselves to perform. So teens are under an immense amount of pressure, and those sensory experiences are all about stress relief and relaxation for them, because they have very few opportunities for that.' The Paper Store If there's one brand that everyone referenced when it came to teens, it was Jellycat. While many teen shoppers gravitate toward the brand's quirky food and drink Amuseables (including the eggs this year), the animal plush also frequently sell out explains Shannon Collins, marketing and social media director at Tutoring Toy. Capybaras are also having a bit of a moment, and this furry little face of Clyde is pretty hard to turn away from without a giggle or a smile. Hook him onto their keychain or bag—and he'll be there at all times to provide a little comfort and comedic relief. That's part of the appeal of Jellycat, say the Love Play Grow therapists who note that the brand's unique characters provide unexpected humor and nurturing for teens. 'We know teens need comfort more than they let on, and Jellycat characters are a great way to provide that in a non-threatening way.' Rhode For teens who enjoy experimenting with beauty and skincare items, they'll likely swoon to receive this essential cheek and lip duo from model and influencer Hailey Bieber's beloved skincare company Rhode—and they're sure to work it into their 'Get Ready With Me' (#GRWM) routine. It's available in six duos but waitlist requests are a bit frequent at Rhode I've noticed, so snag their preferred tint while you can. Amazon Customization remains huge with tweens and teens, says Collins, and they're adding charms to everything, from their phones to their shoelaces. This phone charm comes in more than two dozen styles, so they can find the one that suits them best. Amazon 'Teens love LED lights,' says Adams. 'A simple way to make that playful is you actually have a color code for what each color led light means and how that represents the team. So brown is poop, blue is sad today, red is crazy, and pink is like, 'Welcome. Come on in.'' I bought this LED strip for my tween after she begged for a set, and she does enjoy alternating the colors to suit her mood. They were relatively painless to install with the sticky adhesive backing. Nike Restock their sock collection with one of teens' favorite brands—just make sure they're crew and not ankle height. This six-pack of cushioned Nike socks are available in a rainbow of colors just right for spring, but your teen likely just wants black or white. Amazon Gift them their very own Sonny Angel, one of the most popular collectibles among the tween and teen girl population. The Hippers version hangs on their phone or wherever they place them, flashing the figure's naked baby booty—all the better for showing it off. If you want to really wow them, grab one of the latest releases in the series directly from Sonny Angel site. There's a new cherry blossom series release coming this spring, as well as new Smiski series, another popular Japan-grown collectible. Keep in mind that it's typically one figure per box, and it is a blind box, so you can't control which new collectible they'll receive—of course, that's all part of the fun for a generation who grew up on surprise packs and toy unboxing videos. PacSun Help them get ready for swim season with a new set of trunks. This Quiksilver pair offers a full mesh lining, side pockets and a back one, actual adjustable drawstrings and a comfortable 7-inch inseam. Like Hicks, I also find that my tweens still enjoy an egg hunt, and I plan to keep it going as long as we can. I do stuff those plastic eggs full of candy, but I also like to add a couple of eye-catching, larger treats to their baskets. Select a treat that they like best, of course, like this cute funnel of milk chocolates (it also comes in a Reese's Pieces peanut butter, carrot-shaped option). A solid milk chocolate bunny is another way to go, or if you've got a non-chocolate loving kid, a giant egg of Skittles or a pretty Peeps marshmallow stick are fitting choices for the holiday, too. Amazon My tweens love the solo puzzle game Kanoodle, and I love to see them working hard at it with their hands: building and rebuilding in order to solve each challenge. The Kanoodle Extreme offers three types of puzzle challenges and more than 300 individual puzzles in one box. The Love Play Grow therapists also recommend Kanoodle as a great way for teens to 'practice mistake making, not knowing and perseverance.' Fanatics Scoop up a fresh jersey, kit, hat or tee of their favorite home team, so they can represent them all spring and summer season long. Fanatics carries it all—like this Los Angeles Dodgers World Series commemoration hat in the famed Dodgers' blue. Amazon Made popular by the aforementioned Bieber, the phone lip gloss holder is suddenly an essential accessory for those teens who really take pride in and identify with their personal brand and look. This Case-Mate accessory snaps right on to Mag-Safe phone cases, or they can peel and stick it to a case. Walmart Many teens gravitate toward squishy things or tactile items to fidget with, and the NeeDoh line has a particularly satisfying squish. This Nice cube is a little bit more firm and requires you to press it harder, which the Love Play Grow therapy team especially likes for teens. 'Trust us, we've tried all of the fidgets around and NeeDoh ones are the best,' they told me. 'A fan favorite is the Nice Cube. Teens have a lot of stress to squish out!' Amazon This kit in cute giftable packaging comes with everything your budding crafter needs to learn to crochet. The Woobles patterns are particularly playful and kid-friendly, available in a variety of cute and quirky animals and objects. They come with a pre-started piece and plenty of online tutorials. It's a great activity to do together or for them to learn solo during downtime. I've gifted a number of these over the years and my artsy tween has enjoyed making them. Amazon I love to give flip-flops, sandals or slides in my kids' Easter baskets, and I know a lot of other parents have told me they do too, along with other spring and summer essentials. These Crocs Mellow Recovery slides provide that cloud-like plush cushion under their foot that so many comfort-craving teens prefer year-round, not just on recovery days. The price is a bit more teen-centric than some other adult recovery slides, and it's a beloved brand among kids of all ages. Owala In case you didn't know, Owala water bottles have taken over with the backpack crowd. Personally, I also love the two-ways-to-drink model of the Owala FreeSip and have found my tween's bottle to be leak-free, though it takes an extra firm hand to close the lid. This pretty yellow would look great in a basket and keep them hydrated through spring sports season. There are dozens of colorways to choose from and new shades dropping all the time, so select the one that speaks most to your teen's aesthetic. Amazon Whatever their sport, now is the season to spoil them with a new bat, ball, a fresh set of cleats—or just a whole new hobby. Just as you tucked sidewalk chalk and bubbles into their baskets when they were little, add something that's big kid ready to get them outdoors this spring. This pickleball set is among our favorites, and it arrives with everything a family or a group of their pals needs to get started, including four paddles and balls. Urban Outfitters Rollers are back, but today's teens are not interested in messing with the painful, pinch-y rollers of the past or suffering through heat damage. Instead, they're smartly gravitating to heatless, often satin 'pillow rollers' that can be left in overnight with a lot less fuss and pain. This pretty Glov Coolcurl set includes four satin curlers that promise voluminous curls. Amazon Teens love miniatures and gravitate toward nostalgia—even for eras well before their birth. These mini retro arcade games are actually playable and come in full color. It also fits right in their hand. Sure they can play any game on their phone, but the mini version is so much cuter and can be played even when phones aren't allowed. My tween son has a keychain version that's quite popular among his friends, too. REI This lightweight pair of polarized sunglasses offer excellent protection from the sun with UV400, blocking both UVA and UVB rays. They fit well and comfortably with glare-reducing, polarized lenses, so they can wear them to all their many sports activities and hang this spring and summer. Baggu Miffy is back—and trending with teens and young adults. You can find Miffy plush again, clothing and even pimple patches. This Miffy print Baggu case for earbuds can be a sweet pick-me-up as they reach for their music, and of course is on-theme for Easter. Amazon If you have a crafty teen on your hands, this terrarium kit from STMT has everything they need to create a mini hanging plant feature for their room. With multiple colored rock and sand options, they can design it so it feels right to them. My kids have enjoyed multiple STMT sets in the past, including its jewelry-making kits. I think the company does a really nice job of bringing some more elevated activity sets to kids of a variety of ages—especially tween and teen girls. Adams at Love Play Grow loves terrarium and other slower-paced activity kits for teens. 'While teens pretend that they hate to play, they actually love to play,' she says. 'Their materials just look different. So it could be stacking stones, it could be those tiny terrariums.' Amazon If you've noticed that your teen gravitates toward all things soft and cozy, you're not alone. They seem to crave comfort and security—and today's teens love positive affirmations, which is maybe why smiley slippers like these were trending all holiday season on TikTok. Keep your teen smiling and their toes warm with their very own pair. Amazon Another fun stress reliever that comes in Easter-ready hues, Speks Crags Ferrite Putty feels calming in your hand. They're magnetic and stone-like, so teens can shift them back and forth in their palms, roll them between their fingers and otherwise play with this big-kid (ages 14 and up) fidget toy. They feel cool to the touch, have a bit of weight and some people even like the sound they make. Love Play Grow says these are 'another great anxiety reliever that your teens will appreciate.' The Forbes Vetted editorial team has researched and published dozens of gift guides, including those for kids and teens. We aim to recommend the highest-quality picks and also those that our editors love and have tested themselves as often as possible.
