According to Pre Teenagers Today magazine, Preteen boys (aged 10-12) are reaching for independence. Therefore the perfect gift for a preteen boy would be one that celebrates and fosters the independence for the young man in your life.
#1 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Magazine Subscription
A tween boy loves to get mail that is just for him. This is why a magazine subscription would be so cool. There are many magazines marketed toward this age range. Some of them are Got Sports Magazine, Sports Illustrated for Kids, PC Gamer, or Boys Life. A magazine subscription is also an inexpensive way to give a gift that you know he will use all year long.
#2 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Bedroom Media Chair
Tween Boys are a lot like men, so if the men in your life like to have a chair that is theirs and only theirs, it goes to figure that you tween boy in your life would like his own chair as well. Consider buying him a media chair. Media chairs range in price from $79.00 to several hundred, unless you purchase a chair that does not have the bells and whistles of most media chairs. Most media chairs have surround sound speakers, and attachments for your game system controllers.
#3 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Hand Held Game System
If you have any question as to what you should purchase the tween boy in your life, buy him a hand held game system. If he already has the hand held systems of his choice, then you can purchase games for his hand held system. Before buying games or even the system however, you must have parental approval. You do not want to introduce an item into the home that my cause friction due to the necessity of placing restrictions. You also do not want to introduce and item with a more adult rating than parents would approve.
# 4 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Game System
Tween boys love game systems for the same reasons they love hand held games. Game systems are best purchased by parents or close family as they can be expensive, and will likely be used by the entire family, or at least all of the children involved. However, I still recommend a game system like a Play Station, Game Cube, X Box, or something similar. Because nothing will foster a friendship between boys faster than game system. If you have an especially introverted tween boy, then a game system in a tool to help him make a few friends.
#5 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Camera
Giving a tween boy a camera will open up a completely new world for him and allow him to capture the world as he sees it. It is a productive tool that will foster creativity, and independence. His friends will think it is cool too. Look for an inexpensive digital camera (around $100.00) so that he does not have to purchase film for the camera. If he has computer access, make sure the camera comes with software so he can make slideshows, and greeting cards.
#7 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Walkman
A tween boy would love to have his own music system with headphones so he can drown out everyone around him. A Walkman/ CD player is relatively inexpensive and having music that he can choose himself (with parental supervision) will make him happy and proud.
#8 gift Idea for Tween Boys: iPod
If you have a bigger budget, you should consider getting the tween male in your life an iPod. An iPod or similar mp3 player will allow him to download music from the internet, which most high-tech kids are doing these days, and allow him to have a lot more music on hand than he can carry on a few CD’s.
#9 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Cell Phone
A cell phone is an ideal gift for a tween boy for two reasons. First it will make him happy, and he will feel trusted. Second, it is a tool you can use to give him a little space while still monitoring him. If you want to go as far as knowing where he is every minute, you can purchase a phone with a GPS tracking system. Of course, you will have to remind him to take it with him whenever he leaves the house.
#10 gift Idea for Tween Boys: Laptop Computer
With the proper safety precautions of course, nothing will make a tween boy feel more special and independent than having his own laptop computer. In addition, owning his own laptop will raise his grades, especially if he is encouraged to do his homework and projects using it.
In summation, when purchasing a gift for a tween boy, try to remember the goal is to make him feel special and respected as a young man without buying something that is age inappropriate.
