The Best Toys and Gifts for 11-Year-Olds

Hello, tweendom! Eleven-year-olds are finishing up elementary school, starting middle school, and oh, the changes that come. They're growing physically, mentally and emotionally — all happening with a few loop-de-loos and bumps in the road. For us grown-ups, it's important that we help them foster independence and spend tons of quality time with them.

With all that in mind, we've pulled together our best gift ideas for showering our 11-year-olds with love — giving them the chance to be their own person, as well as encouraging them to hang out with us, too. (Hopefully!)

Best Gifts to Get Them Moving

We all love our screens, and tweens are no different. Pull them outside and get them moving and experiencing nature with these super-active ideas. From ziplines and scooters to a relaxing swing for catching up on their next read, these gifts will have them enjoying the sunshine and blue skies.

Best Gifts for Creativity

Let their imaginations fly with gifts that inspire creativity. At this age, kids are exploring their identity, and these artistic endeavors give them the chance to decorate their rooms, sidewalks, canvases and even their own bodies with cool tattoo pens.

Best Gifts for STEM

Get those mind gears moving. Your science- and math-minded kid will adore these clever gifts that encourage robotics, physics and engineering. Also, in our opinion, you can never go wrong with LEGOs.

Best Gifts for Playing

Here's where we pull them back into our circles — fun games that both kids, tweens and grown-ups like. Whether you try out the glow-in-the-dark Capture the Flag, have an indoor curling match or a raucous game of Kids Against Maturity, this is a way to make great memories with our kiddos.

Best Gifts Just for Fun

When all else fails, these gifts are our go-tos. Every kid loves a joke book and someone to share them with. A cool Bluetooth nightlight is a perfect addition to their bedroom, and an epic tent takes hangouts and sleepovers to the next level.