tween birthday gifts: our top 5 picks for girls

After reading this post, I promise you’ll have gifts covered for the next ten birthday parties for the tween girls in your life.

Seriously.

Buy two of each of these sets, and birthdays will be covered. Kids will be smiling. Parents will be grateful.

You will be a star.

Or your child will be a star.

Or something like that.

Really though, buying gifts for tween girls in your life is not easy. I should know–I’ve got three tweens in my own house right now. And finding the best birthday gift for all of their pals, for the many birthday parties they’re invited to, is not always easy.

But for you, the road led to this post, my friends.

For here are the best tween birthday gifts, our top five picks for girls. Tried and tested by my own tweens and their friends, thanks to our friends at Klutz.

You will never struggle again.

In fact, you even have a chance to win each of these sets because I love you that much and love these sets that much. One lucky winner will score five sets total–so five of the next tween birthdays will be covered. Just like that.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Tween Birthday Gifts–Top Five Picks for Girls:

My goal for birthdays, no matter boy or girl, baby to tween, is to give them gifts that keep them busy. I give books that they can read. I give crafts that they can complete. I give them activity sets that they can do.

No electronics. No money. I’m trying to exert a little control where I am able; we all know our kids spend more time plugged in than we’d care to admit, and their grandparents can give them money.

I always like to give them a super-cool activity set.

In no particular order, here are our top five current faves, all thanks to our friends at Klutz.

Numero Uno: String Art

String Art is just that: art with string. The Klutz String Art Set is so totally cool, you won’t believe it.

You’ll be in awe of what your kids create, and they will, too.

Maddy and her pal made String Art one afternoon this summer, and they loved it.

The kit includes a really cool tool that makes poking in the pins super easy, and it includes cardboard canvases, paper for backgrounds, patterns, and string.

Maddy and Peyton both made the stars, and they turned out really, really well. The girls were totally into it.

And then Maddy pretty much worked the rest of the afternoon on a few more masterpieces.

Numero Dos: Design & Dye with No-Heat Batik

Design & Dye allows users to create beautiful, wearable art.

We gave Design & Dye a spin this summer, too, and it was a huge hit.

Check out our post: Craft & Wear–2 New, Must-Have Craft Sets for more.

Maddy even had a chance to work on a promo for Design & Dye this summer while we were at the Klutz studio. I cannot wait to share it once it’s finished, but here are a few shots from the day:

Numero Tres: Pop Collage

Pop Collage is a fun and funky set that empowers kids to ‘make their stuff stand out’.

We had a chance to really explore the Pop Collage set at the Klutz Blogger Event we hosted this summer, but Maddy and her pals also played around with Pop Collage one Saturday a few weeks ago.

What I love most about this set is that the possibilities are endless.

Once kids learn how to use the papers, templates, sequins, glitter, and glaze that comes with the set, they will have the skills they need to bring new life into just about anything they want.

They can make boring, old frames POP; they can design and decorate journals or notebooks so that they are totally cool and fun.

They can make bookmarks, flowerpots, bowls, desk organizers, and more.

Numero Quatro: Make Clay Charms or Make Glitter Clay Charms

The Make Clay Charms set was so, so much fun, and the idea is simple: create teeny clay charms and then bake and glaze them so they can be used as jewelry, keychains, or the like.

We had a big group of girls over one day this summer–five girls between the ages of 8 and 11–and they spent hours upon hours making their charms.

Though we don’t have the Make Glitter Charms Set ourselves, the set we used was almost the same. Just sans glitter.

I’m willing to bet that tween girls would totally dig either.

One thing I love about all of these Klutz sets is that Reading. Is. Required.

I stressed to the girls each time we tried a new set that we really, truly could not skip or skim–or our projects might flop.

Even making the charm animals required reading and following steps. I love it.

The girls worked together, helping each other with color choices, ideas, and suggestions.

And through the rolling, flattening, squishing, and molding, they chatted, giggled, and enjoyed time together.

Making the charms is super-simple:

create the charm using the clay provided
stick a wire hook into the charm
bake the charms and let them cool
glaze the charms
let them dry

And when the charms are dry, you could put them on a bracelet like Mia did, or you can display them in a little display that comes with the set.

Or you could add them to a keychain, put them on a necklace, or give them to a teacher like Cora did.

Numero Quatro: Charm Bracelet Studio

Charm Bracelet Studio allows kids to create beautiful charm bracelets–just like the ones that it seems everyone is wearing right now.

These are personal. They’re fun.

And they’re really super for gift-giving.

Check out our post: Craft & Wear–2 New, Must-Have Craft Sets for more.

Okay–now let’s get to the giveaway!

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GIVEAWAY: All FIVE of these Klutz sets mentioned here: String Art, Pop Collage, Design & Dye, Make Clay Charms, and Charm Bracelet Studio!!

Do you want to win one each of the String Art, Pop Collage, Design & Dye, Make Clay Charms, and Charm Bracelet Studio sets!??! Yes, yes you do.

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Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to throw your name in the hat:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By entering this giveaway, you are demonstrating your understanding of and compliance with the Official Sweepstakes Rules.

This giveaway ends Saturday, October 10, 2015 at midnight ET and is open to folks here in the US only. Winner will be chosen by ‘Rafflecopter’ and will be notified on or around 10/10/15. Winner must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected. All Official Sweepstakes Rules apply.

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Want to check out our SUPER-cool time in NYC at the Klutz Studios?

If you don’t already subscribe to teachmama.com on YouTube, you’re missing out!fyi: This post was written as a partnership with Klutz, but as always, my opinions are my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator. Huge and happy thanks to my two crafty tweens and all of their pals for trying these sets out, giving me feedback, and just being awesome. Check out our other post for Klutz– Craft & Wear: Our 2 New Fave Craft Sets for Kids