Shopping for a tween girl can feel like shopping for two people at once. She is not quite a little girl anymore, but she may not be ready for the clothes, styles and brands she sees older girls wearing either. She has her own opinions about what is cute, what is cool and, most importantly, what she will actually wear.
That is exactly why the best gifts for tween girls are pieces that feel a little more grown-up while still being designed for her age. Think trendy prints, athletic styles she can actually wear to practice or with friends, and pajamas that are cute enough to make her excited for bedtime.
If you are looking for tween girl gifts that will not end up forgotten in the back of her closet, these are a few of the styles worth putting at the top of your list.
Cosmic Crush: A Print She Will Actually Like
When a girl reaches the tween years, she starts developing a much stronger sense of personal style. She wants something that feels fun and youthful without feeling little-kid-ish.
Cosmic Crush hits that sweet spot.
The print has a fun, modern feel that makes it easy to wear as an everyday favorite. For a gift that feels more special than another basic piece of clothing, the Sophie Girls' Short Set in Cosmic Crush is an easy choice. It pairs a soft Pima cotton top with coordinating elastic-waist shorts and is available through size 16, making it a great option for older girls and tweens.
For a girl who prefers pajamas at night, the Alden Girls' Pima Cotton Pajama Pant Set in Cosmic Crush brings the same print into a classic long-sleeve pajama silhouette.
It is the kind of print that feels fun enough for her current style while still being timeless enough that she will not immediately outgrow it.
LH Sport: The Athleticwear She Has Been Asking For
If your tween has started asking for the same athletic brands she sees older girls wearing, you know exactly what we mean. She wants the matching skirt and top, the polished tennis look and the feeling of having a real activewear outfit of her own.
But she may still be too young or too small for some of the big-name athletic brands she has her eye on.
That is where LH Sport comes in.
Designed specifically for girls, LH Sport gives tweens the sporty, elevated look they want in sizes that actually work for them. The performance collection currently includes girls' styles through size 16, so she can get the athleticwear look she is asking for without having to size up into clothes that were not designed for her.
The pieces are also made for actual movement. LH Sport's performance fabric is a 92% polyester and 8% elastane blend designed to be moisture-wicking, quick-drying and comfortable for active days.
For the tween who is always heading to tennis, pickleball, dance, golf or just wants a cute sporty outfit for the weekend, LH Sport is a gift she can actually use.
The Margot Skirt + Ellie Top
If you are not sure where to start with LH Sport, the Margot Girls' Performance Skirt and Ellie Girls' Sleeveless Performance Top make an especially good gift pairing.
The Margot is the classic athletic skirt she will want to wear everywhere, with a flat front, tiered back and built-in shorts underneath. Pair it with the Ellie, a sleeveless performance top with feminine ruffle detailing at the shoulders and collar, for a complete outfit that feels sporty without losing the details girls love.
Better yet, the pieces can be mixed and matched with other LH Sport colors and tops, so you are not giving her an outfit she can only wear one way.
It is a gift that feels like something she would have picked out herself, which is usually the goal when you are shopping for a tween.
More LH Sport Gifts for Tween Girls
The Margot and Ellie are just the beginning. If your tween is starting to build her own athletic wardrobe, there are plenty of other LH Sport pieces that make great gifts and can be mixed and matched throughout the season.
The Mia Girls' Long Sleeve is an easy option for cooler days when she still wants the polished athletic look. It works beautifully with performance skirts and can be layered under pullovers when the weather gets colder.
For warmer days, the Sloane Girls' Short Sleeve Top gives her another lightweight option to pair with her favorite athletic skirt. It is the kind of everyday performance top that can go from practice to running errands with Mom without feeling like she is wearing a full athletic uniform. She will love the open, swing back and boxier fit of this top.
The Harper Girls' Performance Dress is another standout gift for the tween who loves an outfit that can do it all. The sporty dress silhouette gives her the same polished look as a matching tennis outfit while keeping getting dressed simple. Pair it with sneakers for an active day or let her style it her own way for a casual weekend look.
And when she needs an extra layer, the Blair Girls' Performance Pullover is an easy addition to her athletic wardrobe. It can be thrown over a performance top or worn with her favorite skirt when temperatures drop, making it one of those pieces she will reach for again and again.
Together, these styles make it possible to give a tween girl an entire LH Sport wardrobe rather than just one outfit. She can mix the Mia, Sloane, Margot, Ellie, Harper and Blair pieces depending on what she is doing and what she feels like wearing that day.
Pajamas She Will Want to Live In
There is something about a new pair of pajamas that still makes a great gift, even when a girl is getting older. The trick is finding a set that feels a little more elevated than the pajamas she has been wearing for years.
Lila and Hayes' girls' pajama collection is made from soft 100% Peruvian Pima cotton, with classic silhouettes and prints designed for growing girls. Many of the styles extend into the tween years, including sizes 12, 14 and 16.
Emery Girls' Short Set
The Emery Girls' Short Set is an easy choice for the tween who loves a classic pajama set but wants something a little more grown-up. The short-sleeve top has piped detailing around the neckline and pairs with coordinating elastic-waist shorts. It is made from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton for a soft, breathable feel.
It is the kind of pajama set she can wear for sleepovers, weekends at home and family vacations, making it a gift that will get plenty of use.
Millie Girls' Pant Set
For a tween who prefers long pajamas, the Millie Girls' Pant Set is a classic two-piece option. It features a long-sleeve top with contrast piping and coordinating elastic-waist pants, all made from 100% Peruvian cotton. The style is available through size 16, making it especially useful for older tweens.
The simple silhouette is what makes it so versatile. Add a fun print and it becomes a gift that feels special without being overly trendy.
Rorie Ruffle Pajama Sets
For the girl who still loves a little feminine detail, Rorie is the answer. The ruffle details give the classic pajama silhouette a sweeter feel while still looking age-appropriate for a tween.
Choose the Rorie Ruffle Short Set with a cozy long-sleeve, the kind of pajamas that make a great Christmas or birthday gift because they feel more special than a basic pajama set, while still being practical enough to wear all the time.
What Makes a Good Gift for a Tween Girl?
The best gifts for tween girls tend to have a few things in common. They feel grown-up without being too mature, they reflect her interests and they are something she can actually incorporate into her everyday life.
That might mean an athletic outfit she can wear to tennis practice. It might be a fun new print she can wear to a sleepover. Or it might be a pair of pajamas that makes her feel a little more grown-up while still being comfortable at home.
It is also worth paying attention to sizing. Tween girls are often in that in-between stage where they are too big for many children's brands but not quite ready for adult sizing. Choosing a brand with children's and tween sizes means you can find something that fits her now rather than buying something she will have to grow into.
Tween Girl Gifts She Will Actually Use
If you are shopping for a tween girl this year, skip the generic gift basket or gift card and give her something that feels like it was picked specifically for her.
For the sporty girl, choose the Margot skirt and Ellie top from LH Sport. For the girl who loves a fun print, Cosmic Crush is an easy favorite. Not sure what she will like? The Emery short set and Millie pant set are options that any girl would love, even the picky ones.
These are gifts that meet her somewhere between childhood and the teenage years: cute without feeling childish, comfortable without feeling boring and stylish enough that she will actually want to wear them.
And that is really the secret to shopping for a tween girl. Give her something she would choose for herself.
gift ideas for tween girls | gifts for tween girls | best gifts for tween girls | Christmas gifts for tween girls | birthday gifts for tween girls | tween girl gifts | gifts for girls age 8-12 | gifts for girls 9-12 | gifts for 10 year old girls | gifts for 11 year old girls | gifts for 12 year old girls | clothes for tween girls | tween girl clothes | tween girls clothing | activewear for tween girls | girls athletic wear | tween athletic wear | girls tennis outfits | girls activewear | girls sports outfits | tween girl pajamas | pajamas for tween girls | girls pajama sets | Pima cotton pajamas for girls | Cosmic Crush | LH Sport girls | Margot girls skirt | Ellie girls top | Emery girls short set | Millie girls pant set | Rorie girls pajamas | Lila and Hayes gifts for tween girls
