Tween Boys Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Tween Boy Gift Guide 

This guide brings together local Gorge favorites you can shop right here in our community, along with a handful of trending picks you can’t always find locally. As always, the goal is to shop local first and support the small businesses that make the Gorge such a special place to raise kids, while still giving you solid options for those harder-to-find items.

1. Ethika Boxer Briefs
These are all the rage with tween boys right now. My just-turned-10-year-old even got a few pairs from friends for his birthday — you know you’ve entered a new stage when underwear becomes your favorite present. Bright, bold and fun designs plus Ethikas hold up well in the wash, making them a win for both kids and parents.
🔗 Find at Ethika

2. Greenlight Debit Card
This has been on every list so far b/c I love it that much for my own kids.  A perfect gift for tweens and teens who are learning how to manage their own money. 

And honestly? One of the best tween/teen activities in the Gorge is giving them a little independence — letting them walk around downtown Hood River, grab a snack, and shop at our local stores with their own money (and keep it local). The Greenlight Card makes that easy, safe, and super empowering.
🔗 Sign up here → https://greenlight.com/

3. Ultra Thin Threads Wallet
A minimalist card holder that sticks right in your pocket, school bag or mini backpack. Perfect for holding an ID, lunch money, or your Green Light debit card — without adding any bulk. Tweens love the fun patterns and the "grown-up” vibe.
Shop Here → available locally at Doug's

4. Adidas Sambas
Still a top teen trend — sporty, cute, and wearable with nearly everything in their closet.
🔗 Shop here → Sambas

5. LEGO Technic Set 
For the builder who loves a challenge and a little speed. LEGO Technic sets let tweens engineer their own dream rides — from sleek sports cars to monster trucks with working gears and suspension. 
🔗 Look for locally at G. Willikers

6. LC Finger Boards 
LC Boards has been crafting high-quality, affordable fingerboards right here in White Salmon since 2018 — and tween boys love them. Their mission is simple: make real, pro-style fingerboarding accessible to everyone.They design their own graphics, collaborate with other small brands, and support riders at every level — whether kids are just learning tricks or building full fingerboard parks at home. Solid gear, great price point, local roots. Shop Here → LC Boards

And fun bonus: LC Fingerboards will be part of our 12 Days of Giving event this year!

7. Super Baggy Jeans/Pants
Baggy is back — and bigger than ever. Think Empyre, RSQ, or any style that looks two sizes too big (on purpose). Tween boys are all about that loose, skater-inspired fit right now, pairing them with oversized hoodies or graphic tees. It’s a total throwback for parents and a fresh statement for this generation.
🔗 Find at Tilly's 

8. Belts
When the pants get baggier, the belts get busier. Arcade belts are great for tween and teen boys — lightweight, stretchy, and easy to adjust. And they have camo...which is also pretty on trend this season. 
🔗 Look for Arcade locally at Doug's 

9. Beanies
An easy win. Grab a few to rotate through the winter months.
🔗 Local: Doug’s or Pistil

10. Pit Viper Sunglasses
Equal parts practical and playful, these retro shades are the accessory of the moment. Bright colors, bold frames, and just the right amount of attitude — Pit Vipers make tweens feel instantly cool.
🔗 Available locally at Doug's 

11. Flip Slide Game 
One of my 10-year old sons personal favorite games. Fast, fun, and perfect for kids who love a challenge. The Flip Slide Game tests your memory and reflexes as you flip, slide, and match the colors before time runs out. It’s a great screen-free option for car rides, downtime, or friendly competitions between siblings. 
Shop Here → look for similar locally at G. Willikers and Hood River Hobbies

12. RC Cars 
RC cars are always a hit with tween boys. These off-road trucks rip across gravel, grass, pavement, and dirt with shock-absorbing wheels and crazy-good speed. Perfect for driveway races, park adventures, or friendly competitions with neighbors. They’re one of those gifts that keeps them outside, active, and entertained for hours.
Shop Here → available at Hood River Hobbies

And fun bonus: And we are giving this one away in our 12 days of giving...you don't want to miss this! 

13. Books 
Tween boys like the adventure stories, and these two picks are always a hit. Hatchet — an Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) title — is a classic survival story that pulls readers in from page one. The I Survived graphic novel series is great for both avid and reluctant readers, blending action, danger, history, and fast-paced storytelling. 
Shop Here → Available locally at Waucoma Books and Klindt's Books in The Dalles

14. Water Bottle 
Can you ever have too many water bottles? A durable, stylish water bottle - great for school, sports, and everywhere in between. 
Shop Here → available locally at Doug's and Shortt Supply

15. Zip String 
Zip String is one of those toys you don’t think is going to be amazing… until the kids try it — and then nobody puts it down. It shoots a loop of string that magically hovers, flies, and dances through the air without getting tangled. Tween boys love the tricks, the challenges, and the pure “how does this even work?!” factor. And after my kid got one for his birthday I can verify - parents love it too. 
Shop Here → Available locally at G Willikers 

16. Shashibo Shape Shifting Cube
The fidget toy of all fidget toys. It twists, folds, and becomes dozens of shapes — super satisfying.
Shop Here → Available at G Willikers

17. Comfrt Oversized Hoodies and Sweats 
COMFRT has been all over social lately, and for good reason — their sizing runs from toddlers and kids all the way up through tweens, teens, and parents, so the whole family can get in on it. My son got a COMFRT sweatsuit for his birthday and we’re officially obsessed. 

Special offer code: use this link and you will receive 15% off your order! Discount will be added to your cart. 
 

1. Backpack
I make my kids have a dedicated sports backpack to keep all their gear in so they are ready to go and don't get it mixed in with their school backpack (or stink up their school backpack with dirty cleats!) A sturdy, spacious backpack built to handle all their gear — cleats, water bottle, uniform, snacks, and whatever else they insist on bringing. 
Shop Here → similar styles available locally at Doug's 

2. Silent Basketball
Thank you to whoever made this.  My son got the silent soccer ball recently and it's maybe as much a gift for the parents. They can dribble indoors without the noise — perfect for winter.
Shop Here → Available at G Willikers 

3. Vivid Tunnel Vision Prints
Local artist prints inspired by the Gorge and local activities. My kids have the mountain bike print and the snowboard print hanging in their bedroom.  The one with the mountain image in the goggles is my personal favorite.  She will be at the last Hood River Farmer's Market tomorrow - grab your print with your child's favorite activity (skiing, kayaking, mt. biking, etc.) for the perfect room decor gift. 
Shop Here → Available at Vivid Tunnel Vision

4. Nomadix Towel
Do you have a surfer, wind/kiteboarder or swim lover? The “do-everything” towel for active kids. Lightweight, quick-drying, sand-resistant, and super packable — perfect for swim practice, ski days, beach trips, and throwing in a sports bag on the go. 
Shop Here → Available at Shortt Supply

5. Academy Book Series
If you have a sports-loving kid who’s tough to hook on reading… this series might be the magic solution. I couldn’t convince my son to read anything until he picked up The Academy, and now he’s flying through the books. Centered around soccer, teamwork, and big dreams — it’s the perfect series for sporty tweens.
Shop Here → Available at Waucoma Books

6. Sneaker Balls 
Keeps gear bags and cleats smelling fresh. A must-have for sporty tweens. This cute multipack comes with a soccer ball, baseball, football, tennis ball and whiffle ball.  I don't think this is available locally but might be a good one for someone to pick up! 
Shop Here → [LINK]

7. Fun Athletic Shorts
Sporty tweens love these small-brand athletic shorts — bold prints, great fit, and way more fun than anything you’ll find in a big-box store. Bucket Squad is big right now for basketball kids, and Baseball Lifestyle 101 has become the go-to for baseball-obsessed athletes. Comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for practice, PE, or just hanging out.
Shop Here → Bucket Squad and Baseball Lifestyle

8. Blackstrap Baklavas
Warm, breathable, and covered in the coolest prints — BlackStrap balaclavas are a winter must-have for ski kids, snowboarders, and any tween who lives outside in the cold. They’re comfy enough for all-day wear and make gearing up for the mountain (or freezing soccer mornings) way more fun.
Shop Here → Available at Doug's 

9. Warmies (Sport Inspired) 
My kids won't sleep without them! The perfect mix of cozy and cool. These sport-inspired Warmies come in fun athletic themes — think baseballs, soccer balls, footballs, basketballs — heat them up for extra comfort on cold evenings, sore muscles, or post-practice chill. 
Shop Here → Warmies available locally at Lucky Littles

10. Over-the-door Basketball Hoop
A classic. Endless fun and great for bedrooms or playrooms. Use with your new "silent" basketball! 
Shop Here → [LINK]

11. Pop Clox Sport Inspired Clocks
Ok, so these you can't find locally but they are handmade, not mass produced by a small business and they are so cool.  They make all kinds of very cool pendulum clocks for kids - toddlers to teens.  Room decor is big with my tweens and they are both getting one for Christmas! 
Shop Here → Available at Pop Clox

12. FIFA World Cup Official Soccer Ball
With the World Cup coming next year and to our own backyard this is the gift for soccer-obsessed tweens.
Shop Here → Available at Dick's Sporting Goods

13. Soccer Jerseys
Whether your tween is deep into soccer or just along for the ride, jerseys seem to be a favorite among tween boys. With the World Cup right around the corner — it’s the perfect time to let them show their team spirit. 
Shop Here → Soccer jerseys available locally at Marco Sports

14. Pro Tec Helmet
From biking and scootering to skate parks and dirt jumps. Pro-Tec helmets are known for their comfort, durability, and classic skate style that tweens actually want to wear. With tons of cool colors, they keep kids safe without any “ugh, do I have to?” complaints.
Shop Here → Available at Doug's 

15.  Skateboard
Whether your tween is just learning or already landing tricks, there are great skateboard options right here in town. Local shops carry everything from beginner boards to higher-end setups, so you can find the right fit for any rider. And with our local skate parks — plus the new Skatespace — there are tons of places for kids to practice, ride, and progress all year long.
Shop Here → Available at Doug's and Pure Stoke

And that officially wraps up everything for the tweens — boys, girls, sporty, and everything in between. Next up on the list: Stocking Stuffers, Elementary-age Kids, Toddlers, Artsy/Creative Kids, and a roundup of Local Maker Favorites I’m so excited to share.