Tweens and teens are some of the most incredibly creative people on earth. But oftentimes, they don't get the stimulation they are seeking. They turn to TV, their phones, and probably YouTube rabbit holes to keep themselves entertained and engaged. Those things aren't necessarily bad, but they don't always give kids of this age group the creative outlets they so desperately need to play, socialize, or actually be creators.
That's why, this year, when you're shopping for a tween or teen in your life, consider your options. Sure, they want money, clothes, and gift cards. They probably also want tickets to Piper Rockelle, Olivia Rodrigo, and Harry Styles (I mean, who doesn't?). But creative gifts that keep their brains active and engaged in a healthy way can be fun and super social.
Here are seven brain games your tween or teen will be all about:
1. Kids Against Maturity Card Game
This game is so much fun for tweens and teens, but it's also perfect for families to play together, too. Everyone just needs to keep their sense of humor about them. This versatile game is great for laughing, getting silly, and being clever at the same time. Kids will love playing it at sleepovers or with their parents and younger siblings. When it comes to tweens and teens, that sounds like a tall order, but this game totally delivers.
2. Puns of Anarchy
$29.99
from
Puns of Anarchy
Do you know what tweens and teens really love to do? They love to make jokes. Sometimes they are hilarious, and sometimes they are totally offbeat and cringe-worthy. That's why this game, which is completely based on puns, is the perfect game for this age group. The reviews are in, and tweens and teens absolutely love to play it. It's also easy to learn, and it encourages endless creativity — and, oh yeah, lots of laughs.
3. Art Out of the Box Solo Drawing Game
$20
from
Uncommon Goods
For older kids who love art but sometimes need a little bit of inspiration, this game is absolutely perfect. This one isn't a social game, though. It's a solo game for the artistically minded. It provides tons of art project prompts for so many amazing creations that teens and tweens will love producing.
4. Pixicade
Pixicade is a totally amazing game for so many reasons. It can be done solo or with a buddy. But either way, there is no shortage of brain power in demand! It combines two of kids' loves: drawing and video games. Essentially, it turns their own drawings into games that they can play. How cool is that?
5. PlayMonster THINGS... Game - Schitt's Creek Edition
Any fans of the hit show Schitt's Creek will absolutely love this game. This one is a better fit for teens than tweens, and truly, they'll likely dominate the game. It's all about laughter and imagination, making it a great (and brainy!) activity for parties.
6. PipFALL
Active games that also use brain power are kind of the best. They're also great at holding players' attention. This dice toss game allows players to score points based on the number of pips (that's the dots on the dice) that land face-up on the board. But there's a catch. If the ball falls through the hole in the board, you lose points. It's a game that requires a bit of math, skill, and a lot of competitive spirit.
7. Thinkfun: Hacker Cyber Security
$26.99
from
Puzzled Gamer
This is the perfect game to help older kids develop critical thinking skills. Tweens and teens will learn programming principles all by playing along. In a world where STEM skills are so essential, this one is an absolute must!
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
