Struggling to buy a present for an 11-year-old – secondary school kids no longer young but also not fully fledged teens? Who better to ask for ideas than a group of their own peers?
We picked the brains of 11-year-olds from around the country for the best gifts for tweens their age. From skincare to fitness tech, today’s preteens are a cultivated bunch (and know their way around the words “trending” and “collab”). Read on for their best gifts.
***
The best gifts for 11-year-olds
***
Get ready
Sterling silver heart set
£30 at John Lewis £35 at NextPandora heart charm
£29 at PandoraDressing table with mirror
£102.99 at WayfairI would love a heart-shaped matching necklace and earring set or a Pandora charm. When I wear jewellery, it reminds me of the person who gave it to me, and I feel really grateful and happy.
I would love a dressing table to put in my bedroom so I can organise all my jewellery, nail varnishes, hair scrunchies and sprays. Sitting at my dressing table getting ready each morning will make me smile before I start the day! Simran
***
Watch out
Apple Watch SE 2
£159 at Argos £179 at AmazonI’m a big football fan – our Fulham season tickets are my pride and joy – and I want an Apple Watch to track fitness, set training timers, and message my parents after practice. Matthieu
***
Wicked clothes
Knitted sweater
£35.99 at MangoWe Believe in Glinda body spray
£32 at LushI love getting clothes as gifts. I really like this jumper because of the colour, which goes well with jeans. The style of the zip and neckline are really cool, and I love the knitted look. I’m also really excited for Wicked 2, and this We Believe in Glinda body spray looks amazing. Marianne
***
Flashy fun
Portable Bluetooth karaoke machine
£19.99 at Robert Dyas £23.99 at CurrysSlush Puppie machine
£29.99 at SmythsWifi light strips
£27.99 at AmazonI’ve asked for a karaoke machine. It’s something you can do with family and friends if there are two microphones. A slushie maker would also be a taste sensation, and it avoids all those nasty chemicals too! I’d really like some LED lights; they make a kid’s room fun but also calm at night. Felix
***
Snap happy
Instax camera
£74.99 at Boots £73.98 at AmazonI’d love a dog, but I know that’s a long shot. If not, I’d like a Fujifilm camera because I like to look back at all my memories. Elsie
***
Dress to impress
Brandy Melville sweater
£30 at Brandy MelvilleBrandy Melville jogging bottoms
£30 at Brandy MelvilleAdidas Gazelles
£45 at Schuh £55 at AdidasJellycat bag charm
£23 at Urban Outfitters £25 at JD WilliamsI’d like trending clothes, shoes and Jellycats. We like trending stuff as we want to look cool and fashionable. Jellycats are trending, but they’re also super cute. Sasha
***
Make scents
Sol de Janeiro set
£31.20 at John Lewis £39 at BootsI would like a set of perfumes by Sol de Janeiro called Spritz the Season, because they smell very nice. It’s a popular brand for young girls, so lots of people would like them. Jess
***
Fit in
Samsung Galaxy Fit3 watch
£44 at Argos £44 at SamsungI would really like a smartwatch because they look cool, and I like to know how many steps I do. Kai
***
Made up
Flat Lay Co makeup bag
£18.74 at Lookfantastic £25 at M&SI would really like a fold-out makeup and wash bag because they’re really useful and pretty. They can store loads of things, then fold back into the size of a normal makeup or wash bag. Skye
***
Rock on
Lego Nike
£34.99 at Lego £34.99 at NikePercy Jackson book set
£10 at the Works £16.55 at AmazonI’d like something from the Nike Lego collab sets, the Percy Jackson book series and some concert tickets. Evan
***
Lululemon and Lottie Brooks
Lululemon flared trousers
£108 at LululemonK-pop Demon Hunters sweatshirt
£19.99 at ZaraThe Mega-Complicated Crushes of Lottie Brooks
£4.57 at Amazon £4.99 at ScholasticByoma universal skincare heroes set
£22 at Boots £22 at AmazonHeatless curlers
£10 at BootsI’d love new clothes – I like White Fox, Lululemon and would also like a K-pop hoodie. I’d like the next Lottie Brookes book in the series, and Byoma skincare: it makes my skin look and feel nice. I love hair products too, so some heatless curlers. Rosie
For more gift guides from the Filter, read the best sustainable Christmas gifts for children and the best gifts for pets
