Inexpensive Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Tween Nephew

This year, don't work yourself into a frenzy worrying about what to get your teen nephew for the holidays. Check out this list of great tween gift ideas that are sure to delight and entertain your nephew.

Sports Cards

Collectible basketball, football, baseball, or hockey cards make great gifts because they can inspire your nephew to start a lifelong habit of collecting. Find out what sport your nephew enjoys and then go to www.ebay.com for a pack of cards which will run you around $20, depending on what's in there.

Skate Shoes

You've probably seen hundreds of kids rolling by you in the grocery store on little wheeled shoes. Kids love these because they are roller skates that they can wear all day long. And their parents like them because when kids are busy skating in the store, they aren't busy begging for stuff. A nice pair of boys skate shoes will run you about $25 on www.amazon.com (with free shipping!).

Moon Shoes

These shoes are mini trampolines that strap onto kids' feet so they can jump really high. As a parent, I can guarantee you that your nephew's parents will watch with joy as their nephew exhausts himself bouncing around on his brand new moon shoes. Check out www.sears.com for ordering information on these $30 entertainers.

Remote Control Helicopter

This gift really speaks for itself. I can't think of a tween boy who wouldn't get a kick out of his very own remote control helicopter. Check out www.brookstone.com for an inexpensive ($30) version with an extra light body and an easy to use remote control.

A Baseball Pitching Machine and Bat

If your tween nephew is an only child, just buying him a bat and ball would mean that he'll spend the rest of the winter begging one of his parents to play with him. But a baseball pitching machine and bat means that he cans spend hours outside entertaining himself. Plus, this $27 machine's consistent pitch makes it a great learning tool. Check out www.target.com for more information.

A Chemistry Set

Check out www.sciencekits.com for a variety of chemistry sets that include tons of safe but fascinating activities for kids. The sets range in price from $20 to over $100. I recommend browsing around this site. They have many kinds of science kits and your sure to find one that will keep your tween nephew entertained.

Nerf N-Strike Longshot CS-6

This 14" plastic gun shoots out foam darts with a 35' range. The darts are completely harmless, and the gun is lots of fun. The Longshot will run you around $30 and can be found on www.target.com

Gift Card

When all else fails, the gift card is a better idea than you think it is. Tweens love to be able to make their own decisions, and a gift card helps them to feel like adults. You may feel like you're giving an impersonal gift, but your tween nephew will think that you're the coolest aunt around.