When your children are in the last few years of their childhood, it can be challenging to think of the perfect gift for them.

You want to remind them to keep being good kids while also encouraging them to explore who they are. You want them to have fun but also to be careful and compassionate. You want them to see you as someone cool and easy going but also as someone they can trust and rely on when something goes wrong.

How do you communicate all these in a single gift?

You’re a mom—your instinct’s correct most of the time, but it’s hard to keep up with a kid’s ever-changing set of interests and their short attention spans. It can get overwhelming!

That’s where this guide comes in. Here’s how to find the perfect gifts for 11-year-olds.

1. Set a budget

Gifts are for making people happy, and what could make a person happier than getting something they really, really want?

The thing is, some kids don’t realize that most toys for 11-year-olds (especially the ones on TV) can get crazy expensive. It’s all well and good if you have an unlimited budget, but if you don’t, then don’t beat yourself up over not getting them exactly what they want.

Remember that most kids will probably lose interest in that fancy new toy in a few months’ time anyway. While it’s always worth it to see their little faces all lit up, you shouldn’t break the bank for just one present. Besides, there are a lot of great gifts that are below $20. For instance, kids’ headphones are less than $17 on Amazon (just make sure to read reviews before ordering!), and there’s even a basketball cap that lights up for just $13.

2. Identify their interests

If your kid has been getting good grades and has been helpful with chores, you can give them a gift as a token of appreciation! Identify what your kid’s interests are and choose a gift to go with it. This will show them that you support their interests and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to make them happy.

For instance, if they’re always watching YouTube vlogs, you might want to get them their own waterproof mini camcorder. This tough, little guy can be mounted on helmets and handlebars. It can even be used in the pool!

For the movie buff, try and find a hoodie that also doubles as a costume. Lots of superhero hoodies are available online—not only will they look cool wearing their new hoodie, but they’ll also always have a backup Halloween costume ready!

3. Get them an educational or an outdoor gift

If you’re not sure what your children are into recently (or you want to get them off their phone), get them an educational present they’ll enjoy.

Most board games are group activities, which will help boost their social skills. They’re also made particularly to enhance some of your children’s abilities, like their vocabulary, critical thinking, and logic. Get them a classic Monopoly game, a Jenga, a Bananagram, or a new board game you’ve never heard of. This way, all of you in the family can play together – whoever loses does the dishes after! Alternatively, you can get them an outdoor game like the reimagined Capture the Flag game.

Because board these games are a group activity, it’s perfect for sleepovers and birthday parties. Your kids will love the competitive nature of the activity, and you’ll get them to stop playing video games for at least an hour or two. Win-win! (Wait, who’s gonna do the dishes now?)

4. Personalize your gift!

Nothing makes a gift more special than knowing it was handpicked especially for you. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make anyone feel loved!

Include a handwritten note that details how proud you are of everything that your child has done in the past year. Tell them how lucky you are to be their mom! It may be a small thing for you, but it could be a huge deal for the kids. You never know when they need the reminder.

Even better: make it a tradition that all presents should come with a nice, heartfelt letter. You can also include a photo of the two of you or of the whole family. The truth is they might not appreciate the sentimentality of these letters at the moment they open the gift. After all, they’re kids! They just want to play with their cool, new toy. But when they look back in a few years, they’ll realize that what made opening their presents so special was the way you made them feel special. And that’s the best gift you can give to any child!

Don’t let everyday chores hinder you from giving the best gifts to your children. Use the guide above for an easy-breezy gift shopping that you yourself will enjoy!