Activity books from Williamson Publishing Company, which has produced dozens of award-winning children's activity books on every subject imaginable. From multicultural cooking to knitting to science experiments to making scrapbooks and eco-art projects, your tween will have enough rainy-day fun to last through a monsoon.

All of the titles are high quality, but be sure to check the targeted ages — some are for younger children. To order, call (800) 234-8791.

Klutz Press Books. These activity kits are guaranteed hits with kids. Different books teach tweens what they most want to know: how to tie dozens of knots, play dozens of card or swimming pool games, make dozens of paper airplanes, do dozens of magic tricks, etc. If you need to buy a birthday present for a tween, look no further.

School Zone Publishing Company workbooks. These graded workbooks provide excellent remedial and enrichment activities in all academic areas for students in grades pre-kindergarten to sixth. Available at department stores or online at School Zone.