50 Unusual Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys That They ll Love
While hand-selecting each item on this list, we also turned to reviews from experienced pros — parents and tweens themselves — to ensure these products are actually worth buying for your growing little man. Below, check out our picks for the best 12-year-old boy gifts.
35 Best Toys and Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys, According to Tweens
They gave our experts their opinions on the best tech ideas, birthday presents and more.
Reviewed by Rachel Rothman Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director
While choosing gifts for kids of any age can be hard, buying gifts for tweens has an extra layer of difficulty. That’s because they’re right in that in-between spot, where they’re torn between wanting toys, games and fun things like a kid and asking for tech, clothes and more sophisticated things like a teenager.
The Good Housekeeping Institute knows what gifts will meet them at their level through constant testing and surveying. Lab experts call in toys and other gifts, test them to make sure they’re built correctly and safe, and then ship them out to real tweens for feedback. (The favorites from testers of every age go on to win Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards.) After hearing from countless tweens, and adding in some trendy editor’s picks and best-sellers, these rose to the top as the best toys and gifts for 12-year-old boys this year.
Our top picks for the best gifts for 12-year-olds in 2023:
- The Don’t Laugh Challenge: 12-Year-Old Edition, $8 on amazon.com
- The Two Million Dollar Puzzle by MSCHF, $11 on amazon.com
- Educational Insights Kanoodle Extreme Puzzle Game, $12 on amazon.com
- Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Race Car, $29 on amazon.com
- MYNT3D Super 3D Pen, $70 on amazon.com
- Sky Viper Vector Stunt Plane, $76 on target.com
As you can see, puzzles, games and anything that combine the two are a big hit this year, which is good for those growing tween brains!
Looking for more great gifts? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:
50 Unusual Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys That They’ll Love
Whether he’s into sports, tech, gaming, or the outdoors, we have the perfect ideas.
Your 12-year-old’s primary activities and interests could vary by the day, or even the hour! So, it’s all about finding the best products and gifts that will keep him as engaged and entertained as possible. There are practically countless best-selling games, kits, books, and more that all cater to your 12-year-old and whatever his “thing” is at the moment.
To navigate the overwhelming selection of products that are likely on every tween’s wish list, we gathered must-have items across several categories. Whether you’re seeking the best gifts for your gamer, aspiring athlete, hunter, chef-in-training, or Marvel’s biggest fan, there are plenty of options to choose from below. We’ve also found a few gift ideas that can get the entire family involved. (Anyone up for a game night or pickleball tournament a la the best pickleball gifts?)
Best-Selling Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys
While hand-selecting each item on this list, we also turned to reviews from experienced pros — parents and tweens themselves — to ensure these products are actually worth buying for your growing little man. Below, check out our picks for the best 12-year-old boy gifts.
And so you can mark everyone off your shopping list, check out our meticulously curated gift guides for 12-year-old girls, 10-year-old and teen boys, and more for all of your family and friends.