100 Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
It comes with over 468 pieces and blocks as well as cool stickers.
21 of the best gifts for 12-year-old boys, from a cooking kit to challenging board games
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- Twelve-year-olds may not be as into toys as they used to be and often want something more grown up.
- We rounded up the best gifts for 12-year-old boys that are fun but won’t come across as too childish.
- Still looking for a gift? Check out our list of theAll-Time Best products we’ve ever tested.
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Twelve-year-olds are at a big transition point in their lives — they’re starting to feel more grown up, but they’re not quite out of childhood yet. When it comes to gift-giving, this means they won’t want gifts that seem immature or childish.
We spoke to Madeleine Buckley, senior editor at The Toy Insider to help us find some of the best gifts for 12-year-old boys. “By 12, kids are nearing their teen years and might be starting to move away from toys. However, it is still important to encourage tweens to stay active and keep learning through play, which is why outdoor/active toys and more complex activities make great gifts for this age group,” she said.
Buckley recommended games, crafts, pop culture gifts, fidgets, and video games for tweens. Before buying a gift, find out what brands, franchises, and video games the 12-year-old on your list is into. This will help you narrow down which gifts will be a hit and which might fall flat. Don’t be afraid of buying outside of typical gender stereotypes, either. Not all boys like sports, and some might be happier with an arts and crafts kit than a football.
Here are 21 of the best gifts for 12-year-old boys:
A board game dedicated to villains
Marvel Villainous Board Game, available at Amazon and Target, $34.99
Marvel remains hot, and this strategy game is just right for 12-year-olds. Breaking away from the usual hero archetype, players will get to take on the role of their favorite Marvel villain. According to Buckley, games are a great gift for tweens, particularly those with more complex rules.
A scooter they won’t outgrow
Globber Ultimum Scooter, available at Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods, from $159.99
Scooters are fun for all ages, from toddlers to adults. They can be particularly practical for tweens as a means of transportation as well. This scooter is adjustable and supports up to 220 pounds, meaning most kids won’t ever outgrow it.
A book they won’t be able to put down
“Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, available at Amazon and Target, $12.14
“Ready Player One” features a teenage protagonist who embarks on the ultimate virtual reality video game quest. The book also inspired a movie adaptation that tweens will be eager to watch after finishing the book.
A music video Lego set
Lego Vidiyo The Boombox, available at Amazon, Target, Kohl’s, and Lego, $99.95
Twelve-year-olds can create their own music videos with this boombox Lego set. Using the free app, they can make videos and add special effects. This is an ideal gift for that tween who still likes to build Lego but needs a little something extra to keep the toy interesting.
A Pop Grip with a purpose
If they don’t already have one, most 12-year-olds will be getting their first smartphone soon. Give them something to hold onto their phone that also makes an important statement. Half of the proceeds from each Black Ally Pop Grip are donated to Know Your Rights Camp.
LED lights for their bedroom
They’ll be able to change the atmosphere of their room in an instant with these LED lights they can control with an app, Alexa, or Google Home. They can change the colors manually or even sync them to music.
A trendy water bottle
Tweens and teens are all about having the coolest water bottle. This popular one from Hydro Flask isn’t just trendy — it’s also high quality. It comes in 11 colors, and you can even design and personalize one just for them.
A smart puzzle cube
GoCube, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, $79.95
This gift is a puzzle and fidget in one. Because it connects to an app, tweens can learn how to solve the cube and see stats on their improvement. They can also battle other cubers all over the world.
A game that’s a cross between foursquare and volleyball
Spikeball, available at Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods, $64.99
Spikeball is an active outdoor game the whole family will love. It’s a cross between volleyball and four square, and the game play is easy to learn. It comes in a convenient carrying case so they can bring it along to parties or on family vacation.
A kit to make their own hot sauce
Future chefs or tweens who simply love hot sauce can make six of their own bottles with this kit. Other than some kitchen utensils and a blender or food processor, it includes everything they’ll need to make sauce. They’ll also get to name their sauces and design labels for them.
A puzzle to fidget with
Kanoodle, available at Amazon and Fat Brain Toys, $13.99
This game challenges tweens to solve 200 2D and 3D puzzles. If you’re looking for an educational gift, this one recruits their spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills. They can play by themselves or set up a timer and challenge others to beat their solve time.
A wireless phone charger
High-quality wireless chargers are a hot commodity. This one works with a variety of phone models and is super simple to use. For tweens who always seem to have a low charge on their phone, this gift may be the answer.
DIY neon signs
This art project produces two neon lights they can display in their room. While it comes with five templates to follow, they can also break the mold and create their own design.
A mini-fridge for their bedroom
Frigidaire 6-Can Mini Retro Beverage Fridge, available at Target and The Home Depot, $39.99
We all know that tween who likes to spend more time in their room than anywhere else. Give them a gift to make their room even more enjoyable: a mini beverage fridge. It can hold up to six soda cans.
A mobile-game-making kit
Pixicade Mobile Game Maker, available at Amazon and Walmart, $20.99
Pixicade is one of the coolest gifts for tweens who love video games. It allows them to turn their drawings into games they can play on a phone or tablet. The best part: They can create over and over again, making up to 1,600 games.
A high-quality gaming headset
Steel Series Arctis 7 High Fidelity Gaming Headset, available at Amazon and Best Buy, from $127.33
If you can’t get them away from their video games, you might as well get them a gift that will make their games even more enjoyable. These high-quality gaming headphones include a microphone so they can talk to their friends while playing.
An underwater camera
For adventures at the pool or beach, 12-year-olds can capture unique underwater photos with this 35mm camera. It comes out of the protective case if they want to use it on land, too.
A game full of challenges
Beat That! game, available at Amazon and Target, $24.99
Another game the whole family can enjoy together, Beat That challenges players to complete wacky challenges. Can you guess what song your partner is trying to sing while gargling? How about stack four dice on top of each other using chopsticks? Find out when you play this game!
A hat they make themselves
Creativity for Kids Hat Not Hate Quick Knit Loom Kit, available at Amazon, Joann, and Michaels, $24.99
“Craft kits are a great gift for creative tweens because they can make some really awesome (and often usable) stuff,” Buckley said. In this kit, they’ll have everything they need to make two knit hats. Hat Not Hate is an anti-bullying campaign that encourages people to wear blue hats to raise awareness of bullying.
An amusement park building set
Building kits can still be fun for 12-year-olds. This K’nex kit includes pieces to build three classic amusement park rides. It includes a battery-powered motor to set the rides in motion.
A cooking kit to broaden their cultural horizons
Raddish global cooking kits teach kids valuable cooking skills while introducing them to dishes from around the world. Each kit includes three illustrated recipe guides, three culinary skill cards, a creative kitchen project, a culinary tool, and a patch to add to an apron.
Alicia Betz is a freelance writer for Insider Reviews, where she specializes in parenting and education. She researches and tests products from the hottest new toys to the most tried and true parenting products. Alicia tests products in the field with her daughter. She earned her bachelor of science degree in education from Penn State University with concentrations in English and communications. She earned her master of arts degree in education from Michigan State University with concentrations in literacy and technology. Alicia holds a certificate in online teaching and learning and is licensed to teach in Pennsylvania. She was a teacher from 2012 through 2019 and has been writing professionally since 2016. Alicia’s writing has been featured in Scholastic, Brighter Higher Ed, Popsugar, AARP, and Yahoo News. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].
100 Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
A twist on the classic game, it comes with 17 brightly colored LED game pieces.
EpochAir Wall Climbing Remote Control Car
With 360-degree rotation, it can climb smooth surfaces and even ride on the ceiling.
Good on a Budget
Marvin’s Magic – Fifty Greatest Card Tricks Set
Perform 50 magic card tricks like United Nations and Psychic Vision.
Christmas Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
Mind-Glowing 3D Galaxy Moon Lamp
An LED calming night light with 16 vivid colors and working modes.
Mega Cyborg Hand STEM Experiment Kit
Wearable robotic hand that uses the power of air pressure and water.
Robotics Catapult
It has 2 alternate builds and launches balls more than 10 feet.
MELOKI Jellyfish Lava Lamp
It features 7 color-changing lights and 2 large high transparent silicone jellyfish.
TrueBalance Coordination Game
Helps kids improve their fine motor skills and increase concentration.
Marvin’s Magic – Fifty Greatest Card Tricks Set
Perform 50 magic card tricks like United Nations and Psychic Vision.
Tin Can Robot
No special tools or knowledge required, all you need is a soda can.
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook
150 easy-to-make “Harry Potter” inspired recipes, tips and techniques.
The Comfy Original Jr.
This microfiber and sherpa blanket is available in 13 colors.
Xbox Game Pass
Get 3-month memberships for hundreds of games on console.
Indoor and Outdoor Moving Basketball Hoop
The moving hoop is rechargeable by USB cable and 1 charge lasts 2 hrs.
Buddha Board Art Set
This inkless drawing board allows for mindful meditation.
Capture the Flag Ignited Kit
A twist on the classic game, it comes with 17 brightly colored LED game pieces.
Lego Imperial Light Cruiser Building Kit
Features a bridge that doubles as a handle and spring-loaded shooters.
Magneto Kids Skateboard
Features a 27.5-inch-long deck and 60 mm Shore 78A wheels.
Lap Desk
Suited for a 15.6″ laptop with a 6.25” x 0.75” slot to hold a phone.
“Gross Factopia”
Learn facts about smelly sports, weird world records, and more.
100 PICS Optical Illusions Travel Game
Study the anagram, read the question, guess and reveal the answer.
Waboba Moonshine Ball
It’s made of zero-gravity foam — bounce it to activate the moonlight.
Vans Old Skool Sneakers
Made of 56% leather and 43% textile with a rubber sole.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Build your community from scratch and customize your surroundings.
Flipslide Electronic Handheld Game
Match the colored blocks to the lights — 4 game modes are available.
“What Do You Meme?” Family Edition
Use a dealt caption card to caption the photo card in each round.
LEGO “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and The Child” Building Set
The Baby Yoda figure has adjustable ears for different expressions.
Ultimate Skip Ball Pack of 2
As seen on TV, they’re 3x more durable than competitor products.
“Interesting Facts For Curious Minds” Book
It’s divided into 63 chapters that each contain 25 engaging factoids.
KLASK: An Epic Magnetic Battle!
An award-winning game that’s half foosball and half air hockey.
Birthday Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
Fuzion X-3 Pro Scooter
Lightweight, durable, and easy to assemble — only 3 bolts to tighten.
National Geographic Dual LED Student Microscope Set
Includes 50 accessories and 10 biological specimens to examine.
Spikeball 3 Ball Kit
Weighs 7 lbs and has foldable legs for easier set-up and storage.
Marvel Body Wash Pack
Made from plant-based ingredients, with a subtle refreshing scent.
Fidget Pen
Create countless shapes and figures with this finger magic gadget.
Henoda Programmable Robot
It comes with over 468 pieces and blocks as well as cool stickers.
Valor Kick Scooter
It’s foldable with vibration-dampening grips and high-rebound wheels.
Remote Control Double-Sided Driving Car
It can tumble in place at 360 degrees and drive on just one side.
Donner Electronic Drum Set
A 7-pad drum set with 12 demonstration songs and 9 accompaniments.
Sunset Lamp
Casts a sunset-colored circular light on the wall, ceiling, or floor.
5-in-1 Touch Control Night Light Bluetooth Speaker
A speaker, 48-color LED lamp, MP3 player, and alarm clock, all in one.
Sedzofan Multifunctional Smartwatch for Kids
With a camera, MP3 player, games, calculator, flashlight, and more.
Acoustic Guitar For Dummies Starter Pack
It has a 120 page manual, a digital tuner, picks, and steel strings.
EpochAir Wall Climbing Remote Control Car
With 360-degree rotation, it can climb smooth surfaces and even ride on the ceiling.
Virtual Reality Headset
Enhance your gaming with free virtual content and adjustable lenses.
The Ultimate Brain Games And Puzzles Book For Teens
120 puzzles, pop quizzes, logic games, word challenges, and more.
Toy Foam Axe Throwing Game
Develop improved hand-eye coordination with this safe and fun item!
Glow-in-the-dark Shooting Game
Features 5 glowing tip targets and an easy-to-use foam dart gun toy.
Edible Chemistry Kit
Eat 16+ experiments like polymer pudding or color-changing foam jelly.
WaveRunner Glow-in-the-dark Basketball
This luminescent ball comes complete with a pump and batteries.
Ultra Bionic Blaster
Build your own powerful robotic glove that shoots foam darts.
National Geographic Kids Pottery Wheel
Make air-dry pottery with a pottery wheel, 2 pounds of clay, and more.
16-inch Screen Magnifier for Cell Phone
Watch movies off your phone in HD quality with double the screen size.
Mini Drone
Take a spin in this 6.3-inch drone with 10 minutes of flight time.
Rechargeable Lightsabers
Features 15 colors, a double-click switch, and 5 sound modes.
Razor Jetts DLX Heel Wheels
They’re made of polycarbonate material and have “quick click” straps.
Artie 3000 Coding Robot
Use pre-programmed designs or create your codes — Artie will draw.
Cool Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Magic Chemistry Set
Perform 10 easy-to-learn magic tricks using science experiments.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Slime Kit and Putty Lab
Learn the science behind the slime and putty with the learning guide.
Caliber Games TowerBall Bundle
A 4-sided 360° toss game — throw balls into the holes and score.
Kids Camera Waterproof
Shoots HD videos and 5MP photos up to 95 ft under water.
American Ninja Warrior Competition Obstacle Course
This 33-piece set allows for dozens of different set-ups.
Table Tennis To Go
With 2 paddles, 2 balls, and a net that fits securely on any table.
Escape Room: The Game Family Edition
With a 60-min Chrono Decoder, 16 keys, hint cards, and 3 adventures.
Not Parent Approved Card Game
Family-friendly, adult-party-game inspired; for 4-10 players, ages 8+.
The Don’t Laugh Challenge – 12 Year Old Edition
A 2-player game with jokes and scenarios to make the opponent laugh.
Green Science Solar Rover
Kids learn how sunlight is converted to energy with this STEM project.
Wicked Big Sports Tipping Point
You get an easy-to-carry tipping point board and 6 bean bags.
Unique Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
Anime Hoodies and Sweatpants
Made from 100% polyester and the sweatpants come with 2 deep pockets.
Astro Boy Building Kit
1,258 pieces set of creative collectible build-and-display models.
KidzRobotix Hover Racer
It skims across the floor’s surface, supported by its cushion of air.
Funkoverse Strategy Game
A 20-60 minute playtime, for 2-4 players, ages 10 and up.
The Mind Card Game
It won many board game awards and is perfect for 2-4 players, aged 8+.
Robotikits 14-in-1 Solar Robot
A robot kit that can change shapes and is powered by the sun.
Magnetic Rings Fidget Toy Set
1.2-inch, 3-piece ABS plastic fidget spinner rings for anxiety.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Stunning Chemistry Set
Try 45 experiments including making a volcano and launching a rocket.
Ezyroller Drifter Pro-X
Larger frame with improved padding, back support, and holds 200 Ibs.
4-pack Fidget Cubes
Comprised of 8 small cubes, these pocket-sized cubes help with anxiety.
How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students
Start with easy-to-learn shapes that build into complex drawings.
LLMoose Hover Soccer Ball
Has flashing LEDs, foam bumpers, and glides smoothly over surfaces.
Spy X Night Mission Goggles
Has twin LED beams to see 25 ft away and a magnified flip-out scope.
Stop Motion Animation Kit
Includes the HUE HD USB camera with integrated microphone and more.
Arcade Machine
A 4-player coinless arcade cabinet with 3 arcade games and much more.
Temporary Tattoo Pens
Features water-based, non-toxic, non-allergenic, cosmetic-grade ink.
MONOPOLY: Fortnite Edition
Comes with 27 Fortnite outfits — players can choose their favorite.
LEGO Creator Expert Gingerbread House
1,477 piece set that includes frosted roofs and candy buttons.
4M Potato Clock Chemistry Engineering Lab
This green science kit includes a digital clock, wires, and prongs.
Growing Bacteria Experiment Kit
Includes an easy-to-make nutrient agar and step-by-step guide.
Outdoor Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
Trampoline Water Sprinkler
With a water flow switch to control the flow onto the trampoline.
Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker
You get 8 days of battery use and a 50m water-resistant feature.
Slackline
A 57 ft line with a ratchet, 3 tree protectors, and a handy carry bag.
The Boys’ Book of Survival
Tips on how to survive any situation including zombie attacks.
National Geographic Rocket Launcher
It soars up to 200 feet with up to 20 flights on a single charge.
Djubi: Slingball Night Fight
With 2 rackets, used to catch and launch the Djubi balls up to 100 ft.
Flybar Pogo Ball
Features a pump and heavy-duty grip tape for maximum traction.
Mongoose Legion Freestyle Kids BMX Bike
It’s durable with a Hi-Ten steel frame and aluminum mag wheels.
Gskyer Refracting Telescope for Kids
Great for amateurs, it has 400 mm focal length and 70 mm aperture.
36 LEDs Flying Disc
Weighs 175 grams and a 30-minute charge lasts up to 1,000 throws.
Other Recommendations
LED Strip Lights
Transform any room with this 20 multi-color and 8-mode strip tape.
Space Warship Toy
Rotate a button to adjust the wings, which can move up and down.
Difficult Riddles For Smart Kids
300 brain teasers and riddles for kids who like to problem-solve.
Life Skills for Tweens
Teaches kids how to build friendships and handle difficult emotions.
Clean Water Science Kit
Extract salt from sea water, and clean and reuse dirty water.
12-year-old boys are at a sensitive age when they are discovering their preferences and are open to new and exciting ideas. And because every boy is different, there’s no formula when it comes to picking the right gift. We’ve tried to make this easier for you by outlining gift ideas that’ll get his nod of approval.
Choosing gifts for 12-year-old boys
Child development experts will tell you that at 12 years old, boys are not yet fully in the throes of teenagehood but are standing right at the precipice of it. As a result, you will find it is no longer so easy to buy them things since they are quite opinionated about their likes and dislikes.
Experts suggest that you try as much as possible to keep up-to-date with all their emerging interests so you remain confident in knowing what they like. Doing this will make your shopping experience easier and more fruitful.
According to human development markers, boys between the ages of 10 and 12 become more independent and start to feel the need to belong which puts them at risk of peer pressure. They suggest getting them gifts that are trendy yet honor their individuality. That way, you meet their need to fit in while helping them preserve their sense of self.
How we identified gifts for 12-year-old boys
We considered toys that will help boys this age use up their increasing energy levels such as a big-boy bicycle, a kickball, or a splash slide. We also factored in age-appropriate board games to help them further develop their growing capacity to think logically, and engage in abstract thinking as well as problem-solving.
We looked at gifts that’ll speak to their individual personality and also appeal to their peers. So tech gadgets like a mini-drone with a camera or anything that brings on the laughs like a hilarious board game or gizmos related to the latest in the gaming world are some gift ideas we chose. We also factored in that these types of toys will help boys this age develop their social skills as they interact with others.
Tips for getting gifts for 12-year-old boys
- Ask for help
Your 12-year-old’s world is diabolically different from the one you knew at his age so do your best to step into his world. You could ask his peers or parents who have children his age what toys are popular for a boy his age and then use this information to help you make the right decision. - Make it a teaching experience
Consider a gift that will have a permanent, positive impact on your 12-year-old boy such as a puppy. Child development experts have constantly outlined the important life lessons that having a pet can teach your child. From patience to compassion to responsibility, a pet is the type of gift that’ll teach your boy lessons that’ll stay with him for life. - Know his interests
Is your 12-year-old boy into the arts or sports, an avid reader, a gamer, a gifted chess player, or into rock climbing? What does he truly enjoy doing? Get the answer to this question and you are well on your way to getting him a gift that’s perfect for him.
FAQ s
What do I buy a 12 year old boy for his birthday?
Every 12-year-old boy is unique! That being said, they also love fun, entertaining gifts and experiences that will challenge them. You can gift anything from thrilling magic card trick sets and Nerf blasters to Apple’s latest AirPods, mini drones, and robot building toys.
What’s the best gift for a 12 year old boy?
Your options are endless when it comes to gift ideas for a 12-year-old boy! They love toys, games (especially video games), and all things tech, as well as creative gifts. Even educational gifts suited to their age group will be a hit.
What are cool gifts for a 12 year old boy?
Most 12-year-old boys are at a social age and love spending time with their friends and being active. The coolest gifts you can get for them are ones that can be played with their friends or that can get them off the couch and moving!