Here are the best gifts for 12-year-old boys. This kit has everything you need for hours of fun, exciting, and often exhausting play, including the portable can-shaped goals, labels, frisbees, and an instruction guide. Add this backyard staple to entertain your pre-teen on any summer day or bring it to the beach for an added touch of outdoor fun! Luckily, this can transfer to any couch or desk for hands-off watching, gaming, or reading. Take this on-the-go for entertaining them on long road trips or plane rides as just another way for your 12-year-old to enjoy their favorite gadgets. This comprehensive kit from flybold is especially great for pre-teens and beginners because it includes two training lines and several arm trainers that help with technique and balance. With this kit, you’ll also get a 49-foot main slackline, tree protectors, ratchet protectors and a convenient carrying case—everything your 12-year-old needs for hours of fun. The Kailua 4 String Soprano is one of the most highly reviewed ukuleles online, with the vast majority of customers awarding it five stars. It’s made of gorgeous mahogany wood, and the nylon strings provide a rich sound on every note. The custom etchings and design give it a simple, intimate aesthetic. And the best thing you’ll hear from this instrument might be the price, as Kailua is much more affordable than competitors. Ukuleles are also one of the easiest string instruments to learn—a great foundation for guitar and the ideal gift for the 12-year-old who is just finding his love of music. Old Skools feature an all-black aesthetic, complimentary white stitching and Vans’ simple but iconic lined logo. Due to their timeless design and extreme comfort, these sneakers have been around for generations, letting your 12-year-old boy really feel old-school cool when he slips them on his feet. Whether he wears them on or off the ramp, Vans are a safe but stellar pick for someone who wants a simple sneaker style that matches everything while also showcasing his personal style. Plus, they’re easy to keep clean! The Hayward Futura also comes in five sleek colorways, guaranteed to match your pre-teen’s style. And while the name brand might tack on a few extra dollars, this stylish backpack is popular enough to find at various retailers, meaning you can go coupon hunting or hold out for a discount, especially around back-to-school season. One of this product’s most unique features is its Bluetooth Control: With a smartphone in hand, you can see exactly what the kid-friendly telescope sees and snap Insta-worthy pictures. The AZ70400 also comes with an adjustable tripod and two different eyepieces, a 25 millimeter for 16x magnification and a 10 millimeter for 40x magnification. The Meta Quest 2 is lightweight, comfortable, and comes at a mid-level price for virtual reality headsets. Customers say it’s also one of the easiest Meta products to use, which is an extra bonus for pre-teens. Once the video games are finished, kids can also watch their favorite movies on the Quest’s 180” screen or choose from over 1,000 VR experiences, like puzzles, board games, and brain teasers. Over the past few years, 2k has also made classic NBA players like Jordan, Magic, and Shaq available, and they have added intricate game options like The Neighborhood, which allows users to connect online in an open universe—i.e. “The Neighborhood.” With mind-blowing detail, this lamp perfectly resembles the shades and textures of the moon, and the simple touch of a remote control allows users to change the lamp to their desired color, from white to yellow to a reddish blood moon. Your purchase will also include a stylish wooden stand and a handy USB cable to give the lamp 12 hours of glow time. While this game can only be played once, Thames & Kosmos has multiple different versions of Exit: The Game featuring creepy locations that players will want to race to escape from including a cursed labyrinth, haunted rollercoaster, and more. They vary in difficulty, so tweens can gradually improve their escape skills as they race against the clock. The included instructions are easy to follow and include shopping lists and cooking directions for various meals to prepare and enjoy together. The kit also includes interesting facts and puzzles about each country represented, providing an educational experience while still having fun. Your pre-teen may need help setting up this outdoor movie screen, but easy-to-follow instructions are included along with a storage bang for bringing to friends’ houses or on vacation. All you need is a projector, a speaker, and popcorn for the best movie theater experience at home. Twelve-year-old boys will love the various features of this set including target vests, invisibility mode, night vision flashlights, voice guided directions, and four unique powers of the laser shooters. All you need is batteries for hours of outdoor fun that will guarantee your 12-year-old boy burns off some energy and bonds with his friends or family members. Twelve year olds can hang this dartboard themselves, providing hours of fun as they practice their aim and master their skills to play against siblings or friends. This functional room decor is perfect to keep tweens entertained without screens. Due to the level of difficulty, this might be a great opportunity for tweens to bond with any adults in their life for those particularly challenging pieces. But, the included instructions are clear and easy to follow for the impressive outcome. Available as a hardcover or e-book, The Boys’ Book of Survival is a great way to get any 12-year-old back into reading or learning, despite how outlandish the scenarios are. This set is perfect for beginners or those interested in magic looking to learn more about card tricks specifically. Users are sure to learn at least one new party trick guaranteed to get people asking “how did they do that?” Your pre-teen will love storing their money in a piece designed just for them, and you can feel good about the purchase supporting small businesses. Just be sure to factor in longer shipping times when ordering outside of large retailers. The great thing about this set is it all packs up in a sturdy wood box perfect for bringing to school, friends’ houses, or in the car. Also, the sheer amount of materials makes this an amazing set to share with friends and family members, fostering creativity and collaboration for your young boy.
Safety
For outdoor or adventure gifts, include the required protective gear as part of the gift, or, to ensure that he actually likes and wears the helmet and whatnot, let him pick out the gear himself. If your gift includes access to online platforms, have a talk with your pre-teen about internet safety and have a way to monitor his interactions.
Educational Value
Some gifts are specifically geared towards making school and learning more fun or comfortable. Other gifts can incorporate learning through fun educational apps or exploration. Consider how to engage with your 12-year-old boy and his new gift to bring learning out of the classroom. When selecting something education, Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia, recommends looking for something that encourages exploration. “They should lead me to a sense of curiosity where I want to learn more,” he says. Whether it’s music or astronomy, a great educational gift can be the gateway to an entirely new passion.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written and researched by Derek Rose, Brooklyn, New York-based writer and teacher. His work has appeared in Atwood Magazine and the Albany Times Union. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media, and Julia Fields, assistant editor for The Spruce since October 2021.
