A fun & awesome gift guide for 12-year-old boys
Great gifts for 12-year-old boys can be difficult to find. So to help you out, here’s a tween boy gift guide filled with cool gift ideas that he’ll like. All of these are perfect gifts for boys age 12 and available on Amazon. So if you have no idea what to get a boy for his birthday or another occasion, then take a look at this list of cool gift ideas for 12-year-old boys.
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1. A Nintendo Switch Console
A Nintendo Switch is probably one of the best gifts for 12-year-old boys. However, it is also an expensive one. So this gift idea is great if you have the budget for it, otherwise continue scrolling through this list. If someone already has a Switch, then giving them a game for it can also be a great gift to get. The best game every 12-year-old boy will want to have is Mario Kart, and there is even a combination pack of the console and the game at a better price if you want to get both.
2. Lego Set for the Creative Boys
A Lego kit like this is a great gift for boys that already play with Lego. In other words, make sure the kid actually enjoys playing with Legos before getting a set like this. Legos are great gifts for boys age 12 because they can be used to build the intended set or to build other more creative things. All in all, Lego sets are fun gift ideas for 12-year-old boys who enjoy Legos. You can also go for a different type of set if you know what kind they will enjoy most, though this one is a great all-rounder.
3. A DIY Slime Kit for Messy Kids
What kid doesn’t enjoy playing with slime? To make it even better, and more age-appropriate you can get a 12-year-old this DIY slime kit that allows them to learn how to create slime by themselves. It also comes with a booklet going into the way slime works to make it educational and fun at the same time. So if you know that he enjoys messing around and playing with slime, then this is the perfect gift to give.
4. Harry Potter Book Set for the Avid Reader
The best gifts for 12-year-old boys are books, and the best books out there for that age, are still the Harry Potter books. So if you are looking for a gift idea for boys age 12 that enjoy reading, then this book set is a great place to start. It is on the pricier side, so you can also get the first book, or books separately as a more affordable option. Just make sure that they don’t already have the books, which is very likely if they have older siblings.
5. An Affordable Gaming Headset for the Gamer
Looking for an affordable present for a 12-year-old? Then this headset is a great gift idea. This headset is a wired gaming headset to be used on almost any console and computer. This gift idea is one of the coolest gifts for a 12-year-old on this list and is a great birthday gift to get. On top of that, over-ear headphones are better for your ears than earbuds. So if you know that he spends a lot of time playing games, then this headset is a great gift to get.
6. A Folding Hockey Goal Set
If you’re looking for a gift to encourage them to play outside and leave their games be, then getting something like this is a great idea. You can use the indoor during the rainy weather or outside depending on the size of hockey sticks you use. They’re also suitable for soccer games and just an easy set to make outdoor ball games more accessible. So if you’re looking for gifts for 12 year old boys that’ll make them play outside, then this set is a great gift to get.
7. Minecraft Guides: The Holy Grail Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys
If you know that he loves to play Minecraft, then a set of Minecraft guides like this is a great gift idea to get. These are books that are easy to read and go through while learning some more complicated things to do in the game. The golden-colored and black set differ only in two books, so don’t get the two sets, because then you’ll get some books double. The golden ‘Guide Collection’ is great for boys who enjoy building in creative mode, while the black ‘Survival Collection’ is more suited for boys who like to go on an adventure on the game, so pick the one you think they’ll enjoy most. If you don’t know, then the one pictured above is a great safe choice.
8. Magnetic Dartboard To Get Competitive
Another great gift idea for a 12 year old boy is a darts game, and this one is magnetic. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting darts stuck in your walls. It’s safe to play and you can hang it wherever you want without having to worry about the background. So, if you want to give a fun and original gift, then this one is perfect. Whether they hang it in their bedroom or in the garage, you know everything will be safe and sound, because there are no sharp points involved.
9. Mario Monopoly: The Perfect Board Game for Boys
Are you looking for an affordable gift idea and something they can do with others? Then giving a board game is always a good idea. Monopoly is a staple in every household. However, it can get a bit boring and old-fashioned from time to time. Upgrade one of the best games with this Mario version that comes with some fun twists to the original game. This board game is fun and a great gift for boys age 12.
10. A Kindle for Boys Who Read A Lot
Do you want to give a 12-year-old boy a book as a gift? But you don’t know which ones they’ve read already because they read so much? Then giving them an e-reader is a great solution. This gift idea will make reading more affordable and easier to take along. So if you know they love to read, then the best gift for a 12 year old boy is an e-reader.
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11. Kan Jam: A Backyard Frisbee Game
Another great game to get them to go outside more is this frisbee game called ‘Kan Jam’. The game is pretty straightforward; there are two bins or ‘kans’, a frisbee, and two teams that will try to get the frisbee in the bins as often as possible. It’s great to take with you to the beach or park or to play with your friends in the backyard. It’s one of those games that you can’t really go wrong with and if you give it in spring or summertime they can start playing with it straight away.
12. A Versatile Wireless Controller
This Xbox controller is a must-have for Xbox gamers and PC gamers, because it’s also compatible with your computer. It’s a great investment item for any gamer that they will love to get if they don’t have a controller for their computer yet but do enjoy playing games on it. It’s a bit more expensive than most gift ideas on this gift guide for 12-year-old boys, but it’s definitely worth it and not as crazy expensive as you might think. It comes in a couple of different colors, just make sure it’s compatible with Windows 10.
13. A Set of LED Strip Lights
Decorating their room is not very often something they think about. However, a set of strip lights like this is a fun and original way to transform their room with very little work. It comes with a remote that allows you to pick the color depending on their mood. The strips themselves have a sticky backing so you can just stick them wherever you want. From under their desk to around their bed, this is a great gift for boys age 12 to get.
14. An Over-the-Door Basketball Hoop
Another great addition to their room or to the garage if they love basketball is this over-the-door mini basketball hoop. It comes in a couple of different colors and sizes to choose from. It’s a great way to keep him busy and doing the thing he loves: playing basketball even when it’s raining or too cold outside. Be sure to check out all the options to pick the one you think he’ll like best. This is a great present for 12-year-old boys who are into basketball.
15. A Catapult Wars Kit
If you’re looking for something cheap for them to craft and play with, then this catapult wars craft sit is a great choice. It comes with two catapults to build which can then be used to go up against someone else’s catapult skills. It’s not the highest quality catapult out these, but the price is really good and the building of the set is probably half the fun. So, if you’re looking for something that doesn’t cost a lot that a crafty boy will like, then be sure to check out this gift idea on Amazon.
16. A Drone for Tech Kids
You might think that a drone like this is outside your budgets, but that’s not true, this is a pretty affordable one. It’s easy to control for 12-year-old since it uses the standard controller design of most gaming consoles. It has a built-in camera that feeds straight to your phone that you can attach to the controller. It’s a great gadget for 12-year-old boys that they’ll enjoy playing with around the neighborhood. Just make sure to warn them to be careful with powerlines and such.
17. A Slackline Kit for Balancing
This is a great gift idea for boys that enjoy gymnastics or climbing etc. It’s a kit that you span between two trees and then learn a bunch of tricks while balancing on the slackline. It comes with a training line to put up a bit higher so you have somewhere to hold onto while you’re starting out. I think it’s a great original gift idea that they will enjoy for years to come. And they can use it wherever there are two sturdy trees, so most parks are the perfect place.
18. Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie Set
Does he enjoy making videos and has a bunch of Legos? Then this is an affordable gift option to add to your list of great gifts for 12-year-old boys. This set comes with the basic Lego supplies and a book to teach you how to make stop-motion videos using Legos. It’s a fun and original way to have him do a creative activity without it being boring or for younger kids. It’s also really affordable, so an easy gift that you can’t really go wrong with.
19. The Board Game CATAN
Catan is one of those board games that is great for all ages, starting at around 12 years old. It’s a strategic game that’s still a lot of fun to play for adults and kids alike. Of course, this is just one of the many board games that are good gifts to give. Especially if you want to avoid giving anything that will increase their screen time, a board game, or really any game equipment is a great game. If they don’t already have this game, then this is pretty much a must-have to play with family or friends.
20. Snap Circuits Arcade Electronics Kit
If you’re looking for something to give a 12-year-old boy that is both fun and educational, then this is it. This kit is an electronic circuit building kit that allows you to build 200 different projects, including over 20 arcade games. It comes in a couple of different versions, though this arcade one is a great way to make it even more fun. So, if he’s interested in building things and computers, then he’ll maybe enjoy this as well. It’s a great first step into electronics and programming.
21. An Alesis Compact Drum Kit
Has he always wanted to play the drums, but wasn’t allowed to because of the noise? Then this drum kit is a great option for him to try the hobby to see if he actually likes it. You can connect your headphones to it, so it’s also a lot nicer for the people around him than a traditional drum kit. If he already plays the drums, then it’s probably a bit underwhelming because it’s definitely a very basic drum kit, but great for kids wanting to try it out and for parents to see if it will actually stick.
22. A Nerf Toy Blaster
Nerfs have been a great gift idea for 12-year-olds for a couple of years now and for a good reason. If he enjoys playing with it with his friends, then getting him a new blaster is always a great option. Be sure to check which ones he already own, something his siblings or parents will know and they can probably also find out which new one he has his eye on. Another option is to get him a stash of Nerf darts so he has as many as he may need to play with.
23. The MasterChef Junior Cookbook
Another great addition to this gift guide for 12 yo boys is this cookbook for kids based on the MasterChef Junior tv-series. It’s filled with recipes for foods that are not just for kids, but the recipes are very much doable for most. It can get a bit challenging, but that’s perfectly fine for a 12-year-old. Just make sure there is someone to help him when necessary. This is great for kids who always enjoyed baking or helping in the kitchen, because it’s basically the next step.
24. A Pair of Inline Skates
Inline skates are great for kids, because it’s a sport you don’t need anyone else for, all you need is a pair of skates, protectors, and a street. So, if you get this gift, be sure you also include a set of basic protectors for their wrists, elbows, and knees. It’s a pretty easy hobby to start with when you’re young and you’ll be able to do it for the rest of your life. These skates here come in a couple of different colors and you can choose from three flexible sizes that allow the skate to grow as the skater himself grows.
25. Throw Throw Burrito
Maybe you’ve never heard of Throw Throw Burrito, but it’s basically a mix of a card game and indoor dodgeball. It also has an outdoor version if you want to keep it outside of the house. It’s a fun game for teens and a great gift for a 12-year-old boy to give. It’s not as hectic as dodgeball, because it’s mostly a fun cardgame with an added element to keep it interesting. So, if they would enjoy a good game to play with friends, then this is a great choice.
26. A 4M Table Top Robot
This tabletop robot you have to assemble yourself is a great DIY project for 12-year-olds that are into technology. It’s both fun and educational at the same time and you’ll end up with a toy that actually works. Don’t worry, it’s not at all expensive and a great affordable gift idea if you want a fun activity that is also educational. So, if he’s into engineering or robotics, then this is a great introduction to the practical side of these subjects.
27. An RGB Backlit Gaming Mouse for the Gamer
Does he love gaming on his computer, but maybe doesn’t have the right mouse to do so. This is an affordable option for a gaming mouse that’s both practical and ergonomic in use while also looking great with the RGB backlit details. If you want something more to give, then you can also get a gaming keyboard or a set of both. Either way, they’re great gifts for 12-year-old boys who love pc games and spend a lot of their spare time on their computer.
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Now you hopefully have an idea of a cool gift for a 12-year-old boy. If you want something super cheap or want to get crafty, then be sure to check out these DIY gifts for boys you can make yourself. Just make sure that whatever present you pick isn’t too childish and lines up with his current interests and hobbies. Then scroll through the gifts for 12-year-old boys above, and you’re sure to find a good option to get.
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