Chances are if you have some sort of gifting event coming up, you’ve already asked the 12-year-old boy in your life what kind of present they want to receive, and they gave that most frustrating, annoying, on-brand answer possible: “I dunno.”
On the one hand, “I dunno” is not an answer, but on the other hand, it’s at least encouraging to know that they’re just as clueless about what to buy a big little kid as you are — and they’re that age themselves!
This brings us to a key concept: encouragement. It’s kind of the theme we went with when we put together this list of gifts for 12-year-old boys. We wanted to not only encourage your kiddo in things they probably already like — gaming, music, being generally goofy, more gaming — but gifts that could inspire new interests, ideas, and forms of self-expression. Of course, we also included a few comfy, kooky items we just couldn’t resist. (Can you say “Giant Burrito Blanket?”)
Choose your character and use your cards to defeat the various (hilarious) monsters you encounter through the dungeon. This will require strategy, teamwork, and speed — you only have 5 minutes! Six (funny!) narrators guide you on your journey via the free app as you battle an increasingly powerful cadre of villains, like “Baby Barbarian” and “A Freakin’ Dragon!”
Your 12-year-old boy may not be a professional artist (yet), but it helps to have the right tools. This kit comes with graphite pencils, charcoal pencils, and the various tools they’ll need to take their drawing skills to the next level. And since it comes in a handsome, roll-up carry case, they can take it anywhere.
Remember when your 12-year-old boy was a newborn and you could wrap them in a blanket like they were a tiny baby burrito? You can revisit those days with this actual tortilla-style blanket (it really looks like a giant tortilla!). Roll them in it and, voila —tweenrito!
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy are considered the progenitor and gold standard of all fantasy novels today, and it’s easy to see why. The adventures of the Hobbits, Gandalf, and the Fellowship of the Ring have captured our imaginations for more than 80 years and remain perfect for a modern 12-year-old boy.
Liesel Meminger lives outside of Munich in 1939 and can’t seem to help herself from stealing books, which her foster father teaches her to read. She shares her newfound skill with her neighbors (there’s plenty of time during air raids) and with the Jewish man who lives hidden in her basement.
Here’s the cool thing about cooking: It’s something your 12-year-old boy will eventually have to learn on their own, and it’s also a lot of fun. This just-for-young-beginners cookbook will teach them the basics via 100 recipes they’re sure to love. Built for trial and error, the cookbook encourages explorations and experimentation!
Your kiddo may feel like they’re too old for “little kid” things, like comic books, but they’ve probably not outgrown them. This vintage-style canvas print is perfect for the 12-year-old boy who’s outgrown the tattered Spider-Man poster that’s been in their room since they were 5 years old, but not Spider-Man himself.
Can you shoot a ball from across the room? Flip-cup with the best? This game features dexterity-based solo challenges, buddy challenges, duels, and battle royales. Bet on your skills to beat your friends and family and win it all!
Perfect for the 12-year-old boy who (if they’re anything like ours) is constantly saying, “Where’s my charger?!” like you’re the one who misplaced it. With this stylish, simple charging station, they can plop down their chargeables in one spot without having to go searching for their charger — or worse, stealing yours.
Perfect for the young man on the go who knows the importance of remaining well-hydrated, or the eco-conscious lad who has sworn off plastic water bottles. The metal bottle keeps cold drinks icy cold, hot drinks piping hot, and is available in 13 colors and four sizes.
This gift works on a couple of levels: Firstly, what 12-year-old boy couldn’t power through 12 delicious brownies handily? But these are brownies with a conscience baked at Greyston Bakery, a B Corp that hires workers other companies overlook due to past or current circumstances — giving opportunity to those who need it the most.
You may have noticed your tween has been spending more time in their room lately. Make it a space they’ll enjoy with these colorful LED lights. Various color options, functions (including flashing in sync to their music), brightness, and more can be controlled via the free app!
When it comes to racism, neutrality isn’t an option. This book dives into concepts of race, ethnicity, identity, and the history and ongoing legacy of racism.
Over 20 chapters, activities will kindle self-reflection, growth, and a foundation that will guide your child to ongoing antiracist work, giving them the tools and language to confront everyday xenophobia and racism.
As we’ve established, charging phones is an everyday struggle for your average 12-year-old boy. For powering up on the go, this portable charger is perfect, providing between one and two full charges for a phone or tablet device without having to be recharged itself.
Everything old is new again, and it's in that spirit that they’ll appreciate this sleek, vintage-style AM/FM radio. And, for a touch of modernity, they can use it as a Bluetooth speaker to play music from their phone or tablet.
If the kid in your life is a gamer (and, if they're 12 years old, the odds are good), they’ll love getting an immersive experience with this curved monitor, designed with gaming in mind. A 165-hertz refresh rate and a 3-millisecond response time mean improved picture clarity, especially during action scenes!
For a gift they’ll use every day (like… every single day), it’s best to stick with the classics: a basic, comfy, cotton hoodie. With an athletic fit that cuts down on a bulkier look, this one from Nike will be a favorite for years.
Before that guy who always whipped out a guitar at college parties was in college, he was a tween learning the basics.
Be the family member or friend who sets your kid on the path of “guitar guy” with this well-rated beginner guitar, which comes complete with a digital tuner, guitar pick, shoulder strap, replacement guitar strings, carry case, and more.
When it comes to gifts for 12-year-old boys, we really cannot stress enough how not-wrong one can go with a hoodie. This one is oversized (because cozy), with extra dropped shoulders (because fashion), and emblazoned with the iconic NASA logo (because science).
Whether they simply want an immersive gaming experience or want to play virtually with friends, this headset is perfect for your 12-year-old boy. Designed with comfort in mind, this set provides excellent sound quality and crisp clarity over the mic to communicate effectively for ultimate gaming!
For the 12-year-old boy who just. can’t. stop. fidgeting. This subscription box is perfect! They’ll receive five to seven different doo-dads to keep their hands busy and their mind focused — from pop-its to squish toys and much more — to soothe, stimulate, and enjoy!
Did you know that the first skateboards were made by surfers for when they couldn’t hit the waves? This longboard is an homage to those pioneer models, with a classic surfboard shape and feel. Designed for high speed and extreme running accuracy, capable of handling every twist and turn your 12-year-old can muster.
For the gamer who wants to unplug every now and then (or their family and friends who want to see their 12-year-old boy without a screen barrier), this subscription box will deliver a new game every other month. Select from featured games or be surprised with a variety of games that go well beyond Clue and Monopoly!
In this fast-paced game, players pass around a hand of cards to try to make the best combinations and win the highest points values. Kawaii (that means “cute”) designs make sushi look as adorable as they are delicious. The player with the most points after three rounds wins!
Anyone with a 12-year-old boy has three wishes for them: health, happiness, and putting their freakin’ laundry in the hamper. This hoop can be hung over a door or mounted to a wall. The mesh laundry bag can be removed and the backboard can be flipped up, too.
There’s a pretty broad overlap between the humor of a 12-year-old boy and dad jokes, and this shirt strikes just the right balance. The baseball-style henley shirt with a retro graphic design speaks to your kid’s interests and will probably make them chuckle.
Perfect for keeping feet comfy and warm no matter the weather, these slip-ons from Deer Stags offer plush lining and provide orthotic support, whether they’re lounging around the house or don't feel like putting on their shoes to take out the trash.
Some people hate giving gift cards, but we don’t think of it as impersonal or thoughtless; we think of it as thoughtfully giving the gift so many of us love… the gift of shopping! They’ll think of you as they pick out their favorite gift. (That was all you!)
Part puzzle, part model, this 56-piece puzzle is kind of like the opposite of slaying a dragon: You have to put one together! It’s also the perfect brainteaser for a crafty 12-year-old boy. Once they’re done, the figure — a vibrant, ruby-red dragon — makes a neat piece of decoration.
Vinyl is having a moment, and your 12-year-old boy can jump on that bandwagon with this suitcase-style record player from Victrola. Excellent speaker quality means they’ll hear the songs the way they were meant to be heard (analog, baby!), and Bluetooth capability means they can stream their digital music as well.
Jamie KenneyJamie Kenney is a freelance writer for BestProducts.com; Her other work has appeared on Bustle, Parents, Playboy, McSweeny's Internet Tendency, the Takeout, and Romper, where she covers parenting, news, entertainment, and likes to help readers see the ridiculous (and hilarious) side of motherhood.
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