Raising Kids Gear and Products We Researched the Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys—Here Are Our Top Picks The UrbanEars Pampas Headphones play movies, music, and games for tweens all day By Deanna McCormack Deanna McCormack Twitter Deanna McCormack is a beauty, parenting, and lifestyle writer who has written for Bustle, Byrdie, TheEverymom.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 10, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. From the latest electronics, games, and toys to clothes, shoes, and books, there are plenty of fun gift options when shopping for 12-year-olds. Review & Approved The UrbanEars Pampas Headphones are our top pick because they align with a variety of hobbies, look stylish, and are easy to use and take anywhere. We also like the Air Hogs Gravitor with Trick Stick since it can be taken anywhere and engage their friends, too. Choosing the best gift is highly personalized, so we can't recommend a single option. However, you can't go wrong if you stick to the tween’s hobbies and interests, such as books, movies, television, music, video games, a favorite sport or team, etc. If you're not sure, consider online reviews, ratings, and popularity among other kids in the same age group. Typically, 12-year-olds are picky and likely more aware than you think about what is trendy and cool amongst their group of friends. Our guides will help you find something that will engage them and be practical enough for them to use often. Here are the best gifts for 12-year-old boys. Our Top Picks UrbanEars Pampas Headphones at Amazon Pop Funkoverse Strategy Game at Amazon Air Hogs Gravitor with Trick Stick at Amazon The Comfy Original Quarter-Zip at Amazon Hasbro Monopoly Voice Banking at Amazon Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor at Amazon Lanyani Teen Bifold Wallet at Amazon Vans Kids Checkerboard Slip Ons at Journeys.com NERF PerfectSmash Football at Amazon LEGO Imperial Light Cruiser at Amazon In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family UrbanEars Pampas Headphones Courtesy of UrbanEars View On Amazon Over-ear headphones are popular for kids of any age. These stand out because they are comfortable and noise-blocking and good for movies, music, and video games. The Pampas headphones are Bluetooth, so it will be easy for your tween to connect them to any of their devices. They collapse into a small size, so they are easily transportable from home to school or to a friend's house. Plus, they are perfect for all-day use with 30-hour battery life. Best of all these are sleek with a cool black matte finish and premium fabric on the band, so they'll last a long time in terms of durability and style. Pop Funkoverse Strategy Game View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Hottopic.com Perfect for Harry Potter fans, this strategy board game brings home the characters and stories from Hogwarts. It can be played as a stand-alone game but can also be mixed with other Funkoverse games. It includes 2 playable maps and 4 exclusive Harry Potter characters. Air Hogs Gravitor with Trick Stick Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart Fly this hover toy with just the power of your hands! The Air Hog Gravitor can do stunts and tricks and is easy to take with you and play anytime. They will love to try new moves, impress their friends, and defy gravity, all in an afternoon. The Comfy Original Quarter-Zip Courtesy of The Comfy View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Thepaperstore.com As seen on Shark Tank, The Comfy is the original wearable blanket that keeps you warm wherever you go. It truly is a great gift for anybody, but a 12-year-old boy will love playing video games, watching TV, out at a sporting event or camping, and just lounging at home in the warm sherpa fleece. What Our Editors Say "As soon as the temps drop below 50 degrees, my son is ready to break out his Comfy. During virtual learning, this was his go-to cozy blanket." -Latifah Miles, Verywell Family Commerce Editor The 8 Best Weighted Blankets for Kids of 2022 Hasbro Monopoly Voice Banking Courtesy of Hasbro View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walgreens This version takes the classic game of Monopoly and elevates it with an interactive banking unit where the iconic Mr. Monopoly top hat shows off his personality and handles all of the transactions. Just as competitive as the original, this version is more engaging and everyone will love using credit cards to complete transactions. Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor View On Amazon View On Walmart Almost 15,000 5 star reviews can’t be wrong. Equip your 12-year-old with a Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor. It has a 6-dart rotating drum, fires fast and far, and is perfect for neighborhood Nerf battles and trick shots. Lanyani Teen Bifold Wallet Courtesy of Lanyani View On Amazon This simple canvas wallet is a great first wallet for younger boys who might only have a few cards or cash to hold for school lunches and allowance. The wallet has multiple card slots for things like a school ID, debit card, or library card that are RFID blocking to prevent theft. Vans Kids Checkerboard Slip Ons Courtesy of Vans View On Journeys.com View On Vans.com If there’s a clothing brand that will make any 12-year-old boy happy to receive as a gift, it’s Vans. These shoes are a classic style with the Vans signature pattern, are easy to slip on, and are comfortable for everyday use. The Best Places to Buy Kids Clothes NERF Sports Dude Perfect PerfectSmash Football Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Recreate viral video and tricks from the Dude Perfect team in your own backyard with this football and target set. Kids will love the Dude Perfect branding, and appreciate the inspiration to make videos of their own. The set includes a ball and two targets plus a target holder and hook. LEGO Imperial Light Cruiser Courtesy of LEGO View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lego.com Chances are LEGO has been a big part of a 12-year-old boy's life and they may be ready for some of the harder building challenges. This premium Star Wars set comes with 1,336 pieces to build out the Imperial Light Cruiser and 5 Minifigures to set the stage for epic battle scenes. It comes with detailed instructions so any level of builder can build with confidence. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Start by giving the first book of the global phenomenon of Harry Potter that has been loved by every new generation. This is a great age to dive into the story of an orphaned boy, the son of two powerful wizards that finds out he has unique powers of his own. They will be ready to dive into the whole series after getting a taste of the first book! The 7 Best Harry Potter Subscription Boxes of 2022 Animal Crossing: New Horizons 4.6 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Finding a balance between screen time and other activities can be tough, but a new video game is a great gift for any kid. Watch as they build their community from scratch on a deserted island and customize their character, home, decorations, and the surrounding landscape. This is a game the whole family can get involved with. X Rocker Eclipse Floor Rocker Gaming Chair Courtesy of X Rocker View On Amazon View On Walmart Outfit your child’s bedroom or play area with a high-tech gaming chair like this one from X Rocker. It rocks, reclines, and folds to store and has a comfortable headrest with mounted speakers that provide an immersive experience for any gaming fan. It connects to most gaming systems and its leather looks nice with any kind of decor. Let Them Lounge With The Best Bean Bag Chairs for Kids Spikeball Kit 1-Ball Courtesy of Spikeball View On Amazon View On Spikeball.com This 4 person game will get the competitive juices flowing. Each team of 2 has up to 3 hits to return or spike the ball on the small, circular net. This game will have everyone’s hearts pumping and can be taken to the beach, the park, or grandma’s backyard. Fitbit Ace 3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Fitbit.com A kids-specific fitness tracker is a fun way to encourage a healthy lifestyle. It allows your child to see their steps, fitness, and sleep performance and compete with themselves to make improvements each day. The Fitbit is high-performing and will work just as well for young athletes as it does for beginners to track fitness. DROCON Ninja Drone for Kids Courtesy of DROCON View On Amazon This drone is for beginners and is a great introduction to flying. The 2 cell battery will give about 8 minutes of flying per charge. The 120-degree wide-angle lens captures stunning pictures and videos. Its foldable design makes it small enough to take anywhere with you. One reviewer makes note that this is the best drone on the market for the price! Magneto Kids Skateboard Courtesy of Magneto View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Magnetoboards.com Skateboarding is a great outlet for boys with boundless energy who are looking for something to do with their friends. Spend hours perfecting new tricks or ride to school with the Magneto skateboard. It's the perfect gift because it is specifically designed for kids and teens looking for their first board. The deck is hard maple with a double kick tail and requires no assembly. Herschel Classic Backpack XL Courtesy of Herschel View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Herschel.com Middle school is a good time to upgrade from a kid’s style backpack to one that can be used for school, travel, and hanging out with friends. Herschel backpacks are popular for boys and girls of all ages because they are durable, comfortable, and stylish. With 30 patterns and colors to choose from, Herschel’s original backpack has water bottle pockets, a laptop sleeve, and extra storage to fit everything your 12-year-old can think of. The 9 Best Backpacks for Kids at Every Age Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Deal Card Game Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart For under $10, the Monopoly Deal card game is great for on-the-go and family fun. It’s a simple twist on the classic Monopoly game for 2 to 6 players that’s easy to learn, quick to play, and competitive. The Best Family Board Games for Some Friendly Competition OtterBox Defender Series Screenless Edition Case for iPhone 12 OtterBox View On Amazon View On Otterbox.com If your 12-year-old has an iPhone, protecting it might not be their top priority. To keep it safe, gift them with an OtterBox Defender Series case. The case has three layers of protection, port covers, and a built-in holster. Plus, the case has screen protection that doesn’t affect the display but will prevent cracks. The 5 Best Cell Phones for Kids of 2022 Final Verdict Keep things simple when buying for 12-year-old boys. They are practicing their independence but are still young enough for toys that will keep them busy when spending time alone. Electronics are always a hit, as are video games for whichever console system they may have at home. The Drocon Ninja Drone (view at Amazon) is my top choice for a big gift. It’s under $100 and will inspire endless creativity. What to Look for in Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys Hobbies and Interests A great place to start your gift search is to consider the hobbies and interests of the kid at hand. Whether they're into sports, video games, anime, clothing, music, TikTok, travel, or movies, you can find inspiration from their passions. For example, if the tween is a huge basketball fan, consider buying them a ball or a jersey from their favorite team. If gaming is their thing, a pair of headphones or a new video game will likely be very well-received. Trending Items Tweens tend to be particularly interested in keeping up with current fads and peer approval. So, they may appreciate a gift that is trending. A quick Google search or check of social media will likely yield a variety of ideas. Another great option is to ask any other 12-year-old boys you know for suggestions. Or ask the tween in question what items they are coveting. Practicality Another important component of gift buying is to consider the price, durability, and functionality of the possible present. Some tween gifts are pricy. Having a budget in mind also helps to target your search. If you're interested in getting them a gift that is out of your price range, you could consider going in on it with another friend or relative to make it more affordable. Why Trust Verywell Family Deanna McCormack is a freelance writer who focuses on family, kids, and household items. She’s her family’s top gift-giver and has two kids to keep her in the loop on what is trending. She won’t buy anything without reading almost every review on the internet. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? 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