45 Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds That Tweens Will Actually Appreciate

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Unique gifts for tween boys and girls aren't hard to find. Unique gifts that they'll actually like, however, is a horse of a different color. The best gifts for 12-year-olds span the gamut from footballs that light up when they're caught to baking kits with ingredients for tropical pavlovas. It all depends on the tween!

In some ways, younger kids are easier to figure out. The best gifts for 4-year-olds involve cars or princesses. Six-year-olds like Bluey or Gabby's Dollhouse. But 12-year-olds? They're in the swing of figuring out who they are. Maybe they're on the more introverted side and like journaling and reading. Perhaps they're outgoing, artistic, or athletic. The key to gifting is zeroing in on a budding interest and giving them something that will help them explore that side of themselves.

Below, we've pulled together the best gifts for 12-year-old boys, the best gifts for 12-year-old girls, and gender-neutral gifts that will delight whoever receives them. Unusual gifts, crafty gifts, sentimental gifts, we've got 'em all!

Our top picks for the best gifts for 12-year-olds in 2024:

• Tower 28 LipSoftie™ Lip Treatment, $16 at tower28beauty.com

• Klutz LEGO Gear Bots, $21 on amazon.com

• ModernMade Glow in the Dark Blanket, $30 on amazon.com

• FlashCatch Light Up Football, $30 on amazon.com

• Radio Flyer Flyer Kickstart Max Kick Scooter, $57 on amazon.com
  

• Essential Popover Hoodie, $59 on ambercrombie.com

Not seeing what you need? Check out our related gift guides for kids:

55 Best Gifts for Kids of All Ages | 40 Best Gifts for Teenage Girls | 40 Best Gifts for Teen Boys | 37 Must-Have Gifts for Any 11-Year-Old

Competition Legends 8-Pack of Fingerboards

Celebrate the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with this very cool set of fingerboards from Tech Deck. Each board represents a different legendary skater, and you can even get a limited-edition ramp to go with the pack. Ages 6+

Chroma Blends Watercolor Set

Encourage them to express their creativity with premium watercolor paints from Ooly. This set comes with 12 pearlescent paint colors, a brush, and a heavy-duty paint pad. No age listed

'EXIT: The Game: The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes'

EXIT: The Game is the perfect way to engage kids and teens on a rainy night. Filled with brain-bending puzzles, these boxes are basically escape rooms that you can do from the comfort of your living room. There are also tons of different themes, ranging from novice to expert depending on the players' skill level. Ages 12+

Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Sk8 With Destiny

Whether they're only just dabbling with the occasional manicure or they have a full-on salon in their bathroom cabinet, you can't go wrong with Essie's line of quick-dry polish. There are nearly 50 glossy colors, all of which dry in about a minute. No age listed

RELATED: Best Gift Ideas for Girls of Every Age

Slammo Game Set

This volleyball-style game pits two teams of two against each other. It comes with its own carrying case, can be set up anywhere, and has thousands of glowing reviews on Amazon. All ages

Madden Cropped Pajama Set

If Big Feelings hasn't already taken over her Instagram, it will soon. These coveted PJs are as cute as they are cozy. They come in size XX-Small to XX-Large, but grab 'em while you can — this color will sell out quickly!

'Holes' by Louis Sachar

Not sure what kind of books they're into? Gift them one of your favorite books from when you were 12! In this editor's humble opinion, Holes by Louis Sachar is age-appropriate and an absolute classic. No age listed

Kali Tennis Bracelet

Gifting jewelry to a 12-year-old can be a tricky affair. You want to get something nice, but not too nice. At a perfectly reasonable price point, this colorful tennis bracelet from BaubleBar is just the ticket! No age listed

Madok's Interactive Treasure Hunt

When the experience is just as important as the gift, consider a treasure hunt! This one, designed by Yacine Merzouk and Michelle Rundbaken and available on Uncommon Goods, will take them on a journey to find where you've hidden their prize. The recommended age is 14, but the savvy 12-year-old could definitely do it.

Glow in the Dark Blanket

Every night can be movie night with this glowing blanket, which comes in three colors. It'll easily become their go-to for sick days and snuggles. No age listed

Discover Healthy Skin Kit

Age 12 is the ideal time to teach them the basics of skin care. Suitable for all skin types, this highly rated set from Dermalogica is essentially a crash-course in cleansers and creams. (It also helps that the packaging is unisex, because boys need nice skin stuff, too.) No age listed

Gift Card

Every household is different, but 12 can be a great age to take them to their first concert. If you know who their favorite artist is, look up when they'll be in town. If not, grab a StubHub gift card and they can pick who to see and when to go. No age listed

Sequin Ombre Dress

Sweet and sparkly, the sequin ombre number from Lola and the Boys will make her whole day. The brand's bestselling dress comes in sizes 1-14 and will be the envy of every other 12-year-old at the party, we promise.

Light Up Football

Give them a reason to stay playing in the backyard past sunset with this cool football. While it may look like a toy version of a football, it grips like a real one — laces and all. Ages 8-15

BYO Blush Oil

For those just dabbling with makeup, Youthforia's color-changing formula will be their new fav product. It's a first-of-its-kind blush that adapts to their skin tone to create the most complementary flushed look. It's also made with such clean ingredients that they can sleep in it! (Watch the founder pitch it on Shark Tank here.) No age listed

'The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs'

Are they always trolling around the kitchen, wondering what's for dinner? Put them to work with The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes that You'll Love to Cook and Eat. Ages 8+

RELATED: A Tween Chef Will Love These Cooking Gifts for Every Level

Air Force 1 Shoes

It's hard to go wrong with a pair of Nikes these days. The beloved Air Force 1 sneakers come in four standard colors or you can customize them for $20 more. The unisex shoes come in sizes six through 18 for men or five through 12 for women.

Taylor Swift Greatest Era Birthday Card

While most birthday cards will probably wind up in the trash, this Taylor Swift card is sure to take a prime spot on their dresser for months to come. No age listed

Gift Card

Think they're too old to build a bear? Think again! The mall staple is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. They can use a gift card online, but going in person is so much better. Plus, they can hit up tween mecca Claire's while they're there. No age listed

Kickstart Max Kick Scooter

Amazon reviewers love the sleek, lightweight design of this popular scooter. Radio Flyer's Kickstart Max is adjustable, foldable, and durable enough to keep them scooting well into their late teens. Ages 8+

LEGO Gear Bots

This little LEGO box contains enough parts to make eight creatures! Kids will learn about gears, cranks, and basic physics by putting these together. Ages 8+

LipSoftie™ Lip Treatment

This lip treatment from clean beauty brand Tower 28 comes in six universally flattering tints. This transparent lavender-pink shade is spot-on for a birthday gift, partially because it's named Confetti Cake. No age listed

LEGO WORLDS for Nintendo Switch

LEGO WORLDS is one of the most popular games of the year, so make sure they don't have it before you buy it! And yes, it's a video game, but it's a great way for them to flex their creativity by putting together their own world. Rated E for Everyone

Instax Mini 12 Instant Film Camera

Smartphones are cool, but can they print out all your photos the moment after you take them? Nope. Help them put all the pictures on their bedroom wall with this instant camera from Fujifilm. There are five colors and you can even purchase a bundle that comes with a bunch of accessories. No age listed

Super Skills

Want to bring out their competitive side? Super Skills contains four types of challenges that put various traits like balance and speed to the test. The first to finish 10 challenges wins! Ages 8+

Midnight High-Rise Pocket Bike Short

If they're frequently sporting the popular bike shorts/sweatshirt combo, refresh their supply with these high-rise shorts from Girlfriend Collective. There are five staple colors in addition to rotating limited edition choices, all of which come in sizes ranging from XXS to 6XL.

Laser Tag Guns (Set of 4)

These laser guns are a great way to pass the time on a rainy day inside — or a sunny day in the yard! Lest you think they're too old for something like this, try getting the old family involved. Ages 3+

D.I.Y. Custom Candles

STMT has a bunch of cool D.I.Y. projects for tweens and teens. This highly rated kit has enough supplies to make two scented candles, but if that's not their jam, check out the brand's bath bomb kit, agenda set, or crystal terrarium maker. Ages 8+

Standard Flex Cap Mesa

Fact: Tweens love saving turtles. Environmentally friendly water bottles are a status symbol now, and Hydro Flasks are at the top of the social pyramid. They come in three sizes and 14 colors, so even if they have one already, you can grab a fresh shade. No age listed

RELATED: Best Eco-Friendly Gifts That Encourage Sustainability

Velvet Scrunchies (Set of 45)

If birthdays included stockings, this set of 45 velvet scrunchies would make the perfect stuffer. A scrunchie for every outfit! No age listed

RELATED: Best Stocking Stuffers for Every Kind of Kid

"Awesome Since 2012" T-Shirt

Everybody loves a novelty shirt! This one comes in 16 colors and tons of sizes — seriously, every size from 2T to 6X Tall.

Chocolate Birthday Cake

Not your style to bake a birthday cake? Gifting from afar? Ether way, Milk Bar's signature birthday cake is fabulous and comes in several flavors including chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet. No age listed

Trailmade 20 Sleeping Bag

Most sleeping bags made for kids only fit them until they reach the five-foot mark, so it's high time to upgrade them to an adult bag! REI Co-op's Trailmade Sleeping Bag is the brand's bestselling bag under $100 — a reasonable price point for a top-tier bag. It comes in two colors and six sizes: short, regular, and long, all in standard width or extra-wide. No age listed

LED Marquee Letter Light with Remote

They'll be the star of their room with this color-changing marquee light. The battery-powered sign comes in every letter of the alphabet and they can customize the colors with a handy remote. No age listed

Monthly Baking Kit

Budding bakers will love the monthly kits from Bake Eat Love. Each box comes with pre-measured ingredients for desserts that go beyond the traditional chocolate chip cookie. Past boxes included toasted lemon meringue cupcakes, mango and coconut ice cream profiteroles, and raspberry and orange macarons. No age listed

Faux Fur Reading Pillow

Lounge lizards will love kicking back in this colorful reading pillow, which comes in four color patterns. There's even a psychedelic army green for the boys! No age listed

Mini Karaoke Machine

Prepare to duet with this mini karaoke machine! It's perfect for sleepovers or parties, just be careful what you wish for — you're about to hear a lot of Ariana Grande. Ages 4-12

Mackenzie Backpack & Lunch Bundle

Get coordinated with this bundle from Pottery Barn Kids! You can choose from three backpack sizes (small, medium, or large) and lunchbox type (classic, cold pack, or mini) to go with a 12-oz water bottle, as of which will be personalized with their name. This glittery pattern is one of dozens available. No age listed

Domino Machine

Parent-favorite brand KiwiCo is finally on Amazon! While they make tons of products for younger kids, this Domino Machine is ideal for the older kiddos who have a bit more patience when it comes to building. Ages 9+

Waterproof Fanny Pack

If their phone goes wherever they go, this waterproof bag from Case-Mate is about to be their most-used accessory. It's truly leak-proof and they can even scroll and type while the phone is in the case. Genius! No age listed

Cushion Vista Hi Sandals

They could always use a new pair of shoes, right? These Reefs are a favorite thanks to cushioned soles and a small platform that'll give her a little lift. The popular design comes in sizes five through 12 and eight neutral color variations.

Super 3D Pen

Kids can create whatever they want to with the PLA filament in this crazy-cool 3D pen. It comes with three colors included, which is enough to start building, but you may want to include some extra refills. No age listed

Essential Colorblock Popover Hoodie

Abercrombie & Fitch has completely rebranded, and we're digging the understated new styles. This unisex hoodie, which comes in 15 colors and patterns, is one of their bestsellers. Choose from sizes XXS to XXL and regular or tall lengths.

Inflatable Unicorn & Flamingo Pool Floats

Gifting for a summer birthday? Go with a pair of inflatables so they can float with their bestie. This combo is trendy, but you can also go with loungers that include cup holders. Ages 6+

Unicorn Dream Body Scrub

Cruelty-free brand Bella and Bear makes some beloved scrubs, whipped soap, and body butters in tween-friendly scents and colors. Unicorn Dreams looks just like a snow cone, but Pineapple Punch smells just as good — and don't get us started on their Shower Jelly line. No age listed

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