47 Gifts for 12-Year-Old Girls They Won’t Roll Their Eyes At

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Being a 12-year-old girl is so much fun. And by “fun,” we mean confusing, dramatic ... but also, yes, sometimes pretty fun! It’s complicated, and so is trying to buy gifts for 12-year-old girls. They’re far too mature for toys, but a lot of the things they do want are too mature for them. Is there a balance to be had? And if so, where? Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Our advice is to think of something you’d want for yourself and then scale it down just a little bit to be kid-appropriate (because, despite what they believe, they’re not actually adults yet). Pampering items, accessories, clothes, crafts, books, and electronics? All 12-year-old-approved — hey, this might just be easier than you thought! We’ve rounded up 50 of our favorite ideas to get you started. (And if you wind up buying a couple of these items for yourself, well, we didn’t see you do that and can’t prove anything.) Happy shopping!

Flannel Sleep Pant

We have it on good authority (i.e., my 12-year-old son) that middle school girls enjoy wearing pajama pants everywhere. Specifically, buffalo plaid. We get it. They’re comfy AF.

Love To Mask Facial Masking Kit

This set includes 14 of Freeman’s soothing, clearing, brightening, hydrating, polishing, and detoxifying masks – plus a bonus buffer and headband – that will help her feel pampered and confident. All products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Glossy Posse Gloss Bomb Trio

We absolutely love Rihanna’s beauty brand and we know your 12-year-old girl will too. The lip gloss is particularly excellent, and subtle enough for daily tween use. Set includes three full-sized shades – fan favorites Fenty Glow and Glass Slipper Heat and one set exclusive shade, Pink Dragonfly.

'This Is Me: One Year Journal For Girls and Teens' by Dawn Earles

Being a 12-year-old girl isn’t always easy, but journaling through it can help. This prompt journal will give her space to be alone with her thoughts, work through her problems, and reflect.

Pure Wonder Fragrance

Bright and warm, the Pure Wonder fragrance mist uses hints of white amber, iced rose, and jasmine to create its dreamy scent. The mist can be used all over your body, so your girl can toss it in her soccer bag if she needs a little boost post-practice.

Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera + MiniMate Accessory Bundle

Everything old is new again, and your 12-year-old girl, accustomed to a digital world, will love this throwback favorite. This petite camera instantly develops tiny pics (perfect for lockers and bulletin boards) and comes with five rolls of film, a carry case, a photo album, and more.

Mini Belt Bag

No longer relegated to mammaws playing BINGO at the VFW or moms at amusement parks, fanny packs (aka bum bags, aka belt bags) are back in style. Honestly, we don't know why they left: they're so convenient, and your 12-year-old girl will love this mini version from Lululemon.

Large Field & Studio Sketchbox Easel

Whether she wants to create art out in a field or in a studio (or her room) this must-have for any artist can be used on a desk or as a tripod easel with plenty of room and compartments to store supplies.

Heritage Fleece Cropped Hoodie

One thing we love about this generation of girls? They place a premium on comfort as well they should. They also like all their tops cropped. So needless to say, we think this one is a great gift for a 12-year-old girl. Simple, cozy, chic: perfect.

Aesthetic Stickers 200 Count

Whatever she wants to decorate (water bottle, journal, locker, instrument case), these stickers will add a cute, trendy little touch. With a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing designs, from fruit to word art to nature, there's something for every taste.

Gift Card

Because sometimes, the best gift you can get a 12-year-old girl is the gift of shopping, and a lot of the girls we know are starting to become interested in skincare, makeup, perfume, and other fun things she can find at Sephora.

Complete Brush Set

If she’s begun to play with makeup, it’s helpful to have the right tools, and we’re big fans of Sephora’s line of brushes. This high quality set of seven vegan brushes is everything she’ll need from brows to blush.

Custom Name Necklace

We’re pretty sure you’re not allowed to graduate middle school without one of these classic name necklaces. Available in a variety of metals, styles, and fonts, there’s something for every taste.

Tie-Dye Print Jogger Set

A matching lounge set is perfect for a school day when your tween is running late or for just chilling at the house on a Friday night. This set comes with a hoodie and joggers, and both are made with soft, moisture-wicking fabric.

Custom LED Neon Sign

From font to name (or whatever word you wish) to color, these signs are ultra-customizable and add just the right touch of glam to a 12-year-old girls' bedroom. They come with everything you need to get set up: installation accessories, power accessories, and instructions.

Teen/Tween Subscription Box

They’ve probably outgrown dolls, but they’ll love the bimonthly Hey Doll! Box, uniquely curated with four to six themed items that provide motivation, direction, and support for girls in this formative (and often confusing) stage of life. They’ll receive things like books, jewelry, shirts, and body products and have access to the Hey Doll! interactive website.

Multi-Surface Paint Pens

All the panache of painting in the convenience of markers, these paint pens are perfect for whatever art projects or creative endeavors your kiddo wants to attempt. Vivid, water-based paint dries quickly, making it ideal for working on a variety of surfaces — rocks, canvas, plastic, wood, terracotta — not just paper!

Kalimba

A kalimba, also known as a “thumb piano,” is a simple instrument that makes a sound when the player slides their thumbs along several metal tabs. Its simplicity means your girl can get the hang of making it “sing” relatively quickly — but there’s an instruction book and labeled keys, just in case.

Once Upon a Book Club Subscription Box

This truly unique box comes with a twist: The various book-themed gifts that arrive with your new book are meant to be opened at certain moments in the story for an immersive, interactive reading experience. You never know when you’ll turn the page and find it’s time to open a gift!

Flare Pants

Remember when you were younger, and flare leggings were all the rage? Well, they’re back, baby! As old as this makes us feel, we’re happy for our 12-year-old girls: these pants are comfy and go with pretty much everything.

Platform Sneakers

Among the (seemingly many) trends from our own childhoods that are making a comeback? Chunky sneakers, aka how short girls add height without looking like they’re trying too hard. We love this soft pink pair from Nike, which looks vintage and space-age.

Checker-Sleeve Hoodie

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that no one between the ages of 10 and 21 can have enough hoodies. Ever. We like this one, with cool checkered sleeves and with tweens fawning over “vintage” ’90s looks (dies in Millennial) — we bet they will, too. Just remember to buy it oversized–kids today love a big ol’ hoodie.

Dollhouse Bath Balm Set

Make bath time magical with this adorable Doll House Bath Balm Set. Aside from providing bubbles and fresh scents, each of the four bath bombs include a tiny doll friend that she can play with in her new dollhouse.

Classic Cruiser Bike

If she hasn’t upgraded her bike since third grade or so, it might just be time to find the ride that can take her into adulthood. We love a cruiser bike for the casual rider – it’s super comfortable and perfect for local commuting or a pleasant tour.

Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

All the aroma and calm of a bath bomb in the convenience of a shower! Just place the steamer in the corner of your shower and let the soothing fragrance whisk them to a place where middle-school stress doesn’t exist. Scents include lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla, watermelon, grapefruit, and peppermint.

Gryffindor™ House Ring Stack

We love the Harry Potter line from cool-girl brand Pura Vida. Whether you’re a brave Gryffindor, clever Ravenclaw, loyal Hufflepuff, or ambitious Slytherin, there’s a ring set for you, each engraved with house name, colors, and qualities.

With every purchase, 5% will be donated to the World Literacy Foundation for up to $25,000.

Bunny House Slippers

There’s nothing quite like coming home from a day of middle school, kicking off your shoes (anywhere — don’t worry, mom will clean them up), and pulling on a fluffy, cozy pair of slippers.

This adorable bunny pair has anti-slip soles, which means the only thing slipping will be her foot into these comfy critters! Comes in four chic neutrals: pink, light gray, white, and khaki.

Lip Balm Gift Set

Your tween will love this set of seven scented beeswax lip balms in a cute reusable storage pouch. Best of all, it’s lip balm with a mission: With every purchase, the Savannah Bee Company is able to help support the Bee Cause Project, which builds educational hives across the country to help save the bees.

Faux Fur Blanket

Has your kid ever wanted to hug a Yeti? Probably not. But if they have, this delightfully soft, white, faux-fur throw blanket is just the thing. If they haven’t dreamed of hugging a Yeti, they’ll still love snuggling up under all this fuzzy warmth.

How to Bake for Beginners by Gwyn Novak

If your 12-year-old girl has shown an interest in getting in the kitchen, this book is the perfect place to get started. Includes tips on the best kitchen practices, user-friendly tutorials on basic technique, and dozens of delicious recipes to instill a lifelong love of baking.

I Am Everything Affirmation Card Deck

From social media to friendships to just figuring everything out, being a 12-year-old girl isn’t easy, and we can’t overstate how important encouragement and affirmation are during this time. This deck of mindfulness cards gives them a daily (or as-needed) dose of calming, reassuring self-esteem. A great and easy self-care practice!

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Box Set

For more than 100 years, everyone’s favorite Anne (with an E) has been charming readers. The bold, melodramatic orphan girl has adventures in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The idea of “extra” didn’t exist in 1908, but that’s what Anne is.

More: Gifts for Tween Girls They're Sure to Love

Architecture: New York City

This isn’t a little-kid Lego set. We love this beautiful kit with true-to-form models of real New York City skyscrapers, including the Flatiron Building, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the Statue of Liberty. Each landmark is scaled to give an accurate representation of the comparative size of each.

Vegan 1460 Combat Boot

A standard of alternative girls for decades, Doc Martens are a must-have for any soon-to-be teen. Whether they like wearing jeans or dresses, the classic design goes with everything. We love that this pair is vegan, so they can love fashion and animals.

Zodiac Necklace

Is your 12-year-old girl starting to say things like “OMG, it’s giving Gemini” or “I like them, but you know how Libras can be!”?

Congratulations: They’re into astrology now. The zodiac-minded tween will love this simple but chic handmade necklace, featuring their star sign constellation in a subtle, classic design.

6-Piece Classic Products Gift Set

Burt’s Bees has been a byword for “hippie beauty” for decades, and your 12-year-old girl will enjoy this assortment of all-natural products that promote soft, healthy, glowing skin (and a little bit of daily pampering) from lips to hands, cuticles to toes.

Hand Jewelry Holder

There’s a good chance your 12-year-old girl has gotten more into accessories lately. There’s also a good chance that being a 12-year-old girl, they misplace their jewelry all the time. No more, with this hand-shaped jewelry organizer, with space for rings, bracelets, and watches galore.

Soundbox Bluetooth Portable Speaker

Perfect for hanging out in the park, backyard, or parties on the go! The super cute, sleek design of this Bluetooth speaker is matched by excellent sound quality, and the simple touch system at the top allows you to Play, Pause, or Skip your music as well as answer phone calls.

‘Wherever You Go’ Wrapped Canvas Textual Art

Inspirational and pretty, this canvas print of painted mountains with a quote from Confucius is a great addition to the bedroom of a 12-year-old girl who already has big dreams and ambitions. What better way to let them know you’re behind them no matter what adventures lie ahead?

Screen Printing Starter Kit

Your 12-year-old girl will love expressing themselves on (just about) any fabric with this screen-printing set to make unique T-shirts, tote bags, and much more! The simple manual process is safe and mess-free, with a step-by-step guide and all the supplies they’ll need, including glitter to add to their own designs.

Calligraphy Kit for Beginners

Who among us hasn’t looked at a historic document and wondered, “How do they write like that?” Well, with this calligraphy kit specially made for beginners, your child will be able to try their hand at this endlessly entertaining (and surprisingly useful) art form. Includes pen tips, ink, a book of projects, and more.

The Giver Quartet Box Set by Lois Lowry

Jonas’ world, a community in the not-so-distant future, is perfect. There’s no pain and everyone knows what is expected of them … but it comes at a cost, borne by the “Receiver of Memory,” and it’s the job Jonas has been chosen to take on. This dystopian series is a must-read for any 12-year-old girl.

Think For Yourself by Andrea Debbink and Aaron Meshon

Critical-thinking skills and basic concepts of logic and rhetoric are crucial not just for a 12-year-old girl, but for everyone. This book will teach your child by building and deconstructing bad arguments, making them savvy and able to — you guessed it — think for themselves.

Sports Water Bottle with Straw Lid

Say goodbye to disposable water bottles for good (your eco-conscious tween will appreciate it) and hello to this sleek, stainless steel bottle that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12! Available in six sizes and more than two dozen colors.

One-Step Tie-Dye Kit

Tie-dyeing is super fun and it’s never been simpler with this set of supplies from Tulip. A step-by-step guide shows over eight different looks and includes everything they’ll need for up to 36 projects, except the garments. There is enough dye for parties of up to 6 people, which makes this a perfect sleepover activity.

Stress-Relieving Coloring Books

A little while back, some genius discovered that coloring, once considered an activity just for little kids, is super soothing and fun (no wonder little kids always seem so happy). Of course, your 12-year-old kid is up for busier designs and more complicated patterns, so they’ll love this set of three books of 72 designs.

Kindle

Give them the gift of a massive library at their fingertips. With the Kindle, they’ll literally have thousands of books at their fingertips! Buy more with the touch of a button through Amazon or even borrow from libraries (see librarian for details). The glare-free display reads like real paper, but can be backlit when it gets dark out.

Checker-Sleeve Hoodie

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that no one between the ages of 10 and 21 can have enough hoodies. Ever. We like this one, with cool checkered sleeves and with tweens fawning over “vintage” ’90s looks (dies in Millennial) — we bet they will, too. Just remember to buy it oversized–kids today love a big ol’ hoodie.

Premium Basketball

This floral patterned basketball offers a retro twist on the classic basketball. Whether your kid loves playing hoops outside or inside, this is a fun way to spice up a simple gift.

Himalayan Beanbag

As your tween gets older, you may find she’s spending more time in her room doing… whatever it is tweens do. So you might as well make that space comfortable, and what’s more comfortable than a bean bag? Why a faux fur bean bag, of course!

Rosie the Squishmallow Pig

Remember when we said 12-year-old girls think they’re too old for toys? Squishmallows prove they’re not. This adorable, squishy, impossibly soft little pig is perfect for decor and snuggling.

Fotochain Frame Set

It’s not the frame but what’s inside it that counts — but this set of three certainly makes a statement of its own. Gallery-style hanging frames are suspended from sturdy metal brackets that attach to a matching wall-mounted ledge. Two frames float a 4x6-inch image, while the larger frame floats a 5x7-inch image.

Satin Pajamas

For the girl who likes to keep things classic, and maybe just a little bit vintage, this timeless pajama set, available in flamingo pink or pale lavender, is the perfect gift. Ideal for lounging in style.

x Disney Silly Mickey Crop Top

A great gift for the 12-year-old girl who’d rather be riding Space Mountain but wants to keep it cute in middle school. This oversized crop top features Mickey striking a silly pose while offering vital life advice: life is too important to take it too seriously.

Whitney Hoodie

Perfect for outdoor adventuring on spring days or back-to-school season! We love the ceramic-blue color of this midweight-fleece, zip-up-style hoodie, and we think your 12-year-old will, too. (If they don’t, it also comes in black, and who doesn’t like black?)

LED Galaxy Projector

Your 12-year-old girl will have the opportunity to fall asleep under the stars from the comfort of their own room! Galaxies and nebulas will dance before their eyes, creating instant ambiance. Simple button controls make it easy to cycle through light effects, adjust brightness, and more.

Fairy String Lights

Your 12-year-old girl can turn her bedroom into a tween paradise fit for Instagram with these whimsical lights. Each strand in these 12-packs is 6.5 feet long and battery operated. Yes, batteries are included.

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair