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Deciding the Best Gifts For 12 Year Old Boy this year

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Last Updated: 21 March 2023
best birthday gifts for 12-year-old boy

The best gifts for 12 year old boys are so much about intention, its content, and the presentation of the gift itself. The practice of deciding what to buy for your 12-year-old lad should start from conversations you have had, the kind of fellow he is becoming, as well as his extra-curricular activities. Only after this, can you get creative and select the items that would best fit him.

In today's world, where pre-teens have a developing mind of their own, it could be an arduous task deciding to buy a birthday gift for 12 year old boy who has everything. With different gifts ranging from RC robot cars to computers, or any toy you think might catch their fancy. Another criterion is making sure this item is affordable and still rock! The list is endless with Christmas gifts for 12 year old boys, but we have put together the top ten gift ideas for 12 year old boys in this post that would make it easier for you to shop.

TOP 10 Best Gifts For 12 Year Old Boys: Comparison Chart

Best Performance
Acer Chromebook 11
Best Value
Alesis Compact Kit 4
Razor E 325 Electric Scooter
Kids Against Maturity: Card Game For Kids And Humanity
Gosport's Slammo Game Set
Acer Chromebook 11, Celeron N3350, 11.6
Alesis Compact Kit 4 – Tabletop Electric Drum Set with 70 Electronic / Acoustic Drum Kit Sounds, 4 Pads, Battery- or AC-Power and Drum Sticks Included
Razor E325 Electric Scooter
Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Families, Super Fun Hilarious for Family Party Game Night
GoSports Slammo Game Set (Includes 3 Balls, Carrying Case and Rules) - Outdoor Lawn, Beach & Tailgating Roundnet Game for Kids, Teens & Adults
$349.99
$89.00
$268.99
$29.99
$34.95
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Key Feature
Intel Celeron N3060 2.48GHz
4 Velocity sensitive drum pads
250-watt motor, up to 15 mph
Not bad family card game
Cool for beach
Battery
3-cell Li-Ion Battery Pack (3490 mAh)
AC adapter or 6 C-cell batteries
Rechargeable 24V sealed-lead-acid battery
No
No
Best Performance
Acer Chromebook 11
Acer Chromebook 11, Celeron N3350, 11.6
$349.99
-
-
-
Key Feature
Intel Celeron N3060 2.48GHz
Battery
3-cell Li-Ion Battery Pack (3490 mAh)
Best Value
Alesis Compact Kit 4
Alesis Compact Kit 4 – Tabletop Electric Drum Set with 70 Electronic / Acoustic Drum Kit Sounds, 4 Pads, Battery- or AC-Power and Drum Sticks Included
$89.00
-
-
Key Feature
4 Velocity sensitive drum pads
Battery
AC adapter or 6 C-cell batteries
Razor E 325 Electric Scooter
Razor E325 Electric Scooter
$268.99
-
-
-
Key Feature
250-watt motor, up to 15 mph
Battery
Rechargeable 24V sealed-lead-acid battery
Kids Against Maturity: Card Game For Kids And Humanity
Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Families, Super Fun Hilarious for Family Party Game Night
$29.99
-
-
Key Feature
Not bad family card game
Battery
No
Gosport's Slammo Game Set
GoSports Slammo Game Set (Includes 3 Balls, Carrying Case and Rules) - Outdoor Lawn, Beach & Tailgating Roundnet Game for Kids, Teens & Adults
$34.95
-
-
Key Feature
Cool for beach
Battery
No
Gaming Headset For Xbox One
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble
Vindaloo Skill Toy: The Latest Craze To Hit
GlowCity Light Up Basketball Uses
Trekking RC Robots Toy Robots
Gaming Headset for Xbox One, PS4,Nintendo Switch Bass Surround and Noise Cancelling with Flexible Mic, 3.5mm Wired Adjustable Over-Ear Headphones for Laptop PC iPad Smartphones (Red-Black)
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run & STEM Toy For Kids Age 8 & Up - Endless Indoor Activity for Families
pindaloo Juggling Skill Toy with 2 Balls | an Exciting New Game for Kids Teens and Adults - Indoor and Outdoor Play | Have a Whole Lot of Fun Developing Motor Skills and Learning to Juggle (Blue)
Light Up Basketball-Uses Two High Bright LED's (Official Size and Weight)
Threeking Rc Robot Toys Gesture Sensing Remote Control Programmable Robot Toy for 6+ Years Old Kids Birthday Present Gift
$19.99
$39.58
$26.95
$24.85
$29.99
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Key Feature
Universal Compatibility (PS4 , PS5, Xbox One etc.)
Cool for Logical Thinking, Hand-Eye Coordination
Great game for trips
Durable
Remote control robot
Battery
No
1 A batteries required.
No
12 LR44 batteries required. (included)
1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included)
Gaming Headset For Xbox One
Gaming Headset for Xbox One, PS4,Nintendo Switch Bass Surround and Noise Cancelling with Flexible Mic, 3.5mm Wired Adjustable Over-Ear Headphones for Laptop PC iPad Smartphones (Red-Black)
$19.99
-
-
Key Feature
Universal Compatibility (PS4 , PS5, Xbox One etc.)
Battery
No
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run & STEM Toy For Kids Age 8 & Up - Endless Indoor Activity for Families
$39.58
-
-
Key Feature
Cool for Logical Thinking, Hand-Eye Coordination
Battery
1 A batteries required.
Vindaloo Skill Toy: The Latest Craze To Hit
pindaloo Juggling Skill Toy with 2 Balls | an Exciting New Game for Kids Teens and Adults - Indoor and Outdoor Play | Have a Whole Lot of Fun Developing Motor Skills and Learning to Juggle (Blue)
$26.95
-
-
Key Feature
Great game for trips
Battery
No
GlowCity Light Up Basketball Uses
Light Up Basketball-Uses Two High Bright LED's (Official Size and Weight)
$24.85
-
-
Key Feature
Durable
Battery
12 LR44 batteries required. (included)
Trekking RC Robots Toy Robots
Threeking Rc Robot Toys Gesture Sensing Remote Control Programmable Robot Toy for 6+ Years Old Kids Birthday Present Gift
$29.99
-
-
Key Feature
Remote control robot
Battery
1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included)

Best Overall: Acer Chromebook 11 Review

Acer Chromebook 11

The most reliable overall gifts for boys age 12, with a rating of 10/10 on our list is the Acer Chromebook 11. This significant 11.6-inch laptop has everything a user might need. The quick wireless connection would help keep him closer to the internet than ever. The prolonged battery life in this machine provides all day power. If the aim is to do homework, watch documentaries, broaden his understanding and many more. He also gets the opportunity to operate his favorite google apps, play games, or access files, music, documents, videos, and pictures, without stress.

Acer Chromebook 11 could make the most suitable birthday gifts for a 12-year-old kid who has everything. You will be on the right path to making him adore you for making his childhood a memorable one with Chromebook for kids.

Best features:

  • Solid battery life
  • Powerful processor and performance
  • Awesome design
  • Military level durability

Wy We Like It

  • Long lasting battery life
  • Access to internet and materials to broaden the scope of learning

Budget: Alesis Compact Kit 4 Review

Alesis Compact Kit 4

The second on our list rating 9/10 for its pocket-friendliness is the best-selling Alesis Compact Kit 4. It makes superb Christmas gifts for 12 year old boys who have a liking for harmony and needs to sharpen their abilities. Having a music coach to enlighten the kid on how to operate the built-in melody and beats as he/she has a great time with the installed game. These unique gifts for 12 year old boys can be played everywhere so long as it is plugged to a wall or utilized with six C active batteries.

Alesis Compact Kit 4 is not just a drum kit set, it is one of the cheap gifts for 12 year old boys that are not only very affordable but would help sharpen their music and drumming skills as they grow into a music star!

Best Features:

  • So affordable
  • Ease of use
  • Compact and light
  • Suitable for both kids and grown-ups

Wy We Like It

  • Not expensive to purchase
  • No technical knowhow is needed before using it
  • It is not heavy and it is potable
  • There’s no age restriction. People of different ages can use it

For Beginners: Razor E 325 Electric scooter Review

Razor E 325 Electric scooter

The third most suited gift for a 12 year old boy rating 8.9/10 is the Razor E 325. This is an example of cool gifts for 12 year old boys that would make his playtime worthwhile both in the house and outside. The Razor E 325 with an ultra serene chain that rides at a pace of 15 miles per hour would give him an incredibly fun experience. He would most likely never forget the smile that would always light up his face each time. You need not worry about safety with this scooter. No wonder it is identified as the best scooter for kids because it has a default battery that can supply energy for 45 minutes on a full charge.

With its variable-speed acceleration, a distinctly broad 10-inch pneumatic tires and a twist clutch that ensures safety, this scooter makes a gift that your kid would enjoy while staying safe.

Best Features:

  • Remarkably Safe
  • Variable speed function

Wy We Like It

  • It is reliable during use
  • Its pace can be regulated, making it extra fun
  • Doesn’t need to be plugged in, it uses batteries and they are rechargeable

Good Family Time: Kids Against Maturity – Card Game For Kids And Humanity Review

Kids Against Maturity - Card Game For Kids And Humanity

Number 4 on our list rating 9/10 is the Kids Against Maturity: Card game for kids and humanity. This is an example of top gift for 12 year old boys that make an immeasurable fit for uniting the family. It is a best selling present that most kids would enjoy and cherish. With over 500 questions and solutions that are suitable for his age. There are funny cards as well that would continually keep laughter on his face while giving you more chances to play together. What else wouldn’t you desire to make this one of the right gifts for 12 year old boys?

This present comes with unlimited fun in stock for both youngsters and grown-ups. We have seen from reviews that it has been one of the most recommended for several years, which makes it unquestionably one of the good gifts for 12 year old boys.

Best Features:

  • Affordable
  • Safe
  • Entertaining and educating

Pros

  • Good fit for parent-children bonding and entertaining experience
  • Perfect for children’s intellectual development

Cons

  • Some parents don’t appreciate several jokes (easy solution, however, is to remove the cards they do not approve before giving it to the kids)

Versatile: Gosport’s Slammo Game Set Review

Gosport's Slammo Game Set

Good bouncy ballsGosport' sts Slammo outdoor lawn game Set is 5th on our catalog of best gifts for 12 year old boys rating 9.4/10. It stands out as the best gift ideas for 12 year old boys and adults who admire entertainment. The exceptional design and easy setup of Gosport's Slammo Game Set add to the fact that it is a breathtaking entertainment system that would make an exceptional selection for 12 year old boy gifts. Also, an awesome way for workouts and keeping fit while having fun.

The Gosport's Slammo Game Set contains one Slammo mark, two-game sized balls, one practice ball, a carrying box, and game principles. You should go for this engaging game that he would never forget.

Best Features:

  • Unique design
  • Very affordable

Pros

  • Good for workout sessions and entertainment time
  • It is made up of highly enduring material

Cons

  • Not suitable for younger kids because of the choking hazard that its small parts hold
  • There are similar other products of lower quality that could be easily confused

Universal Compatibility: Gaming Headset For Xbox One Review

Gaming Headset For Xbox One

The next popular gifts for 12 year old boys on our poll rank 8.5/10. It isn’t only the perfect gift for 12 year old boys who adore video games, but it also is a fabulous supporting device that would take gaming to an extra thrilling level. Xbox has a noise-insulating microphone, a fabulous volume control key, skin-friendly material that extends the earbuds, all in the headset itself. These are features that make it one of the best in the gaming realm.

With supporting devices ranging from PlayStations, PC, Tablets, mobile phones, PSP, iPad, Nintendo, computers, or laptops. This gaming headset for Xbox One is an impressive gift that he would use for a very long time

Best Features:

  • Noise-canceling microphone
  • Unique skin-friendly design
  • Easy to Use

Pros

  • It has an anti-interference and noise-canceling receiver for a great gaming experience
  • Manufactured with durable materials to accommodate skin sensitivity
  • It features a volume key for sound control.

Cons

  • Some complaint about it cheaply made than expected

Creative: Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Review

Sale
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble

The seventh on our list ranks 9.5/10.. This is the Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble. This item is undoubtedly one of the best birthday gifts for 12 year old boys that you wish to help sharpen their creative skills. From experimenting about magnetism, gravitation force, and kinetics, to designing one’s race fields, Ravensburger Gravitrax with its peculiarities is a pleasant way for a child to delve into the realm of physics, study construction, experiment, and control.

From designing different tracks each time he plays to him controlling the speed of each ball, this starter set is a child's beginner's guide to creativity and would assist you to bring out the smart kid in him.

Best Features:

  • Great Track Accessories
  • Easy to utilize
  • Magnetic accessories

Pros

  • Great for building creativity and intuitive reasoning
  • Unique informative and entertaining package

Cons

  • Some users complain about it being all plastic

Unique Design: Vindaloo Skill Toy – The Latest Craze To Hit Review

Vindaloo Skill Toy – The Latest Craze To Hit

Number 8 on our list rating 9.7/10 is the Vindaloo Skill Toy. This gadget gives him the ideal opportunity to mix education with stimulating, interactive, and pleasurable time tossing, catching, and juggling balls based on a loop rule. The Vindaloo is highlighted as a unique gift due to its ability to develop kids’ determination, visual awareness extent, and memory.

This skill recreational gadget would serve as a good example of best gifts for 12 year old boy 2023 because it is a stimulator for their brain, hand, and eye activities. Get this gift and your little man can practice being an engineer both indoor or outdoor.

Best Features:

  • Safe
  • Simple to use
  • Uniquely designed bouncy ball

Pros

  • Great for intuitive reasoning improvement
  • Improvement of fine and gross motor skills
  • It is safe and user-friendly

Cons

  • Some people find it more difficult than it looks

Game Night: GlowCity Light Up Basketball Uses Review

GlowCity Light Up Basketball Uses

Isn’t it amazing that it takes just two Hi-Bright LEDs to allow the entire ball to brighten with fire like sparkle? This Glowcity Basketball would make a piece of pleasant recreational equipment. Aside from enjoying the basketball, it glows as it bounces. Glowcity Basketball shines beautifully at night and you need not worry much about replacing batteries so quickly because these are included. Procedures for changing the batteries are also added to the set, to accommodate a long-lasting experience for the kids.

This is one gift option that can ensure long hours of fun and would surely keep your kid occupied.

Best Features:

  • Lights up when in use
  • Activates when it comes in contact

Pros

  • Made from quality materials
  • Great for entertainment

Cons

  • Black stripes wash up fast

Educational: Trekking RC Robots Toy Robots Review

Trekking RC Robots Toy Robots

Trekking RC Robots Toy Robot devotes an entertaining and educational path to play. With its obstacle escape, movement control, intelligent programming, barrier avoidance, remarkable led eye light, dancing, and singing, entertainment is guaranteed. These would be great gifts for 12 yr old boys who want to be engaged in educational play. The programmed flexible robot built to perform moves like walk backward, forward, turn left, turn right, and more to act as a companion while keeping him engaged on days you are very busy to play.

With Trekking RC Robots Toy Robots, you will challenge your kid’s imagination with one of the best gifts for 12 year old boys.

Best Features

  • Enhanced mobility
  • Relatively safe components
  • User-friendly

Pros

  • It encourages motor skills development
  • It improves communication in kids.

Cons

  • Some say it’s prone to some defects.

Buyer’s Guide: All You Need to Know About the Best Gifts For 12 Year Old Boy

The gifts that most 12-year-old boys adore

They like things that are challenging and allow them to play as they are full of strength and the desire to explore. This is a period when they begin to mature and they are prone to explore other fields aside from just playing. So, they will like things such as the Chromebook 11, Alesis compact kit, Razor scooter, and other games.

what my 12 year old boy should play with

What my 12 year old boy should play with?

Children at this age would adore items that challenge them and allow them to have fun at the same time. They are at a stage of transformation and the toys they associate with should aid them in doing this.

How to Choose the Best Gifts For 12 Year Old Boy

Making the right choice of item to buy takes some effort. In order to be able to make the right choice, it is important to put a few factors in mind. Below are the things you need to consider when choosing gifts for twelve year old boys:

Age range

Age is an important factor to consider when buying cheap gifts for 12 year old boys. No parent would want to end up disappointed because they bought a gift that doesn’t fit the age of their kid. One has to make sure the gift doesn’t end up being too complicated or too simple/outdated for the child’s age. You could avoid this by always checking the recommended age on the gift labels.

It is also important to consider your kid’s habits and temperaments. This helps to understand the kind of games and challenges he would like. However, don’t be in a hurry to get a gift above your child’s age bracket just because he/she shows smarter traits than their peers. Most times, the age restrictions are also imposed to enforce safety.

books for 12-year-old boy

Education value

Toys and games with educational values aid the kids in sharpening balancing, coordination and personal development. You shouldn’t be surprised that they could even exercise muscles with such toys. The best presents for 12 year old boys with such values allow children to have a better understanding of self-value and better thinking. So be ready to congratulate your child when he/she shows you what they have achieved using such a gift. This is a way to better bonding with the young ones as well as help them develop mentally.

Materials

When selecting gifts for kids in this age bracket, it is important to understand how careless they can be with their toys. In order to save yourself from replacing gifts every now and then, it is better to go for toys made from durable materials. Not to forget that this goes a long way in protecting the kid as well. Avoid getting toys made from fragile or poisonous materials.

Durability

By now you should be aware of how kids in this age bracket treat their toys. So when getting gift ideas for 12 year old boys, take care to go for the ones made from materials that would last long or not break easily.

outdoor toys for 12-year-old boys

Batteries needed

Well, having a toy that runs on batteries or not depends on your choice. If you are not against replacing batteries at intervals, then you shouldn’t be so worried about this. However, you can decide from the onset to either select only toys that are rechargeable if you don’t want to go through battery replacement phases.

Safety

Safety measures should be put in mind too. Is it safe, would it be fit for your environment, do you need some safety gadgets like a helmet? All these should be put in mind before selecting the ideal toy for your kiddo.

Price

This is another great factor to look out for. Are you buying a budget-friendly item, is it worth the extra cash? Cost is another top factor and plays a major role in making a decision.

Best Gifts For 12 Year Old Boy Types

This could be a sensitive age for most 12-year-olds, as they are undergoing a series of transformation. One should look closely at certain factors like interest, temperament, habits, and so on before making the decision of getting the best laptop.

Toys for 12 year old boys

Engineering toys for 12 year olds

Gifts that support intellectual and creative growth. Things such as robots, electronic notepads, and transformers fall in this group. Items that would help creatively discover themselves. Transformers toys could be useful in your search.

Outside toys for 12-year-old boys

For a kid to grow and experience what is happening in his surroundings, he demands outdoor toys. These best gifts for 12 year old boys come in different sorts and there are items that parents should recognize when ordering.

Buying toys that would be safe and useful outdoors. Toys such as Razor E 325 Electric Scooter, Alexis compact kit, and Gosport’s Slammo Game Set fall into this category.

sport toys for 12 year old boys
Sport toys for 12 year old boys

Purchase toys that assist in muscle and physical growth. Gifts like bikes, scooters, and puzzles fall under this section.

Books for 12 year old boy

Books are known to aid intellectual growth. Get several books in different interesting genres that you feel would interest your kid and assist him/her in learning new things as well. This shouldn’t compulsorily relate directly to education, it could be fun-oriented like poems, stories and so on.

Clothes for 12 year old boy

The rate at which children grow is uncontrollable, which makes it essential for clothes to be renewed at regular intervals. For this reason, clothes are a perfect gift to buy a child on his birthday.

Science gifts for 12 year olds

Items that assist kids to develop in the science field. Gifts such as the periodic table, books on science subjects, and a notebook with access to the internet are examples that fall under this group. You can go through the best Chromebook for kids, if your choice is to give him unlimited access to the world wide web.

board games for 12-year-old boy

Board games for 12 year old boy

How about the monopoly, chess, snakes & ladder, and other interesting board games come in handy here. There are numerous puzzle games to be considered as well.

Electronics for 12 year old boy

If your kid loves electronics or you are trying to make him/her get closer to this field, then there are several gifts in this category for you to select from. Try the Best Electric Scooter For Kids, robots, scooters, computers, transformers, remote control cars, and a lot more.

Best Gifts For 12 Year Old Boy FAQ

electronics for 12-year-old boy

Here are a few of the frequently asked questions that could come in handy for anyone facing the same challenge of selecting an adequate gift for their 12 year old.

Should I limit my 12 year old old's playtime?

Depending on how long he spends playing. Some kids tend to love playtime more than anything in the world. But you could create a balance by assigning time to play and do other house or schoolwork.

Is it possible for my daughter to also use gifts for a 12 year old boy?

Sure, she can. She would have a great time playing with the best hoverboard for kids for example. Don’t let the name tag ‘fun gifts for 12 year old boys’ fool you, these items help kids, in general, grow their social skills and mind.

What if my son says he only wants video games as a gift?

Boys love video games. They enjoy playing several games made based on their favorites movies and superhero characters on different modern devices. You just have to be sure that the console you buy is not too advanced nor too boring for him.

Verdict and Our Recommendation for 2023

Getting the best gifts for a 12-year-old is a massive challenge. This entails trying to put your son’s interest, the best gift he deserves and the type of toy in vogue into consideration. Not just that, you should also remember that a suitable present should improve creative skills, and help him grow exceptionally smart. After analyzing the best gifts for 12 year old boy 2023 according to parenthoodroutine.com, the Acer Chromebook 11 stands out as it matches all the mentioned criteria. So, we hope this list helps you to find that affordable, fun, popular and superb gift for your 12-year-old boy.

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PRODUCTS TESTED BY Parenthoodroutine.com
How We Tested

Our analysts consider the kind of presents that could help in learning as well as entertain your kid. All the products that we reviewed here were selected carefully to meet the several needs of a twelve years old boy in 2022. These gift suggestions for 12 year old boys will do so well in entertaining, developing, and educating your son as he plays.

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