Trying to find the best gift for a 12-year-old can be tough. They are too old for kid toys and too young for some teen-oriented items, but they still want gifts tailored to their newly sophisticated interests.
Whether your gift is for a 12-year-old boy or a 12-year-old girl, the overall goal is to find something thoughtful that they’ll actually like and use. Much like shopping for gifts for teenagers, you’ll definitely want to stay away from things that seem too babyish. It’s also helpful to keep their interests in mind. If they’re attached to their phones and social media like most pre-teens, tech gifts like a photo printer or ring light are great options. Tween beauty enthusiasts, on the other hand, may enjoy having a fun nail polish kit or a great smelling fragrance.
To help make things a little bit less complicated, we’ve compiled a list of gifts that are parent- and tween-approved. No matter their interests, you’re sure to find something here that they’ll love.
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Best gifts for 12-year-olds under $10
Who hasn't heard of Crocs? Let your 12-year-old personalize and style their shoes with these adorable charms. They are handmade with waterproof PVC material to ensure lasting durability, according to the brand.
Tweens love experimenting with makeup, especially when it’s practically fool-proof to use. e.l.f. Cosmetics is not only incredibly cool amongst tweens and TikTokers, it’s also a makeup brand that’s extremely kind on your wallet.
Who doesn’t love a bath bomb that transforms bath water into an intergalactic escape? Lush has a wide array of eye-catching (and refreshing) bath products, including this top-seller loaded with essences of peppermint and grapefruit oils.
Shred it, throw it, paint it, lick it — this affordable gift lets them do whatever they please and get in touch with their creative side. One reviewer thought it was an interesting way to share thoughts and feelings: “I was amazed at the talent it brought out in my grandchildren and how they loved sharing it with me.”
Mount this version of a ring toss game in the garage or basement for rainy days when playing outside is not ideal. See how many tries it takes to successfully land the ring on the hook with this family-friendly game that will bring out the competitiveness in everyone.
Challenge your opponent to see who breaks a smile first with this book specifically designed for 12-year-olds. For less than $10, you have a funny joke gift that will keep them entertained.
Best games for 12-year-olds
Compete like an NFL superstar in the latest iteration of Madden NFL from EA Sports. Realistic graphics, sophisticated playbooks and voice commentary will make them think they’re actually playing on the field, plus nods to football legends of yesteryear will make this release extra appealing for sports-loving dads and grandpas who want to play, too.
This game is fun for the whole family. The scoring works like golf where the lowest score wins. We like it because it’s a great way to introduce the rules of a new sport to your 12-year-old in a fun and unique way.
This game of wits is fun for the whole family. Spymasters give one-word clues that point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates must use these clues to select their team’s words, all while avoiding the words belonging to the other team and the game-ending assassin.
Contrary to how it looks, this is a non-political game that teaches your children elements of math and the electoral college. (Let’s face it, half of the adults don’t understand, either!) This game was developed by a former Coast Guard officer and is a previous Parent’s Choice Gold Award winner.
Essentially 20 questions but in 10, try and guess the prehistoric beast in 10 yes-or-no questions or less! Other editions include animals and the 50 states.
Best outdoor gear for 12-year-olds
Is the weather outside frightful? That’s no issue for this hovering LED soccer ball! Now you can bring the game safely inside thanks to the foam edges, that help to prevent dents and dings in the walls.
Put their skills to the test with this pogo stick meets skateboard combo toy. It’s completely safe and and can hold up to 160 pounds. Plus, you can buy confidently knowing it has hundreds of five-star ratings on Amazon alone.
If you have two trees perfectly situated by each other and a tween who loves to relax outside — whether they’re reading, listening to music or just need an escape — gift them this affordable and durable hammock. It’s easy to set up, too, thanks to the included straps and carabiners.
Worried about your 12-year-old’s roughhousing? These bestselling Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers will add extra surface area to the tween’s fun.
“Great way to get kids outside and play, bounce off each other, try to get up and roll everywhere laughing, and having fun!” one reviewer wrote. “Great for a birthday party, day at the park, picnics, family gathering....consider buying adult size too for family fun.”
Best clothing and accessories for 12-year-olds
These slip-ons are perfect for your tween. They are faux fur with a sheepskin footbed, making them super warm and toasty.
For the tween constantly jetting off to practice, help them keep their hair out of their face with this reversible headband that fits perfectly to their liking with the adjustable tie feature.
Keep your tween’s toes perfectly comfy wherever they are with these bestselling pillow sandals. Aside from their ergonomic shape and raised anti-slip design, they’re also available in over a dozen trendy colors for whatever their aesthetic is during this pivotal time.
The Crocs Classic Clog is a favorite amongst all age groups (adults included!), so they’ll most likely want a pair or two to strut through the school hallways in. It’s available in a wide range of sizes and colors for both men and women.
With hundreds of verified five-star Amazon ratings and counting, The Comfy continues to make the comfiest sweatshirt around. Designed to be a wearable blanket, your tween will love cozying up in this jacket.
For day trips or Saturdays at the mall when they need to pack a little bit more than the necessities, gift them the editor-loved Everywhere belt bag from Lululemon. Outfitted with both an exterior and interior pocket, it has plenty of space to hold a wallet, keys, phone, lip balm and then some.
"I tried several other bags before purchasing the Everywhere Belt Bag," wrote one reviewer. "It’s really the perfect bag. I’m a busty girl and other bags look unflattering on my chest. This one sits just right and looks great."
This sturdy backpack is not only cute, but it's also durable! The Scandinavian brand excels in designing minimalist, functional accessories, and this school essential will have them covered with a water-resistant exterior, a roomy interior that carries most 13-inch laptops and comfortable handles and shoulder straps.
Best food gifts for 12-year-olds
We're here to tell you that plushie stuffed animals are still "cool" in middle school (they're even on trend in college). For the tween who's into food, this bubble milk tea plushie will combine their loves for plushies and yummy food.
These hand painted 16-ounce mugs make eating way more fun. The inspiring baller will love shooting hoops as they enjoy a snack.
Now they can have a taste of the big city in their own kitchen with this DIY Rainbow Bagel Kit. For breakfast or a sweet treat, this kit makes a dozen bagels to enjoy throughout the week. Reviewers rave about how easy the instructions are to follow — and how delicious the final product is.
Whether they’re at practice, P.E or running around with friends, they’ll need to hyrdate. Why not treat your 12-year-old to this unique version of the iconic Stanley water bottle that’ll keep them in style, but also make them trendsetters with this new colorway.
For the child who doesn’t live nearby, they'll appreciate this sweet surprise. These delicious cupcakes come in a fan-favorite assortment of flavors and can be delivered right to their door!
Best tech gifts for 12-year-olds
These string lights not only provide a place for them to hang their favorite photos, they also make for a great décor and night light option, too.
Make sure their selfie game is on point with this easy-to-use ring light. Beyond having five brightness levels and three dimmable light modes, its rechargeable battery can last over two hours (which is a necessity if they're going live on TikTok).
These powerful but affordable Beats are versatile and easy to use for the kid who’s always on the move. The magnetic earbuds also make listening that much easier by automatically playing music when they’re in your ears and pausing when they’re attached around your neck.
Game-ify snoozing with this Question Mark Block alarm clock. They’ll also be able to wake up to the tune of the Super Mario theme song.
Millennial parents may recognize Tamagotchis from their '90s childhoods, but this modern version allows your fave tween to connect with their friends and take selfies with their virtual pet.
If they're looking to expand their summer reading goals, Shop TODAY editors love the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for access to hundreds of books at the palm of their hands. With no social media notifications or access, your tween shouldn't have any outside distractions.
Best beauty gifts for 12-year-olds
If a bow is the accessory she won’t leave the house without, she’ll love this set that’ll spark creativity. It comes with enough material to make three different bows so she can create styles for every occasion.
This bathroom headband and wristband duo are popular no matter the age. While they wash their face, the hand band keeps their hair out of the way, and the wristbands help with keeping their arms (and the counter) mess-free.
It's never too early to get them caring about their beauty routine. Bubble was launched to focus on "young skin," especially when it comes to issues that plague tweens like oiliness and acne, and this gel-based moisturizer aims to deliver ample hydration using buzzy ingredients like niacinamide.
Now that they're approaching their teens, their skin will be changing. This Byoma Body Lotion will treat their delicate skin with a ceramide complex and shea butter they'll love, all at a price point parents will appreciate, too.
Random breakouts can be such a pain for tweens, and become a real confidence-breaker when they go to school. With this set, they'll be able to wear adorable, trendy star patches that'll combat pimples for clearer skin.
Lip products have been all the rage for tweens who are just getting into makeup for the first time. What’s unique about this option is that they come in shades inspired by delicious desserts. Shop TODAY editorial assistant Annie Shigo calls the lip balm, “such a nostalgic lip product that smells just as good as it looks. With extra shine, this product is going to be a winter staple for me.”
This iconic shade from Clinique continues to be popular, including amongst the Shop TODAY team. Get your tween the lipstick that people (including our editors) have been loving for generations.
Unique gifts for 12-year-olds
For the ex-little leaguer who will soon make brushes with the big wigs, gift them with this medal wall display so they can proudly boast all their middle school accomplishments, from softball prizes to cross country PRs.
With over 30 colors to choose from, gauge their mood with one quick glance at this reversible plush octopus. Are they in a sour state of mind? Or just had the best day of their life? Now you can know, say thanks to this stuffed animal.
This moon lamp is affordable, has 16 different colors and a long-lasting battery. Your 12-year-old will love adding this decoration to their room.
For the on-the-go tween, stuff a house key and a little extra pocket cash in this scrunchie that features a zipper pouch to store essentials. The two colors work with most outfits, and the elastic will keep their hair tied and their items secure.
Not only are all the 12-year-olds making friendship bracelets, but they are trading them too. This bead box includes 2,300 beads, so your 12-year-old can create to their heart’s content.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 1-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.