21 Best Toys & Gift Ideas for 12 Year Old Boys in 2024

Age Range

It is a high-quality entertainment console that deserves its presence in any big kids collection of things. Just make sure he gets his work done before play.

Entertainment Value

With the Xbox One S 500GB Halo Collection, kids and serious gamers now have access to Halo 5: Guardian and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The set comes with the wireless controller, an HDMI 4K-capable cable, AC power cable, and a 14-day Gold Trial with Xbox Live. Its ability to play Ultra HD videos simply means that watching your son at play will be a very immersive experience. It is also able to stream 4K videos on popular net sites like Netflix.

Physical Development

Video games as birthday gifts for 12 year old boys, can actually be very beneficial to children's development; just make sure you limit their screen time and get them up and physically active. But while they play on their new Xbox, they'll improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Some games promote social skills and teamwork while others enhance problem-solving skills and critical thinking!

Age Range

This is good for kids who are tall enough to reach and see what's going on well enough to play. You can't really put an exact age on this, because foosball tables still draw the attention of some adults.

Entertainment Value

As mentioned above, even adults like playing. This should keep your 12 year old boy and his buddies entertained for a while. The great thing about this is that it's something that kids like to come back to on boring days. It's also great for family time.

Physical Development

Foosball is a great way to develop a little bit of a competitive side. The game also helps with improving reaction time, hand eye coordination, and other motor skills. Plus it is timeless fun.

Age Range

The age range applies more to the different games available. However, Switch has a lot of games that are more suitable for 14 and under.

Entertainment Value

It's a video game system. To say it has entertainment value is like saying most birds fly. Nintendo, as a brand, has been mostly on point since their big win with the full release of their NES console in 1985. One cool thing about Nintendo is that they still hang onto games and characters that are exclusive to the brand, such as Mario.

Physical Development

Although there are some parents out there who frown on video games, it is a fact that the right games can help develop and improve motor skills and hand eye coordination.

Age Range

We think 12 is the perfect age for this beginner drone. At this age, kids have a bit more respect for their belongings and are more inclined to take batter care of them. They seem to, believe or not, pay more attention to where and how they're flying than some adults even do.

Entertainment Value

Most 12 year old boys would happily fly this drone until the battery is dry, then charge up and fly some more. Drones are great for kids and adults alike, when used right. The fact that it's easy to fly makes it less frustrating for kids to learn on, which helps to not spoil the fun.

Physical Development

This is a great way to get comfortable and learn the basics of flying a drone. It can help improve reaction time and hand eye coordination while getting better and better at piloting.

Entertainment Value

This robot is really cool. Not only does it stream in high definition to your tablet, it just looks cool, like something out of a sci-fi film. The fact that your 12 year old can drive this guy around the house and terrorize his siblings is probably enough at that age, but it could also get him interested in how things like robots actually work and benefit us in real life.

Physical Development

Hand eye coordination can develop and improve by getting better at maneuvering Mebo around the house. Even though it seems that kids these days pick up technology better than adults do, they'll still have to learn and improve their skills driving and controlling the robot's functions through a camera lens.

Age Range

The product is rated by the manufacturer for ages 8 and up, but we think between 10 to 14 would be the ideal age range. Your kid will need access to a tablet or smart phone to operate the robot, and the device will have to be up to date enough to use the control app.

Age Range

12 is definitely a great age for this. It's around this age you see better attention spans on things that interest them. And we think it is safe to say that RC vehicles are interesting to 12 year old boys, to say the least.

Entertainment Value

It's a fast boat and your kid is 12. Of course it's fun! The problem is if you need to get him to go before the battery dies. This boat is easier to drive than larger hobbyist RC boats, which takes away some of the frustrations that might interrupt the good times.

Physical Development

We think this is a great toy to play with if you want to help improve focus, reaction time, motor skills, hand eye coordination, and more. Your kid will have to pay attention to where the boat is if you take it out in larger spaces like a lake.

Age Range

Nerf guns are great for make-believe play which can help in the enhancement of the child’s cognitive abilities. We love that they encourage moving around rather than being stationary. This makes them popular among any kid that is extra active, especially a 12-year-old boy.

Entertainment Value

The Strongarm Blaster can fire all the 6 darts included in the package in very rapid succession with a mere flick of the Slam Fire mechanism. The barrel easily flips open for instant reloading. Nerf toy guns are notoriously loved by kids.

Physical Development

They have tons of different designs, some great for 10 years or under, and some, you guessed it, that are perfect for the extremely active 12-year-old boy. Nerf guns not only let the boys challenge each other in pre-thought-out nerf wars, but also allow for learning to work together and building a strong sense of teamwork.

Age Range

12 is a good age to get into building robots and similar stuff. Your kids attention span at that age will let him build from start to finish. Plus, at this age they are either very interested in the subject or not at all, so you'll have a good idea of whether it's a good choice or not.

Entertainment Value

Robots are cool. This one doesn't roll around the house, but it is pretty cool on the edge of their desk or combined with their other electronic or science experiments. And we're sure that dad will will be entertained while helping build the thing.

Physical Development

This teaches basics in robotics, some engineering related points, application of hydraulics, and basic physics. All of those subjects can be super fun when applied like this. It is a fantastic way to build interest in these subjects that can someday lead to an interesting career.

Age Range

Helps improve kids’ appreciation and understanding of electronic and science and technology concepts while fostering their imagination and creativity. It’s also a recipient of several toy awards, showing that parents and preteens truly appreciate the kit.

Entertainment Value

With the Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 they can now experiment and create their very own electrical devices like a photosensor, a siren with fully adjustable volume, and a whole lot more. All components can be easily snapped into place on a sturdy circuit board complete with an illustrated manual.

Physical Development

Snap circuit kits provide kids with easy projects that teach them how electricity works and how to assemble the parts to make them function. These cool toys for 12 year old boys make learning fun, exciting, and entertaining.

Age Range

Every kid loves science projects to be a part of new ideas and this kit makes some very cool things. How else will you learn how to make a sunset in a test tube? Awesome!

Entertainment Value

There are eleven activities included and as well as the chemicals and supplies needed. Some household objects will be necessary to complete the projects. Supplies contained are measuring cups, test tubes, pipette, cotton swabs, plastic cups, and an activity guide. The illustrated guide educates on what is happening in the experiments and why, so children understand fully the mechanics of the events. Chemical reactions and the tools of science are explored throughout each project.

With the included basic chemicals of vegetable oil, red cabbage powder, baking soda, color tablets, and corn starch, kids can tackle the basic STEM principles that are taught in many school curriculums today. Give your child a head start in his education of science and chemicals with this simple science kit filled with hours of activities.

Physical Development

The hands-on learning experience with science kits lets kids do things out of the ordinary and get interested in science with fantastic projects. These expand the mind, promote ingenuity and imagination, and get kids to follow directions for success.

Age Range

This is great for many ages. It's a really good way to keep your kids active and outside during the summer. This is a new approach to a timeless neighborhood game.

Entertainment Value

Not only is it entertaining, it will wear your 12 year old out before it's time to come in for a bath and bed time. The really cool thing about this is the kit comes with enough to share with neighborhood kids or his buddies. They can get a big game going, which is way more fun.

Physical Development

The game teaches team play and sportsmanship. It also teaches kids how to be a good sport when they lose, which is super important. This is 100% and active game, which covers all of the bases regarding physical development.

Age Range

The slots on this guy are too small for most fingers to fit through. Even one-year-olds can pretty safely handle the drone, though younger family members should always be supervised. It’s a cool beginner’s drone that doesn’t take much skill to fly but introduces interested preteens to what drones are and can do.

Entertainment Value

Premium sensors detect obstacles during flight, so simply put your hand up to help Scoot change directions. These drones charge fully within an hour, and the tough outer shell makes them a durable option for beginner flyers. Scoot even comes with fun LED lights! While suitable for ages four and over, this drone is recommended for ages fourteen and over, so let your child know that they’re getting a big boy (or girl!) toy and will need to be careful. You may want to supervise initially as they get the hang of it, but truly, this drone is meant to be kid-friendly.

Physical Development

This hands-free, no remote drone is the perfect example of cause and effect. When children put their hands up in Scoot’s way, the drone senses the new obstacle and changes the route. This is a great toy for kids who are showing interest in drones but haven’t committed enough yet to warrant spending the money on an advanced model.

Age Range

The game is rated for kids 8 years and up, and we think this is about right. There needs to be some motor skills already developed to have any fun and keep interest in the game. Really, this is a great game for family night.

Entertainment Value

Definitely a fun game. We could see this one getting a little competitive too! It does take a little concentration, but that helps kids be able to learn how to turn that switch on while they have fun at the same time.

Physical Development
This helps quite a bit with improving hand eye coordination, balance, and other fine motor skills. But most of all, your kids can learn more patience, as well as see how it can pay off.

Age Range

These are more versatile than a normal Frisbee because they can be caught in the middle that is hollow. They also are terrific fun for ring toss games for kids of all ages.

Entertainment Value

Normal Frisbees sometimes veer off to the side, making catching challenging at best. These are specially made to fly straight, so the sport is enjoyed more. The rings are safe and aerodynamic in their design, plus they are easy for small kids to handle. Catch these with feet, hands, or wrists because tricks are super with the rings. They can soar as far as 80 feet, plus the rings can float. This makes them perfect for all water activities at the pool and beach. Four different color combinations are available when purchasing and even a neon version is offered. Get your kids outside and active with these simple rings to toss, spin, and throw.

Physical Development

Outdoor toys promote and encourage outdoor activities. With kids staying indoors more than ever before, they need to be enticed to participate in outdoor sports to keep the body moving and exercised. These toys are great presents for 12 year old boys.

Age Range

This is the ultimate super challenge and gift for 12 year old boys. Not only is the game itself challenging, but when placed head to head against a player it makes it even more challenging. It is a great game for a rowdy game night.

Entertainment Value

It is head to head race to see who can recreate a pattern that is presented on a challenge card. The players have to bounce the balls into the lines to complete the grid to win. When a player gets three challenge cards they are the winner of the game. Included in the set are nine different challenge cards, 16 colored balls, and a game grid board. It is best suited for 2 to 4 players. Each player choices their challenger and then let the head to head competition start. All they have to do is take a ball and start to aim. The frenzied fun with this action-packed game will be hard to stop once they start.

Physical Development

Fine motor skill development is a skill that kids are never too old to refine. This ultimate bouncing and lining up balls game is a great challenge for the motor skill department. Being able to bounce the ball with just the right amount of speed and pressure while mastering the pattern is a challenge for anyone’s hand and fingers. Mastering this game is a great way to always keep those fine motor skills in check.

Age Range

It’s simple but it’s a ton of fun, gives you an opportunity to work with and teach your kids about STEM, and it’s a group activity, which forces preteens to stay social and engage with their family or friends.

Entertainment Value

This can be utilized as a group activity, with each building their catapult together collectively and strategizing as to the best way to hit their targets and win. The wooden pieces necessary for building are already pre-cut for easy assembly. The kit includes twenty wooden pieces, two wooden dowels, two rubber bands, two braided ropes, a sticker sheet, a tube of glue, simple instructions, and eight mini bean bags. This STEM toy is most suitable for kids ages eight and up. While twelve-year-olds can be fussy and “too cool” for a lot of things, we really don’t think anyone ever ages out of getting to launch bean bags across the room.

Physical Development

STEM toys are a great way to teach kids about basic science, math, technology, and engineering principles. This is a relatively easy build, with minimal need for a knowledge of physics. But it’s a great launching point (pun intended) for teaching about the laws of physics and using those strategically to hit your targets and win.

Age Range

There are quite a few sports related toys on this list. Why? Because sports are beneficial to all children, 12 being a transition age where they will be choosing theirs. This hockey set is a perfect example of toys that can be used to encourage active lifestyles at an early age.

Entertainment Value

The set comes with 2 Insta-Set hockey goals about 22x17.5 inches. It includes 2 fully adjustable hockey sticks, two 15-inch mini hockey sticks, two 50-millimeter foam mini hockey balls, and a 65-mm hockey ball.

Physical Development

It’s great for encouraging twelve-year-olds to get off the couch and start doing more physical activities. We all know the benefits of being active. We also appreciate how this hockey set is beginner-friendly, meaning all boys in the 12-year-old range can get into it.

Age Range

Staying active physically is just as critical for a 12-year-old boy as staying active upstairs. This game combines the two to give any kid, or kids a fun workout so they can burn all the extra energy they have. The game is a great way to open doors to more advanced sports later on. Better yet, if you’re a dad who enjoys a good game of catch with your boy, you now have an alternate version to using a heavy, potentially dangerous baseball.

Entertainment Value

Just slot the orange ball onto its slingshot mechanism, pull it back, and then release. Other players attempt to catch the ball using the device’s net. Each set comes with 2 racquets with fully ergonomic handle. It also comes with 2 balls.

Physical Development

This set is great for enhancing the physical development of 12-year-old boys while strengthening their leg and arm muscles as well as coordination and balance. Regular fast-paced activities are known to promote proper growth for the kids that involve themselves through the years. This toy set allows kids a wide range of games and activity types to play, ideal for the growing 12-year-old boy with tons of energy.

Age Range

What a great game for boys that need a challenge. This is a way to great them away from the cell phones and tablets and present them with a challenge that will keep their interest. It is simple enough for everyone to be able to join in, but challenging enough to keep their interest for a longer period of time.

Entertainment Value

The game is easy to play and set up. Included in the set is a finished board that can be used indoors or outdoors plus six red and six black rings. Hang the board and the fun is just waiting. There is an instruction booklet included that gives details on five different games that can be played, but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. The boys are given suggestions on how to create new games and how to shake up the basics. If you are looking for a simple, fun, and easy games for 12 year old boys this would be the safest and most challenging tossing game on the market.

Physical Development

Tossing rings is a great way to encourage the development of hand eye coordination. Kids and parents are never too old not to practice your skills. Hand eye coordination skills are something that we should practice at all points in your lifetime to ensure that you maintain a level of excellence.

Age Range

This is an exciting outdoor activity for kids to enjoy alone or with others. Outdoor activities are more important now than ever before in our age of technology where kids, especially preteens, are inside for almost the entire day.

Entertainment Value

The entire toy is sturdy and easy to put together, even for smaller kids. It also comes in assorted colors. The set includes a launch tube, blast pad with hose, base for blast pad, and 3 safe, foam-tipped missiles. More missiles can be ordered separately if some are lost or you just need more for family fun. This outdoor activity is perfect for one person or can be enjoyed by the whole family. It is also a wonderful party or playground activity.

Physical Development

Shooting missiles permits kids to witness and participate in the dynamics of cause and effect. When they jump on the pump the missiles shoot into the air. They can sim ply see that one action causes another to happen.

Age Range

This part toy, part puzzle is great for the 12 year old boy to strengthen his sense for figuring out problems as they are presented. It encourages thinking, and planning steps ahead.

Entertainment Value

It is claimed to have a ingenious design. We don’t know about that, but we do know this puzzle is a neat, and well thought-out toy that 12 year old boys will enjoy and benefit from.

Physical Development

The Adams Cube is great for stimulating convergent problem-solving skills in young kids. What does it teach? Well, like all puzzles of different shapes and sizes, the Cube teaches to think around a problem to come up with a solution. This is in some ways a more basic version of the Rubix cube. We like that. So do 12 year old boys according to the consistent feedback.