In this guide we’ll look at the best toys for 12 year old boys and girls.
We’ve compared design, build quality, educational value and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Are the Best Toys & Gifts For 12 Year Olds?
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More Detailed Toy and Gift Reviews for 12 Year Olds
Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run
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Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run Review
If I polled my family on the best toys for 12-year-olds, this marble run would definitely get some votes. It’s a staple of our family gatherings and everyone from the grandparents to all the kids love taking their turn building a track and letting the marbles loose. This set has over 100 pieces and an instruction booklet, so it has everything you need to get started.
Starlux Games Capture the Flag
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Starlux Games Capture the Flag Review
In my middle school days, capture the flag ranked among the top 3 recess activities (the other two being tetherball and wallball). So, I’m delighted to see that my own children enjoy this game as much as I do. I decided to try out this Starlux Games set with my family since it adds some new options to the classic game. Glow-in-the-dark accessories make it fun to play at night, and the included instructions guide you through 12 different ways to play.
Smart Circuits Electronics Lab
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Smart Circuits Electronics Lab Review
This is a fun and educational STEM toy that comes with an illustrated manual to walk kids through 50 cool projects—making it hands-down one of the best gifts for 12-year-old boys and girls. Young scientists will learn the basic skills with the first 10 projects, which get them acquainted with electronics. Next, they’ll progress to more sophisticated projects and challenges. The set includes 48 pieces, including a microprocessor, light sensor, jumper wires, speaker, and battery pack—everything you need to make your own doorbell, DJ light show, interactive games, a magic message wand and more! My kids are all about science; since they could walk, they’ve loved going on family nature walks and participating in events at our local planetarium. This little electronics lab has given them a whole new area to explore.
SmartLab Toys All-Natural Lip Balm Boutique
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SmartLab Toys All-Natural Lip Balm Boutique Review
Children can use this kit to make their own custom lip balms, combining creativity, science, and self-care. It’s an amazing birthday party activity and one of the best gifts for a 12-year-old girl. Featuring all-natural ingredients like beeswax, this kit shows you how to combine the beeswax base with common household ingredients to concoct wonderfully aromatic balms, as well as lotion bars and lip scrubs. Some of my favorites include the recipes for cocoa-flavored balm and brown sugar lip scrub. My daughters meanwhile are partial to floral scents like lavender and rose.
Engino Discovering STEM Construction Kit
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Engino Discovering STEM Construction Kit Review
This hands-on toy is all about building: Kids learn how to construct strong, stable structures like suspension bridges capable of carrying weight and withstanding force. Some of these bridges are truly impressive! The kit comes with an informational booklet and illustrated step-by-step instructions. So, there’s plenty of guidance for budding engineers, but also room for experimentation. That’s why it’s earned a spot on my list of the best toys for 12-year-old boys and girls. Engino makes all sorts of STEM building kits in addition to this one; I recommend checking out their Botanic Lab and Solar Helicopter too!
My Cinema Lightbox
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My Cinema Lightbox Review
This cinema-inspired lightbox is a gorgeous décor items that looks great in any kid’s room and is among the best gifts for 12-year-olds. The light-up marquee is customizable; kids can make their own customized message with the included array of numbers, letters, and characters. Plus, they can choose their favorite color, or set it to gradual color-changing mode. All in all, this lightbox is a fun way for any 12-year-old to express themselves.
Kids Against Maturity Card Game for Kids
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Kids Against Maturity Card Game for Kids Review
This hilarious card game is not only one of the best toys for 12-year-old girls and boys, but also for the whole family! It’s silly and at times irreverent, so it’s ideally suited for families who don’t take themselves too seriously (as there is a non-zero amount of toilet humor). The game is easy to play and is perfect for camping trips, family vacations, parties, and game nights. At my house, members of every generation like to participate in Kids Against Maturity, including the grandparents.