Ages 12

Gifts for 12-year-olds

A twelve-year-old's interests are a better starting point than a generic tween gift label. Look for a project they would choose, a game that works with their friends, or a specific addition to equipment they already use.

Before choosing from this collection

Browse all gifts →

Ask for a specific next step

Someone who already draws may prefer a particular material to an introductory assortment. A builder may want a display model or a reusable system. Ask what they would make next and what they already own so the gift extends an interest instead of restarting it.

Check the social arrangement

A strategy game needs an interested group and time to learn it. A video game may support online friends without offering shared-screen play at home. Ask how the recipient expects to use it, then verify player modes, hardware and format for the exact edition.

Include the ownership costs

Refill materials, controllers and a compatible device can change the real cost of a project or game. Read the product's requirements before spending the entire budget on the headline item. For an unfamiliar hobby, a complete starter activity can be more useful than an accessory that needs a missing base set.

Compare 3 examples from this shelf

LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box

Manufacturer lists ages 4–99

Choose it for: The builder enjoys supplying the idea as well as assembling it.

Consider another option if: The gift needs to deliver one particular character or realistic model.

Read the review and sources →

Slackers Ninjaline Intro Kit

Amazon listing: ages 5+

Choose it for: A climbing enthusiast has a willing adult and a confirmed suitable site.

Consider another option if: The recipient's household has not agreed to install and maintain it.

Read the review and sources →

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

Crayola: ages 4+

Choose it for: The child already draws and would use several media.

Consider another option if: Their existing supplies are plentiful and they need a new project instead.

Read the review and sources →

For a closer comparison: Video Games for Kids: Choose by Console, Age, and Players →

Educational Insights Kanoodle product and packaging

Gift ages 7–12

Educational Insights Kanoodle

12 puzzle pieces, pocket case and 228 two- and three-dimensional challenges.

★ 4.7 · 35,119 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeNo setupQuiet

See the details →

ThinkFun Dog Crimes product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

ThinkFun Dog Crimes

Game board, six dog tokens, six crime tokens and 40 challenges.

★ 4.6 · 1,125 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeNo setupQuiet

See the details →

ThinkFun Shape By Shape product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

ThinkFun Shape By Shape

14 pattern pieces, game tray and 60 challenges.

★ 4.8 · 1,356 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeNo setupQuiet

See the details →

ThinkFun Rush Hour product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

ThinkFun Rush Hour

Traffic grid, red escape car, 15 blockers, 40 challenge cards and bag.

★ 4.8 · 9,487 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeNo setupQuiet

See the details →

ThinkFun Laser Maze product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

ThinkFun Laser Maze

Class 1 laser, battery, board, optical pieces and 60 challenges.

★ 4.5 · 3,128 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $25–$50Screen-freeLow setupQuiet

See the details →

Gamewright Sleeping Queens product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

Gamewright Sleeping Queens

79-card game for two to five players; roughly 15–20 minutes.

★ 4.9 · 9,453 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Gamewright Rat-a-Tat Cat product and packaging

Gift ages 6–12

Gamewright Rat-a-Tat Cat

54 cards and rules for two to six players; roughly 10–15 minutes.

★ 4.8 · 3,733 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Gamewright Deduckto product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

Gamewright Deduckto

Deduction card game for two to four players; about 15 minutes.

★ 4.8 · 359 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Gamewright Think 'N Sync product and packaging

Gift ages 10–12

Gamewright Think 'N Sync

225 prompt cards and eight tokens for three to eight players.

★ 4.7 · 117 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeNo setupLoud

See the details →

Gamewright Slamwich product and packaging

Gift ages 6–12

Gamewright Slamwich

Sandwich-shaped cards for a fast pattern-recognition game.

★ 4.7 · 1,443 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Gamewright Sushi Go! product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

Gamewright Sushi Go!

Card-drafting game for two to five players; about 15 minutes.

★ 4.7 · 17,087 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Gamewright Trash Pandas product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

Gamewright Trash Pandas

Raccoon-themed dice-and-card game for two to four players.

★ 4.7 · 4,672 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Gamewright Shifting Stones product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

Gamewright Shifting Stones

Nine reversible tiles and scoring cards; two to five players plus a solo variant.

★ 4.8 · 1,101 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Hasbro Connect 4 — Folding Case Edition product and packaging

Gift ages 6–12

Hasbro Connect 4 — Folding Case Edition

Two-player grid game with folding storage case and sliding score trackers.

★ 4.8 · 312 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupModerate noise

See the details →

Hasbro Twister product and packaging

Gift ages 6–12

Hasbro Twister

Colored floor mat, spinner and team-play instructions.

★ 4.7 · 15,099 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeLow setupLoud

See the details →

LEGO Creator Haunted Mansion 31167 product and packaging

Gift ages 9–12

LEGO Creator Haunted Mansion 31167

736 pieces, five spooky minifigures and options for a house, train or ship.

★ 4.8 · 613 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $50–$100Screen-freeMore setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Creator Colorful Hummingbird 31384 product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

LEGO Creator Colorful Hummingbird 31384

312 pieces for a hummingbird, butterfly or tropical fish with display setting.

★ 4.9 · 669 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeSome setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Creator Wild Animals Panda Family 31165 product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

LEGO Creator Wild Animals Panda Family 31165

Bricks for a panda family, orca pair or penguin family.

★ 4.8 · 1,829 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $25–$50Screen-freeSome setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Technic Off-Road Race Buggy 42164 product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

LEGO Technic Off-Road Race Buggy 42164

Buggy model with moving four-cylinder engine, steering and suspension.

★ 4.8 · 2,578 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeSome setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Technic Bush Plane 42198 product and packaging

Gift ages 8–12

LEGO Technic Bush Plane 42198

333-piece plane with spinning propeller, adjustable ailerons and piston engine.

★ 4.8 · 1,389 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. under $25Screen-freeSome setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Technic Corvette Stingray 42205 product and packaging

Gift ages 9–12

LEGO Technic Corvette Stingray 42205

732-piece Corvette with steering, eight-cylinder engine and opening panels.

★ 4.9 · 734 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $25–$50Screen-freeMore setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Technic Lamborghini Huracán 42196 product and packaging

Gift ages 9–12

LEGO Technic Lamborghini Huracán 42196

806-piece orange car with V10 engine, steering and opening doors.

★ 4.9 · 1,353 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $25–$50Screen-freeMore setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Technic Bugatti Bolide 42151 product and packaging

Gift ages 9–12

LEGO Technic Bugatti Bolide 42151

Bugatti model with W16 engine, steering and scissor doors.

★ 4.8 · 4,257 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $25–$50Screen-freeMore setupQuiet

See the details →

LEGO Technic Ford Bronco 42213 product and packaging

Gift ages 10–12

LEGO Technic Ford Bronco 42213

943-piece Bronco with suspension, steering, V6 engine and opening panels.

★ 4.9 · 1,130 Amazon ratings Snapshot: 2026-09-05

Est. $50–$100Screen-freeMore setupQuiet

See the details →