The Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 12 Year Old Boys

Our top 3 picks


​KanJam Ultimate Disc Game: Popular Gift for 12 Year Old Boy

Kan-Jam-Ultimate-Disc-Game

​This game is a great Birthday gift for a 12 year old whose parents want their boy to spend more time outdoors. This set includes a flying disk and two goals that can be enjoyed by up to four people. KanJam helps your kid train accuracy, speed, and strategic thinking.

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​Nighttime Outdoor Game for Birthdays

Capture-the-Flag-REDUX---a-Nighttime-Outdoor-Game-for-Youth-Groups

​This capture the flag game is one of those Christmas presents that every twelve year old boy dreams about. It can be played with fifteen people and is great for parties and camping trips. The set includes over thirty light-up parts and allows your kid to have a lot of fun running around in the dark with his friends.

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​12 x 50 Binoculars by Bfull: Good Present Idea

12-x-50-Binoculars-For-Adults-kids

​These binoculars are an awesome toy for 12 year olds that have shown interest in science, world exploration, and playing make-believe. They can be used for stargazing, bird-watching, and much more. This toy has a nice zoom, comes with a pouch and a strap, and offers a wide view area.  

Read full review.


​Top-Rated Toys and Gifts for Twelve Year Old Boys

​KanJam Ultimate Disc Game​

Kan Jam Ultimate Disc Game


​This unique sports game is one of the top presents for boys that love to have loads of fun with their friends and family. KanJam offers high-tempo play, lots of running and jumping and allows your son to develop precision and agility. This game is perfect for some weekend backyard fun and family beach getaways.


The set includes two goals, a highly durable flying disk, and a manual that explains the rules of the game. KanJam is primarily designed to be played 2 on 2. However, it can still be enjoyed in 1 on 1 and 3 on 3 formats. This game makes sure that both teammates are constantly engaged. Your kid will be either throwing the disk or intercepting it, and will never experience a dull minute with this toy.


Why we like it


​KanJam is a great way for your son to work on his aim and reactions, and it also encourages strategic thinking and high mobility. Furthermore, the game promotes teamwork and can be enjoyed with your boy’s siblings, friends, or other family members!

Pros

  • ​Perfect for four players
  • ​​​​Trains your boy’s accuracy
  • The goals are easy to set up and stand firmly on the ground
  • ​The disc and the goals are 100% waterproof

​Cons

  • The included disk is a bit unbalanced

FAQ


How large are the goals?
They are about thirty inches high.


Where is this toy manufactured?
The KanJam set is made in the United States.

Capture the Flag REDUX: The Nighttime Game for Youth Groups

Capture the Flag REDUX - a Nighttime Outdoor Game for Youth Groups

​When you’re out of gift ideas, this capture the flag toy comes in. It is the best unique gift if you’re looking for a good game your boy can play with his friends. It can be enjoyed both by kids and adults and it’s a fantastic way to encourage physical exercise since the players spend the majority of the game running and chasing after each other.


The kits include thirty-three light-up components, all of the required batteries, and a fantastically illustrated manual. The manual contains several different rule sets that allow the kids to enjoy a variety of play styles. Other than that, all your boy needs is a large open space and some friends — and the game is ready to be played. This awesome toy is great for outdoor parties, sleepovers, camping trips, and family reunions.


Why we like it


​The capture the flag game has impressed us with several features. It can be played by sixteen people, it improves your son’s ability to work in a team, and it strengthens his body. The fact that this game is played at night makes it one of the best presents for a young child looking for fun.

Pros

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    ​​Straightforward rulebook with cool illustrations
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    ​​Offers the opportunity to play with dozens of other kids
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    ​Great for camping trips and large outdoor parties
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    ​Can be played wherever there’s enough place to run around

​Cons

  • ​Isn’t as entertaining with only a couple of players

FAQ


How many people do you need to play this game?
The minimum required number of participants is four.


How exactly can my son play this game?
There several variations of game rules are included in the user manual.

​12 x 50 Binoculars by Bfull​

12 x 50 Binoculars For Adults kids

​These binoculars are a fantastic Christmas gift option for twelve year olds who are interested in bird-watching, enjoy attending sports games or have lots of creative make-believe ideas. They offer a broad area of view, which makes this toy great for sightseeing and tourism, too.


The binoculars have a wheel in the middle that allows your boy to focus on the object of interest. Additionally, they have a 12x zoom function that enables the child to examine even distant and small things.


This toy is waterproof which is a crucial feature to have if your son is into bird-watching or frequently goes on camping trips. The binoculars are also designed in such a way that they can be placed on a tripod which is very convenient for kids that love stargazing.

Why we like it


These binoculars are one of the most useful gifts for Xmas or Birthday because of their broad functionality. They can allow your boy to look at the night sky, study nature, watch a performance, or pretend to be a spy or an explorer. This cool toy is wonderful for encouraging a child to discover the world and improving his attention to detail.  

Pros

  • plus
    Offers 12x zoom
  • plus
    ​​Easy focus on small and distant objects
  • plus
    ​​Comfortable for your boy to take with him on trips
  • plus
    ​The binoculars provide a nice, clean image
  • plus
    ​Can be placed on a tripod for long sessions

​Cons

  • ​Might be a bit too big for 12 year olds

FAQ


Are the binoculars easily breakable?
No, the glass is quite sturdy, and the set also includes lens caps for more protection.


Does this toy come with a carrying bag?
Yes, the binoculars come with a pouch and a shoulder strap. 

​Think Fun Adams Toy Cube

ThinkFun Adams Cube

This cube is one of the most popular gifts for twelve year old boys who adore puzzles and learning toys. The item itself has a cool, colorful design and includes six unique challenges on each side of the gadget. Completing the puzzle will offer your kid a great deal of satisfaction. It’s also nice that none of the challenges are so complicated that a young child might lose interest in them.


Once solved, the cube can be taken apart and played with again. Your 6th grade boy can take it to school to have something to do during lunch break or in-between classes. He can also organize a tournament among his friends to find out who can solve all six puzzles the fastest.

Why we like it


​This puzzle cube is a great gift for a 12 year old because of the variety of challenges it presents. It allows your boy to develop critical thinking skills and can be taken to school or on a trip. The difficulty of the puzzles included in the toy represents the perfect balance between complicated and solvable for a young child’s level.

Pros

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    ​​All six puzzles are unique and educational
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    ​The cube is small and can be taken with your child anywhere
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    ​The puzzles are challenging enough without being too complicated
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    ​The pieces are of high-quality plastic and fit together well

​Cons

  • ​​Some kids may only play with this toy once

FAQ


Can I put something inside the cube as a small surprise present for my boy?
Yes, the toy is hollow on the inside so you can place small gifts into the puzzle.


What age group is this toy aimed at?
The target audience for this puzzle is children from eight to fourteen years old.

​Cool Game by Melissa & Doug

Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game

​The name “Suspend” is commonly mentioned among Christmas gift suggestions and ideas because it’s the prime example of a toy that can be enjoyed both by children of all ages and their parents. If your kid gets a kick out of putting stuff together, then he will definitely enjoy this game too. Suspend is great for developing strategic thinking and hand-eye coordination. Even more so, it gives parents a chance to communicate more with their children and teach them how to accept victory and defeat with honor.


This set includes twenty-eight elements and a wooden base and is designed to be enjoyed by up to four people. Each player is supposed to balance out their own pieces and force his opponents to make a mistake and break the entire construction. Your son can also play this game by himself and try to implement his architectural ideas.

 

Why we like it


​Suspend has impressed us with how much fun your kid can have with something that looks so simple. It’s especially great if your boy is into architecture or physics. This popular toy enables a child to work on his coordination and teaches kids to think about their every move.

Pros

  • plus
    ​Can be played by up to four players
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    ​Supports using another set to make the game more challenging
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    Fun to play with alone
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    ​Improves hand-eye coordination and helps strengthen the bond between family members

​Cons

  • ​​The base looks and feels a bit cheap

FAQ


Is this game interesting enough for parents to play with their child?
Yes, Suspend allows and encourages adults to join in on the fun with their kids.


My grandchildren are four and twelve years old. Will they both enjoy the game?
They can try, but Suspend may prove to be too difficult for the younger one.

Wilson NFL MVP Football: Perfect for Tweens

Wilson NFL MVP Football

​This football is a great present idea for all 12 year olds that dream of playing in the NFL one day. Furthermore, this toy can help parents realize the idyllic scenario of playing catch with their sons in their backyard or a park. Your child can also take it with him to the nearby field and play with his friends.


The NFL official supplier, Wilson made this ball, which is evident from the quality of this item and the cool logo. This football flies far and is comfortable to catch. Additionally, this toy is made of high-quality materials that make it both water- and moisture-proof so that your boy wouldn’t have to worry about playing in the rain.

 

Why we like it


​​This toy is a good gift for all little guys that like to play football. It encourages your boy to exercise and spend more time outdoors, while also granting you an opportunity to spend more time with your son. This football is extremely durable, flies well, and is manufactured by the world’s leading brand.  

Pros

  • plus
    ​Comes in different sizes
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    ​Great for incentivizing your boy to exercise
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    ​Cheap price for such quality
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    ​Doesn’t deflate easily and isn’t affected by bad weather

​Cons

  • ​​The grip offered by the football is a bit disappointing

FAQ


Does the ball arrive deflated?
No, the toy arrives fully inflated and ready to be played with.


What is the best football size for a 12 year old?
If your child is of average height and weight, then Junior should be the best option.

​Maisto Crawler Radio Control Vehicle

Maisto R-C Rock Crawler Radio Control Vehicle

​If your 12 year old boy loves cars and especially monster trucks, then this crawler will become his latest favorite toy. It’s moved by a remote controller and powered by two motors. This means that your child can take this truck outside and race with it on some rough terrain. It can also be played with at home, and the car goes down a staircase really well without suffering any damage.


This fun toy is 12.5 inches long and only requires six AA batteries to work. It has a cool, colorful design and can climb over tall objects due to the multi-link suspension. Even though this truck is rather slow, speed isn’t really expected from a crawler.


Why we like it


​Unlike most toy cars, this member of the “ top-rated gift for 12 year old boy that has everything ” category can be taken off-road and invites your child to spend more time surrounded by nature, while trying to overcome obstacles such as rocks, hills, etc. The truck also impressed us with its durability and maneuverability.      

Pros

  • plus
    ​Can climb over objects as tall as the car itself
  • plus
    ​Durable, easily sustains minor hits
  • plus
    ​Simple to navigate and has a long remote control range
  • plus
    ​Powered by two motors

​Cons

  • The antenna could be of better quality

FAQ


What does this toy truck need?
The crawler itself works on six AA batteries, and two more are required for the remote.


I want to buy two cars as Birthday presents for my boys (8 and 12 years of age). Will the remotes conflict with each other?
No, you can change the frequency of each vehicle to avoid this problem.

​The Eiffel Tower: Awesome Gift by LEGO

LEGO Architecture 21019 The Eiffel Tower

​This item is one of the best toys for 12 year old boys fascinated by constructors and architecture. With the help of this set, your kid will be able to recreate one of the most famous structures in the world – the Eiffel Tower.


This set includes 321 elements and represents one of the highest structures offered by LEGO. It also includes a little booklet that encourages your boy to find out more about the design and historical value of the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, it provides instructions on how to build it.


The child can put together this constructor either by himself or with the help of his parents. Once built, the Eiffel Tower looks really well and definitely deserves a top spot on your boy’s shelf. The completed structure is quite sturdy and can’t be easily broken or flipped.

Why we like it


​This LEGO set is one of the hottest building toys for children that like to put together cool stuff. It develops hand-eye coordination, patience and encourages kids to pay attention to detail. As an added bonus, your boy can also learn more about architecture in general, and the history of the Eiffel Tower in particular.    

Pros

  • plus
    ​The set consists of more than three hundred pieces
  • plus
    ​The large size of the tower will make your child feel like he’s truly accomplished something
  • plus
    ​Pieces fit together really well
  • plus
    ​Comes with a booklet with information about the history of the Eiffel Tower

​Cons

  • ​Lacks the “rigid” look of the original Eiffel Tower

FAQ


How tall is this toy?
The completed tower is about twelve inches high.


How long should it take for a 12 year old to build this structure?
On average, it should take a 10 year or older child about an hour and a half to do so.

​24" Roadmaster Granite Peak Boys Mountain Bike

Roadmaster 24 Granite Peak Boys Mountain Bike

What are your son's hobbies? Riding a bike? This bicycle is among the best selling toys for boys that adore speed and like to cover long distances on wheels. The Roadmaster mountain bike allows your boy to ride around the neighborhood with his friends. But that’s not it, as this model is also sturdy enough to be taken off-road and ridden on a more challenging terrain.


Ideally, your child should be somewhere in the 4'6" - 5'6" height range to sit properly on this model. The Roadmaster bicycle controls really well and is of a nice black color, appealing to the taste of twelve year old boys. The bike has several gears and includes a kickstand making it much easier to park.


Why we like it


​Kids love receiving bicycles as gifts on their Birthday, and the Roadmaster is the top option for a boy in the 9-13 years age range. This toy performs all the primary functions of a mountain bike extremely well. It encourages your child to exercise, improves his hand-eye coordination, builds up leg strength, and doesn’t require a lot of tuning before it can be used.    

Pros

  • plus
    ​The bike handles really well
  • plus
    ​Perfect size for kids aged 8-13
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    ​Made of highly durable components
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    ​​Comfortable to ride off-road

​Cons

  • ​A bit too heavy for a child

FAQ


What is the frame size of this bicycle?
The frame is 24 inches long.


Does the bike have different gears?
Yes, it has eighteen speed options.


Does the bicycle arrive fully assembled? If not, what do I need to assemble it?
The front tire and the steering bar have to be installed manually. All you need is a wrench and a screwdriver.

​​4M Solar Rover Kit: Perfect Educational Toy

4M Solar Rover Kit

​The Solar Rover toy is the perfect gift for a child that has displayed interest in physics and electronics. Not only does this kit allow your boy to build a car with his hands, but it’s also powered by sunlight, which makes it even cooler. Additionally, this toy enables parents to acquaint their boys with the subject of alternative energy, which is very important in the 21st century.


The process of constructing the robotic rover is rather straightforward, as the set includes a manual with step-by-step instructions. All your child needs to begin building is a soda can and a clear sunny day. Next, he just has to place the assembled toy outdoors and it will start moving in no time!


Why we like it


The Solar Rover set is one of the most popular toys for a 12 year old interested in mechanics. The ability to turn a simple tin can into a sun-powered car is likely to get a “Wow!” reaction out of your son. This toy is also great for learning new scientific concepts and honing craftsmanship skills. Be sure, this kit will be at the top of your son's Christmas list.

Pros

  • plus
    ​Teaches your boy about physics and mechanics
  • plus
    Promotes recycling and alternative energy sources
  • plus
    Allows your boy to understand how solar energy works
  • plus
    Fun to put together
  • plus
    ​Doesn’t need batteries

​Cons

  • ​Needs a lot of sunlight to move with decent speed
  • ​Doesn’t store energy

FAQ


Can my boy steer the car?
No, it simply moves forward when powered by sunlight.


Does it work in artificial light?
Yes, but not as good as under direct sunlight.


Is a tin can included in the set?
No, because the manufacturer encourages your child to recycle and take one of his used ones.