Toys for 12 Year Old Boys & Girls

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Twelve is a fascinating age of transition.

Kids this age are moving away from traditional childhood toys but are still eager for fun and playful ways to engage with the world.

When choosing toys for a 12-year-old, it’s essential to consider their developing interests, skills, and desire for independence.

This guide will explore a variety of toy categories that offer a wonderful blend of excitement and learning for your pre-teen.

Plus, you’ll find expert videos and resources for even more insight into the power of Play & Toys!

Table Summery of Toys for 12-Year-Olds.

Popular & Trending 12 Year Old Toys on amazon.com

• STEM Robotics Kit, Science Experiments for Kids on amazon.com
• LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe on amazon.com
• Learning Resources MathLink Cubes on amazon.com
• Rocket Launcher for Kids, Self Launching Motorized Air Rocket Toy on amazon.com
• Barbie Doll and Pool Playset with Pink Slide on amazon.com
• LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Space Shuttle on amazon.com

Montessori Toys for 12-year-old

The Montessori philosophy emphasizes self-directed learning, real-world skills, and problem-solving. For older children, consider toys that foster these principles:

• Complex Building Sets: Intricate construction sets like LEGO Technic or Meccano provide engineering challenges and introduce concepts like gears, mechanisms, and structural stability.
• Open-Ended Art Supplies: Encourage creative expression with high-quality watercolor sets, a variety of sketchbooks, and diverse drawing and painting tools. Experimentation and exploration are key at this age.
• Logic Puzzles and Brain Teasers: Wooden puzzles, tangrams, Sudoku books, or multi-solution logic games engage their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Real-World Tools: A beginner’s toolkit for simple repairs, a sewing kit, or a cookbook with basic recipes promote practical life skills and a sense of accomplishment.

Educational & Learning Toys for 12-year-old

Keep the joy of learning alive with toys that blend knowledge and excitement:

• Board Games: Strategy-based games like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, or Carcassonne require planning, resource management, and adaptability – skills applicable to real-life situations.
• Historical/Geographic Focus: Large-scale maps, detailed globes, and interactive timelines visualize history and geography, making them tangible and stimulating.
• Science Experiment Kits: Choose kits focused on chemistry, biology, physics, or even forensics for hands-on exploration of scientific principles in a captivating way.
• Subscription Boxes: Services like KiwiCo and Mel Science deliver monthly projects tailored to specific age groups, ensuring consistent engagement and a breadth of topics spanning various STEM fields.

Ride-On, Push & Pull Toys for 12-year-old

While less conventional in this category, ride-on toys can still offer enjoyment and outdoor activity:

• Hoverboards: These self-balancing boards provide a unique and challenging way to move around, requiring coordination and control.
• Razor Scooters: Durable and smooth-riding, scooters are excellent for getting to friends’ houses or just exploring the neighborhood.
• Skateboards/Longboards: For adventurous spirits, these offer a way to build balance, learn tricks, and become part of a vibrant skateboarding community. Prioritize safety gear!

STEM Toys for 12-year-old

Ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math with these stimulating options:

• Robotics Kits: Arduino or Raspberry Pi based kits let them build and program their own robots, learning coding, electronics, and design principles in the process.
• Electronics Exploration Kits: Building circuits, understanding wiring, and creating lights, alarms, or other gadgets provides hands-on learning of electrical engineering basics.
• Coding Games and Apps: Platforms like CodeCombat, Scratch, or Swift Playgrounds introduce coding concepts through gamification, making learning both fun and rewarding.
• 3D printing pens: These tools let them design and bring their creations to life, fostering 3D spatial thinking and an understanding of additive manufacturing processes.

Water Toys for 12-year-old

Beat the heat and have fun with water-themed toys:

• High-Powered Water Blasters: Upgrade from basic squirt guns to pump-action blasters that deliver long-range soaking power for epic backyard water battles.
• Inflatable Pool Games: Add volleyball nets, floating basketball hoops, or other inflatable targets to the pool for active and competitive fun.
• Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP): For access to lakes or calm ocean waters, SUPs are challenging, provide a workout, and offer a way to explore nature.
• Waterproof Games: Specialized playing cards or waterproof versions of classic board games allow them to keep the fun going even poolside.

Outdoor & Sports Toys for 12-year-old

Encourage active play and fresh air with these engaging picks:

• Gel blasters: Unleash epic backyard battles with gel blasters. These toys shoot small, water-based gel beads, offering a fun and active way to play outdoors with friends.
• Spikeball: This fast-paced, 4-player game with a small net is perfect for groups and promotes hand-eye coordination and teamwork.
• Slackline: Walking and balancing on a slackline builds core strength, focus, and is surprisingly addictive and fun.
• Sports Equipment: Invest in quality gear for the sports they are passionate about, whether it’s a basketball, soccer ball, tennis racket, or rollerblades.
• Capture the Flag (Glow-in-the-dark): This classic game gets a thrilling upgrade with glow-in-the-dark accessories for nighttime play and strategic challenges.

Climbing Toys for 12-year-old

For the young adventurer, consider these climbing-focused toys:

• Climbing Holds: Sets of colorful holds can be mounted on a backyard wall or used to create a custom climbing structure.
• Portable Hangboard: Improves finger and grip strength, essential for rock climbing or other climbing activities.
• Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course: Backyard sets with hanging obstacles, ropes, and climbing challenges provide full-body workouts in a playful format.
• Bouldering Crash Pad: If your 12-year-old is interested in bouldering (climbing shorter rock formations), a crash pad is a safety essential.

Musical Toys for 12-year-old

Nurture their musical talents and interests with these engaging options:

• Ukulele or Beginner Guitar: These instruments are smaller and generally easier to learn than a full-sized guitar, making them great entry points for aspiring musicians.
• Digital Music Production Tools (DAW): Software like GarageBand, Logic Pro (for Mac users), or FL Studio lets them create original beats, compose electronic music, and record their own songs.
• Portable Keyboard: Lightweight keyboards offer portability and are great for practicing piano or exploring different sounds and melodies.
• Microphone and Headphones: If your 12-year-old loves to sing or wants to record their music creations, a basic microphone and headphones setup can elevate their experience.

Interactive Toys for 12-year-old

Interactive toys encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking:

• Escape Room in a Box: These immersive games bring the puzzle-solving and teamwork fun of escape rooms directly into your home.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Headset: If within your budget, VR offers incredibly immersive gaming and exploration experiences, transporting them to new worlds and interactive environments.
• Remote Control Cars/Drones: Higher-end models with advanced features or camera capabilities provide more intricate control challenges and unique ways to navigate the world around them.
• Interactive Coding Robots: Programmable robots with sensors and feedback allow them to apply their coding knowledge in a physical and engaging way.

Creative Toys for 12-year-old

Spark their imagination and self-expression with these creativity-boosting choices:

• Animation/Filmmaking Kit: Simple stop-motion animation kits or basic video editing software can introduce the world of storytelling and filmmaking.
• Jewelry Making Supplies: Beads, wire, clasps, and specialized tools let them design and create their own unique jewelry pieces, expressing their personal style.
• Sewing Machine: A basic, beginner-friendly sewing machine opens up a world of possibilities for clothing design, upcycling, and creative fabric projects.
• Digital Drawing Tablet: Connecting to a computer, these tablets provide a more intuitive and natural way to create digital art and illustrations.

Sensory Toys for 12-year-old

While often associated with younger children, thoughtfully chosen sensory toys can still be beneficial for this age group:

• Weighted Blanket: Provides calming deep pressure stimulation, which can promote relaxation and help with managing anxiety.
• Fidget Toys: A variety of textures, shapes, and mechanisms provide tactile input and subtle stimulation. Look for high-quality, discreet fidgets suitable for an older child.
• Lava Lamp (LED): The mesmerizing movement of the blobs and the customizable color-changing options offer a soothing and visually engaging experience.
• Kinetic Sand: This moldable sand provides a satisfying tactile sensation and encourages open-ended, stress-relieving play.
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: These can be invaluable for 12-year-olds who are sensitive to auditory input, offering a way to minimize distractions and create a more calming environment.

Choosing the Right Toys

The best toys for your 12-year-old will align with their unique interests, encourage their passions, and support their desire for both independence and connection. Consider their hobbies, what skills you’d like to encourage, and involve them in the selection process for the most successful choices!

Tips for Playtime Success

• Celebrate Their Uniqueness: The best toys reflect your child’s personality, passions, and emerging talents.
• Organized Independence: Well-designed toy storage empowers them to manage their own belongings.
• Challenge Accepted: Introduce toys or activities that push their abilities a little further, fostering a “growth mindset” and boosting confidence.
• Balance is Everything Encourage a mix of creative, skill-building, active, social, and quiet solo-play options.
• Safety First: While your tween is craving independence, it’s crucial to ensure toys are age-appropriate and well-made.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes. Always consider your individual child’s interests and developmental needs when selecting toys.

Resources

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: The Integration of Video Games With Psychotherapy
• National Association for the Education of Young Children: Playing, Laughing, and Learning in Preschool
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: – Key Concepts of Child Development
• National Institute of Play – Play for Kids
• Harvard – Center on Developing Child – Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
• Harvard Health Publishing – The 3 kinds of toys that really help your child
• Play Safe – Age-by-age toy buying guide