Shopping for a present for a pre-teen boy can be painfully awkward. If you’re a parent to a 12-year-old boy, you understand the development that is taking place in your son’s life. Besides physical growth, the young man is undergoing through a lot of emotional development that makes finding the right gift for him a headache.
Also, your pre-teen boy now has a personality with a list of likes and dislikes. You need to be careful with the gifts that you give him as he may adore or detest them. So without further delay, here’s a list of 30 top Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 12-Year-Old Boys with crisp, easy on the pocket gifts that your son will adore. You can buy these gifts for his birthday, graduation, Christmas and other special occasions.
- Top 30 Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 12-Year-Old Boys 2025
- 1. Xbox OneS Gaming Console
- 2. Holy Stone GPS FPV RC HS100 Drone
- 3. Top Toy Flashing LED Gloves
- 4. SpikeBall 3 Ball Kit
- 5. Astro Mission Rescue Bot PlayStation VR
- 6. Franklin Sports Kids Folding Hockey 2 Goal Set
- 7. Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game
- 8. LEGO Architecture 21019 Tower
- 9. Apple iPod Touch 16GB
- 10. Kan Jam Ultimate Disc Game
- 11. Apple Watch Series1 Sport
- 12. Samsung Galaxy Tablet E 9.6
- 13. PUGG 4 Foot Pop Up Soccer Goal
- 14. Triple 8 Dual Certified Multi-Sport Helmet
- 15. Nerf Zombie Strike Brainsaw Blaster
- 16. Acer Predator 17 Gaming Laptop
- 17. ViewSonic Gaming Monitor
- 18. Amazon Echo Bluetooth Speaker
- 19. Darice 120-Piece Deluxe Art Set
- 20. Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
- 21. Arbor Timeless 42 Complete Skateboard
- 22. Makey Makey - An Invention Kit for Everyone
- 23. R2-D2 App-Enabled Droid
- 24. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game
- 25. 4M Water Rocket Kit
- 26. BOMPOW Hand Controlled Mini Drones for Kids
- 27. Xnature Kids Boxing Gloves
- 28. Activ Life Best Kid's Flying Rings
- 29. PeohZarr Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds
- 30. ThinkFun Adams Cube
- Bottom Line
Top 30 Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 12-Year-Old Boys 2025
1. Xbox OneS Gaming Console
Editor’s Rating:
Every pre-teen and teenage boys love the Xbox gaming Console. Despite not being the latest console, the Xbox One S is a powerful, well-stocked and sleek game console that features a compact design for a high-quality gaming experience. The games have been upscaled to 4K Blu-ray movies and can also stream on 4K Netflix. The Xbox system has also included HDR and can also support Alexa voice assistant. This console features a large space thanks to the 2TB hard drive to accommodate many games.
Pros
- Very quiet and slim
- HDR gaming
- 4K and HDR video streaming compatible
- Works on any TV that has HDMI
Cons
- No Kinect port
2. Holy Stone GPS FPV RC HS100 Drone
Editor’s Rating:
If your young man is obsessed with flying gadgets, then the Holy Stone Hs100 drone would make a perfect gift for his birthday. HS100 is feature packed and comes with a GPS navigator and a high navigation camera that offers quality aerial footage for more intelligent flights. It also features simple, intuitive controls that will allow him to fly it while height locked. The follow me mode with GPS positioning intelligently follow your every step for excellent aerial footage. The drone can be connected to the phone via Wi-fi for live coverage.
Pros
- Excellent camera quality
- Responsive and easy to fly
- Very stable
- Smmoth take-offs and landing
Cons
- The battery could be improved
3. Top Toy Flashing LED Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
If your son is fascinated with things that light up, then this could be a perfect gift that you can consider to purchase for him. Top Toy Flashing LED gloves, features multicolor glowing flashing lights ideal for birthday parties, Halloween, and Christmas among other events. The gloves feature a breathable, comfortable material that is safe and cozy even in warm weather. Additionally, the gloves feature a stretchable fabric around the wrist that keep the young man safe for added comfort.
Pros
- Fun gift
- Comfortable
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- The battery could be improved
4. SpikeBall 3 Ball Kit
Editor’s Rating:
If you are looking for a perfect indoor-outdoor sports game for the active young man, then we’d recommend you go for SpikeBall 3 Kit for fun and active games with peers. The product comes with an adjustable net that you tighten depending on the number of players. This product features foldable legs for portability. The kit is easy to set up and set down and notably features a compact design for easy storage.
Pros
- Fun game for all ages and levels
- Quality product
- Great outdoor game
- Foldable for easy storage
Cons
- The net could be improved
5. Astro Mission Rescue Bot PlayStation VR
Editor’s Rating:
The set comes as a featured-packed VR that every young man would love to play with for exclusive and rare gaming experience. Astro Mission Rescue Bot is action packed and will transport him to expansive environments for impressive gaming each time he plays. The game features 20 levels with six boss encounters, eight robots, and 26 challenge areas. The crane game style room will enable him to cash in coins for collectibles and play area.
Pros
- High rated VR game
- Easy and friendly setup
- Excellent for first timers in VR
- Superior visuals
Cons
- Price is steep
6. Franklin Sports Kids Folding Hockey 2 Goal Set
Editor’s Rating:
Hockey is an excellent game for developing endurance and burning off calories for sustained energy and muscle strength. This street hockey and knee hockey set will teach the young athlete how to play the game and perfect his skills in the long run. The collection includes two easy foldable goals, two adjustable hockey sticks, a ball, and foam knee balls. The product is easy to assemble and setdown making it the perfect indoor and outdoor game for pre-teens.
Pros
- Great value and versatility
- Fun game
- Easy to assemble
- Great for indoor games
Cons
- Smaller than what most people would expect from the pictures
- The quality could be improved
7. Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game
Editor’s Rating:
The Melissa and Doug Suspend Family kit is an exciting balancing game that will help your pre-teen son develop hand-eye coordination and interpersonal skills. The package includes 24 rods, four frame rods, a wooden connector, and a wooden base. It’s an excellent family game that involves 2-4 players helping him develop interpersonal skills as he interacts with members of the family. The game is easy to set up out of the box giving him hours of fun activity.
Pros
- Fun game for the whole family
- Fine motor development
- Sparks creativity
Cons
- Feels too easy for this level
8. LEGO Architecture 21019 Tower
Editor’s Rating:
LEGO Architecture Tower is an excellent game for the young man who looks forward to venturing into the world of building. The kit features a detailed model of the most iconic landmarks in Paris – the Eiffel tower. The collectible set sparks inspiration in your son as he erects the ‘megastructure’ right in the living room for highly satisfying building experience. The collection set features 321 utilized bricks that resemble the wrought iron elements that built the tower. It’s easy to play and comes with a booklet that talks about the history of the tower.
Pros
- Fairly priced architecture set
- High-quality construction
- Sparks creativity
Cons
- Does not stay firm at the top
9. Apple iPod Touch 16GB
Editor’s Rating:
If your son has a great fascination for gadgets, then he will enjoy playing with the Apple iPod Touch. The iPod is a mini version of the iPad will quickly help him find anything on the web making it an excellent learning tool for the young man. This gadget doesn’t feature any cellular capabilities but what matters is functionality. It also helps him to access iPad optimized apps where he can download games and books.
Pros
- Takes quality photos
- High-quality product
- Fairly priced
- Allows communication, games, and music
Cons
- No cellular function
10. Kan Jam Ultimate Disc Game
Editor’s Rating:
Kan Jam is a flying disc game that features flying discs and two cans played in teams of twos. Kan Jam is an excellent game that the young man can play together with his friends. The kit feature two top quality durable, lightweight and portable goals, custom designed flying discs that offer fun when camping or tailgating. The game is perfect for playing in the outdoors like in the beach, and backyard. The set is easy to set up and set down and comes with instructions on how to play. The Frisbee night illuminated version is an excellent game for playing on a camping night. Also, the game will help him develop interpersonal skills.
Pros
- Simple fun game
- Excellent summer outdoor game
- Fairly priced
- The glow in the dark version looks awesome
Cons
- No carrying case to transport the set
- The quality is lacking
11. Apple Watch Series1 Sport
Editor’s Rating:
If he likes to do it Apple all the way, this smartwatch would be the perfect gift you can purchase for him on his birthday. The Apple Watch series 1 is feature-packed and comes in an aluminum chassis Ion-X-glass case that is both durable and scratchproof. Additionally, the Apple Watch helps him stay connected with his iPhone via Bluetooth connectivity ensuring that he’ll never miss a notification. This product feature Siri digital assistant that will let him search the web via voice command. He can set the customizable faces to reflect his personality while the heart rate monitor helps him to keep his health in check.
Pros
- Convenient features
- Excellent fitness companion
- Nice Christmas gift
Cons
- Price is steep
- Difficult to wear band
12. Samsung Galaxy Tablet E 9.6
Editor’s Rating:
This tablet has the power and versatility that every young man desires in a gadget. It features intuitive navigation and one-touch access with a bright 9.6-inch screen for more productivity and fun. Samsung Galaxy Tab features a long battery life that will give him hours of entertainment with premium content that is sharable with the whole family without any worry. The Galaxy Tab offers a kids mode feature for a safe and secure experience for children. The 16GB internal memory can store videos, photos, downloadable apps and other forms of data. The package includes a quick start guide, MicroUSB cable, travel adapter, and Galaxy Tablet.
Pros
- A colorful and responsive broad screen
- Stellar performance
- Strikes a right balance between price and features
- Solid construction
Cons
- Not easy to use for less tech-savvy people
- Price is steep
13. PUGG 4 Foot Pop Up Soccer Goal
Editor’s Rating:
PUGG 4 Foot Pop Up Soccer Goal is the original pop up goals that features strong materials (premium denier nylon) that is durable and lightweight for use in a long time to come. This product also features a spring steel frame with single piece construction for ultimate strength and flexible enough for a twist to close design for easy storage. This portable soccer ball with a ready-to-go design notably features quality artistry that offers him added durability. The goal post makes a perfect outdoor gift for summer ideal for small scrimmages that enhance his shooting accuracy.
Pros
- Easy to carry and use
- Ideal for short-sided pickup games
- Excellent construction
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Too small for some people’s liking
14. Triple 8 Dual Certified Multi-Sport Helmet
Editor’s Rating:
Getting your pre-teen son to wear the helmet can be a tiresome chore because they think it’s not so cool to wear one. But what if it looked pretty cool? Then you’d have no problem getting him to wear it. The Triple 8 Multi-Sport helmet will offer the young lad with protection during active outdoor play. The helmet features EPS liner construction and two sets of inserts that comply with US safety standards. This product comes in different sizes to fit well every time he is playing with his bike, skateboarding, inline skating, and roller boarding to protect his head, face, and brain.
Pros
- Nice looks
- Good quality
- Perfect fit
- Comfortable
Cons
- A little bulky for small head sizes
15. Nerf Zombie Strike Brainsaw Blaster
Editor’s Rating:
Staying armed and ready is something that the young defender needs to learn early. The imaginative young man wants to defend his imaginary friends from zombies – and the only way he can do it right now is using this fun dart-firing blaster with a spinning form saw blade to keep the zombies away. This Nerf Zombie blaster features eight zombie strike darts, and a spinning saw blade for a blasting action. The toy features two dart-firing edges that give the blaster two forms of defense. To start the operation, you need to pull the blaster’s string which begins to spin around.
Pros
- Action packed fun
- Great deal for the price
- Durable
Cons
- The power could be improved
16. Acer Predator 17 Gaming Laptop
Editor’s Rating:
Acer Predator 17 is the ultimate gaming platform for the young gaming lover. This gaming laptop features a powerful 7th generation Intel Core processor for stellar performance. It also features various capabilities like NVIDIA graphics with 8GB video memory and a full HD VR ready display for compelling visuals. The Cooler Master Cold keeps this gaming system cool so he can have hours of fun. The inbuilt in-game audio features four potent speakers, two subwoofers and an audio surround sound for crisp, clear music. Acer included a PredectorSense gaming panel where he can customize and control the gaming features. There’s also a dust defender to keep that keeps the system clean.
Pros
- High-resolution screen
- High performance
- Simple instruction and easy to use
- Top-notch keyboard and touchpad
Cons
- Bulky and inconvenient to carry around
17. ViewSonic Gaming Monitor
Editor’s Rating:
ViewSonic features Full High Definition and high-res for ultra-fast reaction time. The monitor’s Fresh rate function and the rapid 1ms response capability will give him high performance even for the most graphic intense frequencies. This fun and entertaining monitor features bright colors, with a strong and durable ergonomic stand that is fully adjustable with rotation and portrait mode that he’ll need to conquer his gaming and entertainment quests. The monitor also features other rich settings like the Game Mode hotkey for desired user preferences. View Sonic gaming monitor notably features high dynamic refresh rate that will eliminate image tearing giving him a smooth gaming experience. The viewing angles in this gaming monitor are super with clear, anti-glare coating and stellar contrast performance.
Pros
- Intuitive controls
- Great value for money
- High-resolution images
- Rich settings
Cons
- The audio quality could be improved
18. Amazon Echo Bluetooth Speaker
Editor’s Rating:
If the young lad is a Star Trek fan, Amazon Echo may be the closest thing he’ll have to a Star Trek computer at home. The Echo hands-free speaker is better looking, louder and more compact as compared to the original version. Echo also intelligently responds to voice commands seamlessly from the Alexa Voice. He can voice-control his music, send and receive messages, seek information on the web and make calls. Echo features expertly tuned speakers with a 360 degree to fill any room and deliver crisp vocals with dynamic bass response. This smart device adopts to his voice speech pattern keeping him connected and updated at all times. Echo also features capabilities that make life easier like making pizza orders, controlling the TV and requesting a ride from Uber. Likewise, it can work with some smart devices with better skills than most voice assistants.
Pros
- Simple to use and setup
- Sound quality
- Intuitive features
- Very practical for overcoming disability issues
Cons
- Can’t repeat the same album
19. Darice 120-Piece Deluxe Art Set
Editor’s Rating:
This drawing and painting set is a perfect gift for the young artist that he can use to experiment with an assortment of artistic items. The collection features 120 includes colors, marker, crayons, pellet, paintbrush, sharpener, erasers, ruler, sponge, scissors and more. It also comes with a portable plastic case with a snap-shut handle that helps to keep all the items safely after use. The kit will offer the young artist with hours of fun inspiring him with creativity.
Pros
- Sturdy casing
- A variety of options
- Lightweight
- Portable
Cons
- Cheap colors and markers
- The quality could be improved
20. Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
Editor’s Rating:
This ultra-portable wireless speaker is all he needs to take his music wherever he goes. Anker features astonishing surround sound with rich bass and crisp mid-range that gives you less harmonic distortion and remarkable clarity. In addition to this feature, Anker included an impressive 24-hour long life battery that will help him manage power and keep him entertained all day long. The speaker notably features top-tier finish with curved edges and sleek controls. This speaker is available in various colors that can compliment his room and style.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- High-quality surround sound
- Solid construction
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- It can take longer to find the sweet spot to charge
21. Arbor Timeless 42 Complete Skateboard
Editor’s Rating:
If you are thinking of buying a gift that will keep him active during summer, the Arbor Timeless Skateboard is an excellent option that will strengthen a group of muscles that extend from the glutes to the back of the knee. Your pre-teen is growing fast and going through a lot of emotional development. Arbor skateboard will help him relieve stress and anxiety at the same time build his confidence. This skateboard features seven plies hard maple construction that will serve him a long time to come. The deck is robust and lightweight with soft sucrose wheels for smooth rides.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Beautiful craftsmanship
- High-quality
Cons
- The bearings could be improved
22. Makey Makey - An Invention Kit for Everyone
Editor’s Rating:
Programmers are in high demand. If your pre-teen is a programmer in the making, The Makey Makey invention kit will help him better, dance like never before or draw a game controller. This toy introduces him to tech programming and encourages him to get creative with the unlimited possible inventions featured in the Makey Makey kit. understand programming and coding knowledge in a fun and simple way. The package turns everything around him into touchpads – no programming required-just plug and play. This kit features 1001 possibilities with no software to install and works great with Windows and Mac Books. He can make a free virtual banana piano.
Pros
- Provides stem learning benefits
- Various possibility
- Improves creativity
Cons
- Price is a little steep
23. R2-D2 App-Enabled Droid
Editor’s Rating:
This R2-D2 App enabled Droid is an excellent gift with a holographic simulation that explores the star war galaxies via Bluetooth connectivity. It’s also a fully programmable Droid that will provide him with stem activities benefits. The Droid features drive and patrol function. The Droid is an interactive toy that with full functional integrated speakers. The independent controls on the top dome are a nice touch. The product comes with inbuilt sounds and lights that keep him entertained.
Pros
- Well detailed
- Cutely animated routines
Cons
- Controls are lacking when it's on the charger
- The patrol mode could be improved
24. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game
Editor’s Rating:
The advent of smartphones and tablets made logic games like puzzles outdated in entertainment and creativity. This Logic Game is a stem toy for boys aged eight years and up is an excellent gift that will offer the young lad with improved mental speed and thought process for better performance in academics. Gravity maze features 60 challenges from beginner to expert. The package contains nine towers, three marbles, a game grid, and three sculptures. The multi-level difficulty will help him develop critical thinking skills and a great way to stimulate the brain and unwind. The maze comes with instructions that will help him to select a challenge and set up the towers.
Pros
- Improves logical reasoning
- Expert levels need more thinking making it an excellent challenge
- Fun for single players
Cons
- The storage could be improved
25. 4M Water Rocket Kit
Editor’s Rating:
The Water Rocket kit is an ideal gift for the pre-teen who is a science enthusiast. This toy includes kits like crafts kits, science kits, robot kits and much more. The package is perfect for the aspiring mechanic who can construct his rocket soar at 90 feet when pumped in the air-this is science in action. The kit features a plastic bottle, a pump connector, four fins, detailed instructions among other items. This toy will help him nature creativity and imagination, develop fine and motor gross skills and help him learn how to play with others.
Pros
- An excellent toy for summer
- Offers lots of fun
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Cheap plastic
26. BOMPOW Hand Controlled Mini Drones for Kids
Editor’s Rating:
This intriguing UFO-shaped hand controlled drone that features advanced infrared sensor technology which can fly on its own. It features a rechargeable battery and built-in rechargeable battery with fast charging capabilities. This gesture controlled flying toy will offer him hours of fun and entertainment. It comes with hovering and auto-rotating fly function with high flight hovering capabilities for hours of engagement. He can also play this toy at night with beautiful LED light indicators. The craft features a lightweight design with robust non-toxic materials. It’s also collision resistant and will not bump into objects.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Safe for kids
- Super fun and cool
Cons
- Battery life could be improved
27. Xnature Kids Boxing Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Xnature boxing gloves will make the perfect gift for the young boxing apprentice giving him protection and comfort during his training or competition. The boxing gloves feature of high-quality PU leather for durability and long term use. They feature customizable elastic wrist straps for a perfect fit and wrist support. The boxing gloves are suitable for punching, striking, that the young boxer can use in his training and competitions. The slit design enhances breathability to keep the palms dry while wicking any excess moisture. The internal layered mold will provide the necessary protection from injuries while the Velcro close will offer a snug fit. Xnature kids boxing gloves are available in three different colors.
Pros
- High-quality material construction
- Durable
- Glove fit
- Comfortable with lots of hand sizes
Cons
- Some reviewers experienced problems with shipping
28. Activ Life Best Kid's Flying Rings
Editor’s Rating:
This Activ life flying ring will keep the young man busy and active. It’s easy to fly, throw and catch toy that with a unique design that flies straight for fun moments for the whole family. This flying disc is lightweight and safe for use thanks to the pain-free design that also gives you easy catches. It’s also a perfect way to replace screen time with outdoor activities. The Frisbee is portable and can be played anywhere like on the beach, in the pool or the backyard. The ring will not veer off the path that you have aimed your throw, thanks to the aerodynamic design construction. Most pre-teens spend their free time on their smartphones or screen. This flying ring will make an excellent outdoors gift for exiting, safe and entertaining activities.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Lightweight
- Easy to catch and throw design
- Great fun for the whole family
Cons
- Too small for some peoples’ liking
29. PeohZarr Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds
Editor’s Rating:
PeohZarr Wireless earbuds feature a sleek, secure fit and ergonomic design that can fit any ear size. The set is super lightweight; he won’t even notice he’s wearing it when he’s listening to his favorite music. The earbuds feature a compact size that he can easily store in his pocket or backpack. The wireless earbuds come with stable and robust connectivity that offers provision Bluetooth capabilities with audio devices he’d wish to connect with inside the house. Also, this product features an extraordinary battery life of 120 hours of standby time so that he can enjoy 24 hours of non-stop music.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Offers solid battery life
- Quality earphones in a great package
- Easy to pair and get working
Cons
- Don’t feature USB C charging port
30. ThinkFun Adams Cube
Editor’s Rating:
It’s more likely to see kids nowadays playing video games than playing traditional games and puzzles. This Adam Cube puzzle is a six in one game inspired with architectural roots with significant education learning benefits for children, teens and adults alike. The young lad will gain mental learning benefits and cognitive skills like problem-solving. ThinkFun Adams Cube is a midsized puzzle cube that will also help him improve hand-eye coordination, develop persistence, motor abilities, and abstractive thinking.
Pros
- Challenging enough
- Good quality
- The pieces fit well together
- Excellent toy for a gift
Cons
- Some feel it's solvable without the need for specialized skills
Bottom Line
The pre-teen period is a tough in-between period for most boys. Most people find it hard to buy gifts for this age group as they are demanding and hard to impress. This expert toys and gift ideas for pre-teen boys will help you to find the neatest and inexpensive toys and gifts that are available in the market right now.