My 13 Year Old Son Threatened a Boy at School

The 10 Best Toys for 12-Year-Old Boys

Give your pre-teen a cool, fun gift that fits his style

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Shopping for gifts for 12-year-old boys can be tricky. They're right at that age where some toys will feel too baby-ish and others beyond their grip, and it's your challenging task to find a gift that they won't outgrow by their next birthday.

Toys for 12-year-old boys should fit these criteria: They should challenge them physically or intellectually, encourage them to explore the world around them, and, most importantly, be fun. Whether your pre-teen loves science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), or is into games that they can enjoy with friends and family, there are tons of options out there that'll suit any style.

While you shop, be sure to consider each pick's recommended age, safety, and educational value. From there, you'll be able to narrow down options and find the perfect fit. Here, the best toys for 12-year-old boys that he'll love (and you won't hate).

Our Top Picks

Challenge your 12-year-old with a truly mind-boggling puzzle he'll want to play over and over again.

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Kids can build their own robot and remotely control its movements once complete.

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This hands-on game lets your child build over 500 electronic experiments right from home.

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The ball flies 100 feet or more, and it floats, so it's great for the pool or beach.

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Helps kids turn any old tin can into a super cool little robot dude they can send waddling about.

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With noise-canceling technology and other features, they're designed to provide amazing sound quality.

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Each move is a mesmerizing mix of panic and precision, and a sigh of relief can be heard as each one is successfully removed.

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Perfect when friends come over, boys can work together to hit targets or wage an all-out war against one another.

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Includes the Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building, and Lady Liberty herself.

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Players work together to strategize and slay the monsters by rolling dice and choosing cards.

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Dimensions: 9.38 x 3 x 10.5 inches |Material:Paper, plastic |Weight: 1.1 pounds |Age Range: 8 years and up

What We Like

• Great option for kids who love puzzles

• Single player game

What We Don't Like

• Pieces don't snap in perfectly

There is no one way to play Gravity Maze; in fact, the game comes with 60 levels that become increasingly difficult as he works his way up. The game is a marble run, logic game, and STEM toy all in one, and it comes with a game grid, 10 towers, three stainless steel marbles, and a target piece to navigate him through the game.

Though it might seem intimidating at first, the super engaging maze game comes with clear instructions and is pretty easy to learn. While it helps improve strategic thinking, Gravity Maze also aids in building spatial reasoning and encourages thinking like an engineer.

Dimensions: 11 x 10 x 2 inches |Material:Plastic |Weight: 2 pounds |Age Range: 8 years and up

What We Like

• Similar to LEGO products

• Learning toy for older kids

What We Don't Like

• App isn't the most user-friendly

Yes, he can build his very own robot with everything included in this educational kit. It includes 635 pieces of building blocks—but don't panic. The instructions are detailed and come equipped with impressive visuals to aid you from the beginning of the building process to the end. It's a great way to introduce coding to your 12-year old and inspire him to think creatively.

Once the robot is completely assembled, he can control his new robot with a phone via Bluetooth. The robot's head, shoulders, arms, tracks, and even eyebrows can move thanks to remote or voice control.

Dimensions: 17.7 x 3.3 x 13.8 inches |Material:Plastic |Weight: 9.02 pounds |Age Range: 8 years and up

What We Like

• Educational STEM toy

• Over 500 experiments possible

What We Don't Like

• Some users wish for clearer instructions

With the Snaps Circuit Kit, kids will grow more comfortable learning about electric switches, fuses, digital circuits, and more with a very hands-on approach. They can create various projects, including an FM radio, a digital voice recorder, and a music alarm.

As your 12-year old progresses through the manual, he'll be able to master experiments that become more and more complex. Note that there are other adaptations of this game, like Snap Circuits Jr. or Snap Circuits Light, in which circuits glow in the dark.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 3 x 16.5 inches |Material:Plastic |Weight: 1 pound |Age Range: 8 years and up

What We Like

• Perfect for sports fans

• Entertaining for a wide range of ages

What We Don't Like

• Balls aren't durable

From your backyard to the beach and beyond, this fun outdoor game is a guaranteed hit. Similar to playing catch, this peculiarly named game—Djubi (pronounced joo-bee)—adds some fun twists.

The set comes with two paddles, each of which is equipped with a launching hook and a catching net, as well as two plastic balls. To send the ball to your partner, you pull back the launch hook and release. They attempt to catch it in their net. Back and forth you go, running and diving to keep it going.

The ball flies 100 feet or more, and it floats, so it's great for the pool or beach, too. You can purchase additional sets for bigger groups to play together as well.

Customers say the game is a hit with kids and fun for the whole family to play. Some note, however, that it's wise to buy additional balls, as (like most balls) they tend to get lost over time.

Dimensions: 6.75 x 3.25 x 5.25 inches |Material:Plastic, aluminum |Weight: 0.45 pounds |Age Range: 8 to 15 years

What We Like

• Encourages recycling

• Easy to put together

What We Don't Like

• Not as engaging once robot is built

Recycling has never been so much fun. This kit helps kids turn any old tin can into a super cool little robot who they can send waddling about.

It comes with almost everything they need to get the robot up and running. You will need to supply the can (any soda can will do), one AA battery, and a small Phillips head screwdriver to get the work done.

While most customers say this kit is fun and educational, some caution that it involves quite a few steps and can be complicated for younger children. For 12-year-olds, however, it should be challenging enough without any difficulty.

Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.7 x 7.2 inches |Material:Plastic |Weight: 0.57 pounds |Age Range: Not listed

What We Like

• Noise-canceling

• Trusted brand for tech

What We Don't Like

• Pricey

For pre-teens in tune with their musical taste, these over-ear wireless headphones from Beats are perfect. They can jam out to their favorite songs without blasting everyone else around them.

With noise-canceling technology and other features, they're designed to provide amazing sound quality. The cushioned ear cups make for a comfortable fit. They feature a rechargeable battery with a life of up to 22 hours, ensuring the beat goes on and on. These headphones can sync with various Bluetooth-enabled devices, and they also come with a hard-shell carrying case to keep them protected on the go.

Customers say the sound quality is crystal clear, and they love how they drown out background noise. Many give them high marks for style as well.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches |Material:Wood |Weight: 23.5 pounds |Age Range: 12 years and up

What We Like

• Great for group play or parties

• Can be built up to 5 feet

What We Don't Like

• Low craft quality

This giant Jenga set takes all the nail-biting fun of the traditional game to huge new heights. When it's all stacked up, it stands more than 5 feet tall, and it's perfect for the backyard.

There are 54 blocks in all, and each measures 7.15 x 2.38 x 1.43 inches. Players take turns trying to remove one block without sending the whole thing toppling. Each move is a mesmerizing mix of panic and precision, and a sigh of relief can be heard as each one is successfully removed. Of course, there's also the moment when it all comes tumbling down.

This game is great for parties or when you need to keep a group of boys entertained. It also comes with a carrying case so you can take the fun on the go. Customers give the game high marks for fun, though some have noted issues with the quality of the carrying bag.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 13 inches |Material:Wood |Weight: 1 pound |Age Range: 8 to 15 years

What We Like

• Durable and sturdy

• Highly engaging and entertaining

What We Don't Like

• Glue doesn't work well

This cool craft kit lets kids build their very own catapults to launch fun to new heights. It comes with everything they need to build two catapults, including 20 wooden pieces, glue, rope, stickers, and eight mini bean bags to send soaring through the air. Perfect when friends come over, boys can work together to hit targets or wage an all-out war against one another. It's also a great way to help kids develop engineering and science skills because they can experiment with velocity, distance, and more. Parents say kids of all ages love it, though younger children will likely need help with assembly.

Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 1 inches |Material:Plastic |Weight: 1.28 pounds |Age Range: 12 years and up

What We Like

• Promotes creative thinking

• Doubles as decor

What We Don't Like

• Comes smaller than expected

All those years of mom and dad stepping on errant LEGO pieces aren't over just because the kids are growing up. The LEGO Architecture series is designed for older kids.

With more intricate building plans, this one lets them construct the Big Apple's skyline. It includes the Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building, and Lady Liberty herself.

There are 598 pieces in all; it comes with instructions containing background information about each of the buildings' architecture and history. Once they build it, it makes a great display piece for their room (measuring 10 x 9 x 1 inches), and the pieces can also be combined with other LEGO sets.

Designed for kids 12 and up, many adults love the LEGO Architecture series, too.

Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches |Material:Cardboard |Weight: 2.04 pounds |Age Range: 10 years and up

What We Like

• Easy to learn and play

• Can be played solo or with others

What We Don't Like

• Not a game to play again and again

When it's time to step away from the screen, the Castle Panic board game is a good diversion. It can be played by a single player or with up to six players, and the level of difficulty can be adjusted to provide a variety of challenges.

The goal is to defend the castle from monsters. Players work together to strategize and slay the monsters by rolling dice and choosing cards. Winning takes a mix of strategy and luck, and the one who masters both is crowned the Master Slayer.

Overall, customers like that this game encourages teamwork when played as a group, but they also love that it's an activity kids can do on their own.

Recommended Age

Finding the right toy for a 12-year-old boy can be a tough task. They're getting too old for the toys that they may have enjoyed just a few years earlier but not quite mature enough to handle high-tech gear. Follow the recommended age guidelines that come with each toy to make sure that you hit the right balance for your pre-teen.

Safety

If you are choosing an active toy, look for recommended protective gear (helmets, safety goggles, knee pads) to go with it. Include your 12-year-old boy in picking out the perfect accessories that will keep them safe while expressing their personal style. That's a great way to incorporate safe habits early, because wearing a helmet is both necessary and cool.

Educational Value

Some 12-year-olds may love to explore, making their toys a great opportunity to incorporate learning and fun. Whether it's a STEM-focused experiment or a board game that the whole family can enjoy, great toys for preteens allow them to take learning outside of the classroom.

"I love as many open-ended projects as possible," Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia, says. "But if kids are not used to that, they need just enough scaffolding to get them started."

Look for hints, website guides, or other ideas to get the ball rolling without taking over the activity from the child.

This article was written and researched by Julie Evans, a writer and editor whose work covers topics including health and wellness, parenting, and technology. Her writing has appeared on USA Today, Realtor.com, Brit + Co, and CafeMom, among others. She has nearly 20 years of experience. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with more than 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.

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My 13 Year Old Son Threatened a Boy at School

Source: https://www.thespruce.com/best-toys-to-buy-for-12-year-old-boys-4165325

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