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The #1 Gift Tweens Are Asking For This Year? Personalized Lights for Their Room
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The #1 Gift Tweens Are Asking For This Year? Personalized Lights for Their Room
Twelve-year-old kids are fully into their tween phase, which means they spend half the time wishing they were little kids and half the time wishing they were teenagers. When it comes to buying gifts for kids of this age, you have to find something that threads that needle. And while they'll tell you they're no longer into "toys," they are — it's just that the toys themselves have grown up. Board games have turned into party games, video games are now tech gifts and art sets are now DIY projects that can help them decorate their rooms. And while that all sounds very expensive, it doesn't have to be: Sure, there are some splurges you might consider, especially if your 12-year-old needs a new laptop or tablet for school. But you can still nourish their interests, engage their brains, get their bodies moving and help them express their personal styles without spending a lot.
Our picks for the best toys and gifts for tweens of this age are a mix of items tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting and Pets Lab (including current and former Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners), editor's picks, best-sellers and favorites from tweens themselves (yep, we asked them!), so you don't have to put in much guesswork when shopping for those inscrutable 12-year-olds. Whether you're shopping for gifts for boys or gifts for girls or anyone in the tween phase, these are the best gifts for 12-year-olds in 2022.
This year, tweens are definitely into cool lighting for their rooms, be it in the form of colored lights, neon signs or anything else that'll set the mood for their photos and TikToks. They're into projects they can display in their spaces, too. And, if you need just a little something, you can never go wrong with an inexpensive fidget toy or a mind-building puzzle!
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1) Gravity Maze
ThinkFun
amazon.com
$28.99
The old marble run gets a huge upgrade with this set, which lets kids design a run, stack pieces and send a marble flying. Their engineering skills will be put to the test with 60 challenge cards that give builders prompts to work with. Ages 8+
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2) BrainBolt Genius
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$18.89
Ready to get them working on their memory and motor skills? This game flashes lights in a sequence, and players have to try to remember and repeat it. Good Housekeeping testers loved that they could play this in a variety of ways, like in solo mode or head-to-head mode, and parents especially appreciated the silent mode. Ages 7+
Educational Insights - 4/61
3) A+ Lightshow Kick Scooter
Razor
target.com
$49.99
This scooter dazzles in the dark, with motion-activated LED lights that illuminate in a rainbow of colors. But parents appreciate that the Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers found this not only eye-catching, but easy to control and break, too. Ages 6+
Razor - 5/61
4) Hair Chalk
Desire Deluxe
amazon.com
$14.99
Let them switch up their hair looks without permanent hair dyes, which are hard to maintain. This set offers 10 different hues that wash out with shampoo and water, and Amazon reviewers call them easy to use and vibrant.
Desire Deluxe - 6/61
5) Difficult Riddles For Smart Kids
CreateSpace
amazon.com
$5.87
There are more than 300 brain-teasers and riddles in this book — not bad for something that's less than $10! Who knows, maybe they'll quiz you, and you can give your own brain a workout. Ages 9+
RELATED: 40 Fun Stocking Stuffers for Teens That They'll Actually Like
m prefontaine - 7/61
6) Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit
Elenco
amazon.com
$19.99
This STEM set focuses on circuitry and electricity, so they can head into their own workshops and tinker with making their own electronic devices. This one kit can make more than 100 different projects, including musical doorbells, adjustable-volume alarms and voice-controlled lamps, though the Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved building a UFO the most. And all the pieces snap together, so you don't need a soldering iron. Ages 8+
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7) The Mind Card Game
Pandasaurus Games
amazon.com
$12.95
This game involves players getting on each other's wavelengths, since the object is to play the cards in ascending order. The twist? There's no talking allowed. Instead, the group has to find nonverbal ways to communicate. Ages 8+
Pandasaurus Games - 9/61
8) 100 Movies Scratch-Off Poster
Enno Vatti
uncommongoods.com
$15.00
For a budding cinephile, this poster offers an image for 100 must-see films, and movie fans get to scratch off the ones they've seen. It gets more colorful the more movies they've watched, and they can fill it in over the years (many years, since some of the movies are for older audiences).
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9) Hydro-Stars Big Yellow Compact
Starface World
amazon.com
$14.97
What 12-year-olds don't want this year? Pimples. And while no gift-giver can stop pimples from forming, they can gift these sunny star-shaped face stickers, which are made from hydrocolloid. Starface says the hydrocolloid helps absorb fluid and reduce pimples, while the star shape sticker prevents picking. You can also get refills for the compact.
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10) Stop-Motion Animation Studio
HUE
amazon.com
$59.95
Are they ready to make a movie like The Nightmare Before Christmas or Coraline? This comes with everything they'll need to get started, including a camera with microphone, animation software and a book with hints and tricks. Amazon reviewers say this is really for serious filmmakers — beginners might want to check out the easier-to-use Stikbot Zanimation.
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11) Rhyme Antics
Rhyme Antics
amazon.com
$24.99
How good is their flow? This game challenges players to rhyme difficult words into a freestyle rap at rapid speeds. They might even learn some new vocabulary along the way (but we won't point it out to them). It even comes with a fake, foam mic — feel free to drop it. Ages 12+
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12) LED Strip Lights
MINGER
amazon.com
$9.99
Whether they're using it as a backdrop for their TikToks or just as a cool enhancement to their room decor, tweens and teens love adding a pop of neon lights to their space. This comes with a strip of more than 16 feet of LED lights, and you can change the colors, brightness and mode.
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13) Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Card Game
Funko
amazon.com
$10.99
For a game that tweens can just pick up and put down, this casual, Pop Tart-themed game is it. Players get points for eating Pop-Tarts while also using strategy to create flavor combinations and move pastries closer to either the toaster or fridge. The whole thing is designed to be played in around 15 minutes, so it's not too much of a time investment. Ages 12+
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14) Rubik's Phantom
Spin Master
target.com
$14.89
Just when you thought a Rubik's Cube couldn't get harder, everything goes dark! The colors on this cube are heat-activated, so they only appear when they're touched. Players have to then make their moves before they disappear again. It's a workout for the mind and memory at the same time. Ages 8+
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15) Cake Pop Maker
Babycakes
amazon.com
$32.99
With this device, they'll be whipping up batches of cake pops in no time. It makes 12 cake pops at a time, and also comes with a fork for getting them in and out of the machine, 50 sticks and a cake pop holder so they can be displayed. You just have to provide the ingredients and let their creativity run wild.
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16) This Book Is a Planetarium
Chronicle Books
braveandkindbooks.com
$40.00
This is part-book, part-easy DIY project. The pages pop up, but they don't just become 3D illustrations. Instead, the pages turn into interactive, working paper devices like a planetarium, a speaker that amplifies sound, an instrument that can be played and more. Ages 8+
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17) Moon Lamp
LOGROTATE
amazon.com
$19.98
Lunar fans young and old will appreciate this lamp, which comes 3D printed to look like the surface of the moon. You can customize it further by choosing one of four sizes, or shifting between the 16 colors of light.
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18) Create Your Own Comic Book Kit
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$30.00
This book will have them creating their own, professional bound comics, just like their favorites. It comes with blank, pre-formatted pages, along with a book of hints and tricks to get them started. When they're done, you can send it in the mail using a pre-paid envelope, and they'll get a bound book back in the mail Ages 8+
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19) DoodleJamz
Sky Castle
amazon.com
$9.99
When they need something to do with their hands, this is sure to do the trick (and get a smile while they're at it). Beads are suspended in a gel, and kids have the soothing sensation of pushing them around to augment the background picture. They can even print their own backgrounds. Ages 5+
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20) DIY Wall Collage
Hapinest
amazon.com
$34.99
This kit comes with more than 1,100 pieces that'll let them personalize their walls, lockers and other personal spaces. It comes with pictures, cutouts, letters, stickers, quotes and foam squares, along with other pieces that'll let them make it just the way they want to look. Ages 10+
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21) Galaxy Pullover Hoodie
SAYM
amazon.com
$31.99
If your 12-year-old will wear anything to stand out, this eye-catching hoodie keeps tweens looking cool but feeling warm. It has a layer of fleece inside to make it extra cozy.
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22) Just Between Us - Mother + Daughter
Chronicle Books
braveandkindbooks.com
$16.95
To keep that connection to your tween, try this journal, which you're supposed to fill out together. Prompts and other conversation-starters make journaling easy. And there's also Just Between Us: Mother and Son, too. Ages 10+
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23) Shape-Shifting Box
Shashibo
amazon.com
$25.00
This mystery box will keep them on their toes! It can be bent and flipped into a variety of shapes, revealing different patterns inside. Then, it becomes a brain-teaser to figure out how to get it back into box form again. Ages 8+
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24) Create Your Own Secret Language
Odd Dot
braveandkindbooks.com
$12.99
Go from writing secret codes to inventing an entirely new language! This book is by David J. Peterson, who invented languages for Game of Thrones and the Marvel Universe. Ages 10+
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25) 3 in 1 Wireless Charger
WAITIEE
amazon.com
$37.99
This is a gift they'll love and a secret way to keep all their electronics organized. The station can charge a phone, wireless earbuds and a smartwatch at the same time, and it's compatible with Apple and Samsung Galaxy devices.
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26) Paint Pens
ARTISTRO
amazon.com
$11.51
If you have an artistic 12-year-old, give their projects a boost with this set of paint pens. They're less messy than real paint, the dye dries quickly, and they work on a variety of materials, including smooth wood, plastic, canvas, fabric, paper and clay.
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27) Moon Phase Pendant Necklace
Svaha
svahausa.com
$37.99
To sneak in a little STEM enthusiasm into their accessories, get them a necklace with the phases of the moon. The moons are set in silver-tone bezels.
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28) DIY Squishies Set
WATINC
amazon.com
$15.99
Yes, tweens are still into squishies — especially the ones they get to make themselves. This set comes with a random selection of 10 cream-colored squishies that kids can color in and decorate however they please. (Paint and paintbrushes not included.)
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29) Water Resistant Shower Speaker
Soundbot
amazon.com
$14.99
Help them sing in the shower (or listen to podcasts as the case may be) with this water-resistant Bluetooth speaker. It comes in six colors, suction cups to the shower wall and is easy to control, even with soapy hands.
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30) Cable Bite
Container Store
containerstore.com
$5.99
Not only do these little guys add a bit of pizzazz to that tangle of cords they have in their rooms, they help protect those precious charging cables. You can get them in a variety of animal designs, and there are even glow-in-the-dark ones to help with middle-of-the-night phone fumbling that shouldn't be happening, but does.
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31) Emma’s Art School
LEGO
walmart.com
$70.00
Good Housekeeping testers said this three-story, 844-piece LEGO set was just the right amount of challenge. When builders were done, they were able to set up art classrooms with accessories like a potter's wheel that turns, a mannequin that can be posted and easel that can be moved so the minifigures can paint alfresco. Testers were impressed with all the little details! Ages 8+
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32) My Friendship Bracelet Maker
Choose Friendship
amazon.com
$24.99
This summer-camp staple just got a whole lot easier! This device makes crafting friendship bracelets a breeze with a clip to keep the string in place, slots to hold the loose strings at the end, a board to help kids see it better and drawers to keep the thread when they're not in use. It comes with 20 pre-cut threads, too, and board comes in different colors. Ages 8+
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33) Professional Printing 3D Pen
MYNT3D
amazon.com
$59.99
They can take their artistic creation into the third dimension with this pen, which gives them an intro to the world of 3D printing. The artist gets to pick hot the unit gets, which puts them in control of how fast the plastic filament flows. It comes with three colors of ABS plastic filament to get them started.
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34) LED Marquee Lightbox
My Cinema Lightbox
amazon.com
$35.80
Your tweens can write whatever message they want to accurately reflect their moods, because this lightbox comes with 100 letters that are tucked away in a storage-friendly compartment in the back. You can also buy extra letters or symbols as a stocking stuffer to go with it.
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35) Stranger Things Accessory Pouch
Genuine Fred
amazon.com
$15.35
Kids can show off their Hawkins High spirit with these pencil pouches. They come in four Stranger Things-inspired designs: a Hellfire Club logo, a Hawkins High theme, a "California Vibes" motif (with subtle demogorgons) and a Mindflayer print. Use them for pencils, makeup or whatever needs to be kept safe from the Upside-Down.
Genuine Fred - 37/61
36) Inflatable Lounger
Wekapo
amazon.com
$31.97
Whether they're hanging out in the backyard or on the grounds at school, this lounger becomes an instant air sofa they can share with their friends. It doesn't require any pumps or blowing into tubes — simply run around with it for a minute, and it captures the air. When they're done, it deflates and folds up again in seconds.
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37) Bluetooth Beanie
Tenergy
walmart.com
$31.88
Not only does this beanie keep their ears stylishly warm, it also plays their favorite music via Bluetooth. It's machine-washable too — simply remove the speaker from the little slit inside.
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38) Han Solo Backpack
Loungefly
amazon.com
$67.10
This backpack is smaller than their big, bulky school bag, but it's just the right size to carry all their personal essentials and maybe a hoodie or sweater, too. And, for Han Solo fans, there's no better design than this subtle nod to his outfit. (IYKYK.) But Han Solo isn't their man, Loungefly has a backpack for every fandom under the sun, including more Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, Harry Potter, Pokémon, Stranger Things, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more.
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39) Rainbow Pop Fidget Toy
Pop It
kidochicago.com
$8.00
You never get too old for fidget toys. These provide endless, mindless fun. They're said to alleviate anxiety — who couldn't use that? — and it's perfect for a pick-me-up or stocking stuffer. Ages 2+
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40) Exit: The Abandoned Cabin
Thames & Kosmos
amazon.com
$14.95
Next time you need a small party idea, this at-home Escape Room-style game will have up to six players solving a series of puzzles to unravel a mystery. It's rated for players 12 and older (an intermediate level), but, if your crew is new to Escape Rooms, you can also get a beginner version that's rated 10+. Each game can only be played once — when you solve it, it's solved for good — but once they've solved this one there are plenty of other Exit games. Ages 12+
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41) Custom Name Neon Sign
NeonTea
etsy.com
$29.00
Tweens will love decorating their room with something that's uniquely theirs, like this neon sign bearing their name. There are so many ways to personalize it: You can choose the font, the color and the symbol at the end, along with the size, which goes from 16 inches to 50 inches.
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42) Touch Bedside Lamp With Bluetooth Speaker
Elecstars
amazon.com
$25.99
This one lamp does so many things: As is expected of any lamp, it lights up, but it does so in a range of colors and at differing modes and levels of brightness. (Just tap it to turn it on, either for white light or color light, then change the brightness.) It's also a Bluetooth speaker, to help them play their tunes. It even has an AUX port to help them play music from other devices.
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43) 22" Skateboard
RIMABLE
amazon.com
$29.99
If your tween is looking to get started skating, Amazon reviewers say this is the perfect board for beginners that holds up well. Plus, it comes in about two dozen color combos and patterns, so you can find one that suits their style.
RIMABLE - 45/61
44) Guitar Pick Punch
Pick-A-Palooza
amazon.com
$23.95
With this pick punch, they'll never run out of guitar picks ever again. They can make a one-of-a-kind pick out of any hard plastic with a simple press — a perfect way to recycle all the gift cards they get each year. The set also comes with a keychain that can hold 10 picks, and some starter plastic strips to practice with.
Pick-a-Palooza - 46/61
45) Hover Soccer Ball
Let Loose Moose
amazon.com
$45.95
When they're stuck inside on a rainy day, it doesn't mean they can't be active! This hover soccer ball glides over floors — and has foam bumpers, so it doesn't damage walls or furniture. You get two in a pack. Ages 3+
Let Loose Moose - 47/61
46) Crossbody Purse
Kemy's
amazon.com
$21.79
It might look tiny, but this adorable crossbody bag is roomy enough to fit an iPad mini or 6-inch Kindle, plus everyday accessories like a phone, wallet and umbrella. (Maybe you need one, too?)
Kemy - 48/61
47) Build-on Brick Mug
FUBARBAR
amazon.com
$13.75
LEGO bricks are an ageless fad: Even adults say they like to bring this mug into the office! Whether they're using it for storage, drinking or decoration, this mug is safe with its BPA-free plastic.
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48) Glow-in-the-Dark Basketball
GlowCity
amazon.com
$34.99
You can keep them outside longer with this basketball, which uses LEDs to illuminate itself at night. Or, if basketball isn't their sport, you can also get a light-up soccer ball, football or volleyball.
GlowCity - 50/61
49) Two-Minute Tie Dye Kit
Tulip
amazon.com
$13.76
Twelve-year-olds are many things, but patient is not one of them. This tie-dye kit works in the microwave, so kids can have creations in under 10 minutes. It requires 100% cotton materials, but the materials do not need to be soaked in soda ash to work.
Tulip - 51/61
50) Chromebook Spin 11
Acer
walmart.com
$214.95
Whether they want to watch YouTube videos, chat with family and friends, play games or do homework, this tablet comes with every Google app they need and more — and it's rugged enough to pass the drop test. It also comes with 100GB of Google Drive space to make sure all the files are instantly backed up.
RELATED: The Best Laptops You Can Buy in 2022
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51) Lap Desk
LapGear
amazon.com
$34.99
This cushioned lap desk lets them do homework or use their computers in their beds. It fits 15.6" laptops, and has features that keep phones and papers from sliding off.
LapGear - 53/61
52) I Paused My Game to Be Here Shirt
Ann Arbor T-shirt Co.
amazon.com
$18.95
At the next family gathering, this shirt will let their relatives know how important the event meant to them. Sizes run from child's small to adult 3x (and in three different colors) so you can get one to match.
RELATED: The Best Gifts for Gamers
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53) Marvel Villainous: Infinite Power
Ravensburger
amazon.com
$25.99
Kids can take a walk on the dark side with this came, which also challenges them to use their strategic thinking skills. Each player chooses to play as a famed Marvel villain like Thanos, Hela, or Killmonger. (Or, if you buy the "expandalone" version, which won a Good Housekeeping Toy Award, you can also be Loki, M.O.D.O.K. or Madame Masque.) Then, each villain must try to conquer the heroes using their own skills and abilities, while a shared fate deck affects all the players. Not into Marvel? There's also Star Wars Villainous and Disney Villainous. Ages 12+
Ravensburger - 55/61
54) Care & Repair Lip Balm
Bee Love
beelovebuzz.com
$5.00
They'll love the sweet scent. You'll love the natural ingredients, like mango, cocoa and shea butter. It'll keep them happy when the weather turns dry.
Bee Love - 56/61
55) Stick-On Phone Pocket
Cardly
amazon.com
$8.99
These printed cardholders, which come in a variety of patterns, stick onto the back of her phone, so your tweens can keep everything they need tucked away in one place. The case features an anti-fingerprint coating and can stretch out to fit up to four cards plus cash. It's a gift for them, because it looks cool, and a gift for you, because they'll spend less time asking you to help her find her belongings.
Cardly - 57/61
56) Sticker Sheet for Self Care
ArtOfRobertTrujillo
etsy.com
$4.00
It couldn't hurt for them to put some of these in their weekly planners. They look great in a bullet journal or on a calendar page, and seeing the stickers will remind them to keep up some of their healthiest, feel-good habits.
ArtOfRobertTrujillo - 58/61
57) Sphero Mini
Sphero
amazon.com
$55.00
This little ball doesn't look like a sophisticated robot, but it's packed with a gyroscope, accelerometer and colorful LED lights. Kids can use drag-and-drop codes to get it to do games and challenges. It also comes in several colors. Ages 8+
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58) BeanieTail Ponytail Beanie
C.C.
amazon.com
$13.99
This beanie lets her rock the ponytail she spent all that time perfecting. This way, she can keep her hairstyle in place while staying warm, all while looking great!
C.C - 60/61
59) Bye, Felicia! Game
Big G Creative
amazon.com
$13.37
A great party game for a mix of ages, Bye Felicia asks players to mind-meld with each other and match as many answers as possible. You get 30 seconds to think of an entry into a category, like "foods you eat with ketchup" or "bad habits." You get points for matching other players, but talk out of turn or say something that's already been said, and it's, "Bye, Felicia!" Ages 12+
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60) 'Do What You Love' Notebook
Effie's Paper
effiespaper.com
$8.00
Every 12-year-old has big dreams. Give them a place to keep their thoughts together. This slim notebook comes with 80 lined to fill, all stitched together into a journal that can easily be slipped into a backpack.
Effie's Paper
