No longer little kids and not yet teens, 12-year-old boys can be challenging to shop for. But fear not, we've got a long list of gifts — from STEM-related presents to games and gaming-related products and beyond — that will have him beaming as he tears off the wrapping paper.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$140 from Amazon
Hoverboards have been a popular gift with tweens and teens for years, and we don't expect that to change anytime soon. What we like about this one — other than its stellar customer ratings — is that it comes in all kinds of styles and colors. Features include LED lights and a built-in Bluetooth speaker.
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$155 from Amazon
Whether you've got a future computer programmer on your hands or just want his time online to be a little more productive now and then, this award-winning STEM kit contains everything he'll need to challenge his skills. Its software is compatible with multiple operating systems.
$90 from Target
Whether your kiddo likes to cruise to the skate park or just around the neighborhood, this 44-inch bamboo and maple board will let them do so in style.
$60 and up from Ultrasabers
Ultrasabers makes every Star Wars fan's dream come true with its made-to-order lightsaber service. Customize everything from the lightsaber's hilt style to its blade color and length, and soon enough, you'll be a Jedi.
$246 from Amazon
If your 12-year-old boy has a precocious knack for all things technical, then consider this entry-level 3D printer from Comgrow. The semi-assembled kit is surprisingly easy to use, according to Amazon reviewers. After all, why buy Legos when you can print them yourself?
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$70 from Target
Get ready for summer fun with this outdoor game set, which comes with balls, the net, and a drawstring bag for neatly packing everything up. The rules combine foursquare with volleyball, and it's guaranteed to keep kids (and adults) away from their phones for at least a little while.
Related: 30 Yard Games to Get Your Kids Out of the House
$64 from Amazon
Few 12-year-old boys don't love sweets, and this gadget will let him make his own cotton candy. The appliance is quiet, users say, and it comes with everything needed to make at-home treats.
$80 from Target
Another gift designed to get kids outside (although it could also be used indoors), this giant Jenga-inspired set includes a carrying case so that it can be packed away when not in use.
$19 from Target
D&D has made a huge comeback during the past year as kids find themselves with ample time on their hands. If you want to get your kiddo on the bandwagon, get him started with this set, which includes everything he'll need to create characters and get started on his dungeon-mastering skills.
$25 from Amazon
If the 12-year-old fella in your life loves a good movie night, he'll appreciate this gift set, which will make the evening even more fun and tasty with plenty of candy and popcorn.
Related: The Best Gifts for Movie Buffs
$82 from Amazon
Tap into that musical creativity with this electronic drum set, featuring seven pads that can be customized to include a snare, three toms, a crash, a ride, a hi-hat, and more. The set comes with a headset jack and two built-in speakers.
$450 from Amazon
He can cruise the neighborhood in style on this foldable electric scooter, which has a travel range of up to 17 miles. It features an LED display that shows current speed, speed modes, and battery life, and includes a headlight.
$18 from Amazon
If you've got a kiddo who likes science and nature, you can't go wrong with a terrarium kit. This set includes potting soil, vermiculite, moss, plant food, and a terrarium guide — everything you need besides a container (mason jars work well).
$150 from Amazon
Get the whole family outside and active with this laser tag set for four, which includes rechargeable guns, vests, and a charging station.
$25 from Amazon
Up the ante on your laser tag games with a set of inflatable obstacles that players can hide behind. This set includes a barrel, call box, and tire, and water pouches are designed to keep the inflatables upright even in the heat of battle.
$25 from Amazon
He might be almost a teenager, but that doesn't mean he'll be beyond the joys of a walkie-talkie set. This one comes in a bunch of different color combinations.
$53 from Amazon
When it comes to 12-year-old boys and birthdays, it's tough to go wrong with a Nerf gun, and this tactical blaster has more than 30 combinations for fun pretend play. Other than the blaster, he'll get a targeting scope, drop grip, dual-rail barrel, storage stock, banana clip, 10 darts, and instructions.
$200 from Amazon
If you don't mind dropping a bit more cash on a Nerf gun, buyers love this one, which has an advanced accelerations system (it can fire up to eight rounds per second), a rechargeable battery, and a hopper that can hold up to 200 rounds and fire at a velocity of 100 feet per second. He'll be the envy of the neighborhood.
$14 from Amazon
For a fun gift that'll keep them active but not put too much stress on your pocketbook, get a two-pack of these Activ Flyers, which are 80% lighter than standard Frisbees, can fly high and far, and come in a bunch of different color combinations.
$30 from Amazon
Let him hone his blaster skills with this electronic target with a digital display, simulated shooting noises, and multiple modes to play in.
$23 from Amazon
This four-wheel-drive remote-control stunt car can go in all the usual directions, plus it can flip by 360 degrees, tumble on its side, and more. When fully charged, the battery can run for around 22 minutes.
$150 from Walmart
This pool table will give that kiddo of yours something to do other than stare at a screen. It can fold flat both for easy storage and easy portability (translation: it can be hauled to friends' houses or taken on road trips even). The set comes with pool balls, sticks, a rack, brush, and chalk.
$25 from Walmart
What 12-year-old doesn't love throwing things at his friends? This game will let him do just that while also letting him challenge his brain with a matching card game.
$18 from Walmart
This challenging strategy game lets the whole family get involved, or it can be played with just two people. It's easy to learn but tougher to master, owners say, and it'll be a family favorite for some time to come.
Related: 22 Things You Didn't Know About Your Favorite Board Games
$135 from Walmart
You're never too old to swing from a tree, but this stand-up swing sure does make the task more fun and challenging. The handles are adjustable to accommodate kids of different heights, and it can support up to 200 pounds.
$50 from Amazon
Never let a setting sun stop the game again with this basketball, which will stay well-lit with two bright LEDs and features an auto-shutoff function to conserve battery power.
$40 from Amazon
Let him practice his archery skills safely and worry-free with this foam bow-and-arrow archery set. It comes with six arrows that can fly up to 100 feet.
$300 from Amazon
Want to be one of his favorite people on earth? Score him a Nintendo Switch if he doesn't already have one. It'll allow him to game pretty much anywhere and allows him to play hundreds of games with friends or on his own.
Related: Cool Gifts for Old School Gamers
$8 from Amazon
This book — the first in a series of three — is sure to grab his attention with its main characters, Miles and Niles, who try to outdo each other with pranks and become fast friends in the process.
Related: 13 Beloved Books That Made Terrible Films, According to Critics
$59 from Amazon
There's a good chance your 12-year-old boy is one of the over 100 million monthly active players on Minecraft. With this Minecraft-themed Lego set, you can pull him away from the computer and get him to build something offline.
$29 from Amazon
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Not only does this gift incentivize kids to save, but it's also fun to use with its own electronic ATM deposit slot and keypad. This piggy bank can store up to 100 bills or 600 coins.
$20 from Amazon
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Want to give your kid a taste of what it's like to be an engineer? This glider set lets your child experiment with five different customizable planes, with options to try different wing angles.
$46 from Amazon
This circuit kit contains 36 parts, with the potential to complete up to 200 different projects. Within a few hours, your science-inclined child can build an LED display, a fan, or a tri-color light orb.
$60 from Amazon
If your kiddo enjoys Legos and other hands-on games, consider Gravitrax's marble run set. This all-inclusive gift has everything your child needs to start building a custom marble track, and with the help of magnets and a bit of creative engineering, he can construct some pretty awesome routes.
$50 from Amazon
This camera-equipped drone is a big upgrade from most remote control toys — and yet it's just $50. You can even fly this high-tech aircraft with voice control, telling it to land, take off, or turn.
$80 from Amazon
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Named PC Gamer's best gaming headset of 2022, the Razer BlackShark is bound to give your child a leg up in competitive computer games. Critics have lauded the headset for its comfortable build, excellent audio quality, and fair price.
$16 from Amazon
Boys can send this hovering flying saucer around the house without breaking anything thanks to its ultralight foam construction. Its sensor allows it to hover right above objects or body parts, which means your boy can practice plenty of cool gravity-defying tricks.
$110 from Amazon
They look cool (at least to 12-year-old boys), and hey, maybe it'll improve your kid's posture. This specific model is a good bet given its low price, tens of thousands of reviews, and near-perfect rating.
$19 from Amazon
If you have trouble getting your 12-year-old boy to participate in an old-fashioned board game night, try enticing him with this updated take on a tabletop classic. Just like in Fortnite, players battle their opponents and try to avoid the storm to come out on top.
$55 from Amazon
The Sphero Mini appears to be a simple ball at first glance, but looks can be deceiving. The Sphero is actually a programmable robot ball that connects to your phone. Through the Sphero app, kids can "drive" the ball or create a custom game with its programming feature, making it a fitting gift for kids with an affinity for science and math.
$50 on Amazon
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If your 12-year-old boy is a gamer, know that his mouse will be one of the most important weapons in his arsenal. While there are plenty of good options on the market, Razer's Basilisk V3 is equipped with everything he'll need to succeed — regardless of the game. It has more than 10 well-placed programmable buttons, customizable RGB zones, and a premium look and feel.
$40 from Amazon
If your boy is a budding mad scientist who's depleted your entire baking soda and vinegar supply, consider this expansive basic chemistry kit. The National Geographic set includes enough materials to conduct 45 different experiments, with highlights like making glow crystals and creating invisible ink.
$45 from Amazon
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Whether they're mashing keys in the heat of battle or messaging their friends, gamers need good keyboards. Logitech's Prodigy model offers a good compromise between price and functionality, boasting an integrated palm rest and customizable keys. Plus, it lights up.
$49 from Amazon
This build-it-yourself robotic arm kit is bound to occupy aspiring engineers and STEM fans for hours, if not days. And once it's complete, your boy will have his very own controllable robot arm.