We Take the Guesswork Out of Shopping for 12-Year-Old Boys
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When shopping for a young man, the task is often quite difficult to do. You have to find stuff that will appeal to them, and not just for a minute, especially if you want them off their gaming devices.
At 12-years, this may seem even more difficult. They are caught between boyhood and wanting toys to play with and manhood, when they want to build and create. For this reason, we searched to find the 16 best toys and gift ideas for 12-year-old boys in 2020. We hope that with our help, you find the gift you have been searching for.
Our Top Picks for Best Toys and Gifts
1. MAN NUO STEM Toy Solar Robot Kit 12-in-1 Learning Science Building Toys
This solar robot learning kit comes with 190 pieces to create up to 12 different robots. It is designed to meet STEM requirements for boys ages 10-12. It can challenge the mind and show them how robots can harness the power of the sun.
The kit comes with full instructions, stickers, and more. By finishing the robots, they will have the ability to put them to use. It should also encourage a love of science, technology, crafting, robotics, and engineering.
Conclusion: Boys of all ages seem to enjoy building, taking things apart, and making them function. This is a building set that does it all. They can learn without realizing that they are doing science and learning about solar power. We think this is a great thing and we hope that you also feel it is worth looking into. We have also written a complete guide about the best gifts for a 13-year-old boy.
Pros
• Easy Assembly
• Teaches Science
• Builds Working Robots
Cons
• Tiny Pieces
2. Joyjam RC Stunt Car
This stunt car does it all. It can tumble, spin, and flip. It can go forward, backward, and to either side. This thing also works on both land and water. You basically cannot damage this thing.
Overall, it is a 1:28 scale vehicle with 4WD functions. It has a max speed of up to 12 km/h. The car uses a rechargeable battery in the car and the remote uses 2-AA batteries. Multiple kids can play together with different vehicles thanks to its anti-interference 2.4GHz technology.
Conclusion: If the child in your life enjoys watching things go and watching them do crazy things, this stunt vehicle will most likely delight them. It seems to have the ability to keep up with children, even the boys that are typically rough on toys. Check out our review about the 2-year-old boy’s gift ideas.
Pros
• Good Battery Life
• Easy to Use
• Very Durable
Cons
• Must Remove Battery to Charge
3. 4M Tin Can Robot
This is a wonderful little robot for boys. It is created through imagination and repurposing a soda can. This can make any child or adult see the value of recycling. Everything besides the can is included in the kit. This includes detailed instructions and all parts.
Your child does not need special tools or skills. This robot kit does require an AA battery. It is designed for kids ages 8+.
Conclusion: What’s not to love about a tin can that can become a silly-looking robot or a monster that moves around? You can create either of these robots or a mixture of the two with this single kit. It will turn on and move freely in a walk/wobble once your child has completed the build. We think it is too fun to “not” consider for most families. You can also check out our list of the 4-year-old boy toys and 5-year-old boy toys.
Pros
• Good Instructions
• Easy Assembly
• Educational
Cons
• Tiny Screws
4. Walkie Talkies for Kids 3Pack
Many young boys love to have friends over and explore the world by hiking through the woods or camping in the backyard. These three sets of walkie talkies can amp up the fun for up to 3-miles. They are easy to use with compact bodies that can be handled by a toddler, but they have enough awesome features to ensure older kids love them, too.
They feature 22 channels with stable transmission, auto squelch, HD voice, and an easy to read LCD screen. All it takes to use them is a push to talk button. They are covered by a 12-month warranty and a full 30-day return policy with no questions asked.
Conclusion: These walkie talkies are designed for the way that kids play. The set of three allows them to easily talk to friends, even in different homes within the neighborhood. It also allows you to talk to your child if they are at a friend’s house so you can tell them when dinner is ready. Overall, we feel that most people will feel it is fun and helpful at the same time.
Pros
• Easy to Use
• Good Volume
• Good Range
• Impressive Sound
Cons
• Small Size
5. eYotto Kids Sports Watch
At around the age of 12, boys often have more of a schedule to keep. This watch is designed for them. It has adjustable time, date, week settings. There are alarms to set. It is also waterproof for up to 50M. This means that your child can wear it anywhere they want to go and never have to worry about it.
It is also very comfortable to wear. It has a soft PU rubber band that can bend freely. It prevents scratches and has a cool design.
Conclusion: Overall, this watch looks very cool. It has a lot of things to see on the watch face, which can make your young man feel grown and maybe even a little more important. We also love that it is waterproof so that a small rain shower doesn’t send them running to protect their watch. We feel that most kids and adults, could enjoy having this watch on their wrist.
Pros
• Easy to Read
• Durable
• Digital/Analog Display
• Cons
Cons
• Difficult to Set
6. KKONES Remote Control Car
This remote-control stunt car promises to bring the fun for kids. It is available in red or blue and can withstand bumps, dips, and maybe even a few dives. It is designed to be easy to control as it flips, spins, moves in all directions, and maybe even hits a wall or two. Rubber wheels and a sturdy construction make it possible
With this toy set, you will get a remote, the car, a rechargeable battery for the vehicle, a charging cable, and clear instructions. The remote does require 2 AA batteries.
Pros
• Durable
Rechargeable Battery
• Nice Speed
Cons
• Remote Is Difficult
7. Marky Sparky Blast Pad Rocket Launcher
The Marky Sparky rocket launcher is fun and exciting for most kids and adults. With a well-timed pounce, you can send this rocket soaring up to 200-feet into the air. This promises to excite and encourage families to play together.
A bonus is that this blast pad promises to outperform others. No matter how much you jump on its pad, it will be ready for the next launch. The rocket design also promises to fly higher and stay airborne longer because of their unique shape.
Conclusion: This rocket launcher is designed for kids ages 6+. With every purchase you get the blaster pad and three 10.5-inch rockets. The sheer enjoyment of sending things soaring will make your child get up and be more active in most cases. This is why we think it is a toy worth considering for sometimes device-obsessed young men.
Pros
• Fun
• Durable
• Rocket Replacements Available
Cons
• Tubing Falls Off
8. WisToyz Kids Toys Hover Soccer Ball Set
This hover soccer ball set works well indoors. It comes with two goals and a hover ball disk. The ball requires four AA batteries. If no batteries are available, an inflatable ball is included as well. This also makes it possible to take it outdoors. It features a built-in multi-color LED light to add even more fun, and a little extra challenge, once the sun goes down.
If you are concerned about safety or durability, you should know that this is an upgraded soccer disk. It can be used on smooth floors, low carpet, and hardwood. It hovers so that it will never damage flooring. It is also made of toxic-free materials so that kids as young as 3 can enjoy it.
Conclusion: Overall, we like this toy. It is very versatile with two different ball styles. You can also expect a good support team to be available if you have issues with how it performs. It comes with everything your child may need to get started playing, minus batteries and a “field”. For that, we think that most kids will enjoy it.
Pros
• Easy Assembly
• Fun for Most Kids
• Durable
Cons
• Not Good on Carpet
9. PROGRACE Children Kids Camera
This camera was built and designed with children in mind. It is ideal for kids between 4-12-years old. All materials that go into creating it is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. This camera can do all that a grown-up’s camera can do, within reason.
This is because it has a 1.77-inch LCD screen and the ability to store photos and videos on a 32GB Micro SD card. Video can record at 1080P and it can take 5mp photos. Other features include 40 fun photo frames, 7 video color modes, a 4x zoom, and even time-lapse, as well as much more. A rechargeable battery promises 1.5-hours of continuous use.
Conclusion: Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is always interesting. This is the main reason we feel that most kids will enjoy having access to this camera. For most parents, there is also a comfort in knowing that it has a full 1-year warranty and free customer service for life.
Pros
• Waterproof
• Durable
• Easy to Use
• Impressive Images
Cons
• Slow Camera
• Difficult Settings
10. Outdoor Explorer Kit & Bug Catcher Kit
If you know a young man who is interested in all things “buggy”, this could be a great toy for him. It comes with every tool your child could need for capturing and inspecting the insects they find. This means it comes with binoculars, a compass, flashlight, net, tweezers, bug containers, and much more. There is even a hat and backpack to ensure they feel like an explorer.
This is a STEM Learning product that encourages young scientists to look a little closer at the insects they find. It is designed to be used either indoors or out. If you or your child feel that it does not meet your needs, there is a support team available to help.
Conclusion: There is something awesome about showing your child the joys of exploration. This kit is designed to help. We like that it is a full kit that can help kids get up close and personal with the bugs that they encounter. We also feel that most kids, and parents, will enjoy it as well.
Pros
• Durable
• Encourages Exploration
• Fun for Kids
Cons
• Cheaply Made for Some Kids
11. Flipslide Game
This fast-paced game promises to delight anyone who picks it up. It is a game of puzzle skills and you have to beat the blocks. To play, you flip to find the color and slide to match the lights that come on. You can play it solo or with friends. Either way, it is an addictive game that most people will enjoy getting their hands on.
To make it as easy or as hard as you want, there are four game modes to choose from: memory, level, multiplayer, and speed modes. It is a small enough game that it can be taken with you wherever you go, and it is designed for kids ages 8+.
Conclusion: At first glance, this game resembles a Rubik’s cube game. However, it seems to be much more fast paced and interesting to play. Instead of creating sides with a single color, it has lights that you must match with colored blocks, quickly. We feel it will be a good challenge for most kids, and adults as well.
Pros
• Fun and Challenging
• Addictive Game Play
• Multiple Play Modes
Cons
• Loud for Some
12. Growsland Remote Control Car
Basically, all young boys love fast cars that are aerodynamic and cool to see. This supercar promises to meet those expectations for most little boys. It is a fully functional RC car that is controlled by a 27MHz controller. It can go forward, backward, and to either side using a joystick remote. The maximum speed for this car is 5-mph.
It is a 1/18 scale car that is made with strong non-toxic ABS plastic. The exterior is glossy but still maintains its ability to be scratch resistant. This means that even minor accidents will not damage the car.
Conclusion: We like this RC car. It is user-friendly and quality enough for an adult but designed for kids. The one downside that we see with it is that two RC cars may have a lot of interference if played with at the same time. This could make it tricky for two, or more, child households. If this is not a concern for your home, we feel that it could be a good choice.
Pros
• Durable
• Improve Hand/Eye Coordination
• Good Battery Life
Cons
• Single Car Operation Only
13. WisePlay Build Your Own RC Car Kit
What’s more fun than playing with an RC car? Building one to play with of course! This 453-piece STEM building set gives kids the ability to do that. They build the car and then race it around the home, improving motor skills, problem-solving skills, and eye/hand coordination.
This STEM building kit comes with step-by-step directions for how to assemble the car. Once built, it will be powered by a 3.7V rechargeable battery. 2-AA batteries work the remote control. It is backed by a 30-day no-hassle money-back guarantee.
Conclusion: The fact that this RC car can be assembled and driven by your child, makes it well worth considering for most families. For most, it isn’t a toy that they will pick up and grow bored with instantly. They have to build it before they can play with it. Then, when they use it, they will be rewarded for their efforts and may want to play even longer.
Pros
• Easy Assembly
• Sturdy
• Durable
Cons
• Must Remove Battery to Charge
14. Lightning Reaction Reloaded – Shocking Game
This game is “shocking” in every way. The objective of it is to have the quickest draw and the best timing compared to other players. Each player will grab a handle. You press a button in the center and a red light will begin blinking. When the light turns green, you press the trigger. If you are the slowest person playing, you feel the shocking tingle in your hand.
This game is one of the best for testing reaction time. It is an awesome party game and provides hours of fun for groups. It is designed for children over 14-years, but most 12-year old boys may also be able to enjoy a little thrill from it, especially when playing with friends.
Conclusion: This game doesn’t test strength. You don’t have to perform feats of skill. You simply have to be fast enough to avoid the shocking tingle. How quick are you? Are you faster than your child? We think finding out could be a blast. We also feel that having the ability to tone down or amp up the “shock” is a bonus that most will appreciate.
Pros
• Various “Shock” Settings
• Fun for All Ages
• Addictive for Most
Cons
• Made of Plastic
15. Threeking Robots Gifts
A smarter kind of robot toy is one that is programmable for whoever owns it. The Threeking robot is that one. It has multiple functions. It can use gesture controls, sing, dance, LED eye lights, and more. It is made with eco-friendly material.
One of the coolest things about this robot though, is the lifelike look of it and the way that it functions. It has flexible joints in the shoulders, thumbs, elbows, and more. It has wheels so that it can carry out moves that you want it to make.
Conclusion: When you program this robot, you can make it do what you want it to do. You can have it walk forward, move backward, turn in different directions, and more. It can avoid obstacles that you put in its path, proving that it is a smarter robot than most. To control it, you need only a remote. Battery life for the rechargeable battery is about two hours. Overall, it is worth considering if the young man in your life likes robotics. Also, you can check out our guide for the gift ideas for 3-year-old girls.
Pros
• Good Battery Life
• Impressive Programming Options
• Good Quality
Cons
• Needs More Control Options
16. LEGO Technic WHACK!
The LEGO Technic WHACK! allows your child to be part of the action. It is a STEM toy that allows your child to build a car with a solid performing pull-back motor. When they release the car, it will roll quickly away.
As to style, this vehicle has a large rear spoiler, wide rims, low profile tires, a solid front bumper for collisions, and more. This stunt car measures 2 x 6 x 3-inches. It is ideal for boys and girls who enjoy creating and playing.
Conclusion: vLego is a brand that most people trust. Young boys start using them to build at a very young age. This vehicle allows them to do more with their Lego building skills. We think that will make it worth considering. Then, for most people, the speed and creativity behind it will make it even more enjoyable. We also have a list of the best 13-year-old girl gifts and 13-year-old girl gifts.
Pros
• Easy Assembly
• Fun to Play With
• Durable
Cons
• Small Pieces
Final Thoughts
Have we helped you discover new ideas for the young man in your life? The 16 best toys and gift ideas for 12-year-old boys in 2020 are all designed to teach boys, and maybe some girls, about their world. They can show them how much fun they can have without video gaming devices. Our hope is that even if you choose to go another route with your shopping list, we have at least given you a few things to consider.
