30 Best Toys and Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys, Tested and Approved by Real Kids

Most of the drones we tested are only rated for kids 14+, but the Sky Viper Vector Stunt Plane is easy enough for tweens to handle. That's because of its auto-stabilization feature, which even accounts for wind. In the air, it can fly up to 35 mph, do barrel rolls and make 360-degree loops. Ages 12+

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When it's time to take notes, this is a pen. But, when it's time to listen to lectures, tweens can take apart, twist and bend and connect the magnetic shaft into different shapes like a fidget toy. Ages 8+

With this kit, they'll be able to design, plan and create their own 3D-printed objects by melting filaments in different colors. The kit comes with a pen (users can adjust the flow of the filament through the pen), a DesignPad to help form neat geometric shapes and a FreePad to help trace different patterns.

This booklet and LEGO kit provides well-illustrated and easy-to-follow instructions to build 20+ contraptions. Use the convertible pegboard tower to build a marble maze, gravity labyrinth and more. Ages 8-12

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Slammo is great for athletic kids who are ready to try a demanding sport. Players work in teams of two, and each team has three hits to return the ball to the circular net (which is harder than it sounds). The set comes with a net, a large ball for beginners, two small balls for experienced players and a carrying case. Ages 12+

Kids can tap their inner engineer and build their very own bionic arm with this STEM experiment kit. It teaches how the muscles and tendons work as the robot arm picks objects up from a table. "It helps develop spatial reasoning and engineering skills," said one of our testers. Ages 10+

Kids can learn how to do 28 magic tricks with this immersive kit. It includes VR goggles, step-by-step instructions and 75 pieces. This Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner doesn’t just teach how to do the tricks physically, but also gives tips for performance and self-confidence. “It was very organized, which helped immensely for my son who has ADHD," a parent tester said. Ages 8+

Tweens can use the included laser to guide this car across the floor, sure, but it gets even cooler than that — it also drives up walls and even onto the ceiling. Good Housekeeping Institute testers said this had a huge "wow" factor. Ages 8+

He'll be so excited to keep cold drinks in a spot that's his alone. This mini fridge is just big enough to hold six cans. No age recommendation given

Tweens can show off their intellectual prowess with Kanoodle Extreme, which offers bigger and better challenges. Cards start players off by making a certain shape, and players have to use their wits to see how the rest of the pieces fit in to complete the puzzle. Ages 8+

By the time they reach 12 years old, they're definitely ready for a step-up in terms of LEGO difficulty. This set lets them build a replica of a tractor, inspired by the real John Deere 948L-II Skidder. When it's done, it'll have real steering, four-wheel drive and a moving engine. Ages 11+

He can get those easy-breezy hammock vibes wherever he goes — without the need for trees, clips, ties or air pumps. He just has to simply wave this lounger around to fill it with air, and then it's ready for lounging. No age recommendation given

If they're attached to their Nintendo Switch, they'll love this gaming headset, which is officially licensed by Nintendo and even comes in the classic JoyCon colors. The set also has noise-cancelling capabilities, comfy ear cups and a mic that minimizes background noise. No age recommendation given

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He'll love folding and unfolding this confounding box, revealing all the groovy patterns inside, and then trying to figure out how to get it back into cube form again. According to Shashibo, it can make 70 different configurations (and there's an app that can help with that), but he might just like the feeling of using it as a fidget toy. Ages 8+

This is basically a cross between a game of skill and a joke book: Players take turns reading the jokes to each other, and the opponent has to try not to laugh. They'll get to work on their ability and comic timing, but really, in the end, everyone breaks! Ages 12+

They'll have to make the most of their logic and critical thinking skills when it comes to this brain-teaser. Combining a puzzle game with a marble run, FreeFall offers challenge cards that show players how to start off the run. Then, players have to twist, flip and otherwise move the pieces to get the marble into the red cup. Ages 8+

In order to solve the puzzle, they'll have to spin, flip, twist and slide it all around. During our tests, families reported using multiple Spin Flips to do head-to-head battles to see who could solve their it first. Ages 8+

This speaker connects either wirelessly with Bluetooth or through a USB-C, plus it can operate for 24 hours on a full charge. It's even waterproof, so he can bring it with him to the pool or shower. No age recommendation given

The whole family can have fun with this fast-paced, 15-minute version of Monopoly. Testers old and young were thrilled with the game, with one saying their daughter wanted to "play it over and over again." The game provides a code to scan so that you can play on the app as well. Ages 8+

He can stick this to his phone or other device, and instantly have a few extra pockets for storage. The elastic wallet can hold five cards and cash. There's even a finger strap, which makes taking selfies easier. No age recommendation given