Things 12 year olds want for christmas

An e-reader for the avid reader

Kindle Paperwhite

$139.99 $94.99 from Amazon

$139.99 $94.99 from Best Buy

$139.99 $94.99 from Target

Black and white readers aren't the best for picture books, but once kids start devouring chapter books, the Kindle Paperwhite becomes a great gift. The Paperwhite doesn't have the glare of a typical screen and looks almost like the printed page. It's also waterproof.

A colorful pair of skates

Crazy Skates Rolla Roller Skates

$39.99 from Amazon

$39.99 from Walmart

$39.99 from Target

The pandemic gave classic roller skates a resurgence in popularity that's still going strong — making them a great gift idea for 12-year-old girls. These affordable skates from Crazy Skates fit like a sneaker for more comfort. They come in a variety of colors from neutral black to bright, flashy teal.

A collectible squishy friend

Squishmallows

$19.99 from Amazon

$14.97 from Walmart

Like the Beanie Baby craze of the '90s, Squishmallows are highly collectible plush suitable for a wide range of ages. The marshmallow-like stuffing makes this both a huggable gift and one to decorate her room with as a throw pillow.

A lettering kit for art or journaling

Creative You Hand Lettering Kit

$15.97 from Walmart

The tween years are often when new hobbies begin, and this hand-lettering kit is a great start for art or journaling. This affordable gift includes a 52-page journal with lettering instructions and 10 brush pens.

A crafty fashion statement

Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit

$18.39 from Amazon

Originally $19.99Save 8%

Tie-dye is another retro trend making a comeback, but this kit is both fashion and art. The Tulip one-step kit doesn't require a presoak and includes a guide to create eight different patterns. Gift the kit with some white cotton, rayon, or wool apparel to dye — like T-shirts, dresses, socks, or scarves.

A classic toy that becomes a work of art

LEGO DOTS Message Board

$34.00 from Amazon

$19.97 from Walmart

$19.99 from Barnes & Noble

Part toy, part craft, part room decor, the Lego Dots Message Board turns the classic Lego toy into a fun gift for older kids. The kit includes two 16-by-16-inch boards to use together or separately and lots of flat Lego Dots pieces to craft messages or art on the board.

A kid-friendly cookbook

Milk Bar: Kids Only: A Cookbook

$19.99 from Amazon

$22.99 from Barnes & Noble

$22.99 from Milk Bar

Written by an award-winning pastry chef and owner of the popular New York City battery Milk Bar, this cookbook is filled with kid-friendly recipes. The highly reviewed book makes a good gift for 12-year-olds looking to pick up new hobbies.

A way to stay in touch, without a smartphone

Apple Watch SE

$249.00 $229.00 from Amazon

$249.00 $229.00 from Best Buy

$249.99 $229.99 from Target

The Apple Watch is a stepping stone to owning a smartphone, allowing kids to call their parents or friends yet not allowing them to spend hours on social media. If the 12-year-old in your life isn't quite ready for a smartphone, the Apple Watch SE with a cellular data plan is a good alternative. A parent or guardian needs an iPhone with iOS to manage parental controls, like approving contacts.

A collectible Hogwarts castle

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Magical Minis Hogwarts Castle

$74.99 $26.99 from Amazon

$89.99 from Walmart

$53.99 $26.99 from Target

The Harry Potter series is a longstanding favorite among preteens and while some 12-year-olds no longer play with dolls, some do and others collect. This playset for Harry Potter fans has six rooms inside a Hogwarts castle, a Hermione doll, and furniture.

A cozy lounge chair

Pottery Barn Teen Hang Around Chair

$189.00 from Pottery Barn Teen

Originally $249.00Save 24%

Many tween girls take an interest in decorating their personal space. This highly reviewed Pottery Barn Teen Hang Around Chair offers a cozy spot to read or chat with a friend.

A remake of a popular party game

Apples to Apples Marvel Edition

$7.49 from Kohl's

Originally $14.99Save 50%

Khurana said girls in this age group are focused more on strategy and less on chance in their game playing, and Apples to Apples is the perfect game to get them started. The goal is to put down red cards with words or phrases that best match the prompt on green cards. A player wins by acquiring the most green cards. This new version is based on Marvel characters, with each card featuring a superhero from the comics.

A no-slip sports headband

Halo II Headband

$15.95 $14.95 from Amazon

$15.34 from Walmart

$15.95 from Halo

The Halo II Headband features grip technology so it stays put and fits comfortably under helmets, allowing the wearer to focus on cycling, running, or whatever activity they're engaged in.

A waterproof speaker

 S-Storm Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

$39.99 from Amazon

This portable, floatable wireless speaker pumps out music whenever, wherever. They can use it on the go while walking to or from school, waiting for a ride after sports practice, hanging with friends, or any time the mood strikes. It has a clip so that it doesn't get lost.

An adventure course for their own backyard

Slackers Ninjaline 36-Foot Kit

$99.99 $88.99 from Amazon

$99.99 $74.99 from Dick's Sporting Goods

Turn a backyard into a challenging obstacle course. No, a tween won't become a martial arts expert, but this activity kit can help them develop skills like concentration and strategy. 

A better grip for her phone

Who Runs the World? Popsocket

$17.00 from Popsockets

A Popsocket increases comfort and stability when holding a phone, and it doubles as a kickstand when placed on a table. This one is a tribute to female empowerment and 50% of net product sales are donated to the Malala Fund.

A box with STEM projects delivered monthly

Kiwico Tinker Crate Monthly Subscription

$18.50 from Kiwico

The Tinker Crate is a monthly subscription box that includes engineering projects such as building a hydraulic claw, catapult, and robot. Focusing on STEM learning, each box contains the parts, instructions, and a magazine with additional activities.

An old-school camera

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Camera

$76.95 from Amazon

$76.99 from Target

$68.88 from Walmart

Sure, their phone has a camera, but the creative possibilities of an instant camera allow them to really experiment. Because it takes time to compose and film is finite, each shot will be more special.

A popping stress reliever

Chuckle & Roar Pop It!

$4.99 from Target

$8.88 from Walmart

$4.00 from Amazon

Pop fidget toys help channel nervous or excited energy, much like a stress ball. You'll find a variety of similar products, but this one has a unique tie-dye/ombre design that is soothing to look at.

Jewelry with a secret

Rockin' Tots Little Secrets Ring

$65.00 from Rockin' Tots

Don't think of this as jewelry, but as a sophisticated update to the friendship bracelet. Each ring contains a secret message (of your choosing) encrypted in Morse code. It could be a special note from a parent to child, or get two — one to give to their friend — as a symbol of friendship.

A color laboratory

Yellow Scope Paper Chromatography

$43.99 from Amazon

$39.99 from Barns & Noble

$39.99 $19.99 from Walmart

Through a scientific technique called paper chromatography, this kit lets any STEAM-loving 12-year-old learn the chemical makeup of colors in plants, art supplies, candy, and more. One kit includes hundreds of experiments — enough to keep them busy at their homemade lab.

A book of famous stories of mental health

"Perfectly Imperfect Stories" by Leo Potion

$17.99 $14.99 from Amazon

$14.99 from Target

$18.00 from Uncommon Goods

As a child ages, so do their struggles with anxiety, sadness, and other mental health issues. To help them with these feelings, this book contains stories of how 28 famous personalities — such as Frida Kahlo and Michael Phelps — lived with and overcame their challenges.

A set to elevate their senses

Le Labo Fragrances Discovery Set

$35.00 from Le Labo

As 12-year-olds begin to develop their senses, smells become more personal. Let them discover what they identify with, through this five-pack of unique fragrances.  

A Lego filmmaking kit

Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie Kit

$24.99 from Barnes & Noble

$33.42 $24.99 from Amazon

Create a Hollywood set with Lego and a phone. This kit includes 36 Lego Minifigures and props, background scenery, and a book that teaches stop-motion animation. All a tween needs to do is set it up, come up with a story, and call, "action." 

The bedroom sanctuary essential

Uber Chill 6 Can Mini Fridge

$59.99 from Amazon

$99.99 $59.99 from Wayfair

$80.00 $59.99 from Brookstone

Whether it's a place to do homework or hang out with friends, the tween bedroom is a sacred space. Khurana said girls in this age group are "increasingly independent" and having their own room is a step toward that. Help them make it comfortable with this mini fridge that fits six beverage cans or small snacks. 

A quirky but essential bike accessory

Electra Disco Small Ding-Dong Bike Bell

$13.99 from Trek

Originally $15.99Save 13%

This bike bell that resembles a disco ball is a simple way for any 12-year-old to add personality to their bike. But it's the safety function that's more essential to parents.

A personalized necklace

JWLGANG Name Necklace

$21.00 from Etsy

Originally $70.00Save 70%

Whether it's their name or a word that's important to them, immortalize it with this custom necklace that's simple but classy. 

A sketchpad for the inner artist

Erin Condren Out of this World Kids Large Sketchpad

$14.00 from Erin Condren

A large sketchpad and a fresh set of markers, pencils, and pens should satisfy any budding artist — it's their creations that they (and you) will cherish most. But if that's not enough, pair them with additional art supplies in a small gift basket to complete the gift.

A breakfast upgrade

Dash Mini Waffle Maker and Griddle

$24.99 $19.99 from Amazon

$24.99 from Dash

This mini waffle maker and griddle lets them prepare a hearty meal without the hassle of pots, pans, or skillets. Besides waffles, it can also make biscuit pizzas, pancakes, cookies, sandwiches, and whatever a tween mind whips up.

A karaoke mic that plays music too

Karaoke Microphone Speaker

$50.00 from Uncommon Goods

Got a tween with a knack for singing? This microphone is a great way to throw an impromptu karaoke party. We can't be held responsible, however, if your tween decides to host a singing battle with their friends.

A hair towel

Aquis Original Hair Towel

$24.99 from Amazon

Regardless of age, wrapping a bath towel around your head is an annoying chore. Instead, use this microfiber hair-drying towel that reduces frizz and damage.

Hillary Grigonis

Hillary K. Grigonis is a tech writer and photographer with more than a decade of experience. She spends her weekdays writing about camera tech and her weekends photographing weddings and portraits. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, jogging, camping, kayaking, and traveling. She lives in Michigan with her husband and three children.  Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

Alex Frost

Freelance Reporter

Alexandra Frost is a Cincinnati-based freelance journalist and content marketing writer, focusing on health andwellness, parenting, real estate, education, and lifestyle. She has been published in Glamour, Today's Parent,Reader's Digest, Parents, Women's Health, and Business Insider. She is a journalism teacher, proud wife toan assistant principal, and mom of three rambunctious sons under age 5. To read more of her work or toconnect, check out her website.  Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].

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