Tweens are the hardest age to buy for — so what gifts for 12-year old girls will they like best? Here’s a list of books, games, crafts, and other gift ideas that your kids will enjoy for a birthday, Christmas, or any occasion.
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Alexa Dot
The Alexa Dot was our successful compromise with our daughter who still wanted to listen to her music in her room but wasn’t allowed to have screen time in her bedroom. Now it’s become a favorite way to play music for both our girls. It’s voice-controlled and you can use it as an alarm, speaker, timer, and more.
Foldable Hi-Fi Wireless Headphones
These aren’t just highly-rated, they’re really a good price, too! We also love that they fold up and come in 7 colors! Other features: stereo sound, ear cushion, wireless mode or wired, and a built-in mic.
Instax Mini 9 Camera Bundle
Tweens love this cool camera PLUS in this set, they’ll also get a carrying case, filters, albums, a selfie lens & MORE. Such a fun thing to do with friends.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
REALISTIC / BOOKS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS – OCD
My tween daughter and I love this book so much! The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl is a thoughtful coming-of-age story about a girl genius with OCD whose grandma wants her to go to public middle school to make one friend, read one non-math book, and join one school activity. Surprisingly, Lucy does find friends and more than that, too. This well-written, heart-warming story would be a great gift.
littleBits Avengers Hero Inventor Kit
Marvel fans, make your own gauntlet! Snap together the electronics to build circuits the customize your gauntlet. Videos for over 18 in-app activities, wearable Tech sensors, in-app block coding, customizable LED Matrix light design, and authentic Marvel Avengers sound effects.
EOS Lip Balm
My daughter got these for all her friends last year — and they were a big hit!
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker
Bose high-quality sound with a waterproof, silicone exterior. Charge up to give yourself 8 hours of play time on the go. It’s compatible with Google Now and Siri.
Nintendo Switch
The hottest gift of the 2017 Christmas season is still cool for 2018! This cool gaming system can be taken on the go for tabletop mode or connect it to your TV. You’ll get two Joy-Con controllers for multiple players. If you have kids who like gaming, this is a top gift choice.
Itzi
Fast and easy-to-play. Use the letters on your cards to answer the prompt on the clue cards. Those cards say things like: “It’s a country” or “Something you don’t own” or “It’s a jewel or gem”. Be the first to answer correctly using a letter on your card and you’ll get rid of it. Great for family time or big groups.
Good Vibes Coloring Book
30 activities help kids learn patterning, shading, and coloring while coloring inspirational words of wisdom.
SPRK+ Robot from Sphero
Your kids can do so much with Sphero’s new app-enabled robot that inspires not just coding but also learning STEM / STEAM topics in creative ways. SPRK+ from Sphero caught my kids attention from the get-go and held it as they began to explore the various learning possibilities with it. Read my full review here.
iPad Pro + Apple Pencil
Both the Pro and the Apple Pencil haves been much-used gifts for both my girls. They’re loving the pencil for drawing apps and think the functionality of the Pro rocks.
Lokai Bracelet
Infused with elements from the highest and lowest points on Earth. The white bead carries water from Mt. Everest, and the black bead contains mud from the Dead Sea. Very popular!
Scratch Art Rainbow Notes
Draw or write on these rainbow note squares.
Isotoner Texting Gloves Stretch Fleece
3 Speed Turntable with Built-In Speakers
Kids love these cool record players. You’ll love the price. You’ll have plenty of money to spend on vinyl to go with it.
Squishmallows (Cat)
Trust me when I say Squishmallows are THE SOFTEST, CUDDLIEST plush toys we’ve ever owned. And we own like a million. My kids LOVE these and want all of them. 🙂 I’m highly, highly, highly recommending these amazing toys. There are different animals, too — a llama, a frog, a unicorn, a cow, … My girls love these!
Monster Kickboard Scooter
The best scooter for older kids to adults with a long, wide deck and folding T-Bar.
Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst
This is quite the cool educational Maker kit! It’s filled with parts and challenge cards so that kids can explore, experiment, and learn.
Trash Pandas
We’re big fans of Gamewright games like Rat-a-Tat-Cat and Sleeping Queens so I was thrilled to see this newest card game with charming raccoon characters tipping over trash cans and racing to amass the most points.
Body Shop Strawberry Body Lotion
Kate Space Spiral Notebook
112 lined pages, spiral notebook.
That’s What Friends are Thor nail polish
Island nail polish collection in many cool colors.
NYX Butter Lip Gloss Creme Brulee
Chunky Soft Stretch Cable Knit Beanie
Kindle Fire HD 10 Tablet
Reading and writing take practice. Good writers are avid readers. Keep your growing writer reading with a Kindle loaded with books.
This series kept my 12-year old daughter reading all summer last year. The story begins when a group of 6th graders join a mother-daughter book club. Each book in the series focuses on one book the girls read (such as Little Women, Daddy Long Legs, and Pride and Prejudice) and the relationships of the girls among themselves, the relationships with their mothers, and the business of growing up.
Happy Atoms
SCIENCE (Chemistry)
Lockwood & Co The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
In historical London, dangerous ghosts and spirits aren’t just stories — they’re real and murderous. But, only kids can see and fight these ghosts. We follow the perilous adventures Anthony Lockwood who owns his own agency (with no adults in sight) to combat the supernatural with his teen team of Lucy and George. Creepy and exciting!
Wise Words to Color: Inspiration to Live and Color By by Zoe Ingram
My daughter started this beautiful coloring book of quotes and mandalas when sick. And I’ve been enjoying coloring it myself. The quotes are lovely and inspiring. (Great for travel, too!)
Garmin Vivofit Fitbit
My daughter LOVES her Fitbit! Get one for your kids that will tell time and help you calculate steps, calories, distance, and sleep. It’s a great way to motivate healthy living.
Art Journal Kit
An inspiring art journal for all your 12 year old girl’s creativity. My daughters love their art journal kits! This makes for a great gift for creative kids.
Yummy Scented Glitter Gel Pens
My kids LOVE to write with these yummy smelling and sparkly colorful set of 12 pens. These last forever, too!
Blue Murano Glass Beads Silver Charm Bracelet
DIY charms bracelet with 14 beads and barrel clasp.
Kindle Fire
Keep your techie 12-year old tween girls reading with a Kindle. Sometimes it’s technology that motivates our kids to read more.
Origami Chic: A Guide to Foldable Fashion by Sok Song
We think this is the best origami book ever — the directions are very clear, the designs are amazing, and the oversized papers are gorgeous!
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli REALISTIC
LIFE-CHANGING! Seriously. This incredible story grips the coward in us all as we relate to Leo who shares how he loves and fails to stand up for Stargirl, the most unique, ukulele-playing girl that Mica High has ever seen. Her strangeness at first is delightful to other students including Leo, but when when she cheers for both basketball teams, even the opposition!!, her classmates shun her. Even Leo. Leo regrets his behavior when Stargirl disappears. This is one of my favorite stories for this age group because it deals with kindness, peer pressure, acceptance, and individuality.
Live for Today Coloring Book
Positive sayings with affirming and empowering art activities of patterning, shading, and coloring. Great for rainy days and sick days.
365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts by R. J. Palacio
If you’re like us and love quotes, this is the book for you. Even if you haven’t read the book Wonder, you will still find the quotes chosen in here (precepts) meaningful and thought-provoking.
Sharper Image Bluetooth Speaker with Lights
Small speaker from Sharper Image with multicolored LED lights that emit a kaleidoscope of colors on the walls and ceiling for an instantly fun atmosphere. The portable Bluetooth enabled speaker is made for wireless entertainment.
Slackers Slackline
The slackline stretches between two trees like a tightrope but is stretchy and bouncy. You can ratchet the line so it fits the distance. We also use the guided teaching line above so the kids can hold on when they lose their balance. It’s so fun for the backyard when playsets are just to babyish.
Perfume Science Kit
This kit is a complete perfumer’s laboratory, including eight perfume oils, finishing solution, decorative flacons and important tools of the trade. The perfume oils are the same as those used in high-quality designer perfumes. The 32-page, full-color book blossoms with information about the biology of smell, the chemistry of scents, the fine fragrance industry, and the history of perfumes.
Codenames
This is an exciting word game (think Password) for 2 – 8 players, even better with 4 – 8 players. The gist: two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their codenames. Teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first.
iPhone 7 Case Mothca 2 in 1 Rose Gold Black
Anti slip, rubber cover and shock absorption with a non-gap fit.
iPhone 7 Case LUVVIT Shock Absorbing
Powerbeats 3 Wireless In-Ear Headphones
Essential for the iPhone 7 and the latest in headphone technology. These work with any Bluetooth enabled device, last up to 12 hours, and are sweat and water resistant. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, try the Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones instead.
Gift Guides by Age
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Amanda says
I didn’t know what I wanted for my birthday this really helped me give my family some ideas plus all these products are great 👍
Melissa Taylor says
It’s a tricky age, right? I’m glad these ideas helped!
Patricia Gash says
Can you give suggestions for boys and girls from 12 to 25 years of age
Thank you
Great list for grandparents
Destiny says
I love those gifts.
Avery Smith says
this helped my daughter find everything she wanted on her christmas list!