Gifts for 12-Year Old Girls

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.

Mermaid Tail Blanket
This is on my kids’ wish list! Be a cozy mermaid with this warm crocheted mermaid blanket. Comes in many colors.

EOS Holiday Lip Balm
My daughter got these for all her friends last year — and they were a big hit! This is the 2016 holiday gift pack.

PopSockets: Stand and Grip for Smartphones and Tablets
Teens love these — use to pop, tilt, wrap, prop, collapse, and grip your electronic devices. Available in other styles and colors.

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!

Isotoner Texting Gloves Stretch Fleece

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.

iPhone 7 32GB

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.

Body Shop Strawberry Body Lotion

Kate Space Spiral Notebook
112 lined pages, spiral notebook.

Snow Much Fun Nail Polish
Celebrate winter this this snowflake blue nail polish!

NYX Butter Lip Gloss Creme Brulee

Moana & Pua: Funko POP!
Each figure is about 3″ to 5″ tall. These characters are from the 2016 Disney animated movie, Moana. My daughter loves collecting Funko Pops, these are a big hit around here for all ages. (My oldest geeks out about anything Marvel or LOTR.)

Chunky Soft Stretch Cable Knit Beanie

Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick REALISTIC
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.

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 sectors. 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!

Boodle Box
For artsy fashionistas, this is a subscription box for girls and teens full of adorable accessories and beauty products.

Best Gifts for 12-Year Olds (7th Graders)

Unwanteds by Lissa McMann

My 12-year old recommended this series to me and I loved it as much as she did! In this society, you are sorted as Wanted, Necessary, and Unwanted. Alex is an Unwanted and is sent to die. But instead of death, Alex is rescued by a magician who has created a secret, magical haven for the Unwanteds where they live and train to use their magic skills. I love the creative magical characters in this world like Alex’s art teacher — an octagator! Here’s the problem — Alex is a twin. He pines for his twin, a Wanted and convinces himself that his twin also misses him. (He doesn’t.) Alex risks the safety of his new home to see his twin in the old world. And yes, the secret world is discovered, war breaks out, and more secrets are revealed.

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.

Undertow by Michael Buckley
Michael Buckley’s Alpha are from the ocean — clans of creatures with wild amphibian and human appearances and a specific hierarchy. Not only is this world development imaginative, the plot is crazy good –filled with tension, action, and adventure. Our 16 year old heroine, Lyric, is trying to hide that her mom is one of the Alpha (First People) or they’d disappear to a camp if discovered. Lyric’s school is ordered to integrate with the First People. Worse, Lyric is ordered to help the prince, Fathom. Not good for someone trying to fly under the radar. Tensions are high as protestors and students get violent with their hatred of the Alpha but there’s something much worse than the Alpha. And it’s coming. LOVED it! (My husband also loved this book and was mad that he stayed up all night to read it. He told me next time to suggest something more boring.)

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!

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.

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan GRAPHIC NOVEL / FAIRY TALE (ages 10+)
Imagine a graphic novel about Snow White but set in New York City in the 20s. Snow White’s dad is a Wall Street king, her stepmother is a Zigfield Follies star, and her seven small protectors are street kids. It’s SO interesting how Phelan uses this historical setting to animate a familiar fairy tale. The black and white illustrations set the tone for this fantastic all be it dark story with a happy ending.

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.