As they're fumbling through these sometimes awkward years, it’s important to make sure that your gift choice is appropriate for a 12-year-old boy. You wouldn't want to offend him with a "baby" gift he considers himself too old for or gift him something beyond his years either. Take into consideration your pre-teen’s emotional maturity and ability to be responsible, especially if you plan to gift something that is expensive.

This article was written by Julia Fields, an associate editor at The Spruce, who has years of experience writing about toys, gifts, and holiday content. For this story, she researched popular toys for tween boys, considering the safety elements, age recommendations, and educational value of each. Some gifts are specifically geared towards making school and learning more fun or comfortable, like the Kid's Global Adventure Cooking Kit, which encourages learning through food. Other gifts can incorporate learning through fun educational apps or exploration. Consider how to engage with your 12-year-old boy and his new gift to bring learning out of the classroom.