40 Cool and Unusual Gifts That 12-Year-Old Boys Will Love

The indoor basketball hoop just got a huge, super-cool upgrade—an electronic scoreboard! This mini hoop will bring the thrill of basketball right into their bedroom or play space, providing hours of entertainment.

Made for beginners, this drone with a camera will keep them entertained for hours. According to one customer, "My grandson uses this constantly and says it's lots of fun! It seems simple to control and goes pretty fast and fairly high. He loves it, so I love it!"

It's likely that most 12-year-old boys you know spend a good amount of time playing video games. And chances are, a super comfy gaming chair is on their list of "wants." This one has rolling wheels, plush cushions, and is available in a wide array of bold colorways.

This two-person game book is intended to bring people together via laughter and silly scenarios. The best part? This edition is made especially for 12-year-olds!

You'll become "that house" with Spikeball in the backyard! He'll love playing this game with friends and family when he needs to burn some energy or just be outside. Plus, he can take it along on trips in the easy-to-carry storage bag.

"How do you know a game is good? When you can't stop talking about it after playing," reads one glowing review of this card game. It's pretty straightforward but will keep your tween on his toes, as both he and his teammates will strategically and silently work together (no talking allowed!) to advance to each level.

Lightning Reaction Reloaded is one of our favorite gifts for kids. This electrifying shocking hot potato game takes it to the next level, thanks to three intensity levels. Plus, it has a music-only mode in case they're playing with younger siblings.

These hovering orbs are the latest must-have toy of 2023. They fly through the air, have cool boomerang capabilities, hover magically on hands, and can turn mid-flight. He won't be able to put one of these down, which is great news, as it'll help reduce his screen time.

Quality wireless headphones come in handy on a regular basis—for schoolwork, listening to music, and playing video games. And, other family members don't have to hear all the noise! These Beats have 40 hours of battery life, premium playback with fine-tuned acoustics, and dual beam-forming mics that allow them to take calls, play music, adjust volume, and activate Siri while on the go.

This camera is the next best thing to a GoPro. It's waterproof, made of non-toxic materials, and records top-notch video. As one customer noted, "Got this for a birthday and it was absolutely the hit of the party. Very easy for the kids to use and fun to take on adventures!"

Pickleball seems to have taken over the world. And for good reason — it's super fun! See what all the fuss is about, and start a family or neighborhood tournament with this set of four paddles and balls.

Stocking stuffer alert! Because it's just a fact of life, boys at this age are stinky. Throw a pack of these full-body shower replacement wipes in their gym bag or backpack for a quick, easy, convenient way to combat the middle-school-boy smell. Trust us, they'll thank you for this one.

It's every sports lover's dream to get up close and personal with a legend. Now they can—and this time, it's with the one and only NBA superstar Stephen Curry! For only $10 a month, this 17-session MasterClass includes expert-led tutorials on dribbling, shooting, and ball-handling.

Give him a place to store all his grooming and hygiene essentials at home or on the go with this toiletry bag. Made of lightweight nylon, it has three zippered compartments—including a breathable mesh pocket—plus a convenient carrying strap.

If he always seems to be gazing off into space, it might be time to treat him to a telescope so he can explore the actual cosmos. This entry-level option comes with a phone adapter so he can take digital photos of what he sees.

This cozy throw will come in handy if he tends to stay up late gaming on the weekends. It actually glows in the dark so he can get a little light without disrupting the rest of the household.

Never hear "my phone died" as an excuse again. This powerful charger can juice up his iPhone or Android up to eight times on a full charge and is small enough to take anywhere. He can toss it in his backpack and use it whenever his phone's battery is running low.

He can keep shooting hoops after the sun goes down with this light-up basketball. It glows for up to 30 hours, thanks to two LED lights, and shuts off automatically when it's not in use. As one reviewer said, "Playing BB in the dark has never been so much fun. It seems to be sturdy and boys have a great time with it. The battery is small and easy to change as well."

Whether he's poolside, post-game, or just can't be bothered with wearing regular shoes, a good pair of slides will come in handy. This trendy pair is lightweight and cushioned for maximum comfort.

This kit includes everything he'll need to start playing table tennis wherever he is—no fancy table required. He'll get two paddles, two balls, and an extendable net to whip out after school or during recess. Plus, there's a convenient carrying case for travel.