The 45 Best Gifts for 12-Year-Old Girls of 2024

Pentalic Sketch Book

$15 At Amazon

Whether she is a budding artist or just likes to doodle, the Pentalic Sketch Book is a great way to encourage and cultivate her artistic side. This 11 x 8.5-inch notebook contains 110 blank bright white pages made from 70-pound paper. The hardbound book is great for sketching on the go, and the black textured embossed cover looks important and high-end. The lay-flat binding makes it easy to draw and doodle, and their artwork won’t bleed through from one page to the next.

Dungeons & Dragons Dragons of Stormwreck Isle Starter Set

$14 At Amazon $14 At Target $20 At barnesandnoble.com

Tweens can go on an adventure with friends, even on cold and rainy days thanks to this Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set. We love that this version of the popular roleplaying game has everything you need to get started including an adventure book, rule book, five characters with character sheets, and six game dice. It's designed for ages 12 and up, so it's also a great gift for teenagers.

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Barbie Edition

$20 At Amazon $20 At Walmart $35 At toywiz.com

Whether they loved the movie, or want to reminisce on their days of playing with the iconic dolls, this Barbie-themed game will be a hit on game night. In this version of the famous board game, players move pink tokens including a Barbie head, a roller skate, a dog, a high-heeled shoe, a speedboat, and a sportscar. As in the regular version of Monopoly, players buy streets and collect rent, but in this special edition, they also build Barbie dreamhouses and get to buy the streets in Barbie's world. It's for ages 8 and up and from 2 to 6 players.

STMT DIY Journaling Set

$22 At Amazon $23 At Walmart $26 At Target

The STMT DIY Journaling Set provides a space for tweens to express themselves and create a memory book with important keepsakes like theater tickets, photos, concert tickets, and cards from friends. The set includes a 70-page spiral journal and lots of scrapbooking supplies including stickers, frames, gems, glitter tape, glue, and 8-themed pages for inspiration.

Digiroot Stylus Pen for iPad

$20 At Amazon

While you can't beat the convenience and affordability of a pen and paper, tweens who love drawing and their iPad will love this stylus pen. Young artists can use it to create more intricate designs on their favorite drawing apps, or even for writing stories or taking notes. We love that it's affordably priced and easy to use; you don't even need to connect it to Bluetooth, you just press the button on top and it's ready to go.

lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

$38 At Lululemon

Help them keep their essentials handy with this Everywhere Belt Bag from Lululemon. Both versatile and stylish, this bag is available in 11 different colors and can be worn around the waist or over the shoulder. It's also water-resistant and durable, so it will hold up to whatever activities they have planned. We also like that it has both interior and exterior pockets, so they can keep valuables tucked away or easy to access if needed.

Squishmallows 16-Inch Mipsy Green Axolotl

$25 At Amazon

While preteens may be growing out of their love for stuffed animals, Squishmallows have been a viral sensation appealing to everyone from toddlers to adults. This colorful 16-inch version (Mipsy, a professional organizer, according to her bio!) is a great size to bring to sleepovers and will also look adorable on her bed, doubling as bedroom decor.

Fiskars Gel Pen Set

$29 At Walmart View On Misterart.com View On Dickblick.com

Taking notes in math class is a lot more fun when those notes are bright and sparkly. The Fiskars Gel Pen Set comes with 48 assorted gel pens to make long school days a little more colorful. The pens contain acid-free ink and have various tip sizes ranging from 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Each set comes with glitter, pastel, metallic, neon, swirl, and standard pen colors for scrapbooking, journaling, and more. The easy-flowing ink makes writing and doodling a breeze—perfect for diaries or coloring books.

Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Blanket

$16 At Amazon $20 At Walmart $22 At bedsurehome.com

We love this cozy blanket and think most tweens will too. It's available in 26 different colors and four sizes including throw, single, queen, and king, so it can fit every size bed and every room's decor. What we loved most while testing this blanket, is that even though it is plush and warm, it's machine washable and doesn't easily lose its shape. If it becomes their favorite blanket and they carry it from room to room, it's easy to keep clean. While it doesn't have the most trendy or upscale design, it's sure to be a favorite gift they won't soon outgrow.

Niukoy 100Pcs Kawaii Stickers

$7 At Amazon

Fans of Hello Kitty and other adorable characters will love this huge set of waterproof stickers. Kids can use them to personalize their laptops, phones, water bottles, notebooks, and other items. According to the manufacturer, they are easy to remove, which is always a plus!

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Stunning Chemistry Set

$35 At Amazon $35 At Zappos

This STEM kit will be sure to inspire any budding scientist with a range of fun experiments they can try, from creating an erupting volcano to launching a rocket. While supplies and instructions are included for many experiments, there's a booklet that contains ideas for 30 more they can do with items they probably have at home.

Carley Sheehy DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit

$35 At Uncommon Goods $35 At Williams-Sonoma

This DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit is the perfect surprise for your burgeoning foodie. A little unexpected and a lot of fun, this DIY kit comes with everything needed to create Japanese mochi balls at home. Each set comes with sweet rice flour, potato starch, matcha green tea and cocoa powder, a dough cutter, and a silicone mochi mold, so you can transform your favorite ice cream into a chewy rice cake. The kit will make up to 32 pieces of mochi, but kids can reuse the tray with additional ingredients to make even more. Not only is this mochi kit delicious, but it’s a great hands-on activity for the whole family.

Olive & June Quick Dry Polish

$8 At Target View On Oliveandjune.com $10 At Walgreens

If your tween loves an at-home mani, they need the new Olive & June quick dry polish. The formula dries in about a minute, offers a shiny finish, and resists chipping for over five days. You can buy each stunning shade individually with the quick dry top coat or build a system with important nail tools for the perfect manicure every time.

Galison Mudpuppy This Is a Sign Magic Velvet Zodiac Coloring Set

$18 At Walmart

Dive into your tween's zodiac sign with these velvet coloring sheets from Mudpuppy. Unwind after a long day with some simple coloring, while learning more about the 12 signs and discovering more about what your astrological chart means for you. After they're complete, she can hang them on her walls, pass them out to friends, or paste them into a scrapbook.

Elmer's Squishies DIY Squishy Toy Kit

$15 At Amazon $15 At Walmart $17 At Target

Two of the biggest toy trends of the last few years—slime and squishies—come together in this DIY kit from Elmer's. Kids mix up the special Secret Solution and pour it into the mold to reveal one of 80 adorable squishies to love and collect. After they come to life, they make the perfect companion or fidget toy to take to school, the supermarket, or in the car for long drives.

Pottery Barn Teen Faux-Fur Speaker Lapdesk

$110 At PBteen

Whether she's doing homework, doodling in a notebook, or painting her nails, a lap desk is a handy necessity. This one from Pottery Barn Teen is super stylish with a comfy faux-fur base available in white or marble. The top opens to reveal plenty of storage space for school supplies, but the best part is the included Bluetooth speaker for jamming out while drawing or journaling.

Umbro Pop-up 6 ft Soccer Goal Net

$30 At Walmart

Even when the weather gets cold, this portable soccer goal net will inspire kids to go outside and play with friends (whether they want to improve their skills, or simply get some exercise!). We love the large size of the net, which is big enough for everyone in the family to use. We also appreciate that it folds up and is easy to store, thanks to the included storage bag.

Charli D'Amelio Born Dreamer Eau de Toilette

$24 At Ulta

The odds that your 12-year-old knows TikTok sensation Charli D'Amelio are high, so her perfume Born Dreamer is a great gift idea for any tween. The sweet, youthful scent features notes of pear, jasmine, cedarwood, and more. It comes in a gorgeous glass bottle with a star on top, perfect for the superstar in your life.

Hapinest DIY Wall Collage Picture

$25 At Amazon

This DIY collage kit is a great way for tweens to personalize their room through artwork, lists, and questionnaires included in the kit for inspiration. It comes with double-sided tape that is safe for multiple surfaces, as well as foam cutouts to make some of their art pieces stand out even more.

Purse Pets Sanrio

$21 At Amazon

A purse and a friend in one, Purse Pets make the perfect gift for stylish tweens. The crossbody bag features beloved characters from Sanrio, including Hello Kitty, Chococat, Kuromi, and My Melody. But the best part is, they really blink. The wearable toys make 30 unique sounds and reactions for a portable, interactive friend she can always keep close.

Ravensburger The Great British Baking Show Game

$25 At Amazon $24 At Target

The Great British Baking Show Game gives every tween a chance to be a star baker, whether they love baking, or just watching the popular show. While the game is fast-paced, a lot of creativity and strategy is involved. The game is designed for two to four players and ages 10 and up.

Bronax Pillow Slippers

$24 At Amazon

We think these fun pillow slides are perfect for hanging out at home after school or on the weekends (or for a quick errand outside). While testing slippers for several months, we found that this pair from Bronax provided great traction on wood and tile, and just a little wear and tear around the bends of the shoe. We like that they come in 16 different colors to match any tween's style.

Diamond Art Club Harry Potter Night Flight Canvas Diamond Painting Kit

$25 At Amazon View On Diamondartclub.com

A relaxing way to pass the time, Diamond Art Club features a soft adhesive canvas and dozens of shiny rhinestones to apply and create a beautiful picture. This magical pick results in a photo of Harry Potter, Hermione, and Ron flying through the night. There are many designs to choose from, so you're guaranteed to find one your tween loves creating and hanging up in their bedroom afterward.

Bokksu Classic Bokksu Seasons of Japan Box

$50 At Amazon $60 At bokksu.com

When you subscribe your tween to the Bokksu Seasons of Japan Box, four times a year, they will receive a huge gift box full of 22 authentic Japanese snacks and teas. There is even a culture guide included with allergen information and cultural stories and facts about each product. The whole family will enjoy trying something new and it may even inspire a future vacation.

JBL Portable Speaker with Bluetooth

$50 At Amazon $50 At Home Depot $50 At Walmart

Tweens may love their headphones, but sometimes, they may want to share their favorite song. We love this portable speaker because it's waterproof and dustproof so you don't have to worry about them leaving it out in the rain, and it has a hook, so they can even hang it in the shower. This Bluetooth speaker comes in plenty of fun colors to match their style and lasts for up to five hours when fully charged.

The Woobles Beginners Crochet Kit

$30 At Amazon View On Thewoobles.com $30 At Uncommon Goods

Google named this DIY kit one of its favorite gifts of the season, and it's easy to see why. Tweens can learn how to crochet with help from step-by-step video tutorials (for both left and right-handers), and all the supplies they need to make this little penguin. The yarn is made for beginners and the stitches are already started, so they are easy to see and follow.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

$65 At Amazon $75 At Walmart

These days most of our photos are digital, but a Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera is a great way to commemorate an event and capture memories that will last a lifetime. A click of a button will create miniature-sized Polaroid-type photos tweens can hang or frame to create beautiful wall art. The camera comes in multiple colors and is light enough to throw in a backpack for adventures. The camera also has a small selfie mirror and a constant-firing flash. The automatic exposure measurement helps create perfect photos every time.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy

$14 At Sephora View On Rarebeauty.com

If the tween in your life is ready to start experimenting with makeup, the Rare Beauty liquid blush is the perfect place to start. Available in multiple flattering shades, the Soft Pinch blush requires just a dot for pigmented lasting color. It's easy to blend in with a beauty sponge, brush, or your fingers.

Aspyn Shag Bean Bag Chair

$199 At Urban Outfitters

Although picking furniture for a tween can be tricky, you can't go wrong with a bean bag chair. We tested the Aspyn Faux Fur Shag Bean Bag Chair and fell in love with its comfortable and stylish design. While it's not the easiest to clean, (the cover is not machine washable, and we had a hard time vacuuming off crumbs), it's perfect for the tween who loves faux fur and a cozy aesthetic. Plus at 44 inches, it's not too big or too small. They can use it to read, watch their favorite shows, or as extra seating for friends.

The Don't Laugh Challenge: 12 Year Old Edition

$8 At Amazon $9 At barnesandnoble.com View On Abebooks.com

Bring a little joy and laughter to your favorite 12-year-old's day with this interactive joke book that's designed just for them. Parents, kids, and friends can read the book together and try to keep a straight face while sharing jokes and charades without laughing. If siblings want their own version, don't worry. There are books for a range of ages.

Vans Old Skool

$70 At Amazon $70 At Nordstrom $70 At vans.com

No matter what style your 12-year-old is exploring these days, the Vans Old Skool sneakers are a super on-trend choice that she's sure to love. These vintage-inspired sneakers have a canvas upper and rubber sole with additional padding for all-day comfort and fit true to size. They come in a multitude of colors, including solid tones and patterns such as floral and camouflage. The canvas upper can be cleaned with a shoe cleaner or you can throw them in the wash (just don't put them in the dryer).

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer

$80 At Amazon $80 At Home Depot $80 At Walmart

Share memories with the press of a button with the HP Sprocket portable photo printer. The handheld printer connects seamlessly to your smartphone via Bluetooth and prints images instantly to hang on walls and share with friends and family. You can even add fun borders and make cute edits using the HP app. Choose from different printer paper for colorful backgrounds and other fun personalizations.

Winning Moves Games No Stress Chess

$21 At Amazon $26 At Wayfair $21 At Walmart

Designed for ages 7 and up, this beginner's set is a great way to introduce tweens to this classic game. We love that it's two-sided to grow with the player. One side shows her the moves and powers of each piece so she can reference them while she learns, and even includes action cards to help her strategize. When she is comfortable and understands the rules, she can flip it over and use it like a standard chess set, with no cards needed.

Case-Mate Apple iPhone Twinkle Case

$13 At Amazon

If she's anything like most middle schoolers, her cell phone is her most prized possession. The Case-Mate Twinkle Case is a great way to protect and add a little extra sparkle to any preteen’s phone. This eye-catching case is made for iPhone 11 (but you can also find it available for other versions) with glitter foil suspended in clear resin. The case has metallic buttons and is compatible with wireless charging, so kids won’t have to remove the case to use a charger. The case comes with a limited lifetime warranty against defects and is not only attractive but built to withstand falls and scratches.

Kidstir Kids Cooking Subscription Box

$240 At kidstir.com

Get your tween learning and loving the joys of cooking with this kid-focused subscription box from Kidstir. Each month follows a different theme and includes three recipes with a corresponding grocery list, cooking tools, games, informational materials, and more. Plus, the first box comes with an apron and hat to prepare for tons of fun in the kitchen.

Essence One Assorted Shower Steamers

View On Roomandboard.com

It's never too early to start promoting self-care and these shower steamers from Essence One are the perfect addition to any nighttime routine. Simply drop one on the shower floor and you'll be covered by relaxing steam with the scent of your choice. This assorted pack features four scents: lavender, breathe (eucalyptus and spearmint), morning calm (patchouli, spearmint, and bergamot mint), and energy (pink salt, grapefruit, bergamot).

LEGO Women of Nasa LEGO Set

$55 At Amazon $85 At Walmart View On Lego.com

A Lego set is a beloved gift for all ages for building STEM-based and problem-solving skills. However, some offer more learning elements, adding to the educational value, including this one. With 231 pieces, 12-year-olds will complete three builds based on four iconic women of NASA: a Hubble telescope, a stack of books, and a Space Shuttle Challenger. Learn all about the incredible women of science—Nancy Grace Roman, Margaret Hamilton, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison—through the supplemental material sure to inspire any preteen to reach for the stars.

Be Rooted 3-Piece Affirmation Pens

View On Berootedco.com

Send your 12-year-old to school with positive affirmations in the form of these gorgeous pens from Be Rooted. The three metal pens read, "Be bold" "Be brave," and "Be fearless." Whether she has an important test, is starting a new school year, or just needs a bit of extra inspiration, these pens are a simple way to say "You got this."

Cinnabon Classic Rolls

$55 At Harry & David

There's never a wrong occasion for delicious cinnamon buns. Thanks to Harry & David, Cinnabon delivers all over the country in the form of scrumptious gift boxes. Say happy birthday, happy holidays, congratulations, and more with six classic rolls and an extra container of that mouth-watering frosting.

Moxi Beach Bunny Roller Skates

$169 At Amazon View On Volitionskate.com View On Moxiskates.com

A pair of adorable roller skates is guaranteed to get her outside and burn off energy, all while learning a new skill. These Beach Bunny skates come in five bright colors sure to make a statement. They also include additional ankle padding for maximum comfort and control, which is perfect for beginner skaters. Buy a pair for yourself too for a perfect bonding activity.

Aktudy Cow Print Backpack

$11 At Walmart

Make a statement in middle school with a trendy backpack, like this cow print one. With a front pocket and a large opening, your preteen can carry all of her school or travel essentials in this smaller book bag that won't look too big or bulky on her back. This is a great affordable bag option that can double as her school bag or as an everyday purse for carrying her wallet, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and more on the go.

KiwiCo Science Kit Subscription

View On Kiwico.com

If your preteen can't get enough of science class and wants to try mind-blowing hands-on experiments every month, a science kit subscription is the perfect solution. MEL Science offers three different courses—physics, chemistry, and STEM—all targeted at different ages and interests. Every month, your 12-year-old will receive two to three experiments to explore the world around them. And the learning continues with an accompanying app for engaging lessons right at home.

SEI Tumble Dye Classic Tie Dye Kit

$19 At Amazon $19 At Walmart $17 At JOANN

Tie-dye is a universally beloved activity for all ages and 12-year-old girls are no different. This is a perfect way to get kids outside during warmer months and express their creativity. This kit comes with eight vibrant colors to create intricate patterns on shirts, sweatpants, socks, sheets, or any other white fabric available. Once complete, they'll have a new outfit to show off to family and friends.

Ravensburger Disney Villainous Strategy Board Game

$40 At Amazon $40 At Walmart $27 At kohls.com

Disney and board game lovers alike will love Villainous from Ravensburger, which challenges players to take on the persona of iconic Disney villains to carry out their sinister objectives. Aimed at kids 10 and older, Villainous is perfect for the next family game night. Each player can attempt different strategies and play as a different villain each time, earning a high replay value. It may take a few rounds to get the hang of this game, but the storytelling and imagery will draw you back again and again.

pindaloo Skill Game

$32 At Amazon $29 At Walmart View On Pindaloo.com

Pindaloo is a fun, portable activity that can challenge kids and get them moving, even during chilly winter days. Like juggling, this game fosters hand-eye coordination, balance, and patience as you drop, follow, and catch a yellow ball through a blue tube. Kids can play alone or make up cool tricks with friends, and it's great for various ages (and even parents).