The little guy who loves football, spends most of his free time glued to a screen, and is secretly still a mama’s boy, is almost having his birthday. The 11-year-old boy is stepping into his 13th year, turning 12. Twelve years of life where school has been the main highlight, something that will continue for the coming years. The only difference is that he has probably transitioned or will transition from primary to secondary school. But let’s get back to the upcoming birthday. What is actually a suitable gift for a 12-year-old boy?
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Developmental Stage of a 12-Year-Old Boy
The boy has changed. The boy will change. Twelve years old is an age where boys are quite into puberty. They become interested in different things or will deepen their previous interests. The focus at this age is on school, which naturally includes learning.
But school doesn’t just mean learning. It means interacting with peers, new classmates, and of course, all those teachers. This usually results in interesting conversations where opinions are formed, and values and (especially) norms are adjusted. Friendships become more important, and group identity also becomes increasingly important. This makes the boy re-examine his sense of self. A sense of self within a group, but also a sense of self with himself. How do I fit in? Can I still be myself? Who or what is ‘myself’? And what does it mean to be a person? Additionally, parents get buried under questions about ‘why’ things are the way they are. Why do they set certain rules, but also why the world is the way it is. These are questions that parents sometimes don’t have answers to. Try explaining that you sometimes have no reason for your beliefs or that some things are unfathomable. The questions are related to the cognitive development of a 12-year-old boy. This stage is characterized by reasoning about hypothetical situations and forming opinions on various topics.
Physically, the boy will also experience changes. He will gradually start to have growth spurts. Primary and secondary sexual characteristics will begin to develop, and his voice will start to change. And, before we forget, your 12-year-old might also start testing boundaries.
Dont’s (Types of Gifts Not to Buy for a 12-Year-Old Boy)
We can think of a whole bunch of gifts to give to a 12-year-old boy. But have you thought about the types of gifts you should leave on the shelves? No? No problem, we’ve looked into it for you.
While a boy might be in the middle of his development, he is probably (still) not a genius. Complicated things are not fun and are too frustrating. Don’t be tempted to buy something suddenly intended for adults. Also, it’s not very nice to give gifts that are extremely expensive compared to what others give. This completely skews the perception of ‘money.’
What Is a Suitable Budget for This Age?
At twelve, it doesn’t feel like a ‘special birthday’ to us, unlike an 18th birthday might. We’ve set an average budget for a gift for a twelve-year-old boy.
- Parents/Caregivers: £50.00 to …
The budget might be higher if a bike is purchased for the son to cycle 10 km daily to secondary school. - Close Family Members (uncles, aunts, grandparents): £20.00 to £50.00
So, what’s on the 12-year-old boy’s wish list? Another set of Pokémon cards or would he prefer a book or merchandise from his favorite YouTuber? - Neighbors/Acquaintances: £10.00
Ask the parents (or the boy’s caregivers) about his wishes, what he’s interested in, and how easily satisfied he is. - Friends: £5.00
The birthday party might be skipped this year, except if it’s a LAN party where they can game until at least midnight. A £5.00 budget is fine for a friend attending the party.
Further Tips
A 12-year-old is probably in a transition phase. A phase where things he liked last week are no longer cool now. This has to do with what others have said about things but also with his own changing perspective on the world. So, be interested in more general things that generally remain ‘fun’ for a long time. Give a football if he’s been playing for years or a new edition of a video game he plays every day with his friends.
1. Lego
Ah, we love to look back at the time when we could just play. When it was still ‘accepted’ by the people around you. When it was the most normal thing in the world, and you didn’t have to deal with ‘adult matters.’ A 12-year-old boy still has that, so as a parent, we highly recommend encouraging play. For example, choose to buy some Lego for him. Even if he doesn’t play with the figures, he will be occupied for hours building the set. Although, the duration depends on how big the Lego set is. The size of the set depends on the price and how much the buyer can spend. You know the drill!
2. Football
It’s a bit premature to say that all boys play football, but many boys do. For them, it might be nice to look for a good football. This makes it attractive to put on their shoes and go outside. Spend an entire Saturday afternoon playing football until they drop. Maybe give some money to buy snacks at the supermarket, and it will take even longer before the boy returns home. Penalty shooting, playing matches, practicing skills… It doesn’t matter to us, as long as he’s busy outside.
3. Smartwatch
For a 12-year-old boy, a smartwatch is a great choice as a gift. Look for models that are robust and kid-friendly, with features like a pedometer and notifications for messages and calls. A waterproof smartwatch can be handy for active kids. Parents will also appreciate the ability to track their child’s activities via GPS tracking. Consider more mature brands or specific kid-friendly models. This way, a 12-year-old boy is always in sight and feels cool because he has a digital watch instead of an analog one. Ensure the watch is easy to use and fits the boy’s needs and interests.
4. Scooter
When choosing an electric scooter, it’s important to consider a few factors. These factors tell you where the boy should ride (sidewalk or street), how fast he can go, and the maximum load. The latter might not be an issue when he’s riding alone, but it could be if he takes a friend along. Anyway, such a scooter is ideal for covering short distances. It’s generally more fun than a bike and not as ’embarrassing’ as a scooter that you have to push yourself. No matter how much you might not want to admit it, a 12-year-old boy is very sensitive to the opinions of others. If the gift isn’t ‘cool enough,’ he won’t use it.
5. Drone
A boy interested in photography or video making? Give him a drone! Look for drones specifically designed for beginners with features like automatic altitude control, easy operation, and built-in stabilization technology. You don’t want it to be too difficult, so he can actually use it. It’s also wise to check beforehand if you are allowed to fly near the boy’s house. Nowadays, there are many places where flying is not allowed. The fines you risk if you choose to fly anyway can add up quickly. Be aware of what you’re buying!
6. Gift Card
If both you and he are at a loss, it’s always an idea to get a gift card. You give him the budget to choose something for himself whenever he wants. That’s the thing with birthdays. When someone has a birthday, their mind goes blank, but a month later, they have countless wishes. ‘Couldn’t you think of that a month earlier?’ is a common phrase that comes up. Anyway, a gift card might not be the most personal thing you can give, but it will probably make the 12-year-old boy happy. Additionally, it’s a suitable gift for people with varying budgets. Will you choose a card with a £5 credit or one with a £25 credit? The choice is yours.
7. Headset
Gradually, the computer/Xbox/Playstation/laptop becomes more interesting. On these electronic devices, he can play a game. FIFA, Fortnite, you name it, it will undoubtedly be a popular topic in this young man’s life. But since the rest of the family isn’t thrilled with the noise the game makes or his friends make, it might be a good idea to get a headset. There are wireless headsets and ones connected by a wire. Each has its advantages, so take a look before making a choice. In any case, you will reduce the daily noise level in the house by quite a few decibels. Just know that a headset won’t stop your boy from shouting.
8. Power Bank
The next gift idea on the list is a power bank. You might only use it for vacations; a 12-year-old boy will use it much more. The reason for this is that he is probably very forgetful. So forgetful that he doesn’t charge his phone overnight before a school day or goes out in the evening on weekends with a dead phone in his hand. The solution to stay reachable for his parents? Yes, you guessed right, a power bank. With a power bank, you can fully charge some devices up to twice, depending on the mAh. And, uh, remind him to regularly charge his power bank. That should be fine since it’s not attached to his hand.
9. Backpack
Now that another era school has begun, it’s time for a good backpack. One that can carry everything he needs, one that can take a beating, and one that doesn’t take it personally when it’s thrown in the corner. The latter is a joke, but the harsh reality of what happens to the bag daily. Anyway, what you think is a good backpack probably doesn’t match what the boy thinks. He doesn’t want a gigantic bag he can fit into himself. Go for something like a small, elegant and plain backpack instead. A bag you might replace in two years but one that he will have been very happy with during those two years.
10. Wireless Earbuds
Riding 5 kilometers to his new school every day is exhausting and boring. Fortunately, one solution can make the cycling (or walking) experience much better. You do this by using wireless earbuds. With these earbuds, he can listen to music comfortably without being distracted by a dangling wire. Just make sure he doesn’t use the noise-canceling function while cycling, as it might make him unaware of the traffic around him. Nothing is more annoying than a cyclist getting scared when you pass by in a car because he didn’t notice you due to the loud music in his ears. Well, you get the point, right?
