Gift for 12yr Boy

[NJlauren]

I am buying a gift for a 12 year old boy this holiday season.

However I have zero experience buying for a 12 year old boy! I would like to get an outfit they would like suggestions on some styles? Links appreciated

Also what's a good toy, for this age? In his letter he said he likes skateboarding, was thinking of getting a skateboard but any other ideas? He also said he likes video games but I'm not sure this is in my budget. (I don't know what system he has so was looking at hand held ones)

Any additional suggestions welcome!

ETA: this is adopt a family and they suggest getting clothes. I want to get clothes and something fun. I'm avoiding video game because I don't know what system he has, and gift cards aren't recommended.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

No offence but I've never known a 12 year old boy to get excited about an "outfit". A video game or skateboard/longboard would be perfect. If you can't afford a video game, a gift card would be the next best thing.

 

[pat fan]

I was going to say Lego's, but they're not cheap! Both my boys and nephews loved Lego's forever and they have cool older kid ones.

I would think a video game would be cheaper than a skateboard, but haven't bought one in a long time, so I could be wrong.

Clothes I would suggest Nike or Under Armour. Hard to go wrong with a sweatshirt and socks! Or go to the mall and see what the kids that age are wearing.

Is this a relative who lives far away or an Adopt-a-Family thing?

 

[Hisgirl]

We have a grandson that age and he loves to dress up and we got him a nice navy sports coat, tan chino's and a white shirt. This kid wears a suit to church every week. We also got him a journal, some kind of robot kit he wanted from amazon and Jurassic World DVD.

 

[NJlauren]

No offence but I've never known a 12 year old boy to get excited about an "outfit". A video game or skateboard/longboard would be perfect. If you can't afford a video game, a gift card would be the next best thing.

Agree on the outfit, but it's suggested to get clothes so they have something new... I am worried about the video game since I don't know what system he has so what do I get?

I was going to say Lego's, but they're not cheap! Both my boys and nephews loved Lego's forever and they have cool older kid ones.

I would think a video game would be cheaper than a skateboard, but haven't bought one in a long time, so I could be wrong.

Clothes I would suggest Nike or Under Armour. Hard to go wrong with a sweatshirt and socks! Or go to the mall and see what the kids that age are wearing.

Is this a relative who lives far away or an Adopt-a-Family thing?

Adapt a family, added that to my post. I was more worried re video game because I don't know what system he has,so I was looking at hand held ones they all seem 50+, maybe I'll look at some Legos for older kids.

We have a grandson that age and he loves to dress up and we got him a nice navy sports coat, tan chino's and a white shirt. This kid wears a suit to church every week. We also got him a journal, some kind of robot kit he wanted from amazon and Jurassic World DVD.

Dvd seems good.... Assuming he has a DVD player?

 

[Chelley00]

Avoid "outfits" for 12 year old boys They usually don't match. Nike or Under Armour brand shirts are very popular. Basketball shorts and pants are all DS11 wears anymore. Since the boy likes skateboarding Kohls has a line of clothing from Tony Hawk.

 

[NJlauren]

Avoid "outfits" for 12 year old boys They usually don't match. Nike or Under Armour brand shirts are very popular. Basketball shorts and pants are all DS11 wears anymore. Since the boy likes skateboarding Kohls has a line of clothing from Tony Hawk.

I like this! Thank you ill check out kohls!

 

[powellrj]

I would get some axe, several t-shirts, and maybe a long board.

 

[mom2grace]

Buy the Nike Elite socks. They are around $15/pair. If the kid seems trendy, the 'jogger' pants are popular. Just ask at the store (sporting goods). Neon/bright colors are popular. Target used to carry Tony Hawk clothes, he's a skateboarder. My son also has a pair of gray jeans he likes. He's sometimes wear a plaid shirt over a t shirt. I think the plaid shirt is Tony Hawk from Target.

My son is 12. I would skip the video game unless you know what system they have.

My son likes Rubik's cubes, there are a million different kinds.

I also think balls, basketball, football, soccer are always handy. Target or Amazon gift card. You could do Itunes or Xbox if you are certain it would be used.

 

[Malibustyle23]

It's a hard age to pick items for unless you specifically know the child.

Mine is 11 (12 in March) and will not wear jeans at all and dress clothes are reserved for Sunday Church only. He lives in athletic pants, tees and sweat hoods. I disagree about the outfits. They do wear matching outfits from Under Armour and other athletic brands.

I would skip video games altogether. Airhogs or other remote control cars and vehicles are fun. Plus a skateboard, some card games and fun family board games would be nice. I'd also add in some gloves, hat, coat, etc if you live in a cold weather area.

 

[cijay]

Does skateboard mean something different there? The ones here are very expensive, if you can't afford a video game, you can't afford a skateboard here.

I agree with the clothing (thinking Ralphie and aunt Clara's bunny jammies) and video games. (Don't buy him Axe though, his friends don't deserve that.) I love adopt-a-family things but teenagers are such a crap shoot. The only thing you might do with the clothing is that - if he likes skateboarding, find out how a t-shirt or hoodie might tie into skateboarding (emblem or something). Teenage boys are hard enough to buy for when you DO know them!

I drew 8 year old girl. That's pretty easy with all the journaling, stationary, Claire's but I also like to throw in something if she's a bit more tom boy - often a deck of cards or dominos.

 

[AppleDumpling]

For clothing, I'd go with a hoodie and maybe some fleece or flannel lounge pants. A new pair of snow boots if you know the right shoe size. (I'm guessing from your name that you live in New Jersey and would need these.)

Some other suggestions, based on what I remember my son liking at that age: science-related kits (things like a robotics kit, rock tumbler, electronic circuit set, etc.), a nice chess set, a dartboard, Nerf gun, backyard game like Kanjam, plastic sled/toboggan, model rocket, a table-top foosball game, sports watch with stopwatch, sleeping bag for sleepovers. A fun and inexpensive electronic game we loved was 20 Questions.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My DS is 14, and the Under Armour sweatshirts are big in his school too. They are on the pricey side, but they last really well! (And I expect it would mean a lot to a kid in this situation to have something nicer to "fit in" at school.) Buy a little big, as they wear them over other shirts, and of course they're growing fast at that age.

If you want something non-clothes, a football or basketball is generally a good bet for that age group.

 

[Domo]

How about a drone? I believe you can pick the up for about $40. They are remote control surveillance devices often equipped with little cameras. Very cool!

 

[aprilgail]

Does skateboard mean something different there? The ones here are very expensive, if you can't afford a video game, you can't afford a skateboard here.

.

You can get skateboards for under 40.00- they don't have to buy him a 150.00 one.

 

[NJlauren]

Thank you everyone! These are exactly the type of things I wanted to know!!!

I would get some axe, several t-shirts, and maybe a long board.

This is what I'm thinking I'll do a couple of different items not necessarily an outfit

Buy the Nike Elite socks. They are around $15/pair. If the kid seems trendy, the 'jogger' pants are popular. Just ask at the store (sporting goods). Neon/bright colors are popular. Target used to carry Tony Hawk clothes, he's a skateboarder. My son also has a pair of gray jeans he likes. He's sometimes wear a plaid shirt over a t shirt. I think the plaid shirt is Tony Hawk from Target.

My son is 12. I would skip the video game unless you know what system they have.

My son likes Rubik's cubes, there are a million different kinds.

I also think balls, basketball, football, soccer are always handy. Target or Amazon gift card. You could do Itunes or Xbox if you are certain it would be used.

I'm going to see if o can get some of those socks! Want to look into the Tony Hawk items!

It's a hard age to pick items for unless you specifically know the child.

Mine is 11 (12 in March) and will not wear jeans at all and dress clothes are reserved for Sunday Church only. He lives in athletic pants, tees and sweat hoods. I disagree about the outfits. They do wear matching outfits from Under Armour and other athletic brands.

I would skip video games altogether. Airhogs or other remote control cars and vehicles are fun. Plus a skateboard, some card games and fun family board games would be nice. I'd also add in some gloves, hat, coat, etc if you live in a cold weather area.

Such a hard age! I wonder if the woman at work assigning it was trying to challenge me . (Half kidding) I bet it's hard even if you know the kid!

Any type of hats or gloves that are in? The knit ski hats ok?

Does skateboard mean something different there? The ones here are very expensive, if you can't afford a video game, you can't afford a skateboard here.

I agree with the clothing (thinking Ralphie and aunt Clara's bunny jammies) and video games. (Don't buy him Axe though, his friends don't deserve that.) I love adopt-a-family things but teenagers are such a crap shoot. The only thing you might do with the clothing is that - if he likes skateboarding, find out how a t-shirt or hoodie might tie into skateboarding (emblem or something). Teenage boys are hard enough to buy for when you DO know them!

I drew 8 year old girl. That's pretty easy with all the journaling, stationary, Claire's but I also like to throw in something if she's a bit more tom boy - often a deck of cards or dominos.

I looked at the price list they gave and skateboard said 19.99+. I haven't had a skateboard some I was maybe 10, so no idea what they actually cost

Last year I had a 6 year old girl she liked Barbie I had a ton of fun with that, I want to make sure he gets such as nice a gift this year.

I'm thinking I'll get some clothes, sweatshirt etc, and maybe a remote control toy helicopter or something.

For clothing, I'd go with a hoodie and maybe some fleece or flannel lounge pants. A new pair of snow boots if you know the right shoe size. (I'm guessing from your name that you live in New Jersey and would need these.)

Some other suggestions, based on what I remember my son liking at that age: science-related kits (things like a robotics kit, rock tumbler, electronic circuit set, etc.), a nice chess set, a dartboard, Nerf gun, backyard game like Kanjam, plastic sled/toboggan, model rocket, a table-top foosball game, sports watch with stopwatch, sleeping bag for sleepovers. A fun and inexpensive electronic game we loved was 20 Questions.

I like the hand held electronic game! I am in NJ . He is in NYC if I can fine some snowboots in his size maybe I'll get them!

My DS is 14, and the Under Armour sweatshirts are big in his school too. They are on the pricey side, but they last really well! (And I expect it would mean a lot to a kid in this situation to have something nicer to "fit in" at school.) Buy a little big, as they wear them over other shirts, and of course they're growing fast at that age.

If you want something non-clothes, a football or basketball is generally a good bet for that age group.

Love the Under Armour sweatshirt idea I do see kids in them all the time! $40ish is what I saw online....Maybe I can find a store and a coupon so I still have room in my budget for a few other things!

How about a drone? I believe you can pick the up for about $40. They are remote control surveillance devices often equipped with little cameras. Very cool!

I am going to look into this but, maybe just a regular remote control helicopter.... NYC might be a hard place to use a drone and I don't want to get him in trouble either.

 

[NJlauren]

Thank you!!! So helpful!

 

[aprilgail]

For 12 year old boys we give- Legos, Basketballs, Axe, things like mini air hockey games (the ones that cost like 20.00, tabletop things), radio controlled cars, skateboards, footballs, handheld video games (again, the ones that are like 20.00),

 

[NJlauren]

For 12 year old boys we give- Legos, Basketballs, Axe, things like mini air hockey games (the ones that cost like 20.00, tabletop things), radio controlled cars, skateboards, footballs, handheld video games (again, the ones that are like 20.00),

Thank you! More great ideas!!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I would get some axe, several t-shirts, and maybe a long board.

No Axe....ick ick ick

My 12 year old is over Legos.

DS's list: video games, camping gear, electric scooter.
Nerf is big in our house too.
Only wears those Tshirts or moisture wicking shirts; shorts/jeans.

Per DS: Card games (unusual ones, not Uno because everyone has that...go with Munchkin or We Didn't Playtest This At All) Models (cars/jets)