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    27 Christmas Gifts for 12-Year-Old Girls

    Chosen by GiftExperts, published by Peter MattssonRechecked dailyNo brand pays to be on our listsHow we pickAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. You buy on Amazon.

    Show first

    A blue helper carries a big arrow pointing to the start

    Start here: one from each theme

    *Paid link

    Pick 1 of 27

    JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music

    Electronics

    Color: BlackBluePurpleWhitePinkRed

    A Bluetooth speaker that connects to a phone or tablet and plays music, podcasts and playlists out loud for a room or group.

    Why we like it

    Waterproof and dustproof, the JBL Go 4 can sit on the bathroom shelf during her shower or ride along in a backpack to the sledding hill.

    Its battery is rated for seven hours, and she picks what plays from her phone. Choose this one if her music tends to travel with her more than it stays on a desk.

    See price at Amazon.com* (JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music, black)See price at Amazon.com* (JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music, blue)See price at Amazon.com* (JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music, purple)See price at Amazon.com* (JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music, white)See price at Amazon.com* (JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music, pink)See price at Amazon.com* (JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker for music, red)
    Pick 2 of 27

    RockJam home karaoke machine

    Music

    Color: BlackPink

    A karaoke machine that turns a bedroom or living room into a stage for singing along to favorite songs at home.

    Why we like it

    Duets start with the very first song, since the RockJam comes with two microphones and the second one goes to whoever is closest on the couch.

    She streams songs from her phone over Bluetooth, and the light show and voice effects do the rest.

    See price at Amazon.com* (RockJam home karaoke machine, black)See price at Amazon.com* (RockJam home karaoke machine, pink)
    Pick 3 of 27

    Ravensburger Pokémon tabletop jigsaw puzzle

    Games and puzzles

    A Pokémon jigsaw puzzle from Ravensburger, pieced together on a table over several sittings into a finished picture to display.

    Why we like it

    Every Pokémon in her card binder is one she can name, and that gives her a head start on this jigsaw.

    At 1,000 pieces and labeled a Challenge puzzle by Ravensburger, it is meant to take a while, so familiar faces serve as anchors while the rest fills in across a week of evenings.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Ravensburger Pokémon tabletop jigsaw puzzle)
    Pick 4 of 27

    Skullcandy Icon 180 on-ear headphones for music

    Electronics

    Headphones that sit on the ears and connect to a phone over Bluetooth, for listening to music, podcasts, games and videos on the go.

    Why we like it

    Skullcandy Icon 180 headphones let her disappear into a playlist on the bus without the whole row hearing it.

    They need a phone to pair with, so check she has her own before you wrap them.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Skullcandy Icon 180 on-ear headphones for music)
    Pick 5 of 27

    STANLEY IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw everyday drink tumbler

    Home

    Color: BlueWhiteNavy

    A tumbler with a straw that flips up for sipping and back down after, carried along from class to practice and home again.

    Why we like it

    A STANLEY IceFlow tumbler of her own turns morning water refills into a small ritual before the bus.

    Cups like this tend to go missing at school, so a name sticker helps it find its way home.

    See price at Amazon.com* (STANLEY IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw everyday drink tumbler, blue)See price at Amazon.com* (STANLEY IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw everyday drink tumbler, white)See price at Amazon.com* (STANLEY IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw everyday drink tumbler, navy)
    Pick 6 of 27

    Crayola Fine Line colored marker set

    Arts and crafts

    A set of colored markers from the Crayola Fine Line range, used for filling in coloring pages, decorating journals, doodling and neat lettering.

    Why we like it

    Late on a school night, a 12-year-old settles at her desk to shade the tiny petals in an intricate coloring book.

    Crayola rates the Fine Line set for ages 12 and up, matching the detailed designs she prefers to cartoon outlines. Each finished page ends up taped to the wall above her lamp.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Crayola Fine Line colored marker set)
    Pick 7 of 27

    Klutz LEGO golf course kit

    Building sets

    A Klutz activity kit for assembling mini golf holes from LEGO bricks, then playing a round on the finished course before rebuilding it.

    Why we like it

    Putting contests down the hallway are her kind of fun, so this kit hands her the job of designing the course.

    She builds each hole out of LEGO bricks, sets the tricky shots herself, then plays through what she made. When the course gets too easy, she can tear it down and try a new layout.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Klutz LEGO golf course kit)
    Pick 8 of 27

    Nerf Weather Blitz football for playing catch

    Outdoor and sports

    A throwing football from the Nerf Weather Blitz line, made for tossing back and forth and running passing plays in a backyard or park.

    Why we like it

    A Nerf Weather Blitz football keeps a game of catch going in the backyard after Christmas dinner.

    It suits casual tosses with family more than serious practice for a school team.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Nerf Weather Blitz football for playing catch)
    Pick 9 of 27

    Ghd The All-Rounder everyday styling hairbrush

    A paddle-style hairbrush from ghd for working through tangles and smoothing hair during a blow-dry or before pulling it back.

    Why we like it

    The ghd All-Rounder takes over the after-shower tangle session at her bathroom mirror.

    It is a brush, not a styling tool, so pair it with whatever dryer she already uses.

    See price at Amazon.com* (ghd The All-Rounder everyday styling hairbrush)
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    A teal helper fits a big yellow jigsaw piece

    Games and puzzles

    *Paid link

    Pick 10 of 27

    Ravensburger Escape Puzzle observatory mystery jigsaw

    Ages 12+

    A jigsaw from the Escape Puzzle line where assembling an observatory picture sets up a mystery to work out, blending puzzle building with problem solving.

    759 pieces (Ravensburger)

    Why we like it

    Mystery novels rarely fool her past the halfway mark, and Ravensburger's Escape Puzzle line turns a jigsaw into a case to crack.

    Over Christmas break, she can sort the edges of its 759 pieces on a card table, then search the completed observatory for the clues.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Ravensburger Escape Puzzle observatory mystery jigsaw)
    Pick 11 of 27

    Rubik's Cube classic twisting puzzle

    A handheld twisting puzzle cube that someone scrambles and then works to solve, turning its layers and learning moves to restore it.

    Why we like it

    Scrambled colors on a Rubik's Cube give her hands something to do during long car rides.

    Solving every side takes many tries, so a tutorial video helps her get started.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Rubik's Cube classic twisting puzzle)
    Pick 12 of 27

    USAOPOLY Telestrations draw-and-guess party game

    A party game of drawing and guessing, where players sketch a prompt and then try to work out what each other's pictures show.

    Why we like it

    Her notebook margins fill up with quick doodles, so a preteen like her gets to pass sketches around a circle of friends.

    She enjoys a lopsided picture as much as a neat one, and nobody in her group needs art talent to take a turn. The box then waits on her bedroom shelf for the next time her friends gather.

    See price at Amazon.com* (USAOPOLY Telestrations draw-and-guess party game)
    Pick 13 of 27

    Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride route-building train game

    A tabletop strategy game about railway travel, where players take turns planning train routes and competing to connect distant destinations.

    Why we like it

    Ticket to Ride fills a board with cross-country routes she can learn in an evening.

    Someone always blocks a route she was saving, so it plays best with a competitive streak and a sense of humor.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride route-building train game)
    Pick 14 of 27

    Monopoly Pokémon Edition family board game

    A Pokémon-themed edition of the Monopoly board game, played around a shared board where everyone takes turns and competes to finish ahead.

    Why we like it

    Monopoly's Pokémon Edition brings a preteen's favorite franchise to the classic her whole family knows by heart.

    She trades cards and knows each character by name, so at family game night she explains the theme to grown-ups.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Monopoly Pokémon Edition family board game)
    Pick 15 of 27

    Big Potato party card game

    A party card game for a group to play together around a table during an evening at home.

    Why we like it

    Whenever her friends crowd into the kitchen, a preteen who likes running the show can deal out this Big Potato deck.

    Hosting is her favorite role, and a party deck built for a crowd puts her right at the center of everyone. Afterward the cards live in a kitchen drawer, close at hand for whoever drops by.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Big Potato party card game)
    Pick 16 of 27

    MindWare Qwirkle family strategy board game

    A strategy board game in which players take turns building lines on the table and plan ahead to outscore the rest of the group.

    Why we like it

    Quick to spot a sneaky move, a preteen who wins on her wits can bring Qwirkle to the table.

    She likes outthinking her friends, and each turn hinges on reading what the board leaves open. Her highest total ends up penciled inside the box lid as the mark for friends to beat.

    See price at Amazon.com* (MindWare Qwirkle family strategy board game)
    Pick 17 of 27

    Thames & Kosmos EXIT escape room puzzle game

    A tabletop escape room game from the EXIT line, set in The Cursed Labyrinth, where players solve puzzles together to work their way out.

    Why we like it

    Christmas afternoon gets a mystery once the family huddles over this EXIT game, The Cursed Labyrinth.

    Some riddles stump everyone, so expect a few long pauses before the next door opens.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Thames & Kosmos EXIT escape room puzzle game)
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    A red helper sits on the line painting with a brush

    Arts and crafts

    *Paid link

    Pick 18 of 27

    Harrisville Designs Friendly Loom potholder weaving kit

    A potholder loom kit for weaving squares by hand, row by row, that can become handmade potholders for the kitchen or homemade presents.

    Why we like it

    Making her own presents is the draw: with the Harrisville Designs Friendly Loom, she weaves potholders for the people on her gift list.

    Each square goes to work in someone's kitchen, so her craft time turns into something people use. Tied with ribbon, a small stack covers a whole round of teacher gifts.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Harrisville Designs Friendly Loom potholder weaving kit)
    Pick 19 of 27

    Dan&Darci diamond painting craft kit

    A diamond painting craft kit for pressing sparkly gems onto a design, piece by piece, until a glittering picture takes shape.

    Why we like it

    While her favorite podcast plays, a preteen who winds down with calm, repetitive handwork can settle in with this Dan&Darci kit.

    Slow, steady work is how she likes to relax, and setting each gem lets her drift along with the episode. The finished design, every spot filled by her own hand, is hers to keep or give to a friend.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Dan&Darci diamond painting craft kit)
    A red helper lifts the lid of a spotted gift box

    More ideas

    *Paid link

    Pick 21 of 27

    MGA's Miniverse miniature record player collectible

    Music

    A miniature record player made as a collectible, meant for displaying on a shelf or desk alongside other tiny replicas in a growing collection.

    Why we like it

    Each time she rearranges her desk shelf, a preteen who hoards tiny replicas gives this miniature record player the center spot.

    Old-fashioned objects shrunk are what she hunts for, and a turntable brings vintage music gear into the lineup she curates. Its little platter then sits beside her other finds, ready for the next addition.

    See price at Amazon.com* (MGA's Miniverse miniature record player collectible)
    Pick 22 of 27

    VLANDO keepsake jewelry box

    Home

    Color: BluePurplePinkGreen

    A jewelry box for keeping rings, earrings, bracelets and small keepsakes sorted together and within reach on a dresser or shelf.

    Why we like it

    VLANDO splits this box into three layers, so earrings, rings and bracelets each get their own level, and a mirror handles the quick check before school.

    The styling is princess themed and aimed at kids, so it suits her while her taste still runs sweet.

    See price at Amazon.com* (VLANDO keepsake jewelry box, blue)See price at Amazon.com* (VLANDO keepsake jewelry box, purple)See price at Amazon.com* (VLANDO keepsake jewelry box, pink)See price at Amazon.com* (VLANDO keepsake jewelry box, green)
    Pick 23 of 27

    Klutz LEGO movie-making kit

    Building sets

    A LEGO-themed kit for planning, staging and filming short homemade movies, taking a story idea all the way to a finished scene.

    Why we like it

    Quick videos on her phone are already a habit, and this kit turns that habit into a brick-built movie she writes, sets up and directs herself.

    Filming happens on a phone or tablet, so make sure she has one to use.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Klutz LEGO movie-making kit)
    Pick 24 of 27

    GlowCity glowing night basketball

    Outdoor and sports

    A basketball that glows in the dark, made for shooting hoops and playing pickup games outdoors once the daylight fades.

    Why we like it

    GlowCity's basketball glows in the dark, keeping a girl's driveway shootaround going once the porch light comes on.

    Homework often eats the daylight hours, and a ball she can follow in low light gives her shooting time back. Her longest streak of made baskets ends up chalked on the garage door.

    See price at Amazon.com* (GlowCity glowing night basketball)
    A blue helper sits on the line reading a red book

    Books

    *Paid link

    Pick 25 of 27

    Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

    An adventure novel by Rick Riordan, a story to read alone or share chapter by chapter at the end of the day.

    Why we like it

    Myth-curious girls can unwrap the opening Percy Jackson adventure by Rick Riordan this Christmas.

    She reads it by the tree on Christmas afternoon, then keeps going under the covers that night. By New Year, she will be swapping theories with friends.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan)
    Pick 26 of 27

    The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

    A novel by Jenny Han to read in long sittings, a story that fits a beach towel, a porch swing or a reading nook.

    Why we like it

    The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han makes a Christmas gift for a preteen reader of novels.

    She can save it for the quiet days after the holiday and read it in long stretches. Then it is an easy book to swap with a friend.

    See price at Amazon.com* (The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han)
    Pick 27 of 27

    Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

    A romance novel by Stephenie Meyer to read in big stretches over a weekend and then shelve with other favorites.

    Why we like it

    Twilight by Stephenie Meyer gives a preteen fond of romance novels a Christmas read for the break.

    She can curl up with it in the quiet days after the holiday. Once finished, it is an easy book to lend to a friend.

    See price at Amazon.com* (Twilight by Stephenie Meyer)

    Questions and answers

    Is there a gift for a girl who keeps music playing wherever she goes?

    Yes. The Skullcandy Icon 180 headphones pair with her phone for music, podcasts and videos on the go.

    Which picks play music out loud for a room?

    The JBL Go 4 speaker plays from a phone or tablet, while the RockJam karaoke machine turns her bedroom into a stage.

    What should you get a girl whose jewelry ends up in a tangle?

    Tangled earrings and bracelets get sorted into layers in the VLANDO jewelry box on her dresser.

    What changed recently

    October 2026 · 37 added · 30 removed

    Added

    and 25 more

    Removed

    • HyperX Cloud III headset for gaming sessions · replaced by a better pick
    • Hasbro Gaming Sorry! family tabletop game
    • light-up marquee letter for room decor · replaced by a better pick
    • friendship bracelet kit for trading with friends · replaced by a better pick
    • puzzle box for hiding a small gift · replaced by a better pick
    • Fuggler Laboratory Misfits Squidge plush monster
    • Beats Fit Pro noise-canceling wireless earbuds · not the right fit for this list
    • Lenox Childhood Memories jewelry keepsake case · not the right fit for this list
    • Nerf Elite Disrupter Blaster toy for active play
    • Fashion Angels sticker collection for decorating
    • Bitty Boomers Grogu character Bluetooth speaker
    • Hasbro Gaming Connect 4 Strategy tabletop disc game

    and 18 more

    September 2026 · 23 added

    Added

    and 11 more

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    Chosen by our team from store data and what readers pick, not hands-on tests. Nothing is paid to be on this list. Recall notices checked . How we pick

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.