Remember when a stuffed animal was a guaranteed hit? At twelve, gift-giving has become an art form requiring insider knowledge of current trends, social dynamics, and individual passions.
Our gift guide takes the guesswork out of shopping for this tricky age. We regularly update our picks to include items that are both “cool” enough to impress and practical enough to actually use.
1.Sterling Silver Cat Pendant Necklace: A First "Real" Jewelry Piece
The transition to middle school brings exciting moments of self-expression, and this delicate sterling silver cat necklace strikes the perfect balance. It’s sophisticated enough to feel grown-up, yet playful enough to celebrate that wonderful age where whimsy still matters.
Girls at twelve are discovering their unique style while sharing interests with friends. This necklace becomes a cherished daily companion, sparking conversations with fellow cat enthusiasts and building confidence through tasteful accessorizing. The adjustable chain ensures a perfect fit through changing styles and growth.
- High-quality sterling silver that's safe for sensitive skin
- Adjustable length grows with her through the teen years
- Elegant gift box makes for a memorable unwrapping moment
- Classic cat design appeals to both playful and sophisticated tastes
- Perfect introduction to caring for fine jewelry
- Requires gentle handling and proper storage
- Size may appear smaller than expected from photos
2.Natural Beauty Discovery Face Mask Collection
The tween years bring new interests in personal care and beauty routines. This thoughtfully curated collection of seven gentle face masks offers the perfect introduction, using natural ingredients like aloe and honey that spark curiosity about skincare while keeping things playful and age-appropriate.
Girls this age love creating special moments with friends, and these masks transform ordinary hangouts into memorable spa experiences. The variety encourages sharing and discovering favorites together, while teaching beneficial habits through fun rather than obligation.
- Safe, gentle formulas specifically designed for young skin
- Creates natural bonding opportunities during sleepovers and gatherings
- Seven different masks allow for extended exploration and sharing
- Builds positive self-care habits through enjoyable experiences
- Education about natural ingredients happens organically through play
- Masks are single-use only
- Standard size may not fit all face shapes perfectly
3.LED Neon Room Light: Personal Space Illuminator
Room makeovers become magical with this statement-making LED light. As tweens start expressing their unique style, this cool-touch neon-style illuminator offers the perfect blend of practical lighting and personalized décor that resonates with their growing independence.
Whether hosting weekend sleepovers, creating the perfect backdrop for crafting sessions, or simply enjoying a cozy reading nook, this versatile light adds just the right ambiance. Girls can easily mount it above desks or beds to create their ideal space.
- Creates a safe, cool-touch lighting solution perfect for personalizing tween spaces
- Large 17-inch size makes an impressive style statement
- Versatile mounting options for easy room customization
- Provides perfect ambient lighting for friend gatherings and activities
- Long USB cord allows flexible placement around the room
- Power adapter needs to be purchased separately
- Requires nearby USB power source for operation
4.Pokémon Adventure 1000-Piece Premium Puzzle
As girls explore more sophisticated hobbies around age twelve, this premium puzzle hits the sweet spot between engaging entertainment and satisfying achievement. The beloved Pokémon theme transforms a classic puzzle experience into an exciting collection-style challenge that rewards patience and strategic thinking.
Winter evenings are ideal for spreading this impressive puzzle across a desk or table. Girls can work independently during quiet time or invite friends over for puzzle sessions, sharing Pokémon knowledge while developing problem-solving skills. The finished piece makes a wonderful room decoration.
- High-quality construction ensures a frustration-free experience with precise-fitting pieces
- Combines popular Pokémon interest with cognitive development
- Creates opportunities for both solo focus time and social interaction
- Offers screen-free entertainment that builds concentration skills
- Makes an impressive display piece when completed
- May require significant time commitment to complete
- Could be challenging for puzzle beginners
5.Ravensburger Circle of Colors
The Ravensburger Circle of Colors 500-piece puzzle is an excellent gift for 12-year-old girls who enjoy challenging and rewarding activities. This captivating puzzle features a stunning underwater scene with a vibrant array of colorful fish, inviting girls to immerse themselves in the beauty of the ocean. As the world’s bestselling puzzle brand, Ravensburger is known for its premium puzzling experience, offering clean-cut pieces with a perfect interlocking fit.
The sturdy, high-quality materials ensure longlasting enjoyment, while the vivid colors and matte finish provide a glare-free experience. Completing this 500-piece puzzle helps develop concentration, problem-solving skills, and a sense of accomplishment, making it an excellent choice for individual or group activities. Whether enjoyed as a gift, a shared experience with friends or family, or a relaxing solo activity, the Ravensburger Circle of Colors puzzle creates memorable moments and fosters a love for puzzling.
- High-quality materials and construction
- Captivating underwater imagery
- Encourages concentration and problem-solving
- Perfect for individual or group activities
- Ravensburger's reputation for excellence
- Requires ample space to assemble
6.Nike Women’s Gym Club Sports Bag
As 12-year-old girls become more independent they often begin to fill their time with extra-curricular activities, sports, and friends and begin lugging sports kits and spare clothes around with them. A nice, gym bag can be a great practical present to encourage this growing independence and an interest in sports.
The Nike Women’s Gym Club Sports Bag is made with durable, water-repellent fabric and is available in a range of colors to suit different tastes. From popular sports brand Nike it also features zipped compartments to keep kit organized and makes a great gift for a busy 12-year-old girl.
- Practical gift
- Popular sports brand
- Encourages participation in sports
- Available in a range of colors
- Durable, water-repellant fabric
- More expensive than other brands
7.Flying Orb Ball
The Flying Orb Ball is an exciting gift for 12-year-old girls who love exploring new technology and enjoying outdoor activities. This flying ball allows for various flight modes, including floating, gliding, climbing, and even boomerang-style throws. As girls master the different techniques, they’ll develop better hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and spatial awareness.
Designed with safety in mind, the Flying Orb Ball features dense mesh, full coverage, and non-toxic, high-quality ABS material. Perfect for use at home, school, parties, or outdoors, this cool toy is suitable for both individual and group play.
- Promotes hand-eye coordination and problem-solving
- Offers various flight modes for creative play
- Safe and durable design
- Suitable for individual or group play
- May require some practice to master controls
8.Lego Ideas Ship in Bottle Construction
A ship in a bottle is a classic modeling set design, representing challenge, skill and perseverance. This Lego version of the classic ship in a bottle set offers all of this alongside the opportunity to improve Lego construction skills, concentration and dexterity.
The Lego Ideas Ship in Bottle Construction set includes full instructions which will allow a 12-year-old girl to master the skill of following instructions and seeing projects through. The sense of pride one feels in finishing a project is encouraged with this set which includes a special display stand so that the finished project can take pride of place in her bedroom!
- Improves construction skills
- Encourages concentration and perseverance
- Display stand included
- Full instructions given
- Lots of small parts; careful storage required
9.Pandora Pavé Heart Hoop Earrings
These sweet hoop earrings from Pandora’s Signature collection feature cut-out heart designs along the sterling silver hoop. The open hearts are accented with pave-set cubic zirconia stones that add subtle sparkle.
Pandora is known for its use of sterling silver and cubic zirconia in feminine designs. These earrings have an understated elegance perfect for a 12-year-old girl. The polished silver and petite size give them versatile wearability for both casual everyday and dressier occasions. They come presented in an official Pandora gift box, making them an easy jewelry gift to give for a birthday, holiday or other special event.
- Sterling silver, pave cubic zirconia
- Dainty, petite hoop size
- Romantic heart cutout design
- Versatile wearability
- Versatile portability
- Requires pierced ears
10.Ravensburger Escape Puzzle Space Observatory
If you’re looking for an unusual gift to encourage a whole host of skills then the Ravensburger Escape Puzzle Space Observatory might make the ideal gift for a 12-year-old girl. With 759 pieces this puzzle is suitably challenging for a 12-year-old and is also a high-quality product.
The puzzle is not only a jigsaw but also offers a host of escape room style challenges within the picture itself. This promotes problem-solving skills and critical thinking as well as encouraging perseverance. The Ravensburger Escape Puzzle Space Observatory is also ideal for completing with others as a social activity.
- 759 pieces; suitably challenging for a 12-year-old
- Improves spatial awareness
- Encourages perseverance
- Social activity; can be done with others
- Promotes problem-solving skills
- Lots of pieces; requires careful storage
11.Fjällräven Unisex's Sports Backpack
This Fjällräven backpack is thoughtfully designed for students and athletes. It features padded shoulder straps, a padded laptop compartment and plenty of pockets to keep school supplies or sports gear organized.
Available in versatile neutral colors, this backpack makes a practical gift for a 12-year-old girl. It’s perfect for school yet sporty enough for practices or weekend activities. The quality materials and construction ensure it will be useful for years to come.
- Padded shoulder straps
- Foam padded back panel
- Durable, sustainable fabric
- Roomy main compartment
- Padded laptop sleeve
- Limited color/style options
12.Ralph Lauren Perfume
As girls get older, they tend to develop more quickly than boys and you may find that a 12-year-old girl is starting to take an interest in hair, beauty and style. Ralph Lauren is a popular sports and luxury casualwear brand that tends to be popular with this age group. This Ralph Lauren perfume is an Eau de Toilette so it gives a lighter fragrance that may be more suited to younger girls.
With a light, clean scent and easy to use spray bottle this perfume is ideal for 12-year-old girls who are starting to take an interest in beauty and will help to encourage self-care and independence, as well as making a lovely “grown-up” gift option.
- Eau de Toilette for lighter fragrance
- Easy to use spray bottle
- Popular brand
- Light, clean scent
- Encourages self-care
- Needs to be used sensibly
13.Shaggy Rainbow Area Rug
This gift is going to instantly give the 12-year-old girl you’re shopping for a bedroom makeover. Made of shaggy faux fur, this 4×6 rainbow rug is the perfect bedroom accessory for comfort and style. The super soft texture makes it the ideal place to lounge on the floor to write in her journal, draw in her sketchbook or read her favorite books. The memory foam padding means it will provide more comfort than sitting on a bare floor or using traditional rugs with thin mats.
The rug comes in multiple sizes, up to a massive 8×10. This would also be a great rug option for a playroom where she can have all her friends over for a sleepover. While it can’t be machine washed, it is easily spot cleaned with a gentle detergent. If she’s asking for a bedroom upgrade, this amazing gift will do the trick.
- Multipurpose and unique design
- Memory foam under padding
- Creates a cozy atmosphere
- Reflects personal style
- Not machine washable
