Twelve-year-old girls are such a joy, but they can be really difficult to buy for. Being officially in their tweens means they’ll likely roll their eyes at anything too “baby-ish”, and are probably looking for something more grown-up than their years – that’s where mom and dad will be stepping in!
But fear not – we’ve handpicked all of the best birthday gifts that a twelve-year-old is going to be so excited to show her friends (and that parents will approve of). Whether she’s becoming interested in make-up, loves crafting, playing video games, or expressing her personality, we’ve got gifts for every twelve-year-old girl for her birthday.
Beauty & Health
Whether she’s been putting on fake lipstick since the age of six or is just starting to take an interest in her appearance, twelve is an important and delicate time to teach a girl about self-care.
We’ve found the best health and beauty gifts that she’s going to adore pampering herself with like nail varnish and bath bombs, but we’ve also included diaries and journals to show her the importance of taking care of her mental health too. She’s going to feel like a real princess with these health and beauty gifts!
Horm Makeup Mirror Vanity
This Horm Makeup Mirror Vanity allows a girl to arrange her hair and makeup before she heads out the door. The brushed pink tri-fold mirror with its LED strip puts your face in the best light. You can adjust the brightness of the light and the angle of the mirror. At the base of the stand, there is room for jewelry, lipstick, face cream, and more.
Life is a Doodle Diary
A girl can write down her personal thoughts, feelings, and doodles in this Life is a Doodle Diary. This diary set comes with a lockable 300-page journal, a sleek bracelet, a glittery pink pen, and a pencil case that slips easily over the journal cover. The beautiful set comes in a gift box ready to give to a special girl.
Uncommon Goods Life Log Infographic Journal
This Uncommon Goods Life Log Infographic Journal will be so much fun and self-affirming for a twelve-year-old girl. This 96-page journal allows a girl to explore her feelings and the world in a positive way. She can track how many smiles she sees in a day, mark down her moods, and decide which jelly bean flavor is the best with fun and quirky infographics.
Uncommon Goods Washable Nail Polish Kit
With this Uncommon Goods Washable Nail Polish Kit, a birthday girl can craft her own nail polish. Combine the primary pigments to get the color you want and add glam glitter for some sparkle. These fun nail polishes are non-toxic and easily wash off a variety of surfaces, including fabrics. A girl can explore a new art form with this fun polish set.
Bella & Bear Unicorn Dreams Whipped Bath Soap
As a pre-teen begins to shave, this Bella & Bear Unicorn Dreams Whipped Bath Soap can cleanse and moisturize the skin. This whipped bath soap feels luxuriously soft against the skin and comes in a sweet tropical scent. Not only is this soap friendly on the skin, but it is also earth-friendly. The rich, creamy lather is 100% vegan, and the jars are made from recycled plastic.
Joyin Bath Bomb Mochi Squishy
With the Joyin Bath Bomb Mochi Squishy set, the surprises keep coming. This box contains eight bath bombs with a friendly Mochi Squishy toy in each one. The non-toxic bath bombs use natural ingredients such as shea butter and coconut oil to moisturize and nourish the skin. Watch the bomb fizz away and enjoy the sweet fragrance for a relaxing bath.
Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry & Watches
Nothing will be more important to a twelve-year-old girl than her friendship group. It’ll be an absolute “must” that she’s decked out in the latest trends, can express her personality, and also show her friends how much she loves them.
If you’re not quite sure what the latest trends are for twelve-year-old girls – don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. From personalized items to friendship bracelets, we’ve got the best clothes, shoes, jewelry, and watches that a twelve-year-old girl will adore getting for her birthday.
Klutz Make Clay Charms
A pre-teen can craft her own charms for jewelry and keychains with this fun Klutz Make Clay Charms set. The set includes clay in nine unique colors, a shaping tool, a glaze, a brush, a drying stand, and more. A Klutz-certified guide lays out step-by-step instructions on how to make different charms with clear photographs. Or, she may be inspired to create her own designs.
WhiteCarnation Personalized Birthstone Necklace
Twelve is the last year for a girl to be a pre-teen, and this WhiteCarnation Personalized Birthstone Necklace is a sweet way to commemorate this special year. The minimalistic necklace includes a birthstone and a delicate charm. You can personalize the front of the charm with a birth flower and the back with a name. This simple and beautiful necklace will be treasured for years to come.
Make it Real Charm Bracelet Kit
The birthday girl can make up to ten bracelets with this Make it Real Charm Bracelet Kit from Juicy Couture. This kit includes a variety of 390 beads, satin cords, chains, colorful charms, and more. Girls can mix and match until they find their style. This Juicy Couture bracelet-making kit can be a fun party game or sleep-over activity for pre-teen girls.
Pottery Barn Personalized Cozy Sherpa Robe
A girl can enjoy wearing this Pottery Barn Sherpa Robe around the house, or taking it to a spa day or swim meet. This ultra-soft robe has a sherpa lining to make it warm and comfy. It includes a tie closure and two pockets for snacks or a remote. You can personalize this robe with a child’s name to make this gift extra special.
Educational
Though they may be loathed to admit it, twelve-year-old girls typically enjoy learning. Whether it’s continuing something they’ve learned at school or trying their hand at something new, they’ll love the chance to get their brain ticking.
Don’t worry though – with our educational gift recommendations, she’ll be having far too much fun playing with her latest gift to realize how much she’s learning. A twelve-year-old girl will be eager to get started on one of these educational gifts on her birthday.
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set
A tween will really enjoy reading magical tales about sorcery, friendship, and adventure in this Harry Potter boxed set. The set includes all seven books in the series by J.K. Rowling, from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. These suspenseful books will introduce a girl to wizards and muggles while encouraging her love of reading.
How To Draw Animal: Simple Sketching And Step By Step Inking Lessons By Erik Barrett
How To Draw Animal by Erik Barrett lets a girl study basic animal body structures, features, and positions. These previews allow her to draw what she sees with greater accuracy. This book uses step-by-step illustrations, so you learn where to start and how to add details effectively. These sketching and inking lessons can encourage a girl to develop her artistic eye.
Wapetashi 24 Rolls Washi Tape Set
Art tape is a fun way to personalize journals, photo frames, school supplies, phone cases, and more. This Wapetashi Tape Set contains 24 rolls of glittery art tape. These tapes are made using traditional Japanese washi paper and they are easy to tear and stick. A girl can enjoy showing off her creative side by personalizing items with these tapes.
Mynt3D Professional Printing 3D Pen
Flat drawings become 3D images when you use this Mynt3D Professional Printing 3D Pen. This pen allows you to adjust the temperature and flow speed. This feature allows you to work quickly or slow down for detail. Once you know what you want to create, you can sketch the idea and bring it to life with this 3D pen.
Electronics
If you’re looking to become the favorite relative of the twelve-year-old girl in your life, then electronics are definitely the way to go. We’ve got the latest and coolest tech for the tween who loves taking pictures with her friends, getting lost in her favorite band, or exploring new worlds in video games.
No matter how she likes to spend her free time, we’ve found the best gadgets that will be on every twelve-year-old girl’s birthday list.
Lomography Lomo’Instant Camera White Edition
A pre-teen can print instant photos that her friends will love with this Lomography Lomo’Instant Camera White Edition. This small-scale camera is easy to pack anywhere. Take photos using automatic settings, or try out one of the manual settings, or color filters for an original look. The Lomo’Instant comes with a wide-angle lens, but it also accepts other lenses. This camera is compatible with Fujifilm Instax Mini Film.
Olyre Cute On-Ear Headphones
This set of Olyre Cute On-Ear Headphones is not lacking in personality. The pink and white cat ear headphones can light up a dark room with their LED lights. The padded ear cups are comfy to wear and reduce ambient noise. Their 3.55mm jack makes them compatible with cell phones, laptops, tablets, and PCs. A girl will love listening to her favorite songs with these fun and funky headphones.
Apple iPhone 12 Purple
Around twelve, a girl starts spreading her wings and gets more involved in sports, drama clubs, seeing her friends, and other activities. A phone can help parents know where she is and when they need to pick her up. This Apple iPhone 12 with 5G, MagSafe, and 128 GB would make an excellent first smartphone for keeping her safe and she’ll be ecstatic to receive this quality iPhone.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
A pre-teen girl can use this Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet to work on school projects and keep in touch with family and friends. This device has an updated processor, which allows it to work much quicker than earlier Fire tablets. You can use the device for about 13 hours before you have to recharge it. A twelve-year-old will be thrilled to receive this high-performing tablet on her special day.
Nintendo Switch
A gamer girl will enjoy her favorite games even more with this Nintendo Switch. This console lets you play at home or take your games with you by using handheld mode. You can join games with friends, or play solo. Depending on the games you choose, the battery life can last from 4.5 hours up to nine hours.
Entertainment
Most tweens are independent creatures – enjoying time to themselves or with friends. So it’s important to make sure they’re entertained with fun, exciting gifts!
Games that they can play that will spur creativity and exploration are sure to be huge hits with the twelve-year-old girl in your life. Take a look at our top recommended entertainment gifts that will be sure to keep her entertained for hours on end.
Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a game of exploration and adventure that a pre-teen can enjoy. You can explore 100 shrines and collect weapons, outfits, and other gear. Each shrine along the journey contains puzzles for you to solve. Once you find your way through the puzzles, traps, and devices, you can earn rewards to help you in the game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A girl can have fun bringing a desert island back to life in the Nintendo Switch game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In this game, a player can customize their character, design the interior of a home, and adjust the landscape to their preferences. But, everything must be built from scratch – including tools. This fun game allows four to eight people to play together.
Home, Garden, & Tools
Between school, social lives, and extracurricular activities, it’s likely that a twelve-year-old girl is going to love nothing more than coming home and totally chilling out. We’ve found the best gifts that will make her time spent at home so much more fun and enjoyable.
Whether she wants to bake some sweet treats, watch the latest Disney film, or just snuggle up in the coziest of throws, we’ve got the best gifts for the home that a twelve-year-old girl will love to get on her birthday.
Babycakes Cake Pop Maker
She’ll love making fun treats when friends come over by using this Babycakes Cake Pop Maker. This compact treat maker has nonstick baking plates and can cook up cake pops in a matter of minutes. This kit also includes handy accessories such as a fork to remove the cake pops from the press, a glazing stand, and paper sticks. It’ll be a sure hit with a tween and her friends!
Amped & Co. Cinema Light Box
Add a trendy touch to a girl’s room with this Amped & Co. Cinema Light Box. You can hang it on the wall, or let it rest on an end table or desk. A girl can have fun using the 100 letters to change out the words and sayings. An LED light backlights the words so you can read them clearly even at night.
Pottery Barn Feathery Faux-Fur Throw
A pre-teen can snuggle up in something soft with this Pottery Barn Feathery Faux-Fur Throw. This quality throw blanket has the luxurious look of real fur, but the design is animal friendly. Drape this neutral throw blanket over the back of a sofa or the foot of a girl’s bed to add an elegant touch. This gift is sure to get plenty of love from the birthday girl.
Gund Pusheen Plush Stuffed Animal Cat
This classic Pusheen Plush Cat looks exactly as it does in the cartoon, only in 3D. This adorable kitty is 12 inches in size and is soft and cuddly. You can squeeze this gray cat as often as you want and watch it return to its original shape. This quality toy would make a cute accent piece in a preteen’s bedroom.
Sweet Choice Snack Box
As pre-teens grow, they crave extra nutrition and lots of snacks. This Sweet Choice Snack Box is full of many sweet, salty, and healthy treats. It represents popular brands such as Knott’s, Pepperidge Farm, Mott’s, Quaker Oats, Reese’s, and more. A girl will have an enviable stockpile to go to when she needs a burst of energy, and plenty of treats left to share with her friends.
Kids & Babies Toys
Though a twelve-year-old girl may categorically tell you she’s too old for toys, it’s only because she thinks toys are for babies. However, we’ve found the coolest toys that a twelve-year-old girl is going to have the most fun playing with.
We’ve found toys that will explore her personality, and encourage imaginative and creative play – something they typically lose around this age but that is still so important to brain development. Trust us, the twelve-year-old girl in your life will thank you for these toys on her birthday.
Desire Deluxe Hair Chalk
A girl will have so much fun adding crazy colors to her hair with this Desire Deluxe Hair Chalk set. These rainbow chalks come in ten different colors. A pre-teen can try them one at a time, add several at once, or blend the colors to create an original palette. These chalks are non-allergenic and non-toxic. When the day is done, they should wash out completely using regular shampoo and water.
Gund Pusheen Comic Collector I Love Kitties
The Gund Pusheen I Love Kitties set comes with six popular kitties. This collector’s box contains Pusheen and other unique two-inch cats. These soft and tiny plush toys are perfect for carrying in a pocket, purse, or backpack. Or, a pre-teen can display this collection in her room. These kittens are ready to be squished and well-loved.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets
Building the Harry Potter Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets LEGO set allows a girl to get an insider’s view of the famous castle. This 1,176-piece set is full of intricate turrets and towers. The upper floor is a cozy banquet hall complete with stained glass windows. However, the lower level has hidden secrets. This set includes a Harry Potter figure and nine of his friends and frenemies.
Outdoors
With the rise of technology like phones and video games, there is a concern among parents that their children aren’t getting enough fresh air. Whilst electronics come with a wealth of benefits, it’s true that there are a ton of benefits to outdoor play – physically and mentally.
Luckily for you, we’re here to help make getting them outside much easier with fun, exciting outdoor gifts. Check out our top recommendations to get your twelve-year-old girl outside in no time.
Dynacraft Vertical Dual Suspension Mountain Bike
A girl can have fun on backroad trails with this 24-inch Dynacraft Vertical Dual Suspension Mountain Bike. This mint green bike with pink accents has front and rear brakes, 18 speeds, a padded seat, and a full suspension frame. A rider can enjoy the comfort of this bike even on off-roads, as she spends time enjoying the beauty of nature.
Wrapping Up
Buying tween-approved birthday gifts can be a bit of a challenge! With some twelve-year-old girls still holding onto childlike toys and some reaching for way too grown-up stuff, there’s a wide range of gifts you can get her, which doesn’t make it easy.
We’re here to help with a gift guide that covers all categories, budgets, and interests to make sure you find a birthday gift for the twelve-year-old girl in your life that she’s going to adore. From clothes she’ll actually wear, to the latest tech, to items that’ll make her room really “her”, you’ll find this year’s top presents for a twelve-year-old girl’s birthday in our guide.
