Thrilling Toys and Games for Twelve-Year-Olds

Childhood seems like a distant memory with this transitional age group that’s already growing into their teenage selves, testing what they like and don't, and becoming increasingly picky about what they'll actually play. What still lands is a game that respects them, one that takes real skill or strategy and rewards it. Give them something they can beat their older siblings at, and you've bought their attention for the whole afternoon.

This collection is built for that pre-teen sweet spot. Strategy games that mean it. Brainteasers that take a while to crack, and creative and 3D model kits that reward focus (without being embarrassing to be seen with!). All picked to suit a 12 year old's growing appetite for real challenge, while keeping enough family-friendly picks in the mix for game nights that actually happen.

Active Toys

• Pickleball Set Including Bats, Balls & Net: The full outdoor rally game with everything you need, bats, balls, and a proper net. Fast paced, easy to learn, and works in the garden or on the beach.

• Tossit England Football Edition: Our flagship suction-cup dart game in England colours, with 3 cyan darts, 3 red darts, a marker and a travel bag. Nine game modes, works indoors or outdoors on non-porous surfaces. Pair it with the Tossit World Football Edition Poster for a proper target to aim at.

• Medium Trampoline Tennis: A big hit for active kids, combining tennis with a trampoline-style rebounder for fast-paced fun. Great for birthdays or a weekend afternoon, it’s easy to pick up, and guaranteed to get everyone moving. Browse our full outdoor and garden games collection for more ideas.

Educational Toys

• Set of All Four Mindbending Books: Four brilliant puzzle books packed with tricky challenges, clever riddles and mind-bending problems. A great present for anyone who enjoys strategic games and wants to test their brain power. Face off in a race against others or enjoy solo.

• Chess Peace: A beautifully themed take on the classic game, designed to make every move count. A great treat for chess fans, with plenty of scope for making clever plays and preparing your next move, with no other players needed.

• Quadrillion: Our new brilliantly addictive solo puzzle game with endless challenges to solve and new combinations to discover. Perfect for kids eager to challenge themselves.

Creative Toys

• Floral Art Bouquet of Wild Flowers: A laminated paper wildflower bouquet you build with hidden connectors, no glue and no scissors. A quiet, satisfying craft project that ends up as a display piece for years, not landfill by teatime.

• The Amazing Waxidoodles Unicorns: Wax-coated modelling sticks that press together with just fingertip pressure, so they can design, build and rebuild 3D unicorn creations again and again. Includes a themed activity board, punch cards and a storage pouch. Reusable, no mess, and a fun way for creative types to make things they can change or start from scratch.

• My Storybook Art Kit - Toy Story: A Skillmatics writing and illustration kit packed with markers, pencils, stickers and vocabulary lists. Write and illustrate their own Toy Story adventures from cover to cover, and end up with a story pad to keep. A quiet, screen-free way to nurture creativity, and a nostalgia hit for anyone who grew up with the films.

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Whether they're the strategist who wants to win at everything, the quiet one who needs a proper solo brainteaser, or the maker who likes a challenge, you'll find a mix here that fits. View our collections and shop your favourites!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best board games for a 12 year old who loves strategy? 

Anything from the award-winning Genius Collection is our top pick for strategic solo play, with only one solution to find every round. Billionaire tests business strategy with sharp tactics and quick rounds.

What toys and games can this age group play solo? 

Chess Peace and IQ Gears rewards logical thinking and steady pattern matching. And if they want a solo build project rather than a puzzle, our full 3D models range includes spectacular picks.

What are good party games for a 12 year old who feels too old for kids' games? 

Unlock! Short Adventures 12: The Ocean’s Heart is a fun game for friends who enjoy solving puzzles and working together, without feeling like a kids' game. The Traitors Board Game is a good one for a mix of big kids, teens and adults. It brings the intrigue of the hit show to the table, with players taking turns, building alliances and trying to work out who they can trust. Hues and Cues is another great option for groups, challenging players to match colours and explain their choices. Together, they offer plenty of variety for a 12-year-old who wants something that feels a little more grown up.

What are the best games for the whole family with a 12 year old at the table?

Genius Square works brilliantly in a race format, with two players both trying to solve their own board. Tossit England Football Edition brings movement to the mix for anyone who wants to end the night on their feet.