| Marisa LaScala |
Yes slime is still a thing, and this kit will have her stretching and twirling jars of fluffy slime before dressing them up with included add-ins. The set comes with seven different colors of slime, plus things like charms, confetti and dots to mix into them. Shoppers report that the slime wasn’t overwhelmingly sticky. Ages 8+
Two-layer necklaces are in, and in this case that means double the opportunities for personalization, with a name on one strand and a birthstone on the other. You can also get this in different plated metals. No age recommendation given
LEGO never goes out of style in our humble opinion, so even your picky 12-year-old will want to start building the Castle Bed and Breakfast — especially if she is a fan of the Netflix show. The set comes with over 1,300 pieces so she can build the three-story château. It also includes four mini-dolls. Ages 12+
If her favorite subject at school falls in the STEM category, she’ll love this toy robotic arm. One parent tester said their daughter enjoyed assembling the plastic parts and “playing with the robotic claw afterward to try to grab things off the table.” The kit will teach her about engineering and how muscles and tendons interact. Ages 10+ with help
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This kit comes with more than 1,100 pieces that’ll let them personalize their walls, lockers and other personal spaces. It comes with pictures, cutouts, letters, stickers, quotes and foam squares, along with other items that’ll let them make it just the way they want to look. Ages 10+
This two-player game stumped even adult testers. One parent tester said, “I can usually figure out a game. I haven’t cracked the algorithm with Orbito yet, which levels the playing field with my children.” The goal is to line up four marbles in a row, but that becomes complicated when the marbles shift every turn. Ages 7+
Signs, reminders and motivational notes get even brighter with this sign. It comes with three neon pens that really glow when the frame is illuminated. The whole thing is powered by batteries, so you don’t have to worry about hanging it near a plug. No age recommendation given
Designed to last 15 minutes, this board game version of the digital Monopoly Go requires players to send their pieces around the board all at the same time. One parent tester said their daughter “keeps wanting to play it over and over again” and added, “I think she likes it more than the classic version.” Ages 8+
It can be hard for parents and tweens to find areas of common interest, but this gets them on the same page, literally. Writing prompts and conversation-starters make it easy for them to figure out what they should write to each other, and when they fill it up they’ll have a treasured keepsake. Ages 8-12
Puberty happens at different ages and looks different for each tween, but if she is starting to complain about oily skin, gift her these oil-blotting sheets. Each pack comes with 100 sheets designed to absorb excess oil. Our gift editors think they would make an affordable stocking stuffer for her come December. No age recommendation given
It is all the rage to hangout with your besties and make beaded bracelets, regardless of age. This set comes with over 1,000 charms and beads so she can design multiple friendship bracelets, keychains and more with her friends or on her own. Ages 6-18
Nee Doh is a social-media sensation, and, after giving one a squeeze, it can be easy to see why: These kitties are fun to squish and stretch in your hand, like a stress ball. This set comes with three mini cats in random colors, and they also look good sitting on a desk when they’re not in use. Ages 3+
When they need something to do with their hands, this is sure to do the trick (and get a smile while they’re at it). Beads are suspended in a gel, and kids have the soothing sensation of pushing them around to augment the background picture. They can even print their own backgrounds. Ages 5+
In this brain-boosting game, cards offer the start of a shape, and players have to use the remaining pieces to turn it into a perfect pyramid. It’s taken off so much that people film themselves solving the puzzles in record time and post the videos to TikTok. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved it: “My daughter liked the trial-and-error process, manipulating the pieces to see how they fit together and then developing a knack for the logic,” a parent said. Ages 7+
This jewelry case comes with their initial on the front, and then opens to reveal seven ring slots, four adjustable compartments, places for stud earrings and three necklace hooks, plus a small mirror. And yet it zips up so small, it can be used for travel. No age recommendation given
It’s the classic outdoor game given a glow-in-the-dark twist. In this case, playing with a light-up orb means the fun can continue even when the sun goes down. And, when the orb is kicked, it changes colors — players can earn points if they match the color it lands on. Ages 5+
You get two markers in one with this set: One end has a fine tip for details, while the other has a larger tip for coloring in bigger areas. It comes with 40 colors plus a colorless blender, so their creativity will know no bounds. This set has developed such a following online that it’s earned more than 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. No age recommendation given
RELATED: The Best Gifts for Artists to Boost Their Creativity
19
Inexpensive Gift for 12-Year-Old Girls
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
This is the kind of card game you can keep in a drawer or backpack and break out whenever there’s a lull in the action. It’s very easy to learn and the art on the cards is so cute, she’ll find the game irresistible. And all for less than $10. Ages 8+
Yes, these look a little…blobby, but man are they comfortable. The bubble shape actually gives users a light foot massage as they walk. Shoppers report using them in the shower, and say that they love how they don’t make feet sweaty. They also come in five different colors. No age recommendation given
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
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