Based on the fact that this year the list is a bit longer, I think I am going to break down some of the categories and put the games into their own section. So, this year we have a Games, Video Games, and really another area where Toys, Electronics and other gifts will go. As opposed to previous years, this year it seems we are super heavy on the Games section and I don’t know if that is because as the boys are getting older we want to spend more time with them or they are just getting a better understanding of using strategy so they can play more games.
Take a look below at our nice large list of Holiday Gift Guide – 10 and 12 Year Old Boys.
TOYS AND OTHER:
Polar Bottle Insulated Water Bottle, 24-Ounce
If your kids play sports, go for hikes or are just generally thirsty when you head out, Polar has made some great water bottles that have all sorts of slick designs. Take a look and order them for the kids and they will be all ready for that bike ride or soccer game. We have gone out of our way to order a bunch of different designs so we are ready to roll out at a moment’s notice.
NERF Rival
Those NERF darts not flying as far and as straight as you like? NERF Rival is going to make that a problem of the past as they have put together competitive NERF Blasters that have foam balls that allow more accuracy and a bit of a higher velocity. That means you should probably get the NERF Rival Face Masks as well.
iHome iPL8BN Stereo FM Clock Radio with Lightning Dock
Now that the kids have iPhones they are always looking for a way to charge them, so the iHome Clock Radio has them covered from that angle. They also like to listen to music when they are cleaning their room or doing some homework, so the iHome takes care of that as well. This also allows them to set an alarm and not worry about their phone losing power or anything like that.
FireTek Zeon Bow
What happens when you take something awesome and then make it a little bit smaller and easier to carry around? Awesomer is probably the word that should be used, but I don’t think that is a real word so let us just say that the Zeon Bow by FireTek is just plain Fire! The light up bow in a smaller easier to handle form is a must for the kids when they go outside.
Crazy Aaron’s Super Illusions Mini Tin Assortment
We had these on our girl’s holiday list as they are just some of the craziest looking putty you have ever seen. You will have to take a look at it and see it up close to realize and then you will want every single color that they make. It is also something that is very relaxing to play around with and will appeal to the adults as they just see it siting there in the tin as well. Hide your Putty!
Boys’ Guide to Drawing (Drawing Cool Stuff) and How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students
The boys have gotten back into doing some drawing but they are really still beginners. They will watch YouTube videos and try to learn that way to draw all of the things that they like, but sometimes having a book you can take with you when you do not have a computer available is a good idea. The two books I picked got some good ratings and while looking through them I believe the kids will learn a lot.
Meccano Tech and HEXBUG VEX IQ Robotics Construction Set
Robotics and Programming both Meccano and VEX offer some very cool sets to get your kids started in the robotics and programming field. Very fun for them to see the end results.
10 Feet / 3 Meter Zerolemon Lightning to USB Cable
You have a cable on your list? Take a look though it is a 10 foot cable! This is great for the car for the kid’s room or pretty much anywhere. We have a bunch of these and have not had any issues so far. Should be in every stocking for the holidays.
HEXBUG Aquabot Jellyfish
Some water and an Aquabot Jellyfish and you have some fun ahead of you. They are super neat looking and their movement is mesmerizing.
CatEye Strada Slim Wireless Cyclocomputer
While the kids go biking they want to know how fast they are going, how far we have gone and how long we have been out. I have been using CatEye products for a very long time and can vouch for their quality, the fact you can set them up without a wire makes it even easier.
Bike gloves, Bike Shirts
With bikes comes the need to get cool bike gloves, both for the summer when your hands are sweating and in the winter when your hands may get cold. Bike Shirts come in so many cool styles getting a few is just a win anyway you look at it.
REI Rainwall Rain Jacket
Now that we live in the south it rains a lot more and the kids still want/need to be outside they need to make sure they have good rain jackets that are easy to move around in. REI Rainwall Rain Jacket is a great priced high quality rain jacket.
Hats
The boy’s still love flat brim hats so just keep searching the web to find some cool ones for them. Now that schools allow them to wear hats to school and put them in their desk this is a big fashion statement for them.
Zing Battle Zartz Toy
Have fun running around the yard (house?) throwing darts at your opponents shield. The darts are easy to throw and stick to the shields pretty sturdy. The Zarts fly up to 45 feet and stick to most surfaces.
Social Book
If the boy’s are bored and I happen to have my phone they LOVE to look through my old pictures that go all the way back to when they are babies. The fact that I have kept 90% of my Facebook to be about the kids, having a book made is something they can just keep looking over and they love looking at the pictures and what went on during those pictures. Well worth the money.
Armitron Sport Men’s 408209BLK Digital Watch
While kids have smartphones now, the one thing they like to know is when will practice be over, how long is this hike, all sorts of times when they don’t have their phone because it could be easily damaged. This watch is cost effective and water resistant.
Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit and REV by Wow Wee and HEXBUG Battle Spider Battleground
Three different items at three different price points, which have some very similar play patterns. You play these products like real world video games. With Anki you use a newly designed track, with REV you use your floor, and with Hexbug you use a battleground that you can make anywhere.
Pelican Trailblazer 100 Kayak
If you live near some water, this is a great starter Kayak for the kids.
Sand Art – Exotic Sands
Our one throwback on here as I remember having something similar to this. It is a relaxing piece of sand art that gives you a different picture each and every time you turn it over.
Crayola Color Alive Easy Animation Studio
Helping kids learn how to make animation means that you will get some real gems from your kids. Once they are allowed to be turned lose and create their own animations you are going to be floored how creative they can be. The Easy Animation Studio does what it says, it makes it easy for kids to get started animating.
Air Hogs Helix Ion Drone
The kids have started playing with their grandfather’s kind of expensive Drone lately, and while it has taken some tumbles it has held up. It looks like they are having so much fun they should really have a drone of their own and this is where Air Hogs Helix Ion comes in. Not only can you take it outside but the cool factor for this drone goes way up because you can actually fly it in the house and not really have to worry that much because of the way that it is built the ExoFrame protects the propellers (and your walls) during a crash.
GAMES:
Ravensburger Labyrinth
Move walls and open passages as you try to collect all seven treasure. The maze will shift each turn so watch out. Fun for the whole family.
Dragonwood A Game of Dice & Daring Board Game
We saw this game and Toy Fair and I knew it was going to be on our Holiday Gift Guide this year. You collect cards to earn dice and then you get to roll those dice against your enemies. All sorts of fantasy medieval fun to be had.
Phase 10 Card Game
You know any game made by the makers of UNO has to be fun and in what you would call a rummy type game, Phase 10 delivers.
The Original Wizard Card Game
Billed as the ultimate game of Trump the rules are easy to learn but there is strategy involved to win the game.
Ideal Rage Card Game
So you say you like revenge? This is the game for you, get rid of as many cards as you can per turn until you have one left.
Catan Jr.
Get them introduced to the Catan adventures by given them the junior edition which has a modified play style. Build hideouts and get resources, but watch out for the dreaded Ghost Captain.
Quick Cups
Beat the Bell Speed Cups cards have a pictures of 5 colored items, line or stack your cups to match the order in the picture and ring the bell first to win the card. Have the most cards and you win the game, some nimble fingers and speedy hands are required.
Compose Yourself Music Card Game
I don’t even know if I would consider this a game or not, but it is an experience if nothing else. This product allows you to create music and you can then register online and hear the music you have composed played by an orchestra. If that sounds interesting let me tell you it is. Every school and child should have a set of these. Not to worry there are over a billion melodies you can form so it does not get repetitive.
Rush Hour Shift Board Game
We all loved the original Rush Hour and now that it gives you the ability to play against another player the competition is on! You must think before you move your car across the traffic grid and make sure you use some strategy as Instruction Cards are added to the mix.
Chrono Bomb Action Game
A spy in training, Chrono Bomb teaches you to move and contort your body in different ways so that you don’t trip the alarm. A challenging game that can be setup anywhere in your house and keep the kids entertained and contained all at the same time.
Carcassonne Board Game
A tile based game that allows you place followers and claim completed features (road, cities, cloisters) that takes you on the path to victory. The cool part is that the map will be different every game.
Dominion
This is the O.G. of deck building games, where you begin with the same 10 cards but you can buy more cards throughout the game. Great fun.
Days of Wonder Small World
Choose from the fantasy races with special powers and rush to expand and conquer your way to victory.
Ticket To Ride
One of the classics that we haven’t had the pleasure of owning until now. Collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes that connect cities with the longer routes being worth more points. More points by fulfilling your Destination Tickets (connecting two distant cities). Score the highest number of total points to win the game.
Machi Koro
You are the Mayor and you need to keep the citizens happy. You must develop the city and complete all the landmarks faster than the other players.
VIDEO GAMES:
Super Mario Maker – Nintendo Wii U
The kids love Geometry Dash and Minecraft so a game that combines some of those elements (create your own level) and also has the Mario characters is going to be something they continue to design levels for. The boys try to create levels that the other one can’t complete and they have fun trying to devise super crazy hard levels.
Splatoon Nintendo Wii U
The kids just love this game and with the family friendly theme it means that everyone can play and try to cover the turf with their own color. You get blasters, rollers, bombs and other items to color that turf.
Mario Party 10
We love Mario Party games so when a new one comes out, we will get it and play the heck out of it. Become the bad guy in Mario Party 10 and try out all the new mini-games.
Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack
The kids have grown up on Skylanders and with SuperChargers vehicles are introduced into the game. Pilot your SuperChargers over land, under sea and through sky to stop Kaos and save Skylands! No one likes Kaos so Fly, Swim (Dive) and Drive to stop him. The levels are great as always and it is Skylanders so you know it is a win.
Phew, that is a lot of gifts, but if you are still looking for some more or different ideas, be sure to check out our Toy Fair YouTube Channel as well as our previous Holiday Gift Guides.
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