Best Joke Book for 12 Year Old Boy (2026): 5 Compared

A 12 year old boy who tells the same three jokes at every dinner is ready for fresh material, and the best joke book for 12 year old boy shoppers comes down to age fit, format and how much content is inside. We compared five joke books by stated reading age, page count, publisher and edition, so you can match the book to the boy.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Don't Laugh Challenge by Boy	9.7/10	Buy
2	Jokes for 12 Year Olds by Jones	9.7/10	Buy
3	Hilarious Jokes 11yo by Fox	9.7/10	Buy
4	Funniest Joke Book by Institute	9.6/10	Buy
5	Try Not to Laugh EWW by Corey	9.4/10	Buy

1

Don't Laugh Challenge by Boy

Billy Boy·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 12-year-old edition of a joke-telling game with silly scenarios, with a stated reading age of 11 to 12; suits 12-year-olds who want a game, not a read-alone book.

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Pros

• Made for age 12, the exact target reader
• Silly scenarios add an acting game, not just reading
• Stated reading age of 11 to 12, marked as from customers

Cons

• 82 pages, the shortest book here
• Game format needs two players; not a read-alone book
• 2019 publication, an older edition

2

Jokes for 12 Year Olds by Jones

Jimmy Jones·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 108-page collection of jokes, riddles, tongue twisters and knock-knocks for 12-year-olds, with a stated reading age of 10 to 12; suits 12-year-olds wanting a straight joke book.

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Pros

• Aimed at 12-year-olds directly
• Mix of jokes, riddles, tongue twisters and knock-knocks
• 108 pages, independently published in 2018

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not the publisher
• No game or scenario element like the challenge books
• 2018 publication, older than the 2020 and 2022 picks

3

Hilarious Jokes 11yo by Fox

Hayden Fox·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 111-page book with over 400 jokes, riddles and tongue twisters aimed at 11-year-olds, with a stated reading age of 10 to 11; suits 11 and 12-year-olds, noting the age label.

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Pros

• Over 400 items, the most content here
• Mix of jokes, riddles, tongue twisters and facts
• 111 pages, published in 2020

Cons

• Aimed at 11-year-olds, one year under the target
• Reading age of 10 to 11 is marked as from customers and does not reach 12
• Independently published; print quality varies

4

Funniest Joke Book by Institute

Bathroom Readers' Institute·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 128-page general joke book with Q&A, knock-knocks, riddles and one-liners, with a stated reading age of 7 and up; suits kids who want variety, not an age-targeted book.

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Pros

• Variety: Q&A, knock-knocks, riddles, one-liners and themed chapters
• 128 pages from Portable Press, 2016
• Grade level 3 to 7 stated alongside the reading age

Cons

• Not age-targeted; no 12-year-old focus
• 2016 publication, the oldest here
• Reading age is marked as from customers

5

Try Not to Laugh EWW by Corey

Crazy Corey·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 78-page would-you-rather game of 160+ gross questions for ages 6 to teen, with a stated reading age of 7 to 11; suits game nights, not readers wanting jokes alone.

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Pros

• 160+ would-you-rather questions, a different format
• Stated for ages 6 to teen, suiting mixed-age game nights
• Family-friendly humor stated in the listing

Cons

• Reading age of 7 to 11 is marked as from customers and does not reach 12
• 78 pages, the shortest book here
• A question game, not a joke book

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More picks to compare

• Useless Information by Botham200+ fun facts for curious kids, illustrated edition.Check on Amazon
• Hilarious Jokes for 12 Year Olds by FoxOver 400 items for 12-year-olds, 2022 edition.Check on Amazon
• Jokes for 12 Year Old Kids by FrostOver 250 jokes, book 4 of a 6-12 series.Check on Amazon
• Wacky Jokes for 12 Year Olds by ShifrinHundreds of clean one-liners and knock-knocks, 2022.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 19 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five listings state a reading age, each marked as from customers: 11 to 12, 10 to 12, 10 to 11, 7 and up, and 7 to 11. The two challenge game books score highest on fit because they are built for age 12 play.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best joke book for 12 year old boy

Match the stated age to the boy

Every reading age here is marked as from customers, not the publisher. The Don’t Laugh Challenge gives 11 to 12 and the Jimmy Jones book gives 10 to 12, both covering age 12. The Hayden Fox book gives 10 to 11, one year under, and the EWW game gives 7 to 11. For a 12-year-old, the two 12-covering books fit best.

Joke book or joke game

Two of the five are games: the Don’t Laugh Challenge pairs jokes with silly scenarios to act out, and the EWW edition pairs 160+ would-you-rather questions with laugh points. Both need two players. The other three are read-alone collections, with the Hayden Fox book listing over 400 items, the most content here. For younger brothers, see our best joke books for 6 year olds and best joke books for 5 year olds.

Check the page count and date

These books run from 78 to 128 pages, so none is a long read. Editions range from 2016 to 2020, with the Hayden Fox 12-year-old edition in More options below dating to 2022. For a joke book, an older edition still lands its jokes; check the date only if you want the newest printing.

Before you buy

• Check the stated reading age against the child; every age here is marked as from customers.
• Game books need two players; collections read alone.
• Independently published books vary in print quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is made for a 12-year-old boy?

The Don’t Laugh Challenge 12 Year Old Edition, with a stated reading age of 11 to 12. The Jimmy Jones book also targets 12, and the Hayden Fox 12-year-old edition sits in More options below.

Which book has the most jokes?

The Hayden Fox 11-year-old book lists over 400 items, the most here. The Freddy Frost book in More options below lists over 250 jokes.

Are these books clean for kids?

The listings describe family-friendly, clean humor: the EWW edition states clean and family-friendly humor, and the Jimmy Jones and Shifrin books state clean fun. Preview any book before gifting.

Still deciding? Our top pickDon't Laugh Challenge by Boy

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: joke books for 5 year olds, joke books for 6 year olds and joke books for 4 year olds.