Whether you’re trying to find gifts for 13-year-olds or for 17-year-olds, shopping for teenagers can be tricky. If you’re lucky, they’ll share their wish lists, or you could check out viral TikTok gift trends for a clue.
That said, teens are notoriously hard to impress, which means it’s important to be thoughtful about your selections when it comes to gifts for teenage girls and guys. Yes, gift cards are always an easy way out, but why not show how savvy you are by opting for one of these great gifts instead?
From games and tech to editor-approved beauty and grooming, we know you’ll find a winner in this list of not-so-boring stuff — it’s made just for them! There’s no doubt you’ll slay the gifting season with these best gifts for teens.
Best tech gifts for teens
Apple AirTag
If you know a teen who is always losing their belongings, gift them an AirTag to help them keep track of their keys, phone and other essentials they have a bad habit of losing.
Associate editor Kamari Stewart is “hooked” on her Apple AirTags. “I have three — one on the keys to my apartment, one on the keys to my mom’s house and one in my suitcase for travel. I’m afraid of losing those things, so I love to be able to double check and make sure they are where I think they are, especially when I’m traveling. If I ever were to actually lose my any of my AirTags, I’d be ordering replacements immediately.”
JBL Wired Over-Ear Gaming Headset
You may think your teen’s video game is on silent, but really you’re just experiencing the blessing of this surround-sound gaming headset. It’s compatible with a variety of gaming devices and features a detachable microphone.
Heyday Ring Light with Tripod
Good lighting is crucial for your teen’s next virtual hangout — and for their upcoming selfie sesh. This ring light features a tripod, adjustable color temperature and LED-quality brightness.
PowerA Nano Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox
Sometimes even their gaming controllers need an update. Smaller than most controllers, this model also features advanced buttons, perfect for the gamer in your life. Several female reviewers also noted that they appreciate the smaller controller because it's easier to play with compared to other controllers.
Crosley Tribute Bluetooth Radio Speaker
This Bluetooth speaker pays tribute to the Crosley brand, while offering a vintage feel. Teens can listen to their favorite curated playlists, or the radio with AM/FM features included.
Gocube Rubik’s Connected Cube
A tech-y take on an old classic. If your teen is into games of skill and speed, this is the gift for them. They can use the accompanying mobile app to keep track of solving stats and speed of play.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Camera
Any teen obsessed with Instagram will also be obsessed with this camera that prints out Polaroid-style photos.
Shop TODAY editor Vivien Moon received this as a gift and calls it “one of my favorite new ways to keep track of memories and spend time with my friends.” According to Moon, “It really gets people into the spirit when an instant camera comes out, no matter what activity we’re doing (and I know teenage me would’ve been just as obsessed with it as I am now in my early 30s). I love how portable and cute this instant camera is and how it has the feeling of nostalgia with a modern twist courtesy of the fun design.”
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 Small Bluetooth Speaker
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom speaker wows listeners with its 14 hours of battery life and durability — we’re talking waterproof, dust-proof and sink-proof. Your teen will be able to take this colorful speaker anywhere, so they can listen to their favorite tunes all the time.
Therabody Theragun Mini
For the teen who is always on-the-go, make sure they pack some muscle relief in their bag. It's perfect for using on the bus ride home from away games and tournaments or after a long gym session.
Best clothing, jewelry & accessory gifts for teens
Forever 21 Fleece Zip-Up Hoodie
What teen doesn’t love an oversized hoodie? This chic zip-up fleece from Forever 21 is available in three colors and touts a drawstring hood, split kangaroo pocket and long sleeves.
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack
While it’s not as well known as the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag, this similar fanny pack from Patagonia is perfect for the outdoorsy type. It can sit at the waist or be slung over the shoulder for easy access to essentials, and reviewers love it because it is “light, comfy and durable.”
In addition to being a Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards Winner, this pack is also a favorite of associate editor Sierra Hoeger, who owns two! “They’re my go-to because of how durable they are. I’m able to fit my large wallet, phone, Chapsticks and keys in it, making it perfect for running errands or when I need to access just the essentials,” she explains.
Baublebar Custom Woven Friendship Bracelet
If they made the friendship bracelets and attended the most coveted concert of the year, gift them this one to help serve as memory. Customize it with their name, nickname or any other word that has meaning to them. Available in eight different patterns and colors, from stripes to criss cross, they can adjust and take off this bracelet as little or as often as they like.
Uncommon James Personalized Touch Monogram Necklace
Both fashion-forward and understated, this initial necklace is great for the budding style icon. It’s made of 14k gold-plated brass and can be personalized to match your teen’s name (letters from A to Z).
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials
Birkenstocks are back, baby! These are the same reliable and comfy sandal you know, but now available in a variety of colors and materials. Good for the beach, a concert or a visit to the local spa, your teen will wear these sandals everywhere.
Shop TODAY social media video producer Anita Chomenko has had her pair of Eva Birkenstocks for three years and according to her, “they still look good as new!” Chomenko says, “I decided to buy these before a trip to Hawaii when I wanted a flip flop/sandal that had a bit more support, but would also withstand the beach and the water. These are my go-to shoes for every beach and diving vacation I take. What I love about them is that they’re comfortable to walk in and you don’t have to worry about them getting dirty. Put them under water and all the sand will come right off! They come in a ton of cute colors, and they’re perfect for the boardwalk.”
The Comfy Original Hoodie
For those fall and winter at-home days, all you want is a warm blanket or a hoodie. The Comfy lets you cuddle up with both! This pullover lives up to its name — lined with sherpa on the inside and a soft microfiber fleece on the outside, they won't want to take it off.
Best home gifts for teens
Burrito Blanket
Don't stick to ordinary blankets. He or she will love being wrapped up like a burrito in this fun blanket — literally. It ranges in various sizes (60 to 90 inches), and comes in other designs, too, such as a waffle, pizza and more.
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler
Unless they are in living under a rock, your teen has probably heard of (or asked for) the Stanley tumbler. With it, your youngster will stay hydrated all day long, whether they just had basketball practice or worked up a thirst during gym class.
Stewart was hesitant at first, but now loves her Stanley: "I have to admit, I was reluctant about giving in to the hype of Stanley Quenchers when they first rose in popularity, but now I can’t go a day without mine. I have one at home and one in the office and it helps me stay consistent with my water intake. Plus, since it holds so much, it requires less refills throughout the day, which is less work on my part."
Miles Kimball Portable Hammock
Everyday can feel like a vacation with this portable, foldable hammock. Simply set up in either an indoor or outdoor space, lean back and relax! Reviewed as “sturdy,” this hammock will hold up in any space you decide to put it in.
Luca Cotton Weighted Blanket
This 100% cotton blanket was designed to provide “the sensation and comfort of a warm hug,” according to the brand. One of our writers’ has a teenage cousin who insists that it’s beneficial for her sleep.
Best beauty and grooming gifts for teens
EcoTools Makeup Brush Set
If your teen loves experimenting with different eye shadows and blushes, this six-piece makeup brush set is an ideal gift. Each set comes with foundation brush, blurring brush, define crease brush, liner brush, blush brush and one storage tray.
Peach and Lily Beary Merry Lip Balm
Make their day sweeter with these adorable lip balms from Peach and Lily. This colorful set includes three unique scents and is designed for dry, normal, oily and combination skin types.
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Shift
Since making its rounds on teens’ For You Pages across the country, Tarte’s color-shifting gloss has amassed more than 11,000 videos on TikTok under the hashtag #maracujajuicylip. The bestselling lip product is available in 18 different shades that adjust according to the pH level of your lips.
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy is a fan of the product, saying: “This lip gloss is now the only one I reach for in my makeup bag. I have shared this with an insane amount of people, and whenever I go out with my friends, we all put it on to see how it looks universally flattering on all of us.”
Production associate Audrey Ekman is equally obsessed: “I recently took inventory across all of my bags and I own six different shades. It’s that good.”
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush
Getting that perfect blowout at home can be quite the challenge, but with this Revlon Hot Air Brush, your teen can achieve sleek, voluminous hair in less than 12 minutes, according to one Shop TODAY writer. This tool was also a winner in Shop Today’s Beauty Awards last year, earning the title of best blow dry brush in the styling category.
“It’s so much lighter than my regular hair dryer and I find myself reaching for it more and more,” says Shop TODAY associate editor Lauren Witonsky. “I definitely notice more volume right after blow drying, and like how easy it is to create a flip at the bottom of my hair. The different heat settings are nice to have too, though I only use cool or low.”
Squigs Beauty Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil
With slicked buns and ponytails taking the style world by storm, Squigs Beauty’s hair oil is a great gift for teens with an eye for fashion and a taste for healthy hair. The clean beauty oil is formulated to strengthen your hair and support your scalp, according to the brand. Plus, who can resist the absolutely adorable pastel packaging?
Best books for teens
"Better Than the Movies," by Lynn Painter
Lynn Painter's young adult romance novel will capture your teen's heart with its realistic, clever dialogue and lovable characters. The novel follows romance film buff Liz Buxbaum as she grapples with her obsession with happy endings and her frustration with the boy next door.
“People We Meet on Vacation,” by Emily Henry
If you’re hoping to inspire some time away from your teen’s screens, gift a fun, friends-to-lovers romance that will have them in the sun-kissed mood all year long.
Stewart can vouch for this read: “This was my intro to Emily Henry books and I was absolutely captivated! I brought it with me to read while I was actually on vacation and ended up finishing most of it before I got off the plane.” According to Stewart, “It keeps you on the edge of your seat as you follow Poppy and Alex through summers spent together to learn about the big event that changed everything.”
"Every Body Looking," by Candice Iloh
This book, written by Candice Iloh, is all about a young woman leaving home for the first time to attend a historically Black college and her journey along the way.
“Cemetery Boys,” by Aiden Thomas
In “Cemetery Boys,” a transgender boy is determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family while he sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin to set it free.
“Everything Sad Is Untrue,” by Daniel Nayeri
“Everything Sad Is Untrue” is a groundbreaking autobiography about a young refugee who takes a stand for how he believes the world should be.
“Rebel: A Legend Novel,” by Marie Lu
New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu released this final book in her “Legend” series. The suspenseful plot will keep the reader’s pages turning!
“It,” by Stephen King
For teens who enjoy the now-famous horror movie (and horror books in general), gift them the novel that started the screams. It’s a New York Times bestseller for a reason.
"Dragon Hoops" by Gene Luen Yang
"Dragon Hoops" is great for sports lovers. It's about a high school basketball team trying to bring themselves to their ultimate goal: a victory at the championships.
The Complete "The Summer I Turned Pretty" Trilogy by Jenny Han
If your teen binged the popular TV show adaptation, gift them the novels that started it all. With three paperback books, the teen on your list will be indulged in all the summer feels — and well prepared for when season three drops.
Cocchi Zabloudil is a longtime fan of the book series, having read them as a teen herself. "No one captures what it’s like to be a teen quite like Jenny Han. I adored this trilogy when I first read it in high school (the first book came out when I was in 9th grade), and I loved all three books just as much when I reread them as an adult after the Amazon Prime series came out," she says. "Season 3 comes out in 2025, so now is a great time to gift these books to a teen who hasn’t gotten to know Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah yet!"
My Comic Book Kit
Zap! Pop! Once your artistic teen whips up some cool comic drawings, slip it into the mail. The print-ready artwork will be made into a professionally-bound comic book.
“A Court of Thorns and Roses,” by Sarah J. Maas Boxed Set
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas became well-known throughout social media. This boxed set makes it easy to gift them the entire collection, so they can dive right into the next one as soon as they’re ready.
Best games for teens
Tapple
Draw a category card, and try to name items in that category with letters from the alphabet. The last person who can't name anything with the letters that are left, loses. It's perfect for the teen who is a quick thinker, and loves a little competition between friends and family.
Codenames
People can’t stop raving about Codenames! The social card game is all about working together and is a great way to incorporate teamwork into your teen’s life.
Senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil says the board game has become a regular in her family’s rotation. “Codenames has become a staple for game nights and holiday weekends. It’s fun for adults and teens alike — and definitely drums up some good-natured competitiveness,” she explains.
Game of Phones
If your teenager is constantly glued to their phone, gift them with a game that encourages that kind of behavior and promises to be engaging and fun as well.
Game of Phones gives players prompts such as "Send a message to your parents. First reply wins," or a player dubbed as 'The Influencer' has to comment on a celebrity's social media post. "My whole family loves it, as does my teen and her friends. We had a lot of laughs and will play again," said one reviewer.
Clue Conspiracy Board Game
The teen you’re shopping for likely puzzled over who committed a murder in the famous Clue mansion. Now, they can play the mature version of the game, which takes place at the tropical Black Adder Resort. Divided into two teams, players will compete to decide the fate of resort manager Mr. Coral.
Asmodee Wavelength Game
While one look with a friend might communicate all they need to know, test their mind reading abilities with this game, where players have to rank items on the same scale (hot to cold, scary to mild, etc.) and see if they ranked them in the same spot.
Unique gifts for teens
The Screaming Goat
This miniature goat figurine is great for teens of all ages. The toy actually screams like a goat (cue the laughter!) and comes with a little book full of fun facts.
Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Claire’s Exclusive Earbud Case Cover
Their favorite kitty can now keep their earbuds safe with this Claire’s-exclusive Hello Kitty case. It’s even more special because it is in celebration of their 50th Anniversary, so this style is here for a limited time. It’s compatible with Apple AirPods (be sure to check sizing!), and can clip onto their backpack, belt loop or gym bag.
100 Movies Scratch Off Poster
If they love watching classic movies, then they’ll totally enjoy this movie-themed scratch-off poster board. There are 100 different movies from various genres for the true movie buff to explore.
Colorado Boomerangs Blue Speed Racer Boomerang
This easy-to-use boomerang is perfect for everyone from age 10 to 70. It even comes with a handy 24-page manual on how to throw a boomerang. They’ll surely love to toss this outdoors.
Bokksu and Hello Kitty And Friends Subscription Gift Box
If you’re looking for a gift that your teen would never expect, this subscription box from Bokksu and Hello Kitty will certainly do the trick. Give them a taste of Japan with this curated box of over 16 delicious snacks and collectibles that can be sent as a one-time gift or as a monthly subscription.
Etsy Gift Card
Everyone loves a handmade gift, especially if that homemade gift is made by someone who knows what they are doing. Support small businesses and let your teen pay a visit to their favorite Etsy shop!
Book of the Month Membership
If they love spending their time reading, this subscription lets them choose from three to 12 books each month, depending on the membership (ranges from $59.99 to $199.99). With a number of titles, genres and authors, they’re sure to find familiar favorites, or try out a new genre.
Shop TODAY associate editor Allie Wise is a big fan of this pick. “I love Book of the Month! I’ve been gifted it multiple times and it’s so fun to choose,” she says.
Goldbelly Ice Cream Monthly Subscription
If your teen has a sweet tooth and loves surprises, you can’t go wrong with a monthly ice cream subscription. Each delivery will include either five to six pints of ice cream, or tons of ice cream sandwiches from some of the tastiest creameries around.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for the tween, teen and young adult on your list including 11-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 13-year-olds, 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds, 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds, 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds and 20-year-olds.
