Gift Guide for Teens

This post contains a gift guide for teens broken into categories.

Kids are so easy (and fun!) to get gifts for, right? I love finding all the cute, educational, and practical things for little ones. However, once they hit about age 10, I start questioning my discernment. What is cool anymore?

Before I had teens of my own, they were the most challenging demographic to buy gifts for. Now that I have 2 of my own (and an up and coming tween too), I know exactly what they want. How? Well, because they ask for things. A lot of things.

Since I cannot buy everything on their list, I thought I’d jot them down here to potentially help a fellow mom friend who may have nieces or nephews in the teen category and is struggling with any ideas beyond a Target gift card.

This post is a gift guide for teens based on my own teens.

[RELATED POST: Gift Guide for Homeschool Moms]

Gift Guide for Teens: Hygiene and Heath

1. Skincare (JUICEBOX15 for 15% off): This gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and overnight serum bundle is my daughter’s favorite.
2. Breakouts: This whole line has been awesome for any unmentionable breakouts.
3. Hair Straightener: for the days that need a little extra something.
4. Vitamins: We’ve been trying different things, but this is our go-to lately.
5. Clean Deos: These playful and clean deodorants are designed with your young athletes in mind.
6. Haircare: My teen likes the scent and feel of this one.
7. Bath Mat: Make them smile in their bathroom as they get ready.
8. Shower Steamers: Add some umph to their normal routine.

Gift Guide for Teens: Organized and Tidy

1. Customized Paper Products: Personalized anything is really special, and notecards, journals, and planners are really sentimental.
2. Storage for Hobby Items: They may not have a big Lego collection anymore, but all of their hobby items need a cute place to go when not in use.
3. Aesthetic Alarm Clock: Upgrade normal items to a more sophisticated level.
4. Water Bottle: Did you click just to see if it was a Stanley? 🙂
5. Closet Help: Whether adding shelves, a shoe rack, or some fresh scent, this is another way to upgrade their normal routine.

Gift Guide for Teens: Beauty

1. Styling Glue for Boys: Affordable and efficient styling glue for spikey styles.
2. Styling Pomade for Boys: Our go-to for everyday hair styling.
3. Rare Beauty Blush: Light and subtle is just right for teens.
4. Mascara: Affordable, and does the job well. I use this one too!
5. Skincare Gift Set: If you want to shock your teens, this is a very popular and coveted gift set. We’ve purchased it several times for their friends, and was always well received.
6. Popular Lip Set: You can find more affordable dupes, but here is the travel version of this desirable set.

Gift Guide for Teens: Experiences

1. Escape Rooms: We have completed a couple escapes as a family of 5 (more to come!), and they have been some of the best memories collected! A quick Yelp search of the best escape rooms in your area will do the trick.
2. Live Musical Theater: Our gift this year is more extravagant than usual, and we are gifting our kids tickets to see Wicked, the Musical. As they get older, I value these experiences together more than stuff.
3. Pro or College Sports Game: If your child has a favorite team, see if there is an option to see that team play in person. It can be a sweet father and son outing or the whole family.
4. Outdoor or Rooftop Movie: We have been to a few of these as well. Our local botanical garden offers this, but also in the city, there are rooftop and lawn movie experiences for families available.
5. Nail Salon, Game Cafe, or Bowling: the possibilities are plentiful, and it is really nice to just have fun with your teen without expectations or responsibilities.

Gift Guide for Teens: Room Refresh

1. Lights: So many fun options here, but this guy is hilarious! Make it a starry night or hang string lights for the coolest room in the house. Recently, we went on a college tour, and one of the dorms had such an elevated look just by adding cafe lights across the room. If you want to make this more personal, try a custom name in lights.
2. Bedding: A couple months ago, we upgraded our son’s mattress and pillow (this link will get your 20% off), and he was surprisingly so thankful. He said he could totally tell the difference in what a good night sleep he had. As parents, I think we can ALL agree that everything is better when your teens are well rested!
3. Aesthetic Diffuser: My girls love their diffuser, and changing out the different oils. Our current favorite is this one (use “JUICEBOX20” for 20% off), and I love the Sunshine and Focus scents.
4. Reading Light: If you’re kids are like mine, they have a book by their bed. Since my girls share a room, we picked up this book light so one child can read without lighting the whole room.
5. Jewelry Organizer: This has been so helpful as my girls add to their earring and necklace collection. I like that they are all neatly kept within this minimalist jewelry box.
6. Wall Prints: I like to keep it simple here, but this is a fun way to jazz up their room. I love these simple floral prints. You can also make their own artwork into a beautiful mosaic to hang on their walls (this link will get you 20% off). This is such a special idea, and will show how much you think of their creation.

Gift Guide for Teens: Active Gear

1. Supportive Shoes: These are my tried and true supportive, comfy, and not ugly shoes. I have tested them at amusement parks, long walks, and workouts.
2. Activewear and Equipment: Depending on their activity, maybe they can use some outfit refreshment. My daughters can always use more dancewear, and my son will take a new breaking cap anyday.
3. Gym Bag: I highly suggest finding a ergonomic bag that you can have shoes in a separate compartment. My kids usually have snacks and shoes in the same big compartment, which grosses me out. I am hoping to upgrade sooner than later.

Gift Guide for Teens: Technology

1. Safe Phone or Watch: Our go to safe first phone is this one. My link always has some type of deal associated with it such as a free device or free accessory. We have been using these for my middle school aged kids for years because they are distraction free, and have been a valuable stepping stone into the digital world with helpful boundaries already in place.
2. Airpod Case: So many fun options available now!
3. Portable Speaker: My kids love to take music on the go, whether traveling or hanging out with friends.

That is a roundup of the categories that we can easily find great gift ideas for teens. Another simple tip is add the word “cute” or “fun” or “crazy” to your gift idea, and you’ll usually find something wacky enough that will make your teen smile. That smile is the reward for your thoughtful work!

This post is all about great gift ideas for teens.

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