The Very Best Gift Guide: Top Gift Ideas for Teens

Your #1 most requested gift guide category? Teens! This gift guide includes 50 options — 30 of those are $20 or under, and 10 of those are $10 or under. Lots of great stocking stuffers too.

My own teens were a huge help figuring out what to put on this list. They started with last year’s list, got rid of anything that was no longer available (or no longer worth including), and then we added tons of new ideas. 

There’s something here for every type of teen you can think of. I’ve got all the Breakfast Club stereotypes covered, and a whole bunch more as well. : )

Let’s get started. 

Pocket Projector. It connects to their phone via bluetooth and turns any blank wall into a screen. And yes, it’s small enough to fit in a pocket.

Old-School Label Maker. No plug. No batteries. Just a tool, some tape, and rad raised lettering that you can stick on jars or books or your phone case. We have a couple of these and they are irresistible to teens and tweens. Heads up: It comes pre-loaded with one roll, but you’re going to want more tape.

Sheet Masks — Set of Twelve. Have your teens tried sheet masks? Have you? Put on a movie, put an a sheet mask, and spend an evening bonding. This set has two each of 6 different formulas.

No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference by Greta Thunberg. Here’s to putting amazing role models in front of our teens.

Button-Maker. We invested in this professional-grade Tecre Model 100 button maker back when we lived in Colorado, and it’s still going strong. It has been used at dozens of parties (including Design Mom book parties!), has been frequently loaned out to friends, and has assisted in countless student government campaigns. There’s no electricity here, you’re just looking for a heavy duty well-made machine. And if you’re not sure you’ll use it much, there are more affordable options to consider. Teens (and adults) love designing their own buttons, or grabbing a magazine and making buttons from any random image they find.

Cell Phone Camera Lens Set with 9 Options. Confession: I want this for myself. Nine different lenses! And it comes with a little case too.

Areaware Gradient Puzzle. These are beautiful — and look like a real challenge!

Unstable Unicorns Base Game. It’s described as a strategic card game that will destroy your friendships…but in a good way, and it’s one of kickstarter’s top 50 most backed projects of all time! (There are 4 expansion packs available too.)

Mini Torch Flashlights — Set of Two. These are great! You can focus the light, there’s a power-saving option if you’re low on batteries, and there’s a strobe mode. Each flashlight just needs 1 AA battery (not included).

Huhuhero Fineliner Color Pen Set. In 0.38 mm for a fine line. This is a set of 10 colors, or for $9, you can get 18 colors. Perfect for journaling, and based on reviews, these are beloved.

Bendable Magnetic Pick-Up Tool. I didn’t understand what this was when I first saw the image, but when I read the description I thought it was awesome. It’s basically a strong telescoping magnet to help you grab things that have gotten out of reach. Such a cool stocking stuffer. Maybe for your husband or brother too. (Also: great reviews!)

Canvas Roll-up Pencil Case. Such a simple smart way to keep colored pencils or pens organized. Throw this in your bag and you’ll be ready to doodle at school or church or at your desk at home. The canvas is simple and handsome, but is also calling out to be drawn on. Note: this is just the pencil case, but it would pair well with the fineliner pens I listed above.

Eno Hammock. Lots of color options and a fan favorite. For your backyard, or a camping trip.

Reliable Portable Charger. Because sometimes phones run out of power right when you need to call your parents and tell them about your change of plans.

Celestron Travel Telescope. Looking at the stars has such a wide appeal. 

Custom Tennis Balls. I didn’t even know you could customize tennis balls till I saw these. What would you right? Silly stuff? Motivational coach-quotes? Your child’s name?

Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit. Does your teen think they’re Harry Potter pro? Now’s their chance to prove it.

Tombow Brush Pens. These are Olive’s favorite pens and they come in lots of different sets with other color options. Perfect for practicing hand lettering.

The Office Pillow. It’s basically a personal joke for fans of the The Office.

Pawnee Book. A real book that’s basically a personal joke for fans of Parks & Recreation.

Wonder Woman Earrings. Pretty and powerful.

Bluetooth Shower Speaker — Certified Waterproof. Do you have a kid that likes to sing in the shower?

Wreck This Journal. These are so cool. They’re probably the coolest journal you’ll ever see and come with instructions on how to paint, poke, create, destroy, and wreck this book to create a journal as unique as your teen.

Watercolor Paint Set. I’ve never seen a watercolor palette presented in such a gorgeous way.

Astronaut Socks. Yay for outerspace! (More astronaut-y gifts here.)

The Great Wave Patch. Sew it on a backpack or jacket.

The To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Paperback Collection. The first one was made into a Netflix movie and it’s great (but the books are better, of course).

Penny Board. Skateboards are pricey! Start with one of these, and the investment won’t feel like such a punch. They’re cool, and they come in lots of different color combos.

Puffin in Bloom Book Collection. This hardcover book set, with cover art by Rifle Paper Company, is stunning. It includes 4 titles that would improve any personal library — Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, A Little Princess, and Heidi.

White Porcelain Bunny Lamp. This softly glowing creature is endlessly appealing. What a gentle, sweet addition to any bedroom.

Slack Line Kit. Have your kid watch some slackline videos on youtube and then head to the backyard or the park to learn a new skill.

Pink Clay Cleansing Soap Bar. It’s 100% natural, 100% vegan, and has a reputation for being very effective. Pink clay is known for drawing out impurities and toxins. Just the thing for troubled teen complexions. And it smells amazing too.

US Chess Federation Supreme Triple Weighted Chess Set. It looks so official, right? And the carrying case makes it easy to bring to Chess Club. No chess club at your school? No problem. Your teen can start one and add that to their college apps.

3-inch Green Mini Clock. It comes in 7 different colors, but the green and blue are my favorite. Oh, and it’s non-ticking! So it won’t bug anyone who likes to fall asleep in a quiet room. 

Washi Tape 20 Color Set. This set of 20 includes a super assortment of brights and cools. My teens use washi like this to tape dried wild flowers to their mirrors and walls. There are endless uses for these pretty tapes.

How to Stay Alive in the Woods. It’s divided into 4 essential sections — Sustenance, Warmth, Orientation and Safety — and it has excellent reviews. Your teen will approach the upcoming zombie apocalypse with confidence.

Woodland Pencils. A quirky, cute set of 4 that would be perfect in a stocking.

Sheep Pushpin Holder. This wooly sheep comes with 75 white, round push pins — and doubles as an eraser. Can’t you just picture it sitting happily on their desk? (Could be fun for a co-worker too.)

Tosca Accessory Stand. A simple, good-looking organizer designed in Japan. It holds necklaces, bracelets, eyeglasses, a cell phone — and has a tray on the bottom for rings and watches.

Giant Wearable Body Bubble (set of 2). A fun and funny way to help them get out that excess energy.

A Gorgeous Slingshot. Handmade in California, they come in tons of colors and styles — and the company offers felt ammo too.

Punching Bag. I hung one of these in my family room when we lived in New York and had 3 tiny kids. It was an amazing stress reliever! This full-size, affordable version comes flat, and can be filled with whatever you like. ($16 Gloves too!)

Hardcover Journal. I LOVE this journal. It’s available with dot, rules, blank, or grid pages, it has an expandable pocket at the back, it lays flat when it opens so it’s easy to write in, and there’s a pen holder on the spine. Great looking and great details.

Starter Ukulele. It comes in 10 different colors (I’m really feeling the black version), with all the needed accessories — Canvas Tote Bag, Strap and Picks. They’ll be playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow by New Year’s.

Gio_Graphy: Fun in the Wild World of Fashion. Know a teen fashionista? Or someone who wants to be one? This book is on my own teen’s wishlist. It’s witty and interesting — written by a street-style fashion heroine.

Drying Lotion. Darn zits! This tiny little bottle of magic will dry them up fast. It’s a universally loved product. Pair it with a cool little package of Japanese cotton swabs, and put them both in the stocking. If you like the drying lotion, try the rosewater and green tea sprays as well.

Marvin Gaye Record. Vinyl in general makes a great teen gift. It’s a chance to introduce your teens (or grandkids!) to a favorite album from your own youth, or a vintage record you’ve always loved.

Record Player. This one has great vintage styling. (More record player picks.)

To Kill A Mockingbird. This hardcover, 50th Anniversary Edition, is an excellent addition to any personal library.

Pro Art Drawing Set. Very affordable, with rave reviews. This set has everything you need to get drawing. Pair it with a sketchbook for a handsome gift.

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Your turn! What are you giving to the teens in your life this year? Feel free to add links in the comments. Does anything on this list spark a gift idea for you? I’d love to hear.

P.S. — Need more ideas? Here are another 45 really great Teen Gift Picks.