We Researched the Best Gifts for Teen Boys—Here Are Our Favorites

Our favorite gifts from Amazon, Pottery Barn, Harry & David, and more

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The Best Gifts for Teen Boys

The Spruce / Lecia Landis

Some teenage boys aren’t exactly known for their chattiness, which turns finding the perfect gift into a guessing game.

We tested and researched brands that offer gifts that are useful, safe, but also provide a bit of educational value for teen boys. Our list includes a fun game like Spikeball from Amazon, a comfy Pottery Barn lounger, and more.

Here are the best gifts for teen boys.

Our Top Picks

Spikeball Roundnet Combo Set with 3 balls and Backpack

5
Spikeball Roundnet Combo Set with 3 balls and Backpack

Walmart

Spikeball is a favorite at cookouts and graduation parties, and in backyards. The Standard 3-Ball Kit includes a durable trampoline, equipped with foldable legs for easy set-up and storage, three balls, and a convenient drawstring carrying bag. You and your teen will be able to play anywhere, anytime. All you need is four friends or family members to have hours of fun.

Price at time of publish: $70

Pottery Barn Teen Vegan Leather Modern Lounger

4.4
Pottery Barn Teen Vegan Leather Modern Lounger

Pottery Barn Teen

Older teens will especially appreciate the comfort, as well as the stylish look of this lounger. It's made of vegan leather with a great, worn in look. The backrest and slightly raised arms offer great support, and the filling conforms to the body, all while maintaining its shape over time.

Price at time of publish: $299 for 28 x 28

Masterclass Virtual Cooking Class

MasterClass

MasterClass

It's never too early to learn the art of cooking, and a virtual MasterClass can be the way to do so. The 36 video lessons are nearly seven hours of pro tips from chef Thomas Keller. Your teen will learn everything from essential tools of the kitchen to the art of pickling to making the perfect scrambled eggs. Or you can just purchase a MasterClass membership, which gives your curious teen access to more than 100 courses.

Price at time of publish: $15/month

Saiji Gooseneck Bed Phone Holder

SAIJI Gooseneck Bed Phone Holder, Flexible Long Arm Phone Mount for Desk, Clip Bracket Clamp Stand for 4.0-6.5'' Mobile Cell Phone Stand Document...

Amazon

There's a chance your teen is probably attached to their phone even while in bed. To help reduce neck fatigue, this phone holder easily clips to a bed frame, side table, and more. But it can also come in handy if your kid wants to go hands free while video chatting with friends or family members. The flexible arm is nearly 33.5 inches long and rotates a full 360 degrees.

Price at time of publish: $30

Honest Outfitters Single Camping Hammock with Hammock Tree Straps

Honest Outfitters Single Camping Hammock with Hammock Tree Straps

Courtesy of Amazon

Does he like to go camping? Perhaps he just spends a lot of time in his room? Whatever his mood, this hammock will be his new favorite place to chill out. Plus, it takes just three minutes to set up and folds neatly into a compact bag. The hammock uses straps, instead of ropes, so everything stays securely in place.

Holy Stone HS190 Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone

HS190 Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone

Holy Stone

A drone can be a pretty amazing gift but can also be one that's quite costly. That's why this mini drone from Holy Stone is a perfect option. It's affordable, compact, easily takes off, and lands with a single button. Also, there are three different speeds based on user's experience.

Price at time of publish: $30

Harry & David Pizza Kit

Harry & David Pizza Kit

Harry & David

Your young foodie will love this fun, tasty kit. It comes with everything they'll need to make two thin crust pizzas. There are two varieties of cheese, pepperoni, peppers, and organic marinara sauce. There's also a kit specifically for deep dish pizzas.

Price at time of publish: $60

COOL BANK 145-Piece Deluxe Wood Art Creativity Set

COOL BANK 145-Piece Deluxe Wood Art Creativity Set

Courtesy of Amazon

The impressive assortment of crayons, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor cakes, and mixing palettes in this art set are sure to inspire his creative side. This set comes with two sketch pads, so he can leave one at home and take the other one on the road. Everything comes in a wooden case, making clean up and storage easy—even for a messy teenager.

Price at time of publish: $37

Boogie Board Blackboard Writing Tablet - Note Size

Blackboard™ Smart Scan Reusable Notebook - Note Size

My Boogie Board

If your younger teen is always doodling or jotting down notes, here's an affordable alternative to expensive tablets. Boogie Board's writing tablet measures 6 x 9 inches and is the perfect size for note taking for studying or leisure activities. The notes can be saved to the app before clearing the board with the touch of a button. There's also a built-in magnetic slot to keep the pencil nice and secure.

Price at time of publish: $35

Uber Gift Card

Uber

Uber

We're sure your teen has taken Uber around town to get to a basketball game, meet up with friends, and such. Why not ensure he has a ride (and money!) to get around with an Uber gift card? This is a smart buy for when you just don't know what to get someone.

Ann Arbor T-shirt Co. I Paused My Game to Be Here Shirt

I Paused My Game to Be Here | Funny Video Gamer Humor Joke for Men Women T-Shirt

Amazon

Got a gamer teen? You'll both get a kick out of this "I paused my game to be here" shirt. The tee has a slight scoop-neck style and the material is super comfortable. The size range is great, up to a 3X, and it's easily washable and just looks better with more wear.

Price at time of publish: $23

yootech Wireless Charger

yootech Wireless Charger

Courtesy of Amazon

He can no longer make excuses that his phone died, thanks to this wireless charger. This is an affordable gift that is absolutely useful in every day life. It charges a variety of phones and even earbuds with ease. Also, this has a sleep friendly design and doesn't feature that annoying bright or blinking light that some chargers have.

Price at time of publish: $20

Ravensburger Views of Modern Rome - 5000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults

View of Rome

Kids 12-15 years old will love the challenge of this puzzle that features 5,000 pieces. And adults will probably find it equally challenging but in a fun way. The puzzle pieces are made of thick, glare-free material. Ravensburger is known for their quality puzzles and the "click" heard when pieces are assembled.

Price at time of publish: $110

Even if it’s hard to keep up with the music your teen is into, it’s easy to help them connect to their favorite artists, albums, and songs with the JBL Flip 5. It's compact, lightweight and, thanks to a layer of external fabric, durable too—perfect for stuffing into a backpack or gym bag. It’s also waterproof up to three feet deep.

Price at time of publish: $130

Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak Set

Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak Set

Courtesy of Amazon

While inflatable kayaks aren’t typically as sturdy as traditional kayaks, the K2 is still a safe and reliable choice. It has two seats, allowing an adult or a friend to accompany your teen on the water. The kayak itself is constructed from heavy-duty, puncture-resistant vinyl, and the bright yellow color makes it easily visible in any body of water.

Price at time of publish: $170

Blueear Bluetooth Beanie Hat

4.2
Blueear Bluetooth Beanie Hat

Amazon

For the kid who always wears a hat, especially a beanie, and one who loves listening to music? Here's the best of both worlds with a bluetooth hat. The knit cap comes in a range of colors and has a built-in wireless headset. It takes just two hours to charge and can last for up to 12 hours. Also, cleaning the hat is super easy. Just remove the bluetooth before placing the cap in the washing machine.

Price at time of publish: $24

Etsy Rule the Cool Teen Guy's Gift Box

Etsy Rule the Cool Teen Guy's Gift Box

Etsy

When you just don't know what to get, try a gift that comes pre-packaged with tons of goodies. This Rule the Cool box from Etsy includes a 3D laser cut puzzle, trivia and arcade games, and so much more. There's seriously something for every interest and the items come packaged in a perfectly tied box.

Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro 3x3 Portable Wireless Instant Camera

Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro 3x3 Portable Wireless Instant Camera

Kodak

Teens are probably too young to remember the Polariod days, but here's a camera that combines the old and new. Kodak's Mini Shot has a throwback feel with its vintage look, but it's all modern thanks to the ability to instantly print photos. Choose between a photo with or without a border and the camera can print out a 3 x 3-inch pic in seconds. It's also easy to connect the camera to other Bluetooth devices and print from a photo gallery.

Price at time of publish: $165

Fulton & Roark Total Package

Fulton & Roark Total Package

Fulton & Roark

Teenage boys aren't necessarily associated with the best grooming habits, but for those older teens who appreciate a bit of self care, Fulton & Roark has a great starter kit. The Total Package kit includes a soap, oil, deodorant, and long-lasting solid fragrance. Choose between six different scents for something that truly speaks to your recipient, from subtle to a bit more bold.

Price at time of publish: $160

Flipstik 2.0 Adhesive Selfie Device

Flipstik 2.0 Adhesive Selfie Device

Flipstik

There's a high probability your teen snaps quite a few selfies, so help him get the best flicks with Flipstik's simple, but effective product. It easily attaches to a phone and then it adheres to a surface like a mirror or wall. This means he can take a hands-free selfie pretty much anywhere. The adhesive is easily removable from surface to surface while still retaining its sticky-ness.

Price at time of publish: $15

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was updated by Patrice J. Williams who has been writing gift guides for The Spruce since 2020. She researched notable brands and top-rated products for teen boys that accommodate all budgets, interests, and needs. 

What to Look For in Gifts For Teen Boys

Recommended Age

Many teen boys like to exercise their minds, bodies, or both. The best gifts for this age group allow them to channel their energy and creativity into something fun and positive. A group outdoor game or indoor puzzle can both be great ways to connect while doing something together.

Safety

Teens and tech go together, which is why so many of the items on our list are the latest and greatest tech accessories that your teen boy is sure to love. With online access comes the required conversation about online safety. Other safety considerations can revolve around physical games. Always encourage your teen boy to wear the appropriate safety gear. You can even provide the most stylish helmet or jersey alongside your gift to really make it special.

Educational Value

Gifts for teen boys are a great way to encourage your teen to learn or practice new skills. Whether it is trying out a new sport, learning outdoors skills, painting and art, or engaging with the latest tech, these gifts can be as educational as they are “cool.”


Many parents look for STEM toys for educational and fun gifts. Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia, recommends encouraging your teen to go beyond the simple.

“If you’re truly talking about STEM, you have to make the content connections for kids. Let’s talk about the shape, design, efficiency. How do we work in the content to elevate the activity? We can help kids make the connection," says English.

FAQ
  • What is a good Valentine’s Day gift for a teenage guy?

    Valentine’s Day gifts are difficult to pick out for valentines of any age, but teenage guys can be particularly hard to shop for. If you’re in a new relationship, keep it light with an edible gift, like a hot sauce kit or an electric s’mores maker for your next movie night in. If you’ve been together long enough to have a high school couple name, up the ante with a bottle of his favorite cologne, a nice leather belt, or a cool watch.

  • What should you get a teenage boyfriend for Christmas?

    You probably know your guy better than anyone, so use his personality, interests, and hobbies as a guide. Christmas gifts your teenage boyfriend will appreciate might include a cool phone case, a cozy sweater, a new pair of headphones, an electric shaver, a boxed set of graphic novels, or a long board. 

  • What should you get a teenage son for Christmas?

    It can be difficult to buy gifts for a teenage son who is going through rapid changes and whose longtime obsessions and hobbies might no longer interest him. Not every gift has to be a surprise. Try asking him what he wants.

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