If you're an adult shopping for teens, the bridge between fun and functional can get tricky. Ask your average 13-year-old how successful their parents are at gift-giving, and they'll likely tell you it's a struggle.
When it comes to shopping for teenagers, keep in mind that they like practicality, but they don’t want it as a present. We suggest trying to base gift ideas on how you react to prizes on "The Price Is Right." For example, a jet ski sounds awesome when you're 13, whereas new flooring would be the dud prize.
OK, no one should rush to buy a jet ski for a 13-year-old, but you get the gist: Put yourself in your kid's gum-stuck shoes, and you should be just fine. After all, what's considered cool hasn't changed that much over the years. But if you need some more help figuring out what 13-year-olds are interested in, here are some ideas for the tween in your life, ranging from budget to luxury gifts, whether they're a beauty lover or a techie.
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Best gifts for 13-year-old girls
Who doesn’t love a gift that’s tailored just for your 13-year-old — especially one as vibrant and colorful as these socks? This unisex pair has two designs you to choose from, each with the name of your tween featured in a repeating pattern. Reviewers say they’re adorable and super-soft.
Your 13-year-old will obsess over these trendy, seasonal lip balms. Production assistant Audrey Ekman says, "I'm personally obsessed with Glossier’s limited-edition holiday drops and I know beauty-loving teens are too. This set of two of festive, editor-loved lip balms comes ready to gift in a cute tin and is perfect for combatting dry winter lips!"
Don't settle for a boring claw clip. Spice up your teen's hair accessories with this large handmade and hand-painted grapefruit claw clip from Jenny Lemons.
These boards are majorly trending among teens — and for good reason. The felt letter board will look aesthetically pleasing in any room (it comes in 27 colors!), and it’s customizable so your loved one can personalize it to say whatever she wishes in the moment.
Both stylish and functional, this faux leather backpack is perfect for your middle-schooler’s days in class. Plus, it comes with a matching pouch for them to stow pencils, highlighters, personal items and more.
Whether she’s already a bookworm or just binge-watched the latest season of the TV adaption, she won’t be able to put down these bestselling books until she’s finished the series.
Keep them stylish during school sporting events with this hair-bedazzler set. Associate editor Lauren Witonsky says, "I just gifted my 10-year-old cousin this hair blinger for the holiday,s and I can’t tell who loved it more between the two of us.
She adds, "It's so easy to use, there are tons of colors/refill packs to choose from, and the gems really do stick all day. I think it would work for 13-year-olds, too!"
Some gifts just stick with you, and this one will be appealing at first sight. Stickers make the world go round, and with this sticker maker, your 13-year-old’s world will keep on spinning and sticking.
Associate editor Allie Wise is planning on buying this bracelet for her 13-year-old niece. “I can’t wait to gift her this custom bracelet to commemorate this milestone birthday,” she shares. “I love that you can customize it with her name or a phrase. We have a few inside jokes so I think I might write something funny over sentimental, but we’ll see. I am sure she will appreciate it either way!”
You can't go wrong getting the 13-year-old in your life this sick skateboard. Reviewers say it's easy to maneuver, and its smooth wheels give it a smooth ride, making it really easy to learn on.
Easily inflatable, this air lounger is designed to support your upper back and neck so your tween can feel relaxed and comfortable. Once set up, the lounger will remain inflated for five to six hours. It also comes with a carrying bag for convenient storage.
Now that they're officially in their teens, there's a good chance that they're getting into the crazy world of makeup. This set comes with Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek tint, Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss, Highlighter and Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray — all in a convenient carrying case — that they can use to try out the classic no-makeup, makeup look.
Give them a gift that shows how strong your bond is together with this interlocking clasp bracelet from UNOde50. It is made with real leather and gold-plated metal. It signifies the loyalty, strength and courage they're continuing to develop as they grow.
Best gifts for 13-year-old boys
All signs lead to awesome with this game room LED sign. Good for your child’s bedroom or playroom, this versatile piece of electric art can easily be hung almost anywhere.
Supply all the fun of a dartboard for your kids without the sharp, dangerous darts. This magnetic board is sure to be a party pleaser.
Keep your eye on the prize all day and night with this light-up basketball. It has motion-activated LEDs inside, so all they need to do is get the ball moving for it to work its magic.
Currently the most gifted drawing board and table on Amazon, this is perfect for the aspiring artist in your life. Simply use water to paint away on the Buddha Board and watch it fade away so you can start again. On a budget? This meaningful gift is also available in a mini version that’s under $20.
“Where we dropping, boys?” will never be heard more clearly than with this USB mic. A perfect mic for the intense gamer who is ready to rally his troops and livestream their gameplay or podcast, it features four distinct sound pickup patterns, which should eliminate any chance for, “Can you hear me now?”
This Nike pullover hoodie is so comfy and cool that your teen will try to live in it. You never want to interrupt or cramp your child’s style, but they will need to pry this hoodie off once in a while for a dance around the washing machine.
Consider this the gift that keeps on giving for three solid months. This Game Pass provides unlimited access to over 100 games, with new games being added all the time. It's perfect for the Xbox fanatic in your house.
Gifts for 13-year-olds under $20
Know a budding 13-year-old chef? This cookbook features simple recipes and step-by-step instructions that will help them learn their way around the kitchen.
Author Keri Smith wrote a book — well, half of a book, and she has tasked the readers to finish the story. Great for kids, this book will allow its reader to problem-solve and collaborate to do so.
One reviewer wrote, “My son, who isn’t in love with schoolwork, first thought this book sounded like it was going to be boring. Now, we have spent the last three hours solving the codes in the ‘training’ section of the book. He is HOOKED!”
While they were merely infants when the movie adaptations were released, it’s never too late to catch up on the well-known and liked series.
This is the prequel that shares President Snow’s origin story and follows the 10th annual Hunger Games.
They’ll need a place to stow all of their personal items, so gift them this customized crossbody bag. They can wear it around their waist, over the shoulder or across the chest.
You can’t go wrong with name jewelry. This necklace can be customized with any name (up to 15 letters). It also comes in different colors and styles, including gold-plated options or silver with a heart decal.
“My daughter received this for her bday. She loves it!” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “And she has not taken it off for a month! In and out of bed, in and out of dance class, and in and out of the shower… it’s pretty and it has been holding up too.”
What kind of teen doesn’t love a sweet treat? Several members of the Shop TODAY team can’t get enough of the irresistible international nibbles found inside this viral candy boutique, and now everyone can take the experience home with them thanks to various mixes for any kind of palate.
If they love their water bottles, you have to get them this mini version that is such a cute accessory to their backpack or purse. It might look small but this little guy can keep water cold for over seven hours.
Upgrade her selfie game with this clip-on ring light that creates the perfect lighting wherever she is. According to the description, it can last up to two-and-a-half hours when fully charged or can be used while charging, and it has three dimmable light modes and five brightness levels.
Splurge-worthy gifts for 13-year-olds
For a phone case that encapsulates their personality, opt for one from Casetify, well-known for their vibrant, eccentric and durable cases.
Available for Apple, Google and Samsung models, this specific case has a moderate to strong amount of protection, according to the brand.
If your 13-year-old doesn’t already have an emotional support water bottle, it’s likely on their wish list. The Stanley tumbler is dishwasher-safe and has a lifetime warranty.
Multiple shoppers have noted that they bought the tumbler as gifts (and some even call out that they bought it for a 13-year-old).
"My 13 year old goddaughter loved it," one shopper wrote. They continued, "She loved the color AND that it arrived before she left for school!"
Soon they'll be a pro at coding as they learn to toggle and create their own video game with this Shop TODAY Gifts We Love award-winning kit. They will need is a computer and a visual editor alongside them to understand the world of code.
As they enter their teens, they might have started to venture into their own music tastes and styles. If you want to avoid them blasting their music in the house, these pink earbuds from Bose are a great way for them to enjoy their tunes. And if pink isn’t their color, they have a bunch of new bright colors for summer.
They'll be overjoyed to unwrap these Uggs this year. The mini platform style is super trendy this year, so they'll want to wear them everywhere, from shopping trips to school.
"I think it’s fair to say that you simply can’t go wrong with an Amazon Kindle," writer Danielle Murphy summarized about this popular e-reader that she tested during recent travels.
Beyond impressive upgrades to the original model like auto-adjusting front light and 25% faster page turning, she loved how she could turn her reading into a shared experience. "The Kindle also allows me to share my books with someone else via the Family Library feature. I invited my best friend (and fellow reader) to my Amazon Household, and now our Kindles automatically sync up and share everything we’ve added to our personal libraries."
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 1-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.
