Need Teen Gift Ideas? We’ve Got You Covered

These teen gift ideas can make your holiday shopping easier!

‘Tis the season, and even the elves know that gift shopping for a teen or tween can be a real challenge. To offer some assistance, we’ve done a little holiday reconnaissance. Read on for our under-the-tree intel.

Tech

Oprah has jumped on the virtual reality bandwagon, including the Meta Quest 2 (formerly Oculus Quest 2) virtual reality headset on her list of favorite things for the second year in a row. At $399.99, this isn’t an inexpensive gift – even if it does come with a free download of the popular Beat Saber game. However, if your teen is a gamer, and you’re worried about the amount of time they spend glued to a chair, many virtual reality games have a fitness component and almost all require movement. As a bonus, parents can borrow the headsets for their own virtual workouts! Add in a local angle with a download of Golden Gloves VR ($29.99). This virtual reality boxing game is a real workout, and it was developed right here in Tulsa.

Useful and efficient, the Elago 3 in 1 Charging Hub ($28.99) charges three Apple products – iPhone, iWatch and AirPods – at the same time.

KODAK Smile Classic Digital Instant Camera ($149.99) is the perfect way to get those retro selfies. Old-school design meets modern tech in this camera, which features Bluetooth connectivity and allows you to print out photos or save them for later.

Image from kodak.com

The 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen ($80) heats up and extrudes multi-colored plastic inserts, allowing you to draw in 3D. The kit includes 15 different colors and a guidebook.

Image from the3doodler.com

Practical

Reusable water bottles are a useful gift for kids of every age. The Hydro Flask is one of the more popular brands. Dishwasher safe and BPA-free, it’s a great way to travel with a beverage, while maintaining its temperature. The 40-Ounce Wide Mouth Cap ($49.95) version holds plenty, and makes a great gift paired with a pack of stickers for personalizing.

Novelty socks from brands like Hotsox ($8), Sock It To Me ($10) and Blue Q ($13.99) are as entertaining as they are useful. With dozens of whimsical prints and quotes to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect pair for everyone on your list.

Image from sockittome.com. “Wheely Great Friends Knee High Socks” style.

Gift cards are always a welcome sight for cash-strapped teens. Available in any price range, you can go specific – Starbucks, McDonald’s, QuikTrip – or general in the form of a prepaid Visa gift card.

Games & Puzzles

It can be tough competing against any electronic device for a teens’ attention, but the holidays are a perfect time to pull out the ancient arsenal of tried and true “old-fashioned fun.” Consider wrapping one of these no-battery-required options.

The Awkward Family Photos Movie Line Caption Game ($30)

Players use memorable movie lines to caption awkward family photos. The favorite caption wins the round.

Wingspan ($45)

This board game is beautifully made. Players are “bird lovers” who try to bring the most birds to their yard. Start off with an action mat, bird cards, bonus cards and food tokens, then strategically use them to win the most points over four rounds.

Image from amazon.com

Not Parent Approved ($25)

Like a family-friendly version of Cards Against Humanity, players respond to fill-in-the-blank questions with a (ridiculous) answer card from their hand.

Tulsa Flag playing cards ($15) and Expo Pavilion jigsaw puzzles ($30)

These items, from locally owned Crazy Ideas, make the perfect holiday hostess gifts, as well as fun under the tree for the whole family. Available at Kiddlestix, Ida Red and other Tulsa locations.

Tulsa puzzle and playing cards by Crazy Ideas.

Books

Life Skills 101 – Everything You Need But Won’t Learn in School ($25)

This book addresses social media and mindfulness through infographics. Colorful and practical, it covers everything from time-management to budgeting and parent-child relationships.

Guinness World Records 2023 ($30)

This perennial family favorite is full of fascinating facts and entertaining tidbits that can be digested by all levels of readers in manageable time increments. The newer editions have been updated to be more diverse and inclusive in their coverage.

The How-To Cookbook for Teens ($15)

This cookbook contains 100 simple recipes in an easy-to-follow format, using readily available and affordable ingredients. For a slightly older adolescent, try The Ultimate College Cookbook ($20) with 60 recipes that can be prepared in a dorm room or apartment.

Sports & Fitness

Keep ‘em moving through the holidays and beyond with these sports and fitness-related gifts. Fitness trackers continue to be popular and are available in a wide range of price and sophistication. The Fitbit Charge 5 ($99.95) is water resistant up to 50 meters and includes a GPS. For a more affordable tracker, consider the Amazfit Band 5 ($27.99), which includes a lot of the same basic services.

Fitbit Charge 5. Photo from amazon.com

The GlowCity glow-in-the-dark basketball ($39.99) is the perfect way to extend outdoor game time, especially with the shorter days of winter. Activated with a bounce, the lights automatically turn off when not in use, and the batteries are good for up to 30 hours (extras are provided).

Fitness dice are a simple way to encourage movement. Flex it Pink Fitness Dice ($3.99) make a great stocking stuffer. Chronicle Books Fitness Dice ($19) are made for all experience levels. With seven wooden dice, you can roll over 45,000 possible bodyweight workout routines.

Silly

What are the holidays without a little bit of frivolous fun? The GummyGoods Nightlight ($40) is a squishy, much larger, electrical version of its edible cousin. With a rechargeable battery and a wide range of colors, it’s a cute gift that’s also useful.

For your music lover, a Pick-a-Palooza DIY Guitar Pick Punch ($23.95) looks much like a stapler and creates custom guitar picks from old credit cards, gift cards, hotel room key cards, driver’s licenses or any thin piece of plastic.

Image from pickapalooza.com

Make your own beverage with the Flavor Purveyor Bubble Tea Kit DIY Boba Tapioca Pearls ($34.99). The kit comes with everything you need to make your own bubble tea in minutes – just add boiling water.

Julie Wenger Watson is a freelance writer who’s worked in all aspects of music promotion. She’s also Co-Director of “Live From Cain’s,” a public radio show pilot.