As boys age, finding the best items to fit their needs means shopping beyond the toy aisle. While some teen boys have deeply developed interests or hobbies, it’s never too late to give them something new to expand their creativity, move their bodies or play along with their buddies. We went right to the source–teens themselves—as well as their parents and parenting experts to find the best gifts for teenage boys.
If you’re stumped finding the best gifts for teen boys, consider asking your teen. Dr. Amanda Gummer, neuropsychologist, play and parenting expert shares: “Teenagers often already know what they want, so it’s worth starting the conversation early and having an open chat with them about what they have their eye on—sometimes a meaningful gift can simply be getting what’s on their list.” If the gift is for someone outside your family, it’s wise to check with parents or caregivers if you plan to give a video game or outdoor vehicle. Other families have different rules about these types of gifts.
If you need a holiday, birthday or anytime present, tons of unique gifts for teenage boys are out there. There’s no reason that any of these items are gender specific and would be appropriate for any teenager. For more ideas, look at our picks for the best gifts for teens.
A fantastic accessory, this adult-sized adventure blanket is perfect for teens who love the outdoors, live in cold climates or watch sports games on chilly days. The cozy, quilted blanket has snaps at the top, so it can securely wrap around your body, and interior pockets keep your hands toasty warm. It easily packs up into the included storage bag.
Teen-Sized Electric Bike
Droyd Blipper Electric Mini Bike
A splurge-worthy gift, this teen-sized electric bike is designed for kids 13 and up, with a maximum weight of 165 pounds. This bike is ready to go after an initial charge of around six hours. The top speed is 12.5 miles per hour, and the battery powers a 60-minute run time. Parents appreciate that the bike comes fully assembled—you just need to install the kickstand and handlebar, as well as spend some time going over the rules for riding.
Laser Tag At Home
ArmoGear Laser Tag
Create your laser tag arena without the added cost or hassle of going somewhere to play. Equipped with a 150-foot shooting range, teens can play across a wide area because this set includes target vests, invisibility mode, voice-guided directions and more. The pack consists of four vests and four blasters—there’s a battery-operated option or a rechargeable option that costs a bit more but ultimately saves money since you won’t need to buy batteries.
Playbook Football
Franklin Sports Youth Football
Touchdown! Even though it’s a youth football, teens enjoy the soft feel of this football. The laces are designed to show kids exactly where to put their fingers and 13 receiver routes are printed directly on the ball—they’ll be running routes in no time. One teen, Jake, shares that “we keep this in the car, so I can always toss the ball with my friends or brother” and the soft cushioning means no stinging hands or hard misses to the face.
Fishing Fun
Captain Experience
Outdoor adventurers might love receiving Captain Experiences as a gift. Like a vacation rental site for outdoor adventures, simply add your location, and the site will bring up one of the over 2,800+ guided fishing trips available. Pricing ranges based on area, duration and trip details, but this is a fantastic gift for the right kid.
Best Games For Teenage Boys
A Gamer’s Dream Come True
Sony PlayStation 5
Sony’s latest Play Station 5 (PS5) continues to top teens’ wish lists. While pricey, this innovative gaming console is lightning-fast and has an ergonomic and adaptive controller. Stunning graphics, an easy-to-use player interface and increased storage are reasons gamers love the PS5. This investment allows your teen to stay occupied alone or with buddies.
A Video Game For Soccer Fans
EA Sports FC 24
In this version of Nintendo’s smash-hit soccer video game, players can have just as much fun playing alone or with buddies. With the most updated kits, clubs and squads, the realistic graphics are fantastic on this must-have for any soccer fan.
A Game Of Two Bad Choices
Would You Rather?
Teens must choose between two equally horrible or wonderful options in this card game. With 500 cards, the questions range from silly, deep thinking, odd and just downright strange. The game is for ages 14 and up, so while there’s no gross-out humor, it is for older kids. Play with up to six people, and gameplay moves quickly and only lasts about 30 minutes, making it a perfect party game.
Fast Moving Fun
A Game Of Cat & Mouth
Fast-moving and fun, this magnet-powered game requires the players to catapult magnetic balls across the game board as quickly as possible. Highly addicting, this game is fast to learn, fast to play and requires minimal skills or strategy. The gameplay moves so quickly, teens can have fun creating tournament-style rounds. “I love playing tournaments with my friends because the game is fast and fun,” says teenager Henry. When game time ends, the entire game board and all the pieces are packed into the box for safe and secure storage.
Arcade At Home
Pop-A-Shot
A fantastic addition to the hangout room or wherever you have the space, this gift brings the fun of Pop-a-Shot to your home. The set comes with four mini balls, and the base is made from steel tubes and sturdy nylon fabric. There are 10 games and six audio selections, so there are hours of gameplay in your teen’s future with this sporty gift. Power the game via batteries or an electrical plug, giving you more flexibility in where you house this classic game.
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