Don't Know What to Get Your 13-Year-Old? We Have 55 Gift Ideas They'll Love (2024)

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DIY miniatures are designed for the most detail-oriented and patient makers and crafters. The tiny size and level of detail of Gracie’s Greenhouse is impressive. Concentration and immense attention to detail are required to assemble and outfit this miniature but well-stocked greenhouse. When it’s complete, your kiddo can show off their creation—it even has lights that switch on and off.

Copics aren't your regular school markers—these are the professional markers used by artists, illustrators, influencers, and aspiring artists who want to take their projects to the next level. If your kiddo is really into art, they'll know exactly what they are and how to use them. Copics are known for their smooth application that can be blended and layered for darker or bolder colors.

This beginner's set of Copic Ciaos includes five markers in pastel shades and two multi-liner pens. Each marker is double-sided, with one brush nib for blending and shading and a broad nib for consistent lines and details. Although they're a bit pricey, they'll pretty much last forever, since their alcohol-based ink is refillable.

Great for LEGO fans with long attention spans, the LEGO Architecture line has 40 highly detailed kit options made for ages 12 years old and up. The collections feature iconic buildings and skylines from all over the world. We love how these kits encourage older kids to build beautiful LEGO sets of cultural representations from around the world.

This fast-paced party game is well-titled. To play, split your group into teams. One player on each team has to describe random words to their team without saying "umm," "errr," or "ahh." If the other team hears those words, they ring the included bell and get points. Great for 4 to 10 players, each game takes only 15 minutes. It’s quick, fun, and so easy to learn.

You’re never too old to squeeze, snuggle, or cuddle with a 16-inch adorable pineapple Squishmallow. Made of ultra-soft, high-quality polyester and spandex, these cute collectibles are great for kids of all ages. There are also 12-inch and 20-inch versions available if your kiddo prefers a larger or smaller Squishmallow.

Squishmallows come in hundreds of characters, so if a pineapple isn't their thing, there's a jellyfish, boba tea, axolotl, cheeseburger, panda, and many, many more.

This mega LEGO set is the most epic of all Ninjago builds yet. It has over 6,000 pieces and is rated for kids 14 years old and up (but if you have a 13-year-old LEGO master-in-training at home, they'll be able to tackle it without a problem). This Ninjago Dragon's Rising set features a four-level city market with tons of details, 21 mini-figures, and much more. Keep in mind that a build this large requires a commitment in budget, time, and space, but your young sensei will appreciate it.

The beloved Hydro Flask wide-mouth bottle is made of professional-grade stainless steel, and the wide opening makes for a faster fill at the fountain. According to the brand, it keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 (actual results will vary, of course), which is perfect for a kid running from one activity to another.

There are many types of drones for kids available on the market. But if your kid is just starting out, the DJI Mini SE is ideal for beginners. It’s lightweight (about the weight of a phone) and easy to carry around, but it can also withstand winds of up to 24 mph. Plus, it has an HD camera with an SD card slot to capture images during its journeys, which can last up to 30 minutes on a full battery charge.

This is a great everyday bag for a kid with lots of after-school activities or weekend sports. With the classic shape, look, and feel of a traditional barrel duffle, this stylish piece of luggage comes with a removable shoulder strap, but it can be carried comfortably by its top handles, too. There are nine color options, including a few subtle prints.

You won’t find a more classic teen style than a Champion hoodie, and this well-priced pullover will keep them warm on cold bus trips. The heavyweight, cross-grain cut fleece also promises not to shrink.

Whether they’re on an early morning workout, a trip to the park, or just a hang in the backyard, kids love to have their tunes handy. This well-priced Bluetooth mini speaker comes with a clip that easily attaches to a bag, a bike, or a shower hook, and is available in nine colors.

Kids love listening to music, watching TikToks, and listening to podcasts, and at 13, they’re probably begging for a pair of Apple AirPods to tune in to all of their faves and use with their cell phones. As a bonus, many of the models come with six months of Apple Music at no additional cost.

The set we recommend is not the latest generation of AirPods, so they’re a bit cheaper than the new models, and you won’t mindquiteas much if they lose them.

If keeping track of hockey sticks, headphones, and all their personal items is a challenge, these Tile Bluetooth stickers might be just what they need. The tiny devices allow them to use an app on their phone (or yours) to locate their important items. Is this gift for them or you? We’ll never tell.

Skateboarding is back in a big way, and many kids are jumping on board. This fun California-made cruiser is great for racing around the neighborhood or commuting to school. The long, wide deck of the Retrospec Zed is great for a beginner because it's easier to balance on.

This colorful, fun backpack from Fjällräven is the kind of bag that people buy and wear for decades. We have personally tested this backpack and can guarantee it's built to withstand all kinds of abuse from careless teens. The brand has been popular since 1978, and it’s having a trendy moment—but it will also never go out of style.

This award-winning game is for “people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats,” so if that kind of whimsy sounds like your kid, this card game will likely be a hit. It only takes a few minutes to learn how to play—basically, cards are drawn until someone gets an exploding kitten—and then things really get exciting!This is a family game night staple in our house; a favorite among our teen, our tween, and our 7-year-old.

If your kid is into recording their own choreographed dances with their friends or stunts on their skateboards, this phone holder will help them position it just right to record content. They can also video chat or just view others’ videos hands-free with the tripod mount.

Since launching in 2017, the Switch has taken the mantle as the must-have console for most casual gamers. As its name indicates, this console can "switch" from being viewed on a TV and played with wireless remotes, or played as a handheld, portable gaming system for on-the-go fun. The top reason to buy a Switch? It's got the most popular games from the biggest names—like Mario, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Splatoon, and The Legend of Zelda. With four gaming enthusiasts in our house, we own two Nintendo Switches (and one Switch Lite, which is only a handheld device.)

Blue light glasses filter or block the blue light from digital device screens to prevent eye strain and possibly improve sleep. They’re quite helpful for many who look at screens all day. Blue light has been shown to disrupt circadian rhythms, and a good night’s sleep is so important for young teens. Plus, this pair from Peepers look pretty cool!

Endlessly cool, Chuck Taylor sneakers have been in style since they debuted in 1917. Currently, the kicks are seen on the feet of celebs like Harry Styles, Emma Roberts, Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid, Lucy Hale, and Beyonce, so it makes sense that teens love them as well. Plus, pairing comfy sneakers with skirts or even formal dresses is all the rage among this age group right now. Stylish and budget-friendly, these make a great gift.

You can’t host a TikTok-friendly dance party without a galaxy projector (well, you can, but it’s so much more fun this way). These projections are also relaxing to fall asleep to. This version from Rossetta will transform their room into another world with the flip of a switch, and it comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker.

Taking selfies, making TikToks, and logging into Zoom to chat with teachers or other students are all improved with great lighting, and we love this highly rated clip-on ring light. Simple to set up and use, it comes with a rechargeable battery and pops right onto their phone.

If you’re not hitting the pool or lake with a gloriously giant float, are you even on vacation? This over-the-top, adorable unicorn float is sure to be a hit with your teen at their next pool party or lakeside vacation.

Outside of a PS5, a gaming chair, and a pile of video games, what does every gamer need? How about this cool neon gaming sign they can hang up in their room or in the rec room? Shaped like a gaming controller, the sign is USB-powered and 16 by 11 inches.

Every PC gamer needs a gaming-specific mouse, and Razer's DeathAdder V2 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse has an ergonomic design that offers greater comfort while gaming—important for those long raids or when they’re grinding their rank on ladder (a phrase we definitely understand and did not have to look up just now when our teenager recommended this gift idea to us). It boasts 235 hours of battery life and seven programmable buttons. Our teen reports this mouse is very comfortable and impressively lag-free for a wireless mouse.

Available in more than 20 different design options, the Shashibo fidget box features 36 rare earth magnets for an innovative design that transforms into more than 70 shapes. This hand-sized box is less a problem to solve and more a sensory experience. Kids can build it into different shapes or just fidget with it. Our kids loved getting these in their stockings, and even we adults can't get enough of seeing what kinds of shapes we can make.

Another gift topping many teen gamer’s lists is a wireless headset. This model caught our eye for its high ratings, ability to switch to use with a phone, and sale price of under $100. It's available in versions specifically created for PlayStation, PC/Mac, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. (The price varies slightly depending upon which version you choose.)

If your teen has a Nintendo Switch or is getting one from you, they’ll need accessories, and this pack has it all. They’ll find a travel case, a game case, a comfort grip case, headphones, screen protectors, and more. The set comes in six different color options and has everything they’ll need for great gaming, except for their favorite Nintendo Switch games, of course.

Personalizing everything is very popular with young teens, right down to their computer accessories. This gradient-colored keyboard cover simply rolls out over the keyboard to give it a cotton candy pastel look. As a bonus: These are much easier to clean than a keyboard. Just be sure to confirm the right size when you order.

Vinyl is back—have you heard? Teens are flipping through bins of records at shops and flea markets and ordering limited edition vinyl from their faves. This simple portable suitcase turntable is a great entry point to a lifetime of loving music—and it comes in 22 colors! They can play it at home or take it to their friend’s house for a dance party.

For the serious gamer, this is a well-priced gaming chair that can be connected to smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. With two built-in speakers, the surround sound will enhance their gaming experience. The chair will also keep them comfortable and the high headrest and ergonomic shape will encourage better posture while gaming.

This transitional age of adolescence can make some kids pay a lot more attention to their appearance than they ever did before. If your teen is experimenting with makeup and skincare, this glamorous vanity mirror will give them warm light to see both their new look and their inner beauty.

Tote bags are always on trend, which is a good thing because kids have a lot of stuff to tote around. For your fabulous dog lover, this chic and simple French bulldog bag will have them stashing their stuff in style.

Fashion meets function in this celeb-approved beanie from workwear brand Carhartt. It's been spotted on the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lawrence, David Beckham, and Finn Wolfhard. It's available in nearly 40 colors, made with 100% acrylic ribbed knit, and is pretty much guaranteed to keep their heads warm this winter—as they might actually wear this hat.

With a classic yet stylish look, Air Force 1s have been popular for years (parents, you may even have a couple of pairs) and look great with most casual outfits. The versatility and comfort of these Nike classics are what keep them popularandworth the price tag. Your budding sneakerhead will thank you.

We think the SE is the best Apple watch for the money, as it offers all of the functionality most kids and teens would want at a price tag caregivers can get behind. They can set timers and alarms with Siri, get notifications of texts and emails, log workouts, and use Apple pay with the SE. Being able to keep in touch will be fun for them—and it can give you peace of mind.

We can’t get over how adorable this mini camera is, and yes, the ephemeral nature of Polaroid snaps is back because digital native kids also love a photo they can tack up on their wall. Parents will need tobuy special filmfor this camera, so pick up a few packs when you’re buying the camera.

This fun, vibrant deck of tarot cards featuring whimsical Japanese-style Kawaii artwork comes with an introductory guidebook for kids who aren’t familiar with how to read the cards. It explains the basic spreads and the major and minor arcana.

Nameplate necklaces never go out of style, and when kids are at an age where they’re figuring out who they are, a nameplate can be a defining part of their look. Available in gold vermeil, rose-gold vermeil, and sterling silver (you can go full gold or platinum, but the price will match the upgrade), this is an everyday piece they’ll cherish.

Thirteen-year-olds are definitely curious and interested in new things—as well as very old ones like the zodiac. A fun twist on a nameplate necklace, this zodiac necklace is personalized with a delicate gold-plated rendition of their star sign on a chain.

Tweens and teens love boba, or “bubble” tea, and this kit, made in California, brings you premium ingredients for the drink with no powders, only loose-leaf tea. They can make more than 24 drinks for themselves or host a boba party.

Your budding artist will adore this sweet chain with a gold-plated and enamel painter's palette and initial tag. You can choose the chain length and, of course, their initial. Be sure to order early, as personalization can add a few days to shipping time.

We love a monogram, and putting one on a YETI water bottle isn’t just cute—it’s practical. With kids piling their water bottles up when they’re playing ball or just hanging out, your kid will have a much easier time finding theirs when it’s time to head home. Just click “customize,” and you can add a name, monogram, or images to a classic YETI bottle.

If they’re looking to make their room a little less "babyish," and do a bit of upgrading, such as updating their bedding set, add in this moody smart light strip—which they can hang up on the ceiling, wrap around their headboard, or whatever they like—can change from white to colors, and it’s available in single-color or gradient varieties. You can help them download the Hue app, and they’ll be able to change the brightness of the lights, turn them on and off, and more.

For kids who are at an age when they’re establishing their personality and taking on more adult roles, the responsibility of plants can be a fun challenge. The upside of succulents? They’re pretty tough to harm—and they’re so cute. This gift package has four different potted succulents. Just remember, your kid should only water them once every two weeks.

Collecting these plushies that double as pillows has been popular for a while now, and the trend shows no signs of letting up. This cute unicorn makes a very good backup star in TikTok videos, and it’s also sure to bring a smile to any kid who still loves stuffed animals but wants something a little more cool and trendy.

Whether they’re printing pictures from their phones or using those aforementioned Polaroids, teens still love hanging photos of their friends in their rooms. This hanging photo holder creates a gallery wall with only two nails, 20 magnetic clips, and four cables to hold them. They’ll be able to display—and constantly rearrange—photos, notes, and awards.

LEGOs are an ageless hobby, and as your child grows up, they may want to explore more complicated kits. With over 2,300 pieces, this kit allows them to recreate the iconic 1989 Batwing aircraft in painstaking detail. There’s a stand to display the finished aircraft on, along with three minifigs (Batman, the Joker, and a character by the name of Lawrence the Boombox) to make it even more realistic.

For crafty kids who love cute toys, this beginner bundle from Woobles will get them started crocheting their own amigurumi—a portmanteau of two Japanese terms: ami, which means crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning a stuffed doll. The kits come with a crochet hook and enough yarn for four dolls. The instructions for completion take the form of online videos. Plus, they offer unlimited help via text or email. Easy peasy indeed!

Tie-dye is still such a big hit, and this well-priced kit has everything a kid will need to dye 15 shirts in multi-colored, spiraling splendor. You’ll need to buy white cotton T-shirts to get them started, but everything else—including Jacquard’s vibrantly colored dyes—is included.

Rubik’s Cube has gotten smarter! Yes, the cube itself is the same six-sided puzzle you grew up with, but now kids can connect with problem solvers around the world and play an app-connected puzzle game. Of course, it can also be used without the app for quiet fun.

Baking has grown in popularity with kids in recent years, thanks in part to the wildly popular Great British Baking Show. Teens will love tackling this new challenge: tiny baking. You’ve probably seen the YouTube and TikTok tiny food videos, and now your young baker can bake itty-bitty pies, cupcakes, pastries, and pizzas using miniature tools and pans, from recipes that are cut down to tiny size.

Writing by hand is becoming a forgotten art form, but for kids who love journaling, writing to pen pals, or writing out their to-do list on a chalkboard, this book teaches different types of hand lettering, including calligraphy, chalk letters, and even lettering for crafts. There are pen-holding instructions and practice pages for the kid who just wants to make it look great.

Keep them off screens and engrossed in problem-solving with this fun feline “cluster puzzle.” Every piece of the puzzle is a cat (except that lone dog), and they all fit together to make a melange of kitties. Perfect for a cat-loving kid.

There’s a trivia lover in almost every family, and this book of interesting facts will surely provide a curious kid with more than 1,500 fun facts they’ll enjoy learning about—such as “What did the big bang sound like?”—and sharing their knowledge with their friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What do 13-year-olds like to do for fun?

  You’re probably starting to feel your young teen pulling away from you, and that’s completely normal as they start todevelop their sense of who they areand what they like to do for fun. Young teens begin leaning into their peer groups and connecting over the things they enjoy, like hobbies or sports. Interests vary widely among 13-year-olds, from sports and outdoor games to arts, crafting, baking, and everything in between. In addition, nearly all teens love screens, whether it's video games or TikTok videos.

• How much screen time is healthy for a teenager?

  As with any parenting rule, there aren’t any absolutes. It’s about knowing your child and what else is going on in their life and finding the right balance. Although the clinical recommendation is about two hours, most kids (and adults) get much more than that. Dr. Hartstein believes it’s more about the balance of what they are doing. "If they are engaging in ‘real life’ interactions with people and participating in sports or other activities and getting their work done, it’s OK to be on screens more than two hours.”

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