Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life
I started thinking about making this gift guide when I was shopping for gifts for my teen brother and my younger cousins, and ended up having so much fun putting the full list together. Is shopping for kids even better than shopping for adults? Honestly…I’m starting to think so!
Here are some of my best ideas for toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and young adults (and, on occasion, grown people as well).
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
I ordered a bunch of these on a whim over the summer and was really pleased; it’s just great (non-messy!) putty! The iridescent ones are truly beautiful, and it’s very fun to squish and play with, no matter how old you are. (The holiday varieties are also so festive and cute!) Get them from Puttyworld for ~$15 each (plus 20% off everything through 11/30) or from Amazon for $8–$15 each.
A record player
I love this for young people who take their music very seriously. (I may or may not have ordered my brother one for Christmas two days ago!) Get this lavender one from Urban Outfitters for $79, and see more colors/options here.
Selfie ring light with phone holder and tripod
For the budding vlogger in your life. Get it from Amazon for $29.69.
A Day at the Barbershop memory game
This is cute! And according to the website, it’s designed to “help little ones get comfy with regular barbershop visits” and “feel at home in a new place.” Get it from Uncommon Goods for $16 or Amazon for $17.95.
Dollhouse room kit
I would have loved receiving one of these when I was young (or…now); instead of building a whole house, you just build a single room. Get the greenhouse from Amazon for $45.99 or a tiny library for $39.99.
Sculpd pottery kit
This is basically a starter kit for little pot/sculpture projects, and another nice option for a crafty kid. Get it for $49 with this referral link. If you prefer something a little less expensive/more straightforward, a Sculpey variety pack ($19.99 on Amazon) is also a good way to go.
Amazing Area Mazes: 70 Race-the-Clock Puzzles for Budding Math Wizards
I would not be the correct audience for this particular puzzle book, but I am very impressed by the kids who are! Get it from Amazon for $7.86, Bookshop for $8.23, or your favorite local bookstore.
A User’s Guide to Democracy
I interviewed the authors of this book this fall and am a fan! (This is another item that would be genuinely great for adults too!) Get it from Amazon for $13.59, Bookshop for $15.63, or your favorite local bookstore.
The Little Book of Life Skills
I have been a fan of Erin Zammett Ruddy since I read her column every month in Glamour nearly 20 years ago, and was absolutely floored when she asked me if she could interview me for her upcoming book. (I weighed in on the section about showing up for friends.) We talked for like 45 minutes and she was so lovely/smart/fun; I’m so thrilled about this book, which I’d recommend for people 16 and up! Get it from Amazon for $11.99, Bookshop for $18.40, or your favorite local bookstore.
Dot Journaling―A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together
While this book isn’t specifically for teens, I was very conscious of writing a teen-friendly book as I worked on it, and I do genuinely think young people would like it! Get it from Amazon for $8.49, Bookshop for $11.91, or your favorite local bookstore.
A fun Nintendo Switch case
For anyone who has a very specific aesthetic that is not red and turquoise. Get this one from Etsy for $19.99 (available in three color variations).
Laser star projector
So much cooler and more effective than the stick-on glow-in-the-dark stars we had to contend with!!! Another one I’d be into owning now. Get it from Amazon—currently on sale for $47.99, normally $59.99. (There are also a bunch of different ones in a range of prices, including some for $20.)
Good Vibes neon sign
This sign plus a record player in a fun color? Incredible. Get it from Target for $25.
Karaoke machine
If you’ve got a young JoJo Siwa in the family and their parents are OK with such a noisy gift, you can get it from Amazon for $69.99.
Go Full Fossil necklace
I just love how extra this is; it’s perfect for someone who really loves dinosaurs and wants the world to know. Get it from ModCloth for $37.20 (on sale, normally $62).
Rawr Ambition Fair Isle Sweater
A sliiiiighly more subtle way to wear dinosaurs. Get it from ModCloth for $41.40, on sale from $69. (Available in two color variations and sizes XS–4X.)
1,000-piece zodiac puzzle
This puzzle is extremely cute; I love the art style and the colors. Get it from Galison for $16.99. I’m also into the 500-piece cat zodiac (also on Amazon) and the 1000-piece space puzzle (also on Amazon). And I love Cloudberries’ Crystals puzzle ($23.95 on Amazon) and Poolside ($23.95 on Amazon).
Instax mini camera
I have one of these, and gave my brother one for Christmas last year. Get one from Urban Outfitters for $79 or Amazon for $59.95 (five color variations available). You could also go a different route and give them a couple of disposable cameras ($26.49 for a two-pack on Amazon).
String lights with photo clips
If they’ve already got the camera, these string lights are a cute way to display the photos (or any ephemera that they want to hang up). Get a 7.5’ strand from Urban Outfitters for $20.
Levi’s sherpa trucker jacket
A classic for a reason! For a teen, an adult one should be fine; get one in sizes XS–3XL for $98 (but typically on some kind of sale). For a younger kid, browse all the options here. (Sadly, none of the ones for little kids have the sherpa lining.)
Doc Martens boots
I am losing my mind over all of the cute and extremely cool tiny Doc Martens that exist in the world; it’s impossible to pick a single pair to recommend. The glitter options are obviously fun, but I’m also partial to basic black! (I own that exact pair in my size actually.) Browse all the kids’ styles on the Doc Martens website or Zappos (they start around $50).
