Top Trending Teen Gifts This Year

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Gifts for Teens

Shopping for teens can often feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Teens are usually passionate about their interests and hobbies—think skincare, fashion, sports, and art—so, lean into what they love. Trust your gut and what catches your eye. To help you get inspired, I spent hours curating the best gifts for teens filled with the coolest and most popular gifts right now.

Not only did I scour TikTok and online reviews for viral and best-selling items, I've tried (and loved!) a number of these picks myself. I also tapped into our Good Housekeeping Institute experts for their go-to products (you'll notice some top-tested picks). Best of all, I ran everything by my 16-year-old nephew and his friends, who shared their holiday wishlists.

Screen-Free Digital Camera

This screen-free camera offers the nostalgic joy of film-style photography minus the chore of developing images. It stores up to 2,000 photos. I've got one, and I love how easy it is to download the photos straight to your phone—you just need a USB-C cord. Added bonus, there are a ton of fun colors.

On-the-Glow Blush

Great for teens that want to start experimenting with makeup, this trendy blush stick has been all over TikTok. It's one of my personal faves—I'm obsessed with how easy it goes on and the subtle tint (I have Cheektone) feels hydrating and looks glowy.

Slammo Game Set

This two-on-two volleyball-style game is perfect for backyard barbecues and after-school hangouts with friends. I bought this game a few months ago, and it assembles quickly and the rules are easy to learn. You can even pack it up for travel.

Do It For Yourself (Guided Journal)

I spotted this motivational journal in a TikTok video and was instantly intrigued by the funky fonts and trendy graphics. Online reviewers say this isn't your typical self-help book—they say it's "delightfully written," thoughtful, and actually helpful.

Puffy Crossbody Bag

Puffy and quilted bags have been everywhere this year—and this one is so spacious and affordable. There's an adjustable shoulder strap, so they can wear it as a shoulder or crossbody bag. Choose from four versatile colors: pink, brown, gray, and black.

UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy

This fast-paced card game is more brutal and merciless than the standard version—perfect for competitive teens. The stacking rule lets players pass penalties and whenever a '7' or '0' is played, players have to swap hands.

Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player

Teens are gravitating toward retro tech, like this vintage-inspired record player. (FYI, tons of popular artists, like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, continue to release vinyl records). Available in tons of colors, the turntable plays vinyl records in three speeds and connects to Bluetooth devices to play music.

Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask

This weighted eye mask has recently gone viral on TikTok, but GH experts have loved it for years. The product won a Good Housekeeping Bedding Award twice—in 2021 and 2025—for its calming effect. Testers said it helped to alleviate anxiety and encouraged relaxation.

All-Terrain RC Car

This remote-controlled car is fun for all ages. It reaches speeds of 36 KPH (about 22 MPH) and can drive on gravel and grassy terrains. Thousands of online reviewers have given this item five-stars, with many noting how fun it is to drive—they love drifting, driving donuts, and more.

Elisa Gold Pendant Necklace

Kendra Scott's Elisa necklace is iconic, and high school and college girls can't get enough. (The brand continues to open stores around the country). This best-selling necklace is available in TONS of colors, whether you pick her birthstone or go-to color.

Laser Tag Set

Encourage your teen to run around with his friends (or siblings) with this immersive laser tag set. It includes target vests and the four laser guns shoot up to 150 feet. There's also invisibility mode, voice-guided play, and night vision.

Amuseables Marshmallows

This just in: Teens aren't too cool for stuffed animals, so long as it's a Jellycat. "Even adults, myself included, are obsessed with these adorable and super soft toys—I have an egg on my couch!" says Updates Editor Elizabeth Berry.

Backrest Pillow

From scrolling TikTok to typing up essays for school, this corduroy pillow helps them stay upright in bed. It's available in two different sizes and five colors to pair with the bedroom design.

The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy

Everyone (mostly young girls) is still talking about The Summer I Turned Pretty since its most recent season. Encourage her to read more about her favorite characters with this affordable set, which includes the complete trilogy.

Portable Charger

They'll never be able to say "my phone died!" as an excuse for not texting again. This portable power bank works with iPhones and Samsung phones, among others, and the charging cables are attached.

Gold Initial Bracelet

Bubble charms are everywhere right now, and this gold bracelet costs less than $10. It's made from 14K gold plating and the band is stretchy.

Dorm Bean Bag Chair

Seating? Sorted. They can use the handle on top to drag this chair any place they need to take a seat, and the side even has pockets for devices and water bottles.

Wicked Elphaba and Glinda

The Wicked sequel hits theaters this month and LEGO just released seven fantastical sets, including this 558-piece set with an Elphaba and Glinda toy. The set is beginner-friendly and doubles as decor once assembled.

Clear Skin Duo

Teens are all about skincare, and Evereden created this skincare duo specifically for them. This set includes a balancing cleanser and gel-cream moisturizer for a two-step routine that's ideal for blemish-prone, oily skin.

Checkered Makeup Bags

Made from soft knitted fabric, these trendy cosmetic bags are perfect for storing makeup, skincare, or art supplies. This affordable set is available in a range of stylish colors and includes two bags (10.6 × 7 inches and 7 × 4 inches), but there's also a set of three, four or six.

Portable Inkless Printer

With this mini printer, your teen can print photos, stickers, or study notes instantly from their devices—without ink. Instead, the thermal printer uses heat to create black images on white paper.

Small LED Mirror

They can toss this folding mirror in their backpack for class, or slide it into their purse when hanging out with friends. It has tiny LED lights, which online reviewers say are bright. Pick one up in their favorite color (there are 13 options).

Custom Name Neon Sign

Help your teen redecorate their bedroom with a personalized LED neon light. Choose their favorite color, font, and shape, then add your text—we suggest sticking with a first name. Even though this is a custom gift, the sign still claims to ship within two to three days.

4.0 Smartphone-Controlled Paper Airplane

Who needs a drone? With this kit, they can create their own paper airplane, and then use an app on their phone to control it like a real pilot would.

Everywhere Belt Bag

The Good Housekeeping Institute named this versatile bag their overall pick for best belt bag because it keeps everything close, and it can be worn while on the move. No wonder it's amassed a huge, cult-like following, even among teens.

Magnetic Pen

When it's time to take notes, they can use this a pen. Then, during downtime, it separates into 13 segments that connect with magnets. It's a great between-period fidget toy.

Oversized Blanket Hoodie

Whether you settle on a solid or playful print, like this sushi design, your teen will love lounging in their new blanket hoodie. According to online reviewers, it's super soft, cuddly, and warm.

Life Skills 101 for Teens

They may roll their eyes when they first open this gift, but they'll soon be poring over this book's easy-to-read, visual guides to all sorts of "soft skills" from how to manage time effectively to how to set a goal and actually achieve it.

Bluetooth Charging Speaker

Not only will this bluetooth speaker charge their phone without any messy wires, it'll blast their favorite tunes and answer calls. Depending on their mood, they can choose between seven solid and two dynamic light modes.

Smiley Face Slippers

Available in five different colors, these smiley face slippers are all over TikTok. Influencers and online reviewers agree they're cute, comfortable, and warm. Not to mention, they cost less than $15.

Temporary Tattoo Markers

Teens are always coming home with hand-drawn tattoos, so you might as well invest in these skin-safe markers. The set includes eight colors and three stencil pages to create a myriad of designs. We recently named it one of our best gifts for kids aged 13 and up.

Platform Slippers

For high schoolers and college students, UGGs remain a popular fashion choice—these dupes of the platform UGGs are a fraction of the cost. They're outfitted with a fleece lining and a suede outer.

Shea Sugar Scrub

According to my inside source (my 16-year-old nephew and his friends), body scrub is a self-care essential. This gentle exfoliator is available in over 25 delicious scents—ranging from cotton candy and peach sorbet to vanilla.

Plush Mystery Pack

"Squishmallows are a trend that knows no age"—even teens are obsessing over these adorable stuffies, according to our Senior Parenting Editor Marisa LaScala. This set contains three mystery Squishmallows, which makes unwrapping it that much more exciting.

FreeSip Water Bottle

The Owala cup, which received positive feedback from the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances Lab, is taking over. The colorful water bottle allows users to sip through the straw or tilt it to drink through the spout, plus it features a handle that folds and keeps drinks cool.

DIY Wall Collage

If they love nothing more than exercising her creativity, they'll get a kick out of this kit that comes with everything they need to arrange a fun wall collage. From uplifting quotes to colorful markers and stickers, it's the perfect mix of items to spruce up a drab wall or bedroom door.

Satin Heatless Curling Set

Our editors put the viral heatless curls to the test and were overall satisfied by the results, especially considering it's gentle on hair and comfortable to wear. All your teen has to do is wrap their dry hair around the rod, secure it with scrunchies, and get some Zzzs to wake up with natural-looking curls.

Suction Phone Accessory

This trendy phone accessory adheres directly to their phone or phone case, then the suction cups will stick to mirrors and windows for hands-free photography. "I love using it for 'get ready with me' TikToks or on the go when filming outfit videos," says Olivia DiTomaso, Senior Social Media Editor.

Plush Velvet Jewelry Box

This stylish jewelry box will keep your teen organized when on the go, whether they're headed to school or a friend's house. There are a ton of pretty color options and various compartments for storage. I've got the navy blue and find it holds an impressive amount.

Shape Shifting Box

Amazon reviewers—and our readers—love this fidget magnet cube, which transforms into over 70 shapes. The calming and therapeutic find provides hours of mind-challenging entertainment, a great way to get your teen off their device for a little while.

BedShelfie Bedside Shelf

Keep all of their bedtime essentials within arm's reach, thanks to this clamp-on shelf. It's compact enough for small spaces, but holds up to 15 lbs. of their current reads, gadgets, and self-care must-haves.

Moon Lamp

Even on nights when the full night sky isn't in clear sight, this nightstand-friendly lamp lets them fall asleep to the moon's glow. With a click of a button, they can switch between 16 different moon colors, instantly changing the vibe of their space.

Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones

Have they passed all their tests? Is it a big birthday? If so, treat them to these top-selling headphones that offer three hours of power when fully charged. GH's Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski deems them "worth it," specifically noting the top-notch battery life and foldable design.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

The Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is popular for its long-lasting scent and ability to hydrate the skin. GH editors agree a little goes a long away. "The cream smells amazing," Group Digital Director Michelle Manetti says.

Hydro-Stars Pimple Patches

These star pimple patches, available in a ton of fun colors, prove that acne doesn't have to be embarrassing. "These are pimple patches you can wear to look and feel cute while still healing your skin," Rianna Loving, a licensed esthetician, told Good Housekeeping.

Bluetooth Keyboard

Now, they can keep their conversations going without developing a dreaded text claw (it's a thing). Connect any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet to this wireless keyboard and rest the device in the cradle to see everything in clear view.

Adidas Unisex Alliance Sackpack

For sports, the gym, class, or just weekend hangs, drawstring bags like this one are so popular with teens. They'll love that it's from a cool brand and how it holds everything they need.

Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone

Great for a night in with family and friends, this microphone will have your teen belting out their favorite songs. They can pick from thousands of songs using an app or their own Spotify, iTunes, or Pandora account.

Photo Hanging Clips String

Transparent clothespins run the length of this 17-foot-long string of LED lights, giving them the perfect place to display their Polaroids and other sentimental mementos.

Money Soap Bar With Real Cash Inside

Not only can they use this cucumber and fresh mint scented soap in the shower, but they'll eventually discover hidden cash inside. Your teen could uncover any bill from $5 to $100—one online review found $50.