20 Gifts for Teens That They'll Actually Like
Some people say that teens are difficult to shop for, but we beg to differ. Grab any one of these gifts, and we guarantee you'll get plenty of smiles and "thank-yous" from your kid.

Observable Fact: Teens today actually have great taste. They enjoy campy TV shows like Riverdale as much as throwbacks like The Golden Girls, they love a good self-empowerment anthem from Lizzo, Ariana Grande or Selena Gomez, and they dress so well that the internet often collectively wonders if they even go through an awkward phase anymore. (The jury's still out on that one.)
Needless to say, we think they're pretty fun to shop for. If you've been searching high and low for a present that will please your teen, breathe a sigh of relief because we have 20. Keep reading to see our best gift ideas for 2020.
Last Updated December 1, 2020
Trust us on this: When your teen falls asleep every night, they dream of someday owning a Nintendo Switch. The Switch Lite is a new version of the Nintendo Switch system that’s optimized for personal, handheld play. With a built-in +Control Pad and a sleek, unibody design, Nintendo Switch Lite is great for on-the-go gaming. And, given that the device will keep them entertained for hours on end, we'd say that it's definitely worth the investment.
If your teen doesn't have AirPods yet, it's probably on their wish list. Perfect for remote learning, neighborhood walks and late-night chats, these wireless earbuds are a must-have for on-the-go teens.
For less than $10, you can give your teen something they'll actually appreciate: A safe, silicone case for their AirPods with a built-in loop for their keys and wallet. This gift will ensure they'll never leave home without the essentials.
Let your teen sing their heart out to BTS and the Jonas Brothers with a Bluetooth-enabled wireless karaoke microphone. Staying inside just got a lot more fun.
What's old is new again, which means that your kid would probably, not-so-secretly like a record player. Start them off with this Audio-Technica turntable, which boasts Bluetooth compatibility and comes in a sleek, black finish. You could even wrap the gift up with one of their favorite albums.
You don't have to know much about vlogging or posting tutorials to YouTube to know that your teen loves doing it. Encourage their creative side by gifting them a high-definition camera and topping it off with this LED Macro Light Ring. The device has a built-in dimmer and daylight color temperatures, among other features.
This Captain America popper can make up to six cups of popcorn in less than five minutes. It even comes with a set of measuring cups and a lid that doubles as a bowl, so they don't have to leave their Netflix show paused for too long.
In this asymmetric card game, each player takes the role of one of five Marvel Villains: Thanos, Hela, Ultron, Taskmaster or Killmonger. Each Villain has their own powers and goals. Face off against Earth’s Mightiest Heroes from a shared Fate deck: Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther, Captain America and more.
K-Pop group BTS is taking the country by storm, and there's a good chance that your teen is totally obsessed with them. If that's the case, get them a copy of The Big Book of BTS by Katy Sprinkel immediately. It features 100 full-color photographs and an in-depth look at the artists.
If you've got a VSCO Girl on your hands, complete her aesthetic with a Fjallraven Kanken backpack. Although some argue that the bag is basic at best, we think it's actually a pretty practical gift. Made from vinylon, the Kanken is water-resistant, fits most 13-inch laptops and has plenty of room for her textbooks and water bottle.
It's cool to be kind these days. Send your teen the same message with this gold-plated necklace. She'll appreciate the sweet reminder even more when she finds out that a portion of the proceeds was donated to Girls Inc., a national nonprofit.
Since they spend so much time in bed as it is, you may as well treat them to a weighted blanket. This lovely layer by Bearaby is hand-knit from organic cotton and will ensure that your teen gets a good night's sleep. (Or at least keep them comfortable while they binge-watch a new Netflix series.)
What's better than a hammock or pool float, you ask? An inflatable lounger that your teen can use on the beach or in the backyard, no air pump required. The lounger even has a patented pillow so your teen can kick back in total comfort.
Update their favorite spot — their bedroom — with a stylish and uber-cozy knot pillow. With 30 colors to choose from, it's the perfect gift for a design-savvy teen or tween.
When the teen years get tough, this wall tapestry will remind your kid to keep their chin up. The 100-percent polyester backdrop serves as a clean canvas for a meaningful quote by poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. Your teen will love it so much that they'll definitely tote it off to college.
Shearling and sherpa are trending this winter, so your teen has probably already added one of these cozy jackets to their wish list. This oversized faux shearling jacket is double-fleeced with a full zip and two side pockets that's perfect for wearing around the house or outdoors.
Your teen is pretty much guaranteed to get a good laugh out of these custom face socks. Gift him a pair with his own million-dollar grin, or hand him a pair featuring the faces of his hilarious parents.
Tie-dye is back in a BIG way. Stocked with 14 vibrant dye colors, gloves, rubber bands and a plastic surface cover, this party pack dyes up to 36 projects. This will definitely keep them busy over the holidays.
Now here's a gift they didn't know they needed — and one that they'll be hard-pressed to part with. Designed to look like a mini washing machine, this pink container is actually a makeup brush cleaner. It's clever, cute and bound to get a "thank you!" from your aspiring beauty YouTuber.
If your teen's an aspiring artist, then they'll get great use out of this boldly illustrated activity book. Written by artist and activist Tim Shaw, Draw & Be Happy features more than 100 pages of therapeutic and easy-to-follow exercises that will boost your teen's creative confidence and cultivate their sense of self-expression.