21 BEST GIFTS FOR 13-YEAR-OLD BOYS (STUFF THEY ARE ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN) 2023
Are you searching for a birthday gift to buy for a boy about to turn 13? Or perhaps you are looking for ideas for what to give a 13-year-old boy for Christmas (because his Christmas list is somewhat vague?!)
21 cool gifts for 13-year-old boys, including a mini projector, a high-strategy game, and classic sneakers
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- Buying a gift that a 13-year-old will love means considering their very specific interests and hobbies.
- The best gifts for 13-year-old boys range from outdoor gear to style accessories to handy tech.
- Still looking for a gift? Check out our list of theAll-Time Best products we’ve ever tested.
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If you have a 13-year-old boy to buy for this holiday, it can help to understand a bit more about what their age group cares about. Social Worker Mendi Baron, LCSW, a father of four, says, “While one would assume that tech would be at the top of the list, and still is for many, today’s teens are looking for ways to connect in person.”
Thirteen-year-olds are seeking independence and relationships outside their families, says child and adolescent psychiatrist Sid Khurana, medical director at Nevada Mental Health. He recommends leaning toward their favorite hobbies, sports, and activities, but not discounting that they they still might like stimulating and complex board games.
It’s important to remember that interests vary widely depending on the individual 13-year-old. Khurana says that by age 12, preteens have developed a sense of their own gender identity. This can inform the type of clothes, accessories, or activities they might like, going beyond stereotypical gifts for boys and girls. “Whether they are cis or trans or fluid, their identity should govern how we identify and address them, and our gift giving should be no exception,” he says.
Here are 21 of the best gifts for 13-year-old boys:
A film lover’s bucket list challenge
If your 13-year-old is a film fanatic, they will love this scratch-off poster that guides them through the most iconic movies they didn’t know they needed to watch. This also has potential to serve as a gift that connects them to others, such as family members who watch with them or friends who race them with their own chart.
An indoor garden
Aero Garden Sprout, available at Amazon and Walmart, $59
This indoor garden gives 13-year-old boys with a passion for nature an opportunity to develop their green thumb all year long. No soil or sun needed. There is room for three plants, and he can choose to grow, herbs, flowers, or vegetables.
A remote control dragon
You may think the 13-year-old boy in your life has outgrown dragons, but this one takes it to another level. The flying dragon works with a remote control, getting teens outside and off their smart device.
A gadget to help them remember
Apple Air Tag, available at Amazon, Target, Apple, and Best Buy, $29
If your teen is feeling a bit scatterbrained lately, the Apple Air Tag can help. Buy them one (or a few) to help them track from their phone where their most precious belongings have ended up.
A versatile hat for outdoor adventures
Buying for your favorite hiking, biking, paddleboarding teen can seem daunting, but they might be into smarter gear, like this hat that floats. Next time they are on the water, they won’t have to worry about sun protection or losing it.
A replica jersey for the Lasso fan
A Ted Lasso AFC Richmond Replica jersey captures the heart of the show and the feel-good inspiring messages behind it.
Supplies for painting and drawing
Prismacolor Premier Mixed Media Art Kit, available at Blick and Walmart, $29.99
Liquitex Basics 48 Tube Acrylic Paint Set, available at Blick and Amazon, from $33.65
If he has been expressing an interest in art, or is already an avid painter or drawer, these two gifts will get him started with all the necessities or refresh his supply. Featuring sketching pencils, markers, and acrylic paints, he doesn’t have to choose just one medium and it will allow him to explore the extent of his creative vision.
A weighted blanket
This is the gift that doesn’t have that out-of-the-wrapping wow factor, but he’ll tell you a few days later about how much he loves it. The blanket is breathable but weighted for optimal napping and is available in a variety of prints and sizes.
A scratch-off for a cause
If he is the strongest activist you know, you may want to forgo cash lotto scratch-offs and gift him these giveback options instead. The recipient scratches off each ticket to reveal what charities will receive proceeds to provide clean water, literacy tools, meals, solar energy, and more around the world.
A page-turner
The Maze Runner, available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop, from $4.99
If your teen says the last books he really enjoyed were “The Hunger Games” or “Divergent,” this might be the next book he’ll devour. In a fast-paced race to exit a maze against formidable foes, a group of teen boys who have forgotten their pasts struggle to figure out an escape. You can also opt for a three-month audiobook subscription through Audible if you know he’d prefer to listen instead.
A pocket projector for sharing with friends
Kodak Luma 75 Ultra Mini Portable Projector, available at Amazon, Target, and B&H, from $169.99
So your teen wants to play video games or watch movies . in the backyard. That’s not a problem with this pocket projector that connects to PCs, Macs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and HDMI players. This gift is also perfect for gathering with friends just about anywhere to watch a movie or play a game.
An alarm clock that lets them charge their phone
La Crosse Technology Color Mood Light Alarm Clock, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot, from $26.46
This mood light alarm clock and phone charger can also play music from their phone or help them zone out to nature sounds. It has adjustable settings such as five brightness levels, ensuring optimal sleep conditions and on-time school mornings.
A sophisticated case for keeping track of that first debit card
If your teenager is entering the years of learning how to manage money and keep track of a credit or debit card, this card case that attaches to smartphones makes things a little easier. Teens typically know where there phone is, so this keeps all of their important stuff in one place.
A game to see the world from another perspective
Settlers of Catan Board Game, available at Amazon, Target, and Bed, Bath and Beyond, from $35.20
Khurana says kids this age typically prefer games of strategy over chance, and this one for three to four players fits the bill. They will trade, build, and settle an island and will most definitely want to play it more than once.
Some throwback vibes for relaxing
If you are looking to help a 13-year-old boy relax, a lava lamp can be the perfect throwback addition to his bedroom. Baron says self-care for teens is a topic to focus on while gift giving, and this colorful floating lava will have him in a meditative state in no time.
A rockin’ beanie
It’s such a tough choice, and one your favorite 13-year-old boy doesn’t have to make this winter — warm ears or ear buds. This hat with built-in Bluetooth headphones will keep them warm on chilly walks. It has six hours of battery life and the headphones can be removed for easy washing.
A knife for getting started in the kitchen
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, Extra Wide, available at Amazon, Sur la Table, and Bed, Bath and Beyond, from $37.78
Whether he is already a wizard in the kitchen or is just getting started, a chef’s knife, used with a bit of adult instruction, will help him feel ready to take on any recipe. Be prepared for some meals not prepared by you, as he learns to love having ownership of his own cooking tools.
A shaving set
The first-time shaver might not be sure where to start when it comes to picking a great razor and shave gel. The Truman handle uses a textured rubber grip to prevent mishaps and minimize the need for bandages and the shave gel prevents irritation.
A tent for camping at home or away
Whether your teen is planning an overnight in the yard or is an avid camper, a tent of his own offers indpenendence. This tent uses an X-pole configuration for easy setup and spaces for gear storage.
A pair of Classic Chucks
You know the rules: Black and white. High tops. Classic. If you are a purist Chuck Taylor fan looking to bring these retro classics to your teen, this is your chance. They’re comfortable, simple, and easy to wear with almost anything.
Fresh socks
Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Tie-Dye Crew Socks (2 pairs), available at Nike and Dick’s Sporting Goods, $18
Socks are a serious style component for many 13-year-olds. These tie-dye socks will be a hit, far from the six pack of plain white socks they’d be less than enthused about.
Alexandra Frost is a Cincinnati-based freelance journalist and content marketing writer, focusing on health andwellness, parenting, real estate, education, and lifestyle. She has been published in Glamour, Today’s Parent,Reader’s Digest, Parents, Women’s Health, and Business Insider. She is a journalism teacher, proud wife toan assistant principal, and mom of three rambunctious sons under age 5. To read more of her work or toconnect, check out her website. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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21 BEST GIFTS FOR 13-YEAR-OLD BOYS (STUFF THEY ARE ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN) 2023
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GET READY TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO GET A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY
Are you searching for a birthday gift to buy for a boy about to turn 13? Or perhaps you are looking for ideas for what to give a 13-year-old boy for Christmas (because his Christmas list is somewhat vague?!)
I know from experience that it can be hard work trying to decipher what 13-year-olds would like. They’re just at the start of their teen years, tripping over themselves to grow up fast whilst also still being so young. I’ve noticed that some teen boys do a good line of giving only ‘yes/no’ answers and leaving parents and other adults bemused by their teen vernacular.
So, I’ve poured my recent experience of gift shopping for a 13-year-old into a curated list of gifts that teenage boys are actually interested in, will want and love. In short, I’ve done the hard work, so you don’t have to.
21 AWESOME GIFTS FOR 13-YEAR-OLD BOYS
Get ready to know exactly what to get for a 13-year-old boy, you will find all the gifts that 13-year-olds will actually want and love.
What 13-year-old boy isn’t going to love getting behind the wheel of a car? This is a great way to get kids started early on the safety and skills of driving. I have my eye on it as a Christmas gift for my nephew.
Ignite your teen’s creativity with the LEGO BD-1™ Star Wars Model Building Kit that has1062-pieces. Perfect for Star Wars fans, this set is for building a 25 cm tall BD-1 with posable limbs.
There is a teen trend for having mini fridges in the bedroom. I can’t say I dislike the idea. It’s perfect to give them a little autonomy for after-school snacks and this Coca-Cola fridge looks super cool too.
I hesitated to include a drone (kids aged 12 can legally fly them in the UK), but I’m emphasising the creativity this palm-sized drone offers. It can be used to shoot short videos and perform stunts and is programmable using Scratch (the MIT-developed coding system that most kids learn at school in the UK), so kids can programme in their own flight patterns. Just make sure that you and your 13-year-old are au fait with the UK laws on drone flying.
Casio Classic digital watches are having a bit of a moment with teens. Way more easy on the wallet than an iWatch, they come in a range of colours.
HyperX Cloud gaming headsets are super popular within the gaming community. They are lightweight and super comfortable (HyperX has its own signature memory foam), have a swivel-to-mute noise-cancellation microphone and they work across multiple platforms, including Nintendo and PCs. This is the entry-level version, which is perfectly great for 13-year-olds, there are more expensive versions.
13 is a great age to graduate kids up to AirPods. These 3rd Gen AirPods have a MagSafe charging case, which makes life super easy (just what every teen boy wants!)
I can 100% vouch that Casetify smartphone cases are unbelievably tough and protective. My 13-year-old’s iPhone is still in perfect condition after a whole 18 months, unlike some of her friends’ phones. There are myriad designs to choose from. The prices aren’t cheap, but they are so worth it to avoid spending out on smartphone repairs or replacements.
Teens aren’t great at keeping track of their stuff, so an iPod case like this Catalyst one is a really good idea. It can be clipped onto a belt loop or bag, easy to open and close without the AirPods coming out, and this special edition version is glow-in-the-dark.
From the team behind Aromatherapy Associates, this muscle soak has plenty of active essential oils to soothe achy muscles and tired legs for sport and gym-loving teens.
This bag will help keep mucky trainers separate from other sports kit. It also works as a man-bag! It has storage for a pair of trainers, socks and extra laces.
This book, by the independent sneaker magazine of the same name, is a cult-classic book and a must-have for teen sneakerheads.
Stüssy, the Californian streetwear brand that dominated the surfer, skater and hip-hop scenes through the 80s and 90s, is back in full force, with teens hankering after its iconic Ts and sweats.
It’s as important for teen boys to look after their skin as it is for teen girls. Get them started with a good basic routine with a cool-looking (but also efficacious) skincare kit from StarFace. There’s a face wash, moisturiser and cult-faves, Hydro-Stars pimple patches.
We have the white version of this gaming chair, but this black and red one is fierce looking! Being a mum, I think it’s hugely important to make sure that kids need to have proper back support when they’re sitting gaming or at their computers, and this chair does the job perfectly.
Got a son who dreams of being in a rock n roll band? Or any kind of band? This Fender Squier is a great starter electric guitar at a great price point.
13 is the age when kids/teens start to spend a lot more time in their bedrooms. Give them somewhere other than their bed to loll around by buying them a beanbag. FatBoy is the OG US beanbag chair brand. We’ve had one of these for 20 years, and its still going strong!
More keen for your teen boy to read than he is? Otherworld is the first book in the Last Reality series. It’s based in a virtual world of video games, full of intrigue and might just be the book to enthral your 13-year-old.
If your teen already has a Nintendo Switch, perhaps a pair of Joy-Con controllers in one of the latest colourways would be welcome.
Buying trainers gets very expensive once kids grow out of kids’ sizes, so they make great birthday and Christmas gifts. The LeBron NXXT Gen is one that many teens have their eye on this season.
Oversized hoodies are still a thing (thanks to the success of the Oodie). This camo version from M&S is a great alternative to a dressing gown for cold winter evenings.
This is a lovely, meaningful 13th birthday gift to give someone entering their teen years. It’s a best-seller that encourages each and every teen to be their best self.
THE MAIN THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND WHEN GIFT BUYING FOR TEEN BOYS
Q: Is it appropriate to give gift cards to boys aged 13?
A: Absolutely. A gift card for their favourite store or digital platform can be a great gift, allowing them to choose what they want. It can be particularly useful if you’re unsure about their specific tastes or interests.
Q: I want to buy a book as a gift. What genres are popular for 13-year-old boys?
A: Fantasy, science fiction, adventure, and mystery are popular genres among 13-year-old boys. Series like “Harry Potter,” “Percy Jackson,” “Artemis Fowl,” and “Alex Rider” are often well-received. Graphic novels can also be a great choice.
Q: What are some educational gift ideas for a 13-year-old boy?
A: Educational gifts can be engaging and fun. Consider science kits, robot-building kits, telescopes, coding games, or puzzle-solving games. Books on topics they’re interested in can also be educational and entertaining.
Q: What should I consider when buying tech or gaming gifts?
A: Ensure the gift is age-appropriate and aligns with the family’s rules on screen time. If buying a game, ensure it’s suitable for their age (check PEGI ratings in the UK). If purchasing gadgets consider durability, user-friendliness, and whether it needs additional accessories or subscriptions.
Q: I’d like to encourage creativity. What gifts should I consider?
A: Art supplies, music instruments, digital drawing tablets, LEGO sets, and DIY craft or model kits can help stimulate creativity. A journal or notebook could also be a thoughtful gift, offering a space for them to jot down thoughts, ideas, or sketches.
Q: What’s important to remember when shopping for a 13-year-old boy?
A: At 13, boys are transitioning between being a child and a teenager, so it’s a time of change. They might start to desire more independence and develop new interests. While it’s important to consider their hobbies, also pay attention to their evolving tastes. Personalisation can make a gift special – showing you’ve considered their unique interests can make a big difference.
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Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists (Est. 2011). Over the last decade or so, I have combined my experience as a mum, journalist and shopping editor to create useful guides and lists of ideas and inspiration to make it easier for busy parents to plan and host kids’ parties and find great gifts. Read more.