Let’s be honest; the older a boy gets, the harder it is to find the perfect gift. It was easy when they were just toddlers, which is funny because, at that age, they were just as interested in the wrapping paper as the toy. But now? The right present matters more than ever before, but what do you get a thirteen-year-old boy?
Good gifts for a thirteen-year-old boy need to be fun, interesting, without looking too old-fashion or, even worse, “babyish.” Gadgets, games, electronic accessories, and items that make them think or provide a challenge are often excellent choices. Also, look for gifts that support his interests.
The good news is we’ve put together a list of 29 suggestions to help your hunt down the perfect gift. Regardless if the thirteen-year-old in your life is into gaming, science, art, cooking, or lounging around, we’ve got you covered.
8 Gifts Under $25
Bluetooth Beanie
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Looking for an autumn or winter gift that has been given a tech boost? These one-size-fits-all beanies from SoundBot do the trick. These comfortable hats keep the user warm and come in a variety of colors and styles, such as blue, grey, and black cable knit.
The headset is hands-free and includes a microphone. It can provide between 5-7 hours, depending on style, before requiring a recharge. The sound is clear and balanced. The Bluetooth is compatible with a number of devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Samsun Galaxy, and a variety of laptops and PCs.
Comic Pro Drawing Kit
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Teens are often drawn to Manga graphic novels and their TV and movie counterparts, Anime. As their interest grows, the more artistic teens will begin to try to emulate the Manga styles. To achieve the linework for this style, specific types of pens are used. There is a range of tools, including brush pens, but an excellent all-around kit is the Sakura 50201.
This is a six-piece Pigma manga comic pro drawing kit in black. The ink is fade-resistant, waterproof, and, most importantly, preserves the minor details that make comic art so special. In addition, these pens don’t tend to bleed or feather while ensuring the longevity of the teen’s art.
Paper quality also impacts comic book art. If the young teen is only getting started in Manga, Strathmore provides a drawing pad combined with a tutorial series. On the other hand, if the young artist already has a personal style, then Bellofy is a highly recommended brand for Manga artists. Either sketchbook would make a great add-on gift to the pen set.
3D Dinosaur Lamp
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A thirteen-year-old boy is too old for a nightlight, right? The dinosaur phase was ages ago, right? Yeah, we thought that too until we spotted the latest trend in 3D lamps. These laser-cut optical illusions are brilliant. They make fabulous room decor while a teen hangs out in the evenings, even if the “nightlight” is not required while sleeping. Here is a small sample:
- LONGXU TRex
- KYMELLIE Godzilla vs. King Kong
- CENOVE 4 Piece: T-rex, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, Triceratops
We know, we know, now you want one too, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Gaming Socks
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Most thirteen-year-old boys do enjoy gaming on some level. While it is good to encourage the youth to take a break from the screens, it is also important to acknowledge their interests. So we’ve dug around for some fun gaming socks a teen might enjoy.
Socktastic has a vintage two-pack: black with Atari-green and a grey with black detail. They fit men’s shoe size 8-13.
PopCrew has a colorful four-pack that has vintage prints, including one inspired by Tetris. From the reviews, they seem to fit up to a men’s size 13.
SATINIOR has a six-pack set of cheeky, “Please do not disturb. I’m gaming,” sized for teens and men.
Gdewcro has a black and white “weapon gamer” novelty crew sock that’s only 10% polyester so that they might be more comfortable and breathable than some other novelty brands.
LED Strip Lights
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The latest teen bedroom decorating trend is to light up their space with LED strip lights. OSSLOVE has a 32.8ft that comes with a remote control. Users can choose which colors light up in specific sections of the strip. The lights have six modes, including jump, fade, and flash.
This strip is particularly handy thanks to its ability to be cut into smaller pieces at the indicated places. This will allow the thirteen-year-old greater decorating flexibility.
Speed Cube
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Speed cubes are a fun puzzle game with an eye-catching design. This Megaminx Speed Cube looks like a mess at first. But once the puzzle is solved, it creates a dodecahedron hexagon.
The puzzles are great for kids and adults. It enhances memory and requires critical thinking and tenacity. Once the thirteen-year-old has solved it, another member of the family can have a turn. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
The Complete Cookbook for Teens
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Eventually, children leave the nest and must survive on their own. Let us hope that “survival” doesn’t mean consuming only fast food. The early teens are a fantastic time to start learning how to do more than make toast. The Complete Cookbook for Teens: 120+ Recipes to Level Up your Kitchen Game by Julee Morrison is a perfect place to start.
Who knows, you may inspire the next Gordon Ramsay.
The Mind Game
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By thirteen, the days of playing Candy Land are gone. But it is important to keep an eye out for games that get kids off their screens and interact with their families. Pandasaurus’ The Mind has been a hit with tweens, teens, and adults. The first: there is no talking. Thus, other forms of silent communication must be drawn upon.
If the boy already owns and enjoys The Mind, you can intensify the challenge by giving him The Mind Extreme. This game is faster and harder, which will mean even old pros at The Mind have to work at this one.
7 Gifts Under $50
Catan Board Game
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Catan is an excellent strategy game. It is simple enough that a family can play a game shortly after the teen opens the box. However, it is complicated enough that it continues to be interesting even after years of play. New strategies and tactics will emerge over time, as each game presents a unique challenge.
Like many board games, this is a great method to get a thirteen-year-old off the screens and interacting with family and friends. If you already have the base game, there are extension sets to allow more players.
Dart Board
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By thirteen, a teen is going to want a real dartboard. However, there might be some very valid reasons the teen’s parents do not want the kid to own a real dartboard, such as younger siblings. If so, get the boy a magnetic dart that can actually stick to the target like Doinkit Darts.
The biggest issue with magnetic darts is the darts bouncing right off. But the Doinkit uses strong magnets, and the darts are well made to enable an accurate throw. A great compromise between the teen’s desires and practical household safety.
Hoodie
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Hoodies are comfortable and a fun way for self-expression. We really love the Queen Hero’s range, especially the one of an astronaut painting the night sky into day. It’s a hopeful message without sounding lame.
Leapparel also has some great hoodies. This black and white is a brilliant mind-boggling optical illusion. We also love this rainbow paint drip hoodie.
IORTY has some vibrant choices for those enjoying the tie-dye trend. This blue one grabbed our attention.
If the thirteen-year-old is digging the 3D illusions, this Casual Vortex by KINGAOGGO is under $25.
Inflatable Lounger
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We all love a good bean bag, but they’re difficult to take camping. Inflatable loungers, however, can be used in a teen’s room, and then he can bring it along to his family’s outdoor vacation.
We liked the AlphaBeing because it has such a good headrest design, an important feature when gaming, reading, or surfing on the phone. This brand is also known for retaining its air, thus requires fewer top-ups. But there are plenty of other options and styles.
Kooteck 177 Piece Cake Decorating Kit
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If you know the next Pierre Hermé, then show your support for the teen’s tasty passion with this Kootech 177 Piece Cake Decorating Kit. With your help, he’ll be one step closer to becoming a world-famous pastry chef. And even if he doesn’t? We’re sure you’re going to enjoy eating his confectionary, nonetheless.
KUBB
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Trying to motivate a thirteen-year-old boy to put down the screen and play a lawn game? Croquet, horseshoes, and bowls might seem old fashion. So try to appeal to the sicker side of his sense of humor, tell him the legend of KUBB.
Once upon a time, so the story goes, Vikings bored after a battle would use the femur and skulls of their victims to play a game. Yeah, it’s a sick story, and tweens and teens love it. The actual modern-day version, however, is made out of wood, such as this MAGGIFT set, and doesn’t look like body parts.
Warning: The game sounds more complicated to play when reading the instructions than watching a YouTube video. That’s how we learned the rules. It’s become a family favorite and has been played at the beach, in the backyard, and been a part of many camping trips.
Ravensburger 3D Puzzle
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Does the thirteen-year-old need a globe and enjoy puzzles? Then the Ravensburger The Earth 540 3D Jigsaw Puzzle is the perfect gift. The pieces click together with ease, and the finished puzzles last. (We know, we own one. It’s even survived the cat batting it.) A wonderful challenge that provides a functional and useful end product. Love it.
7 Gifts Under $100
ArmoGear Infrared Laser Tag
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Many thirteen-year-old boys would be thrilled if their backyard turned into a paintball park. Unfortunately, most parents and neighbors would be aghast. ArmoGear Infrared Laster Tag is a great compromise. The game is fun and won’t decorate the backyard (or your neighbor’s property) in eyewatering colors.
ArmoGear gets tweens and teens off the screens and moving, all while having fun. Just a word of warning, we’ve only highlighted the two-pack. If the adults want to join in, you might want to purchase the more extensive set. These can sometimes be found for under a hundred if you snag a coupon, so keep your eyes peeled if interested.
ELEGOO MegaR3 Project The Most Complete Ultimate Starter Kit
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If the thirteen-year-old boy in your life is interested in coding and has already owned a Snap Circuits kit, then this ELEGOO Mega might be the challenge the teen needs. The kit comes with step-by-step tutorials, making it accessible to novices. But this “toy” is even enjoyed by electrical engineering students, so there is lots of scope for growth.
The kit will help motivate the teen into learning C code if he doesn’t know it already. It will also help develop the types of electronic skills needed for robotics beyond the toys. This is not an easy “toy.” However, it is a fun and rewarding experience for a teen that loves a challenge.
Kindle Paperwhite
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It is difficult to find a much better gift than to give someone the gift of reading. The advantages of the Kindle Paperwhite to other e-readers is that:
- The device is for reading, not surfing the internet or playing games.
- The device is made to be easy on the eyes. No other e-reader compares when it comes down to glare and eyestrain.
Add in the bonus of a Kindle Unlimited subscription, and this gift will help promote a habit we all hope will last a lifetime.
Hydroponic Garden
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If you have a future botanist, environmental scientist, or budding chef, he might be interested in hydroponic gardening. AeroGarden has an indoor hydroponic kit with six seed pods for curly parsley, Genovese basil, dill, Thai basil, and thyme. There is also a bottle of plant nutrients.
If you are part of Kindle Unlimited, you could also arm the thirteen-year-old boy with the free book, Hydroponics for Beginners. If the kid wants to learn how to turn the homegrown herbs into tasty meals, he might enjoy Healthy, Lean & Fit by Gordon Ramsay. Both books would make an excellent add-on to the hydroponic kit.
Paletteful Petite Pack
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If the thirteen-year-old boy in your life is into a variety of art, a fun gift is a three-month subscription for the award-winning . Each month the young artist will be exposed to various art supplies, from pens to paint. The monthly surprise will inspire the teen to try new things and stretch his artistic wings.
Spikeball
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Spikeball is the latest craze sweeping backyards across the globe. It is a wonderful alternative to volleyball, a sport that requires a lot more space and skill to have a decent game. However, Spikeball is accessible, interactive, fun, and can be played anywhere, even in a living room (just put the breakables away first).
People are taking this camping, to the beach, and breaking it out during BBQs. This kit comes with a 36-inch neg, three balls, and a drawstring bag. Spikeball also offers light-up accessories for those that want to play at night, making it a great add-on gift.
Yogibo Weight Mate
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Weighted blankets and stuffed animals have become a great tool for helping kids and adults manage stress and anxiety. We really like these Yogibo shoulder wraps that are akin to wearing a hug. Check out the orange fox and this delightful red t-rex.
The rice fill has been enriched with lavender and peppermint to help calm nerves and aid with sleep. Unlike blankets or large plush animals, the wrap is easy to travel with, be it a road trip or taking a plane.
7 Gifts Over $100
Craftsman Crate
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If you know a thirteen-year-old who enjoys working with tools, consider a 12-month subscription to . The business was started after the owners’ six sons complained that there was nothing for boys who wanted hands-on projects.
Boxes arrive with all the necessary tools for each month’s craft, including wood carving, leatherwork, and tie-dye. It is a fun and easy way to expand a kid’s skills while also diversifying his hobbies and trying new things. Also, it helps give him time off a screen.
Drone
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Drones are fun, regardless if you are a young kid or a much, ahem, wiser kid. The DJI Mavic Mini Portable Drone Quadcopter is an excellent choice for a teen. Its size and ability to fold up to make it easy to transport as the kid goes hiking, camping, or bicycling off to the nearest field.
The camera can be moved while in flight. The drone’s tech is conveniently compatible with both Android and IOS. It is also relatively easy to fly, with handy sensors helping it remain stable in the wind, making it a perfect fit for a younger teen.
LEGO Creator Expert Roller Coaster
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Teens tend to clam up as they get older, sharing less with adults. One way to open the paths of communication is to do activities together that they might enjoy. This LEGO Creator Expert Roller Coaster is an excellent opportunity to do a collaborative project with the thirteen-year-old boy in your life.
This building kit won the Toty 2019 Toy of the Year Award. Again, it is labeled for ages 16+, but again, it would suit as a two-person challenge. Once completed, the teen would have a fully functioning chain-lift rollercoaster. It’s an excellent STEM activity, too.
Microscope
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Most kids are fascinated by science until around eight or nine. But if the thirteen-year-old boy in your life is still showing enthusiasm, it might be time to invest in some quality equipment, such as a quality microscope. We’ve found three that offer different features and price points.
The cheapest is the Carson MicroFlip. This is a pocket microscope priced under $25. This is an excellent option if the teen already has a good “desk” microscope, as this is designed to be carried out in the “field.” Pocket microscopes are perfect for taking on hikes and camping trips, too. So even if you are looking for a desk microscope, this would make a good add-on gift.
Next is the AmScope M150C, which is under $100. This is a well-respected model recommended for students. Its 360 rotatable monocular head has five magnification settings, the highest being 1000x. The microscope can either be plugged in or run off three AA batteries.
The last model is the OMAX. Thirteen-year-old’s come at different stages and enthusiasm, and if you have one destined for the laboratory, then this is an excellent product for the price, which sits under $250. The magnification ranges from 40x-2000x, and it comes with a 5-year warranty.
Oculus Quest
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The Oculus Quest 2 has taken the VR world by storm. The gaming system requires the user to move, providing exercise and a healthy way to release stress. Both Beat Saber and , a table tennis game, provide a decent workout. Another popular game is the , allowing users to have adventures without leaving the house.
The advantage of the Oculus Quest is it can be played stand-alone. While you can tether yourself to a PC, the device has storing capacity for the games and power. The set offers high resolution and an incredibly immersive experience.
Sony Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
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Noise-canceling technology has gravitated from headphones to earbuds. The Sony WF-1000XM4 is leading the industry and has Alexa built-in. In addition, they have crystal-clear sound and a microphone that uses a bone-conduction sensor to help you be heard even in noisy surroundings.
These earbuds have eight hours of battery life before needing a charge and, thankfully, are water-resistant. In addition, the quick charge time has been reduced from 10 to 5 minutes to provide 60 min of play. Another bonus is the wind noise reduction that minimizes wind noise when detected. Any thirteen-year-old would be lucky to own such a great set.
UBTECH JIMU Robot Astrobot Series
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The UBTECH JIMU Robot Astrobot Series is an award-winning robotic building block system that combines coding with design and builds skills. The highly-rated STEM toy is compatible with Android and Apple devices. It does not require any other tools, as the pieces snap together.
This is a great “toy” that doesn’t come off as babyish and presents a fun challenge to a young teenage boy. The guide that accompanies the kit provides three different robot models. However, nothing is stopping young inventors from creating their own robot designs. A fantastic, interactive gift.
