30 Actually Cool Gift Ideas for 15-Year-Old Boys
Teen guys are notoriously hard to shop for, but you'll find something cool for him here.
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Tech gifts, like new phones and gaming systems, are what comes to mind when you think about gift ideas for teen boys, especially if you've ever spent time around one of those peculiar, hormonal, goofy creatures. And yet, there's so much more that interests and intrigues 15-year-old dudes.
Because it's been a minute since I was 15, and because most of what’s available to kids today didn’t exist in 1991, I've consulted three experts of the genre: my own 15-year-old, their 19-year-old sister who works at MonkeyFish Toys, an independent toy store close to our home in the Philly 'burbs, and that store's owner, KC Olafsson. My goal was to understand what 15-year-old boys are into and, if they were to make one last list for Santa or would speak freely and openly to anyone at all, what would they say they want for a gift.
With those insights added to that of the Good Housekeeping Institute experts and editors — these emerged as the best gifts for 15-year-old boys.
Let's be clear that consumer drones, in general, don't work well. Like many remote-control objects, their flight won't last more than 10 minutes, 20 tops. They get damaged, no matter what the manufacturer says. But our Good Housekeeping Institute pros put this at the top of the list of the best drones for kids because it is the best of this dubious bunch, with a solid four-star rating on Amazon. And for the price, it's fun to give your 14-year-old the thrill of a new "toy." Ages 14+
They can get photos off their accounts and into real life with this photo printer. It uses an app to connect to their social media accounts via Bluetooth, then prints onto 2” x 3” sticky-back paper. Don't forget paper refills to go with it!
If he loved playing with blocks and Lincoln Logs before his teen years, he'll love building over 50 designs with this kinetic building set with 44 plates, 20 hinges, six keystone plates and one dowel to help open the cubes. Imaginative problem-solving toys never grow old — even if he is a teen now. Ages 12+
It's a fidget toy that develops hand-eye coordination and presents any teen with a challenge because, at first glance, there are no colors on this Rubik's Cube. Instead, the heat of his fingers will illuminate the patterns briefly and then your 15-year-old must work to solve this awesome puzzle. Ages 8+
Maybe he already loves to play a disc golf course or maybe you're searching for fun ways to encourage your 15-year-old to spend more time in the great outdoors. Either way, Disc Golf is a rad activity to play alone, with family or friends. This set has a driver, a mid-range and a putter to get them started.
Comfort is key for most teens, whether at school, on the couch or on the court. These warm, fleece Champion joggers are so soft, slouchy and cool.
He can watch his movies, TikTok videos and texts in bed without keeping his hands and head in the dreaded "text neck" position. All he has to do is clip this re-positionable phone holder to a shelf or desk.
Your teenager will think he's the coolest kid in town when he plugs in and stocks his own personal drink fridge in his room. With space for eight cans and a few chocolate and protein bars, this is the best and most handsome small portable fridge.
Like my own 15-year-old, the teen in your life probably has a wish list of tattoos they want to be permanently inked on their skin. Until the day comes when they can legally get them on their own and afford to pay for their dream tattoos, this awesome temporary tattoo marker and stencil set should suffice. The company promises the tattoos wash off with soap and water (though some take a few washes).
Does the teen in your life watch movies, games and TV on his phone? Of course, he does, he's 15! This gadget magnifies his phone screen to a bright, beautiful 12 inches, so he doesn't have to worry about eye strain.
Quite possibly the coolest and best-designed fidget toy, a Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box is equally ideal for a teen struggling with anxiety as it is for a 15-year-old who loves art and making things with his hands. The box unfolds into different shapes, revealing different patterns, and then folds back up into a cube again. Ages 8+
Making art and expressing yourself through creative pursuits is a common therapeutic technique to help young people cope with stress. The Buddha Board, in its original size or the $17 mini version, is a clever way to foster that creativity — your teen paints with water, then it slowly disappears and they can paint all over again.
Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic Blaster
Blending the coolest aspects of those traditional foam-spewing toys with thrilling paintball action, this Gelfire blaster gives teenagers epic fun with no welts on their skin nor paint on their clothes.
One of the hottest games of this decade continues to promote outdoor physical activity, teamwork and social interaction. If that sounds kinda stuffy, you should also know that Spikeball is an absolute blast for teens. Keep the fun going into the night with LED lights for the net and balls!
Everyone loves laser tag, but when you play in an arena, there are always too many rules (no running, no jumping, etc). Not so when you have your own set of four laser tag guns and vests! Let your 15-year-old and his friends head into the woods or down into a basement where they make their own arena and rules…or no rules at all!
Xbox, Game Boy or Switch, modern or retro, whatever his game of choice, Grid Studio has stunning deconstructed framed works of art using original devices to show off the motherboard and miscellany that makes the console or controllers work. An absolutely brilliant and original gift for gamer kids, it's also available for Apple device nerds, including this rare original iPhone work of art.
Our media and tech pros have included JBL portable speakers in round-ups before, and we think the Clip 3 will be his new favorite backpack accessory. The built-in carabiner lets him clip it (hence the name) onto his bag and enjoy up to 10 hours of music. It's also water-resistant so he can bring it poolside or to the beach.
RELATED: 50 Best Gifts for Teens
The most popular young player for one of the most popular teams playing the world's most popular sport, a classic baby blue Eerling Haaland Manchester City shirt makes a great gift for any teen, whether he ever kicks a ball in it or wears it playing FIFA on his Xbox. Sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X
Named the best wired gaming headset by Good Housekeeping Institute pros, this is comfortable and convenient to use when he's gaming. The mic cuts background noise, so his friends won't hear parents or siblings in the background. An LED light indicates if the mic is on mute altogether.
RELATED: The Best Gifts for Gamers
If the teen in your life loves Sims and Monopoly but rarely has the time to play either, Hip Town is the perfect world-building game for them and their friends. The object is to build the coolest town possible, filled with businesses like craft cocktail bars or artisan pickleries. Whoever has the most Hip Points at the end wins. Ages 13+
Jeff is a dad of two daughters, an avid traveler, a photographer, an author and a freelance writer who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and their cats. In addition to Good Housekeeping, he's written for Parents, Fodor's, Food and Wine, Real Simple and Reader’s Digest, among other print and online publications. Jeff is the publisher of the quarterly literary magazine, Stanchion, and his book, Streets Cats and Where to Find Them, will be published by Running Press in the Summer of 2025.
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