20 Best Gifts for 13-Year-Olds, Because Teenagers Know Their Stuff
The tech gadgets, cute gear and DIY kits they really want this year.
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When kids turn 13, they're usually ready to dive further into their interests — be it fashion, tech or just hanging out with their friends and playing games. So when it's time to buy gifts for kids this age, they appreciate it when you can show them that you know who they truly are. No matter what they're into, these are the best gifts to give 13-year-olds this year.
So, what are they asking for on their wish lists? If it's a new set of games, you're in luck — we have plenty that have been tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute for its yearly Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards. Plus, items that help them show off their personal style — such as a signature fragrance, a lipstick color or DIY jewelry — are welcome.
Below, we included various GHI-approved toys as well as Amazon best sellers and products with rave reviews.
Who it's for: The teen who wants perfume
Why we like it: Not only was this body mist Created by the cool tastemakers at Cosmopolitan, but it also comes in a bottle that looks like a juice box. In addition to cherry, it comes in five other scents — all available exclusively at Ulta.
Who it's for: The teen who likes taking pictures
Why we like it: It may seem wacky to adults, but teens are getting into older technologies, including digital cameras, CD players and even film cameras. This one is great for Peanuts fans, and it has fun summer-camp vibes. Plus, the camera has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon.
Who it's for: The teen who likes card games
Why we like it: This easy-to-learn, easy-to-play card game will seem familiar to anyone who has played Rummy — only a fifth suit is added into the mix, making the object a little more complicated. Did we mention it has nearly 30,000 five-star reviews on Amazon?
Ages 8+
LEGO Batman Construction Figure and Bat-Pod Bike
Who it's for: Batman fans
Why we like it: When this Dark Knight rises (out of LEGO bricks), he stands more than 1o inches tall — which looks awesome on a shelf or in a display case. This Seal-holding set is just over 700 pieces, which is that right balance between being too simple and too complicated.
Ages 12+
Who it's for: Jellycat collectors
Why we like it: Nothing is cuter than this smiling coffee cup from Jellycat. It has a keyring that lets it clip to a backpack so everyone can admire it on the way to and from school. Plus, one shopper said it's "so adorable" and noted fast delivery.
Hasbro Monopoly GO! Board Game
Who it's for: The teen who loves boardgames
Why we like it: Get teens to look away from their screens with this IRL version of the Monopoly phone game. “She keeps wanting to play it over and over again,” one parent tester said about her daughter, who loves the original board game. “It’s one of her new favorite games. I think she likes it more than regular Monopoly!”
Ages 8+
Who it's for: The teen who likes being cozy
Why we like it: Cozy is in, and the cuter the better. These fuzzy, ultra-comfortable slippers check both boxes. Amazon reviewers praise these for being well made and warm, too.
Penn & Teller VR Magic Lab
Who it's for: The teen who's into magic
Why we like it: This kit walks budding magicians step-by-step through how to do the tricks using VR (with goggles included, but teens have to supply their own phones), and by the end they'll have a repertoire of 28 illusions.
Ages 8+
'The Book of Unusual Knowledge'
Why it's for: The teen who likes to read
Why we like it: When they get to be this age, you never know where their interests will lead them. Feed their curiosities with this book, which has 20 chapters of factoids about everything from presidential pets to the inventor of the Zamboni. It has over 1,000 positive Amazon reviews, too.
Who it's for: The teen who likes wearing jewelry
Why we like it: This kit lets teens make their own jewelry with a more sophisticated look — and it comes with materials like faux suede cords, metal charms, tassels, metal rings, ribbons and thread.
Ages 13+
POWERUP 4.0 Dragon Paper Craft Kit
Who it's for: The future pilot
Why we like it: First, they build the dragon out of laminated stock paper — then, they send their DIY creation into the sky, controlling it from their smartphone. The app helps flying with features like auto-pilot, built-in launch assist and wind stabilizer.
Who it's for: The teen who wears bows
Why we like it: You can give a teen a bow — or you can give them a DIY bow-tying kit. The set comes in three themes, and each one includes three bows. One shopper said that it's "perfect for group activities, gifting or solo crafting" and that the set "encourages creativity and self-expression. "
Ages 6+
Who it's for: The teen who likes playing laser tag
Why we like it: This home laser tag set comes with four vests and four blasters, so teens can pair off in teams of two and run around until they've used all their teenage energy. The set has over 1,100 five-star customer reviews on Amazon, too.
Ages 8+
Who it's for: The teen with a constant 1% battery charge on their phone
Why we like it: If you know a teenager, you know their phone is always dead or near-dead, especially when they need to be reached most. Now they can extend their batteries with this portable charger, which has built-in cables. "This charger is fantastic! So nice not having extra cords hanging off of it," one shopper wrote.
Big Joe Milano Bean Bag Chair
Who it's for: The teen in need of furniture
Why we like it: They can pull up a seat almost everywhere with this stylish bean bag chair, which has a handle on top to make it easy to drag around. In Good Housekeeping Institute tests, testers said they liked how full and firm it was and how it offered back support.
RELATED: The Best Bean Bag Chairs
Who it's for: The competitive teen
Why we like it: They can challenge their friend and family to a game of dexterity and coordination. Players go head to head to see if they can get their rings to capture three of the five hooks before their opponent. The set is portable, so they can bring it out whenever they think they'll have some competition.
Who it's for: The teen who wants to see their name in lights
Why we like it: What we hear over and over again from teens is that they love personalization and customization — and what could be more personalized than a neon sign shining your name in your room? "It’s a perfect gift or addition to any space," one customer wrote.
Who it's for: The teen who needs a new Bluetooth speaker
Why we like it: This Miffy looks great sitting on a shelf or dresser all by herself. But she doesn't just sit there — she connects to their music with Bluetooth and also acts as a phone stand.
RELATED: Why Is Miffy Suddenly So Popular?
Who it's for: The Dungeons & Dragons fan
Why we like it: When waging a D&D campaign, it's best to keep the armor at the ready — and by armor, I mean a big, fuzzy blanket. This one is in the iconic shape of a D20 die, and Amazon reviewers have praised its texture and level of coziness.
RELATED: The Best Dungeons & Dragons Gifts
Who it's for: The teen who wears lip gloss
Why we like it: Everything from Beauty Bakerie is a teen's dream, because the packaging is not too kiddie, but not too serious. The Lip Whips are praised by Amazon users for having vibrant colors that stay put — a great feature for less-than-careful teens — and they come in a rainbow of shades.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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