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Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The 26 Best Gifts For Teen Boys, According To Teenagers And Experts
Shopping for a gift for a teenage boy can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. With so many varied interests, personalities and hobbies at this age, finding something that resonates with them can be elusive—but it's certainly not impossible. 'Selecting a gift for a teen boy is more than just finding something he'll enjoy—it's an opportunity to connect, to show understanding, support and encouragement during a pivotal stage of his life,' says adolescent psychologist and teen expert Angela Cook. She says the best gifts for teenage boys are thoughtful and really acknowledge who they are as individuals. The best gifts for teenage boys take into account their personalities, interests and hobbies. Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers 'Adolescence is a time of rapid change, where self-discovery and independence take center stage,' says Cook. 'Rather than simply choosing something trendy, consider what will truly resonate with your teenager.' Some of our top picks like the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro 3D Printer and a Crunchyroll membership are geared toward specific interests. In addition to our expert, I spoke directly to the source—teen boys—along with their parents to help curate our finds below. It's a classic for a reason: they can easily hang it on the back of their door or on any wall and play solo or with friends to pass the time. This magnetic felt set rolls up easily to even take with them on the go—or one day, when they move out to a place of their own. Amazon Frigidaire Mini Portable Fridge Teenagers crave—and need—personal space. Help take theirs up a notch with a retro mini fridge they can stash their favorite drinks or refrigerated snacks in to really create that feeling of a home withint their home. If they're an anime fan, there's no better gift than a Crunchyroll premium membership so they can easily stream all their favorite shows. You can gift them a one-, three-, or 12-month subscription at different tiers (Fan, Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan.) This is something I've heard dozens of teens (mine included) mention they've been wanting. Keep their hands and minds busy (and calm) with this clever magnetic fidget pen. Several teen boys I spoke with mentioned enjoying and wanting fidget toys. This is a popular option that can easily be tossed in their backpacks or a pocket. It also doubles as an actual writing utensil. Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 The highly anticipated new addition to the Nintendo Switch family is finally here and at the top of many teen boys' wish lists. It's the only way to play the latest Mario Kart game (you can even purchase it as part of a bundle.) As of this writing, the Switch 2 remains sold out, but restocks are coming, so we're leaving this in here for you to sign up for those 'notify me' emails ahead of gifting time. Our deals team also explained how best to track down Nintendo Switch 2 restocks. If it is out of stock, the original Nintendo Switch also makes a fantastic gift (and is $200 less), as long as they don't already own it. Amazon Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro 3D Printer If you're searching for a show-stopping gift, and they're ready to move beyond a 3D printing pen, look no further. They can print almost anything their brains can imagine with the super fast Neptune 4 Pro. 'This 3D printer allows me to make cool stuff and I like being able to customize things,' says 13-year-old Ben. The brand makes one of our favorite 3D printers overall, too. Amazon Apple AirPods 4 With ANC Cook recommends finding 'a high-quality piece of tech or gadget' that aligns with their interests, like noise-canceling headphones for music lovers. The newest AirPods can be purchased with active noise cancellation, so they can just to tune completely out and adaptive audio that adjusts the amount of sound dampening based on their current environment. Cook also suggests gifts like a drone for teens interested in photography or videography. This compact and affordable option comes with a 720p HD camera, a remote control, two rechargeable batteries and extra propellors. They can even create a flightpath on a smartphone. (Our tech team reviewed several other drones if you're looking for something more advanced.) This easily portable Bluetooth speaker can be clipped onto backpacks, sports bags and more. It's also waterproof, so it can be used in the shower or safely taken on the beach. No bigger than the palm of most people's hands, the hard part for them will be not losing it in their room somewhere. (If you prefer one that stands on its own or just something else, we recently tested and reviewed the very best bluetooth speakers.) Amazon PlayStation 5 Digital Edition If they're ready to move beyond the games of the Switch, chances are the Playstation is what they're eyeing. With popular Playstation-exclusive titles such as Marvel's Spider Man, Horizon Hero Dawn and Uncharted, there's a world of games for older teens to explore and play online with their friends. Some things never change, and teen boys are still into Roblox and would be thrilled to receive some Robux as a gift, according to multiple teen boys I surveyed. This ergonomic rocking floor chair comes with built-in headrest speakers, bluetooth capabilities and a super cushy vegan leather seat will keep them comfy while they game away. When they're done with it, it folds in half to stow away easily in a closet or under the bed to save space. More than one teen boy shared they had a skateboard on their perpetual mental wish list. This 100% maple wood Santa Cruz Complete board is ideal for beginners. It comes in a couple design and color options, if the screaming hand is just a little too out there for them. Whether they play on a team or just like to shoot hoops recreationally with friends, this glow-in-the-dark ball is not only fun to play with, it provides some light for after hours hoops. For the perpetual motion machine kid that's always looking for new sports to get into, roundnet may be calling their name. A combo of four square and volleyball, they'll have a blast with their friends playing this at the park, in the backyard or even at the beach. The set comes with everything they need to get started including a carry bag to tote all the parts around in. A gift like 'personalized items that reflect a teen boy's unique identity, like a custom-engraved piece of sports equipment can also be very meaningful, showing that you know them and care for them and their progress," says Cook. This customizable baseball glove can either be used for gameplay or put onto display to look at for years to come. Amazon Lego Star Wars Jango Fett Helmet For teen Star Wars fans, this one's a no-brainer. 'If you're a collector, it's one you have to get," says 13-year-old Ben. 'They look cool to display, too.' According to one teen boy mom I spoke with, her 16-year-old son and his friends all love receiving (and eating) all the fun snacks to no end. Starting at $18 a box, you can gift either a single Universal Yums box or a monthly subscription, so they'll receive a box filled with surprising and hard-to-find snacks from all over the world each month. Walmart Kodak Luma 75 Portable Projector Gifting "a fun gadget they might not expect but find practical, useful or entertaining like a portable projector for outdoor movie nights,' is a surefire win says Cook. This extremely compact projector fits in one hand and can easily be taken camping or to a friend's house to stream anything you want on the big screen (or wall.) Kind of like next generation Legos, this set appeals to the builders who want something display-worthy once they complete their build. 'I like this because it's a centaur, and I like Greek mythology. Also, it's compatible with Lego mechs, which is cool,' says 14-year-old Derek. There are so many teen boys who are already major sneakerheads, and these Kobe kicks are a highly coveted item. They can be hard to find, but new editions are always being released, so keep an eye out. 'I wanted these shoes since I play basketball. They feel comfortable and I feel like they help enhance my game,' says 16-year-old Tyler. Amazon Adidas All Szn Fleece Hoodie A teen boy's closet can never have too many hoodies, and this minimalist Adidas one meets their low-key aesthetic. The logo is small enough to hardly be noticed, and it comes in a wide range of colors to suit every mood. Amazon Nike Club Training Joggers If teenage boys had a capsule wardrobe, sweatpants and joggers would be at the top of the list. These ubiquitous Nike joggers are comfy, come in a wide range of colors and match with pretty much everything. As impossible as it can feel to buy clothes for teens, it's hard to go wrong with these. Dior Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum We don't know when teen boys started getting super into designer fragrances, but according to several moms of teens I spoke with, here we are. A 1 ounce version of the oh-so-popular fragrance for the teen crowd is the perfect size for them to sample and ensure they like it—and far more affordable than a full-size bottle. Amazon JB Skrub The Ultimate Bundle Whether he's just starting to get curious about skincare, or you want to set them along their way, this complete set includes everything for teen and tween skin—lotion, face wash, face pads, body wash and body spray—to get them started right. Sephora Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Le Parfum Travel Spray Another fragrance brand mentioned by multiple parents, this travel-size version is more affordable than committing to a full-size bottle. Just remind them that less is more—especially if they're spritzing it on before heading off to school. At Forbes Vetted, the baby and kids gear team is committed to helping parents find the best products for their kids, across all age ranges. As parents ourselves, we've spent countless hours testing and researching products and staying on top of current trends, including attending toy and gift trade shows and writing dozens of gift guides each year. The author of this story, Esther Carlstone , is a longtime parenting editor, product tester and mom of three—including a teen—who has written dozens of kid product guides including the best subscription boxes for kids and the best mattresses for teens. , is a longtime parenting editor, product tester and mom of three—including a teen—who has written dozens of kid product guides including the best subscription boxes for kids and the best mattresses for teens. The editor of this story, Rose Gordon Sala , is a mom to three, including two tweens, and the deputy editor of baby and kids gear at Forbes Vetted. She's an experienced journalist and editor and frequently tests and reviews baby and kids gear, including the best shoes for kids and the best smartwatches for kids. , is a mom to three, including two tweens, and the deputy editor of baby and kids gear at Forbes Vetted. She's an experienced journalist and editor and frequently tests and reviews baby and kids gear, including the best shoes for kids and the best smartwatches for kids. We also interviewed Angela Cook, adolescent psychologist, parenting teenagers expert and founder of Raising Remarkable Teenagers , a resource that helps parents raise highly effective and mentally healthy teenagers. , a resource that helps parents raise highly effective and mentally healthy teenagers. I also spoke to various parents of teen boys, as well as over a dozen teenage boys themselves to get their firsthand opinions of what made the best gifts for themselves and their peers. What's The Best Gift For A Teenage Boy? The best gifts for teenage boys are meaningful, explains Cook. As they undergo plenty of physical and personality changes, select gifts that celebrate their individuality, she says. This might mean a personalized glove for a ball player or a comfortable gaming chair for a gamer. 'A gift that acknowledges their unique interests—whether it's a sketchpad for an aspiring artist, a coding kit for a budding programmer or an experience that allows them to explore their world—can be deeply meaningful,' she says. What's A Popular Gift For A 15-Year-Old Boy? 'For a 15-year-old boy, popular gifts often revolve around technology, gaming, sports or fashion. Think about the latest video games, cool gadgets, sports gear related to their interests or trendy clothing items' says Cook. 'If they are humanitarian-inclined, support them by setting a special fundraising page for their cause and be the first to give and champion them to reaching their set goal by involving your adult friends to give,' she says. What Should I Buy For A 14-Year-Old Boy? 'A 14-year-old boy will most likely have similar interests to 15-year-olds. Gifts related to their hobbies, technology and pop culture tend to be well-liked and received. Board games or strategy games, whether online or physical, can be enjoyed with friends, books from their favorite genre or equipment for a sport they enjoy are all good options,' says Cook.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Families have a fantastic fun weekend at Drayton Manor thanks to Wishaw's DreamMaker Foundation
Nine children travelled with their families travelled by coach down to the Midlands Children from Lanarkshire were part of a group who enjoyed a fantastic fun trip to a theme park in the Midlands thanks to the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation. Nine children and their families travelled by coach to Drayton Manor Theme Park and Zoo in Tamworth on a summer trip for the weekend and had a magical couple of days, courtesy of the Wishaw-based charity. There were four DreamMaker children accompanied by their siblings and parents, two of the families were from Larkhall, with the others from Glasgow and Ayr. The Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation helps children with life-threatening illnesses, many of whom are going through gruelling treatments, to enjoy experiences such as days out and weekends away, and to meet celebrities. Charity Manager Angela Cook said: 'We left on Friday morning and had fun on the coach on the journey down with games and prizes and even DreamMakers Got Talent. 'After checking into the on-site Hotel, we spent all day Saturday in Drayton Manor Theme Park where the families had a ball enjoying all the activities and rides. 'We set a competition for the best photo with our wee Mr Wiz mascot and they all joined in, some of the photos were hilarious. 'On Saturday night we had a private room reserved where we had a DreamMaker party, where the real Mr Wiz and Les played games and competitions and we all ate pizza.' The families enjoyed another couple of hours in the theme park on Sunday before heading back home, happy. The charity covered all the costs for the trip, including coach, hotel, food, theme park and zoo entry and provided the kids with spending money. Angela added: 'This was one of the best trips I have ever been on. It was pure joy from start to finish. I want to thank all the DreamMaker Families for joining in the fun and games and making it so special for all the kids. 'Thanks to everyone who donated crisps, sweets, and juice for our goody bags, and to every one who donates into our buckets when we are out collecting. 'This is where your money goes and we couldn't do it with out your support.' The charity is already planning its next trip to the theme park. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
The 21 Best High School Graduation Gifts To Kick-Start Adulthood
High school graduation season is upon us and that means gearing up the graduates in your life with things that'll help, inspire and guide them in the next big stage of their lives: adulthood. Whether they're headed off to college, exploring life options during a gap year or heading straight to the workforce, there's a gift out there to support them on their journey like a sleek new piece of luggage, such as Away The Carry-On, or a set of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for travel or quiet moments to focus. Angela Cook, psychologist and founder of Raising Remarkable Teenagers, says, 'At 17 or 18 our graduating teens stand on the brink of adulthood. Their graduation is more than just a milestone—it's a launch into their next chapter. The gifts we give them ought to reflect that significance. My advice to people: make that gift a blend of sentiment, practicality, meaning, and fun.' To help you on your gift hunt, we've curated ideas to help get every graduate started on their new journey from a cake made of cash to a portable go-anywhere chair to a gorgeous personalized ring they'll wear everywhere and more. The number one thing all the teens I spoke to said they preferred for graduation was cold hard cash (or gift cards.) Instead of just stuffing bills into an envelope, go all out and roll them up for a celebratory cash cake that'll last long after the graduation party is over. Whether they're heading off to a dorm or to travel the world and everything in between, they'll need a chic and practical carry-on to take along with them. Away's classic hardshell carry-on comes in a wide range of aesthetic colors to suit every preference, and they can use it for years to come. 'A well-chosen present isn't just an item—it's a celebration of their journey, a tool for their future and an affirmation of your love for them,' says Cook. An aspirational read ticks all those boxes. Atomic Habits can help get them started with some solid life skills and habits (and learn how to break bad ones), so they can be the best version of themselves as they grow into adulting full time. They may soon be sharing space with other people and noise-canceling headphones can be key in blocking out distractions, sounds and basic sensory overload. This Bose model is our top overall wireless headphone pick thanks to its stellar sound quality, adjustable noise cancellation and overall effectiveness at masking environmental noise. If you have a graduating friend who loves live music, help protect their ears (and overstimulation) with these noise reduction earplugs designed specifically for concertgoers. They'll still be able to hear what the person next to them is yelling at them and respond, and the clear outer shell makes it practically disappear into their ears. Wallet, keys, purse, backpack—a small but mighty AirTag can help ensure they'll never misplace their important thing again. Grab them solo, or splurge for a four-pack, so they can attach one to all their valuable items. A spacious and modern version of a classic duffel bag is perfect for bringing clothes back home, going on a weekend getaway, as a purse alternative or to carry on a flight. Available in 14 gorgeous colors, this soft bag is filled with pockets galore to make organizing essentials easy. This lovely clothbound journal is filled with timely prompts, thoughtful questions, gratitude logs and daily quotes. Scoop up the 'Graduate' edition for an experience tailored just for the recent graduate and this new transition phase in life. Make it even more personalized by having the important people in their life sign the inside and back covers with congratulations and life advice. If they're heading out on their own, gift them a nice wooden cutting board, free of microplastics and any other chemicals to get them started off right. Made of FSC-certified birch, the Caraway Medium Cutting Board is just the right size to handle most daily kitchen slicing and dicing. So their room doesn't just scream technology, what looks like a handsome hardbound book is actually a wireless charger they can simply place their devices on top of—and the book actually opens up for additional hidden storage for cords, charging plugs and whatever else they want to tuck away. Camping, tailgating, picnicking and even beachtime just got way more comfy with this extra lightweight and portable chair they can use wherever they are. The telescoping legs slide in, making for one compact package they can easily stash in their trunk or closet. With this handy little device, they can transform any standard headphone jack to connect to their Bluetooth headphones. It can be used on treadmills, planes, gaming consoles, TVs and more. It can even connect two separate Bluetooth headphones at once if they want to watch or listen to something with a buddy or partner. This slim version of Yeti's popular Rambler insulated tumbler is the perfect size for carrying around campus or at home filled with their favorite hot beverage, or with ice and a cold drink. It's car cupholder-friendly and compact enough to easily bring along on every type of trip. Chances are they already have an iPad, so gift them an Apple Pencil to pair with it to make taking notes, drawing sketches, organizing life and other more adult tasks easier. Be sure to check the compatibility with their iPad, certain models use the Apple Pencil while others only work with the Apple Pencil Pro. Help them stay hydrated on hikes, walks across campus and travel with this super cute neoprene sling bag that's just the right size for toting a reusable water bottle, phone, keys and wallet. It's lightweight, stylish and hardly takes up any storage space. This 14K gold strand with a dainty natural diamond in a bezel setting is delicate enough to be worn on its own to work, college and beyond, and can easily be layered with other strands to create a new look. Perfect for unwinding after school or work, this viral ultra-soft faux-fur blanket is as beautiful draped over their dorm room bed or couch as it is cozy. I was recently gifted one of these and my own teen daughter—and everyone else in the house—is constantly trying to steal it from its perch. It's one of those luxurious gifts they would never buy for themselves, but would use daily if they had it. Cook says she loves a personalized keepsake for a high school graduation gift. 'Every gift should carry your personal message to them that implies I see you, I celebrate you, I support you in your next adventure,' she says. Get this 14k gold fill ring inscribed with their name, graduation year or anything else that's meaningful to them to become a cherished addition to their jewelry collection. Create a custom Funko Pop of the graduate, or another loved one in their life that they can place on their desk or shelf and smile at for years to come. Help them fuel each day with the popular Nespresso Vertuo Pop+. Better yet, combine it with a few sleeves of pods (or a monthly subscription) to get them started off right (aka stay up late to write those term papers.) This pocket-sized instant photo printer helps them to get the thousands of photos off their phones into the hands of their friends and family as they make new memories in this next stage in life. Add on a few packs of fun themed photo paper—including a sticker version—for the printer so they can start using it right away.
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Netherton business teams up with Wishaw kids charity as part of fun-filled event
A Netherton business teamed up with a Wishaw kids charity as part of a fun-filled event. 2bTanned's Pink Paradise Street Party, was in aid of The Les Hoey MBE Dream Maker Foundation and saw the charity benefit from a day of incredible mix of live music, entertainment and 2bTanned fun. It was the perfect opportunity to sample 2b's products, meet the team, tour the company's Netherton Industrial Estate headquarters and of course enjoy some delicious food and tanning. DreamMaker co-ordinator Angela Cook was delighted to be at the 2b fun day. She said: 'It is always great to be partnered up with a local company and the 2b team were brilliant with us. 'The team got in touch with us and we were so pleased to be there and be part of their day. 'They really put in a huge amount of effort and it was a tremendous event.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
