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Teenagers have strong preferences, which makes buying gifts for teens tricky. The best gifts for kids this age show them that you see them for the near-adults they've become, and you can recognize their individuality. At the same time, they do love following trends and keeping up with all the cool new items that have hit the zeitgeist.
The Good Housekeeping Institute helps thread that needle to find the best gifts for 14-year-olds in 2024. It tests all kinds of products throughout the year, covering everything from drones to beauty items. It also tests tons of toys to determine the annual Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners. The engineers in the labs test for safety, durability and ease of use, meaning big-ticket gifts will last as long as your teens' interest in them. Then we found more best-sellers, editor picks and other little trendy items to keep things fun. When we checked our list (twice), these gift ideas rose to the top.
Our Top Picks
- Awegift Personalized Name Necklace, $14 on amazon.com
- Obtain Custom Name Neon Sign, $20 on amazon.com
- Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Couch, $38 on amazon.com
- KODAK Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer, $61 on amazon.com
- ArmoGear Laser Tag Set, $90 on amazon.com
In addition to those top-tested and trendiest items, there are more cool gifts for every teenager on your list.
It's not just Swifites who are getting a kick out of layering fun bracelets all the way up their arms. This set comes with seven bracelets with a variety of colors and charms. They can wear all seven at once, or mix and match their favorites.
If they're in on the Pickleball craze, give them some gear that will help them keep up the sport. The Good Housekeeping Institute liked this model for its affordable price and the way it's light and easy to maneuver. If they're really into it, you can also get a set that comes with two paddles and four balls ($70).
You can get their name, initials or an inspirational saying. After you decide, you can pick from a bunch of fonts, colors and symbols to really customize it. No matter which route you go, they'll love it.
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No more fighting over wall sockets! They can get their phones up to 50% power in half an hour, which means fewer missed texts or calls. It also comes in six colors.
When it's time to get comfy, these daisy-shaped pillows are just the thing. Each one is nearly 30 inches in diameter (though you can get a small and medium size), which makes it perfect for using either as a bed pillow or a floor cushion. They come in more than a dozen colors, and the petals have a corduroy-like rippled texture.
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They can personalize their lockers, their rooms and their school supplies easily with this surprisingly affordable photo printer, which prints pics from any phone or social media account. (You do need to be able to install an app.) It connects wirelessly with Bluetooth and prints onto 2” x 3” sticky-back paper. (You can always get more paper refills to go with it.)
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This isn't their parents' paper airplane. Attach this device to folded paper and they suddenly have a flying machine they can control with their phones through an app. Once they get the hang of it, they can try loops, hammerheads and barrel rolls. Ages 8+
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Make them feel like they're falling asleep while floating in space with this machine. Turn this on, and they'll be treated to 360 degrees of star lights in clouds of floating nebula. Amazon users say they are especially fond of the vivid colors.
Take this to the park, to the beach or the school courtyard, wave it around, and it easily fills with air and becomes an inflatable couch. When chill time is over, it folds up small enough to stash in a backpack. Plus, it comes in a ton of fun colors and patterns.
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It'll be years before they can go out and get the real thing, but with these markers, they won't have to wait to decorate their skin. It comes with eight different temporary tattoo colors, plus four stencils that can get them started on different designs. They can experiment with different styles and colors depending on their mood.
Bring the digital excitement of Fortnite into the real-world building universe of LEGO with this set. It's part of a new collaboration between the two brands, since players will also be able to have LEGO-themed adventures within Fornite. This set will have nearly 700 pieces to build the iconic wild-eyed Fornite llama. It doesn't come out until October 1, but it's available for pre-order now. Ages 12+
There are dozens of fonts to choose from with this necklace, so you can find one that matches your teen's style. It comes plated in 18k gold and also has a chain length of 18" with a 2" extension.
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With four laser guns and four vests, anywhere can be a laser tag arena. Take them into parks or backyards and let them go! The lasers have a 150-foot range, and the gear really vibrates for a more immersive feel. Ages 8+
The slides are so comfy, they've gained a following among users on Amazon. They're super flexible, they come in a rainbow of colors and they're easy to wash, too.
Gamers are always excited to play a new Super Mario Bros. game, and last year — the year of The Super Mario Bros. Movie — that went double. This newest entry in the Mario franchise, which is available for Nintendo Switch, was praised for its beautiful visuals and entertaining gameplay. Rated E for Everyone
RELATED: Best Gifts for Gamers
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Teens can deal with any acne in a better and more fun way than we ever did thanks to these celestial Hydrocolloid patches. Starface claims they improve pimples overnight while protecting them from bacteria and infections.
Everyone, from elementary students up through senior citizens, seems to love getting in on the Kanoodle fun — no wonder it's been a social-media sensation. To play, challenge cards offer the start of the shape, and people have to use their logic and critical thinking skills to figure out how to fit in the rest of the pieces to make a pyramid. If they like it, they can move on to other Kanoodle versions, like Kaoodle Head-to-Head or Kanoodle Genius. Ages 7+
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards
Each day, teenagers are discovering what makes them happy. And, if they need a guidance to help figure it out, this journal has insights from famous creative thinkers including artists, writers, architects, musicians, chefs, dancers and sculptors to inspire them to find joy.
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Fans of the gothic Tim Burton aesthetic will love to wear Beetlejuice's black-and-white stripes via this cross-body bag. The straps have a nod to the bio-exorcist in his worm form, and there's just enough room to carry the essentials.
If they're artsy, give them a new medium to work in. If they feed plastic filaments through this pen, it melts and becomes like a 3D printer. You can adjust the heat and the speed of the flow, but be sure to keep the tip clean, or it can clog. There's also a $44 version that doesn't have the same digital display.
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.