25 Amazing Sweet 16 Gifts That Are Far From Basic

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Sixteen-year-olds are a tough crowd but in the best way. They have incredibly specific likes and dislikes and tend to be very vocal, or at least knowledgeable, about what's lit, what's extra, and what's mid. If you don't understand that last sentence, don't worry — neither do I. I came across Gen Z slang while scouring TikTok and Pinterest for the latest products and gifts that rising 16-year-olds are currently into, and I went with it.

Nearing official adulthood while still being far enough away from complete independence, turning 16 is a big deal. Not to put any pressure on you, but the gift you buy a 16-year-old matters, whether it's for your child, a relative, or a friend. Impressing a teenager will ensure they think you're cool, even if only for a short period of time until you do or say something dumb to mess it up.

Since it's been a minute since I was 16 (OK, a long minute), I also enlisted my two teen cousins and their friends, who are all in 11th grade, to fill me in on their dream gifts. From makeup to bedroom decor to pimple patches to comfortable footwear, this list has it all.

HydroBeltbag with Removable Water Bottle Holder

There's always something to carry, and in the case of the HydroBeltbag, that includes a water bottle. This retro-style fanny back has a removable drink holder to keep teens hydrated. Maybe they'll even let you borrow it. Wishful thinking?

Earth Star Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches

Made popular by Hailey Bieber and Florence Pugh, Starface Pimple Patches are a cross between a zit patch and a music festival accessory. Formulated with hydrocolloids, the star-shaped patches reduce pimples overnight.

Our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, is also a big fan of these pimple patches. She says, "Aesthetics aside, the Starface pimple patches are also functional. Not only do they help shrink acne overnight, but they also prevent you from picking your acne, which can lead to discoloration, scarring, inflammation, and irritation."

Starface Pimple Patch Review

Cloud Slides

Cloud slides are popular because they're ridiculously comfortable as inside or outside shoes. These slides come in several color options and have thick soles that provide support, stability, and shock absorption.

Ultimate DIY Bubble Tea Kit

With this boba tea kit, 36 drinks can be made. The kit comes with boba straws, authentic boba, and six flavors, including Thai tea, mango, taro, lychee, milk tea, and coconut.

Winter Warm Fuzzy Bucket Hat

Cute orange flowers adorn this plush bucket hat as an homage to the '60s and '90s. The size is adjustable via a drawstring closure, and if flowers aren't it, you can choose from several other colors and designs.

EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera

This throwback film camera from KODAK will surely impress any teen with an interest in photography. The pocket-size camera has a flash and holds a roll of 36 exposures.

eGift Card

An Amazon gift card gives the gift of, well, everything. It lets teens buy whatever they want and saves you the trouble of worrying about whether or not they'll like your gift. Trust. They'll like it.

You're Like Really Pretty Neon Sign

This neon sign will make a bold statement in any 16-year-old's room (and specifically, as a social media background) while reminding them that they are, in fact, really pretty. The LED light is dimmable, which is great for sleep mode.

Slushie Maker Cup

This slushie maker cup gained popularity on TikTok, and teens are going wild for it. It needs to freeze for 6 hours, then add any type of liquid, squeeze, and drink.

Bedside Tiffany-Style Table Lamp

It's unclear why Gen Z is obsessed with Tiffany lamps, but here we are. This colorful hummingbird lamp is 18 inches tall and works beautifully as a bedside reading lamp.

Riff Wired On-Ear Headphones

Skullcandy's wired riff headphones merge the past and present and will help teens block out all the noise and focus solely on their music, podcasts, or phone calls. They're comfortable, collapsible, and deliver exceptional sound quality.

Double-Tipped Alcohol Markers

Perfect for any teen who loves to draw, these double-tipped alcohol markers feel professional. One side has a chisel tip and the other a fine tip, and the markers come in a convenient carrying/storage bag.

Write Through It: A Guided Journal for Teen Girls

Sixteen is a great age to start journaling, and what better way to do it than with a guided journal that offers inspiring prompts to help teens work through anxiety, boost self-confidence, and build healthy habits?

Lava Lamp

Teens are all about the '90s right now, and so are lava lamps. When turned on, this lava lamp forms bubbles that drift throughout the lamp, making eye-catching designs.

The Grippy Case - Marshmallow Cloud

There's no mixing up whose phone is whose with Casetify's marshmallow cloud grippy case. It's available for iPhones 14 and 15 and comes in two additional designs.

Chuck Taylor All Star Lift High Top Platform Sneaker

You can't go wrong with a fresh pair of Chuck Taylors as a 16th birthday gift. These high-top platforms Converse add some height to the classic shoe. They come in black or white.

NYX Professional Makeup Gimmie Gimmie Lip Kit

It's safe to say that 16-year-olds absolutely know how to do makeup better than us, so they will rock this lip kit from Nyx and won't look back. It comes with everything needed for the perfect lip design.

Oversized Hoodie

You can't go wrong with a cozy oversized hoodie as a gift. This one from H&M comes in several color and size options, and it's just all-around perfection.

FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Owala water bottles are the new "it" bottles, according to several 16-year-olds. The insulated stainless steel bottle comes with a straw and doesn't leak. Like, at all.

Knit Cuffed Beanie

Not only is this Carhartt beanie cool, but it also keeps the head warm. So, it's a win-win. There are loads of colors to choose from, so hopefully you're up to speed on their favorite.

Weekender Bag

This canvas weekender bag is cute and stylish for a sleepover party or a weekend away with family. It has a large storage capacity, a shoulder strap, and a small compartment for shoes.

Supersonic Hair Dryer

Dyson's Supersonic Hair Dryer is highly sought after by people of all ages, so there's no question that a 16-year-old would absolutely be thrilled with this gift. It comes with several attachments and is engineered for all types of hair.

Ultimate Bundle: Complete Skincare Kit for Teens

Doesn't matter the gender, but the teen boys I spoke to are happy with this skincare kit. It comes with face wash, face pads, face lotion, body wash, and body spray.

Cruiser Plus Vintage Vinyl Record Player Turntable

Whether they want to play Taylor Swift or Joni Mitchell records, this vintage-style Crosley vinyl record player will get it done. It connects to Bluetooth, so the sound can be amplified on connected speakers.

3D Printing Pen with Display

There's something so futuristic about this 3D pen. It comes with three starter colors, a stencil book, and a project guide. It takes drawing to a completely new level.

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