30 Gifts for 13-Year-Old Boys That Take the Guesswork Out of Shopping

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If you’ve ever shopped for a 13-year-old boy, you know it can take some extra time to find a gift that’s not lame and is something they’ll actually enjoy. No longer a tween but not yet an adult, teenage boys aren't always the first to be chatty about what they want for the holidays, their bar mitzvah, or even middle school graduation. So what do you get for the 13-year-old boy whose hobbies and interests are still changing day-to-day?

To make shopping simple, we've rounded up the best gift ideas for the 13-year-old boy on your list. Whether they're into video games, sports, art, STEM, or a combination of them all (or none of them), we found a present that your teen will actually enjoy. If you're really at a loss for what he likes, you can't go wrong upgrading something he currently has for the newest model, like headphones, sports equipment, or a gaming console. But if you're looking to get him something new or different, we rounded up the most popular gifts for your 13-year-old based on his interests, the top-selling items for teens we're seeing online, and the most viral gifts on TikTok.

You just might find these gifts for 13-year-old boys will even elicit some excitement out of Mr. Too-Cool-For-School.

Indoor Basketball Hoop

Enjoy a rainy day indoors with this over-the-door basketball hoop. Unlike other backboards, this one is battery-operated to keep score as you play with friends or on your own. Included are three high-quality balls, so you don't constantly have to get up and retrieve them.

“I bought this for my 13-year-old son,” shares one Amazon reviewer. “He had been begging for one for a while. I expected this to be cheaply made, but I was wrong! Definitely worth the money. He loves it, and now a few of his friends want one too.”

Ultra Impact iPhone 13 Case

Does it seem like your teen’s cell phone is glued to his hand? Avoid cracked screens and damaged phones by protecting his cell in style. Its clear design allows you to adhere stickers or slip a photo inside for customization. This Ultra Impact case can protect the phone from a drop up to 9.8 feet. CASTiFY cases are available for Apple and Samsung.

STEM Robot

If your teen is hands-on or enjoys building, this robot kit will keep him occupied. Construct the DIY robot, then control it with the included remote or an app on your phone. Just maybe don't tell your teen it's actually an educational STEM activity.

Standard 3 Ball Kit

Get your teen up and outside with Spikeball, which can be played with friends or as a family. This popular multi-player game is perfect to have on hand for when his friends end up spending the day at your house. Think volleyball meets four square with this two-vs-two game that entails bouncing a ball back and forth with the help of the spike ball ground net. Play it in the backyard, take it to the beach, or even set it up indoors.

Super 3D Pen

Bring your teen's art to life with this 3D pen. For the boy who's always sketching, this pen will take his drawings off the page and turn them into multi-dimensional figures he can actually use. And you'll pay a fraction of the cost of a full 3D printer. Sounds like a win-win to us.

Wallet

If your 13-year-old is spending more time out on their own, make sure their money is secure. Whether it’s a trip to the mall with friends or a night at the movies, you can rest assured their cash is being stored safely and cards are RFID protected.

Electronic Drum Set

If the dreaded thought of incessant banging has caused you to brush off your teen's pleas for drums, we've found your solution. This eight-piece drum set is made with quiet mesh pads so your house won't shake while your boy "practices" (or whatever he's calling all that noise). The set has 385 sounds and 60 built-in tracks so he can find his rhythm and make his own music.

Led Strip Lights

If your teen is always locked away in his room, you might as well help him decorate it the way he wants. Colorful LED light strips are a very popular decorative item for teens, and with two 50-foot rolls, he can light up the ceiling line of his room, create backlighting for his TV, or frame his windows. With a remote control and a smartphone app, there are two ways to change the lighting and set it to his favorite color.

Noise Reduction Ear Plugs

These noise reduction ear plugs are a wonderful way to help with sensory processing. Whether it’s the loud noises of the school cafeteria or high decibels at a concert or sporting event, wherever your teen feels overstimulated or just needs the volume to be a little lower, these earplugs are a popular choice among teens.

"I bought these for my 13-year-old that has severe anxiety, and their school/class room can be very loud," shares one Amazon reviewer. "They've been very helpful in reducing their stress during those times."

Switch™

Nintendo's popular Switch gaming console is a go-to gift for 13-year-old boys. He can take it in the car, bring it to a friend's house, or hook it up to your TV and play on the big screen alone or with the family.

With thousands of games, there's something he'll enjoy, whether he's an action-seeker who loves thrill games, prefers driving games, or wants a low-key game he can play to unwind. Enjoy family-friendly games together with younger siblings or get competitive with multi-player games.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart is a great way to get your teen to play video games with you. This classic Nintendo game is made for the Switch and can be played in-person or virtually. Thanks to online play capability, he can play with friends or have a family game night with loved ones worldwide.

WONDERBOOM 3

At home, outside, at the beach, wherever your teen hangs out, he can take his music with him. This portable Bluetooth speaker has a simple design and high-quality, 360-degree audio output. Hook it up to your phone using Bluetooth and enjoy music for up to 14 hours between charges.

Rechargeable Laser Tag

Tired of giving your teen money to go play laser tag? Bring the laser tag to your backyard. With all the fun of going to play laser tag, this set has everything you need for up to four players and can be combined with multiple Squad Hero laser tag kits for even larger games. Play individually or divide and conquer with teams.

Choose from multiple weapon settings and enjoy up to eight games in between charges. With a shooting distance of up to 150 feet, your teen will have fun finding creative places to hide and ways to outsmart his friends and win the game.

Mini Portable Fridge with Speaker

He's a growing boy, and if you're tired of him constantly asking what's for dinner and what there is to eat in the house, you'll want to get him this mini fridge. Fill it with snacks and drinks and let him know he can eat whatever he wants in there. He gets to eat when he wants without getting too full for dinner.

This portable fridge also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker — making it two awesome gifts in one.

Click Here to Start (A Novel)

For the gamer who likes to read (or the one you wish would actually pick up a book). Written by Denis Markell, the critically acclaimed book follows a boy who spends all his time playing video games and inherits his great-uncle's possessions. This video game-themed mystery might just be what gets your teen to put down the controller and read.

NASA Mars Rover

Can you ever have too many Lego kits? The answer is no. This set includes over 1,000 pieces to keep your 13-year-old engaged in the puzzle of building this NASA model of the real-life Mars Rover Perseverance and Ingenuity helicopter. Once it's built, your future engineer can test out its 360-degree steering and fully articulated suspension to traverse varying terrains.

Bean Bag Chair

If your teen's friends are always at your house, make sure you have ample seating for when everyone comes over. These comfortable bean bag chairs have a built-in back for a little less slouching and are great for gaming, doing homework, or just hanging out.

Ball Bouncing Skill Game for Teenagers and Adults

For the teen who likes to keep to himself, this game is designed to be played solo (but can also be enjoyed with friends). Put your hand-eye coordination to the test by bouncing the ball against different sides of the cube at varying angles to achieve repeating pattern combos.

If he loves a challenge and getting competitive, even against himself, this is the gift for him.

40X-2000X Microscope

This isn't some kid's toy microscope — it's a school lab-quality microscope that can be used to actually inspect samples and discover science up close. Included in the set are 30 prepared slides so he can start using the microscope as soon as he sets it up. It even comes with a phone holder to take photos of the samples.

How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide

For the 13-year-old who's always sketched in the corner of his notebook or drawing on his iPad, this drawing guide is full of new inspiration. Help him hone his craft and develop new skills with step-by-step guides for drawing everything from realistic faces to tattoo-style designs to everyday objects.

Shape Shifting Box

Part fidget, part puzzle, full-on good time. Turn this one cube into over 70 different shapes thanks to the cube's durable material and built-in magnets. The challenge of the puzzle and the colorful patterns make this a sensory stimulator your boy will enjoy fidgeting with. Buy a second (or third) Shape Shifting Box and connect them all to create even larger, out-of-the-box shapes.

Bluetooth Beanie

Now your teen can listen to his favorite music without needing wireless headphones. Instead of buying earbuds that can fall out and get lost when pulling your hat on and off, your teen can hear (and control) his favorite songs with this high-tech beanie. He'll like that he can connect to his phone and listen to music on the go, and you'll like that it's machine-washable, so it won't start smelling like a boy all the time.

Telescope

If your 13-year-old has shown an interest in the stars and planets, encourage him to explore with this portable telescope. The included carrying case allows them to take it wherever they can find a dark space to watch the stars, making it easy to take to the park or right in their backyard.

This Amazon best seller comes with a 70 mm aperture, 20 to 200x magnification for seeing stars up-close, and a phone mount so he can take photos of what he discovers.

Tortilla Throw Blanket

Who doesn't love a burrito? This creative blanket was basically made for the kid who never wants to admit he's cold. Its fun design gives your teen a pass to wrap themselves up for warmth while pretending it's just to be ironic and funny.

LED Flying Disc

If your teen enjoys playing outside even once the sun has gone down, a gift that glows is the way to go. He'll enjoy throwing this light-up disc around in the backyard. Its lightweight design makes it easy for him to bring over to a friend's house, the beach, the campground or wherever he goes.

Super Skills - Action Game for Competitive People

Get the whole family in on a game night your teen won't be bored with. With 120 challenges that involve a timer, cups, dice, and ping pong balls, it's time to get competitive and see who gets to 10 completed challenges first. He'll get so into the games he just might put his phone down and forget how uncool his family is.

All-In-One Portable Ping Pong Set

Make any table a ping pong table with this travel kit. The retractable net adjusts to any size under 72 inches so your teen can play on the dining room table, the coffee table or even a hard floor. Extra balls are included so if your teen just happens to lose one (or two) in their messy room, they won't be begging you to run out for new ones.

Best Chess Set Ever

If you've noticed your teen playing a lot of chess on their phone, encourage them to take the games off the screens with this top-rated chess set. If the name doesn't give it away, the Best Chess Set Ever includes everything you need for a game of chess, including a double-sided silicone board that rolls up for easy transport. Just stick the stain-resistant mat into the included drawstring bag to take it on the go.

The set's playing pieces have weighted bases to prevent them from getting knocked over or blown away. And if your teen knows nothing about playing chess, he can hone his skill with the included strategy guide.

Crags Ferrite Putty

Unlike other fidget putties, this one won't leave sticky residue on your hands or clothes. Made of ferrite, these small magnetic stones truly feel like putty in your hand. Build them into small sculptures, clump them into a ball, or just mold them in your hand to give your hands something to do while you focus.

GPS Drone with Camera

We're not saying every 13-year-old boy is going to love a drone. But we are saying there's a pretty good chance he will if you gift him one. Whether he's into tech, video games, photography, or is a budding YouTuber, this drone is a gift he'll enjoy toying around with.

This gift for 13-year-old boys will allow them to explore their surroundings with 4k photos and 2k videos of the incredible view, thanks to the drone's built-in camera that syncs to your smartphone. Advanced GPS capability will guide your drone back to you when the battery runs low, so you never have to worry about it disappearing because your teen forgot to charge it.

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