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Jan 25, 2024

40 Best Gifts for 15

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Teens are notoriously hard to shop for, but you'll definitely find something unique for him here.

Cash and tech gifts, like new phones, tablets and laptops, are what likely comes to mind when you think about gift ideas for teen boys, especially if you've ever spent time around one of those peculiar, hormonal, goofy creatures. And yet, there's so much more that interests and intrigues kids of that age.

Because it's been a hot minute since I was 15, and because most of what's available to kids today didn't exist in 1991, I've consulted three experts of the genre: my own 15-year-old, their 19-year-old sister who works at MonkeyFish Toys, an independent toy store close to our home in the Philly 'burbs, and that store's owner, KC Olafsson. My goal was to understand what 15-year-old boys are into right now, what they do and play with, and, if they were to make one last list for Santa or would speak freely and openly to anyone at all, what would they say they want for a birthday or graduation gift, or to find wrapped under a tree at year's end.

When all their preferences were added in — plus insights from other Good Housekeeping Institute experts and editors — these emerged as the best gifts for 15-year-old boys in 2023. The result is a comprehensive gift guide for 15-year-old boys, whether they dig sports or want to bury their head in a book, could bake all weekend, like to build things or are happiest binge-watching movies and TV shows.

If the 15-year-old in question has a knack for storytelling and world-building, the last thing you want is a bad case of writer's block to shake their confidence and make them lose interest in that form of creativity. Skilled author Renee Agatep has created a journal filled with prompts and quotes to kickstart creativity and get their writerly juices flowing again. Just remind them to thank you in their novel's acknowledgments.

If the teen in your life loves Sims and Monopoly but rarely has the time to play either, Hip Town is the perfect world-building game for them and their friends. The object is to build the coolest town possible, filled with businesses like craft cocktail bars or artisan pickleries. Whoever has the most Hip Points at the end wins.

Like my own 15-year-old, the teen in your life probably has a wish list of tattoos they want to be permanently inked on their skin. Until the day comes when they can legally get them on their own and afford to pay for their dream tattoos, this awesome temporary tattoo marker and stencil set should suffice. The company promises the tattoos wash off with soap and water (though some take a few washes).

It's a fidget toy that develops hand-eye coordination and presents any teen with a challenge because, at first glance, there are no colors on this Rubik's Cube. Instead, the heat of his fingers will illuminate the patterns briefly and then your 15-year-old must work to solve this awesome puzzle.

If he's a budding cinephile, give him this poster as a road map to history's all-time great movies. As he watches each one, he gets to scratch off the square, and the poster gets more and more colorful the more he watches. (Note: Some of the movies are rated R, so it might take him a few years to finish.)

With a little bit of elastane, this hoodie is stretchy, soft, breathable, and extremely comfortable for an after-school workout, a bike ride around the neighborhood this summer or simply playing games online with his friends long into the night. It also comes in six different colors.

You may battle your teen when it comes to homework, curfew and eating you out of house and home, but no fight stinks more than the smell of 15-year-old boys! These sneaker balls will deodorize his shoes, duffel bag and laundry basket — it's really something the whole family will appreciate.

Comfort is key for most teens, whether at school, on the couch or on the b-ball court. These warm, suede fleece Champion joggers are so soft and so very cool.

Maybe he already loves to play outside or maybe you're desperately searching for fun ways to encourage your 15-year-old to spend more time in the great outdoors. Either way, Disc Golf is a rad activity to play alone, with family or friends. This set has a driver, a mid-range and a putter to get them started.

Does the teen in your life watch movies, games and TV on his phone? Of course, he does, he's 15! This gadget magnifies his phone screen to a bright, beautiful 12 inches, so he doesn't have to worry about eye strain.

Quite possibly the coolest and best-designed fidget toy, a Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box is equally ideal for a teen struggling with anxiety as it is for a 15-year-old who loves art and making things with his hands. The box unfolds into different shapes, revealing different patterns, and then folds back up into a cube again.

A freestyle rap battle game that builds vocabulary and is positively hilarious whether played with friends or family members, this is the best interactive board or card game on the market for teens today.

He can watch his movies, TikTok videos and texts in bed without keeping his hands and head in the dreaded "text neck" position. All he has to do is clip this re-positionable phone holder to a shelf or desk.

If your favorite 15-year-old is anything at all like I was at that age and like my teens are today, they like to spend weekend mornings in the kitchen with music playing as they bake. This Cookie idea book is a feast for the senses and what it'll help them bake is a literal feast of sweets!

Ask any 15-year-old boy what they want as a gift and you’ll probably hear a list that involves a lot of tech, like a new iPhone, a new smartwatch and new AirPods. To keep all of his gear charged, there's this stylish and sleek wireless charger stand that quickly powers up his phone, watch and AirPods while keeping everything neat and organized.

This generation of kids might be the most hydrated in history. Make sure your teen has the hottest reusable bottle, this rad Stanley Tumbler is available in many cool colors.

Your teenager will think he's the coolest kid in town when he plugs in and stocks his own personal drink fridge in his room. With space for eight cans and a few chocolate and protein bars, this is the best and most handsome small portable fridge.

For an overnight at a friend's, a Boy Scout campout, a trip to the gym or a carry-on bag for a family vacation, every young man needs a good duffel bag. This one from Adidas is big enough for him to pack what he needs, and it's available in an array of colors so there's bound to be one that's perfect for him.

This isn't your father's Nerf gun! Blending the coolest aspects of those traditional foam bullet toys and thrilling paintball action, this Gelfire blaster gives teenagers epic fun with no welts on their skin and paint on their clothes.

Featuring glossy photos, sketches, mood boards and film stills, this stunning hardcover book examines the legacy of Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter, the visionary responsible for the visual aesthetic of so many of his favorite films. The pages inside cover movies like Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, Malcolm X, Do the Right Thing, Coming 2 America, and so many more.

Jeff is a dad of two teenage daughters and a decent human being with a curious mind and a kind heart; he's an avid traveler, photographer, author and freelance writer who lives in New York City with wife. In addition to Good Housekeeping, he's written for Parents, Fodor's, USA Today and Reader's Digest, among other print and online publications. Jeff won the 2016 Iris Award for Photography and 2017 Iris Award for Philanthropy, and is the publisher of the quarterly literary magazine, Stanchion.

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