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Teen Gift Ideas under $50

These 20 teen gift ideas under $50 are smart, kid-approved, and don’t include a cell phone or game console.

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Teens can be hard to shop for sometimes. Either they want everything… or they want nothing.

Most lists of teen gift ideas include technology in the form of a cellphone, video game console, computer, or tablet. My kids love their devices (and hey, I do too).

But maybe that’s outside your holiday gift budget. Or maybe the kids on your list already have those things. So what else do they like?

I asked my teens for suggestions! These teen gift ideas are all perfect for the kid who already “has it all” and best of all, they come in under $50 (as of this blog post, November 2022 – all prices are subject to change of course).

Teen gift ideas that aren’t a cell phone or game console

Drawing and coloring books

My oldest told me that coloring books are cool no matter how old you are. Find out what your teens are into and get them an activity book. Coloring, drawing, and other pencil-and-paper activities are a fun break from screen time!

Try these:

Earbuds

Listen, I know you’ve already bought these kids some earbuds. Probably a lot of them, because they break or get lost. You could buy them a new pair every year and that would be fine.

Try these:

Headphones

Somehow just like the earbuds, my teens have gone through several pairs of headphones. In this case, a pricier pair might last longer. When I bought the last set, I added an extended warranty, but we haven’t used it.

Try these:

Phone charger

Teens are just like us adults! They need a phone charger for every room, their backpack, and the car. If you’re purchasing an extra or backup charger, look for one that has a longer cord and is more durable than the one that came with the cellphone.

Try these:

Game controller

If you know or can find out which game console your teen has, gift them an extra game controller. Having an extra means they can play with a friend (or several). There are also quite a few limited-edition or novelty controllers.

Try these:

Carrying case

All electronics last longer when they live in a carrying case. You could gift a new cellphone case, a case for a tablet, or a carrying case for handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch. You’ll just need to know which model they have – and a few of their interests.

Try these:

Lapboard

One of my teens prefers gaming at a desk, the other while laying on the couch. Make a cozy spot a little more comfortable with a lapboard that can hold their laptop, etc. Some have a fan to ensure the device doesn’t overheat.

Try these:

Hoodie

If you walk into a school any time of year, you’ll probably see most of the kids in hoodies. Hey, they are comfortable! There’s no such thing as too many hoodies, especially if you find one that’s really cozy and fits their fandom.

Try these:

Bluetooth speaker

Earbuds and headphones are ideal for one, but if they’re hanging out with friends, a Bluetooth speaker is a must. Look for one that’s waterproof so it can go near the shower or the swimming pool.

Try these:

Rechargeable batteries

Gamers go through a lot of batteries. (So many!) Rechargeable batteries can be a lifesaver and many consoles have ones that are specific to that controller. They may be wireless or corded.

Try these:

Compressed air duster

Everybody’s desk gets dusty. Electronics just draw it in with static. Your kid’s desk might also be suspiciously drawing in cookie crumbs, chip dust, etc. If you’ve ever used compressed air to clean your own keyboard, you’ll appreciate this rechargeable version. And I couldn’t resist this cute vacuum too.

Try these:

Portable charger

Like the extra phone charger I mentioned above, a portable battery source can be your hero. They’re usually the size of a cellphone or smaller and just need to be charged. In a pinch, they can power your teen’s phone for several hours.

Try these:

Tumbler or mug

Everybody loves a good quality tumbler, mug, or water bottle. (My teens somehow wear out even the most durable and need new ones annually.) Find out your kids’ favorite characters, cartoons, or games, and find a matching drink container.

Try these:

Silicon nightlight lamp

Teens are really just tall kids. They love cute things and still want a nightlight in their bedrooms. This particular duck lamp is a viral trend on TikTok. The brand also makes other cute animals, like a panda and a cat.

Find it here:

Otamatone

I put the Otamatone on this list because my kids have one and love it. Fair warning, it is a noisemaker. But it’s a cool noisemaker that’s a trendy musical instrument from Japan. They come in several styles too.

Find it here:

Instant camera or film

Everybody’s cell phone is a camera now, but that just makes a real printed photo seem cooler. Instant cameras like Polaroid are super fun. If your teen already has a camera, just stock up on extra film.

These are highly rated:

Photo printer

If a standalone camera isn’t quite what you’re looking for, give them a way to print the photos they are taking on their phone. There are 2 types of mini photo printers. Color printers use special paper film with ink embedded. Black and white printers use heat, like a store receipt.

These are cute:

Funko Pop characters

For every cartoon, movie, game, and fandom there is probably a Funko Pop character. If you know what things your teen likes, it’s easy to pick a character to add to their collection. And now Funko makes them in a couple of different sizes and series.

Try these:

Subscription service

Subscription services are a gift that keeps on giving. Most will let you purchase a gift subscription for a single month, several, or a whole year.

Try these:

Gift card

When in doubt, a gift card is a gift that you know they will use and enjoy. Find out which download store they get all of their games from and purchase one of these.

Find them here:

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What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

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