My son turned 13 earlier this year, and I am well on my way in terms of raising a teenage boy who has a ton of interests but doesn't always want to talk about them. This makes the holiday season a little interesting on my end, especially when it comes to buying gifts I know he'll love — after all, the days in which he'd be thrilled in head-to-toe Lightning McQueen clothes are long gone.
Luckily there are plenty of genuinely cool gifts out there for teen boys that aren't PlayStation and Xbox gift cards (yeah, that's basically all he's asked for — and he'll be getting those, too). Here are a few that might make your own teen boy's holiday brighter this year.
Hi-Tec Hiking Shoes
A lot of teen boys are super into nature and love hiking and trail running — or maybe they would love it, if only they had the perfect shoes. That's where Hi-Tec jumps onto the scene! The brand offers a ton of waterproof hiking shoes and trail running shoes for teens and adults alike, like the Men's Yosemite MID WP boots.
Bonus: If your teen is really into camping, pair the boots with Pull Start Fire fire-starter packs (prices start at $19.99), the easiest way to get a fire going when you're out in the woods.
Limited Edition NOCS Binoculars
In that same vein, few things go with a good set of hiking boots and fire-starter like brand-new binoculars, and these limited edition binoculars from NOCS are real showstoppers. The strap was designed by Ms. Winger-Bearskin, who used traditional patterns of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma (of which she is a member). The fog-proof binoculars come with a photo rig that makes it easy to attach a smartphone for photos and are climate neutral certified.
Jurassic World Blue & Beta Funko POP!
If you feel like Funko POP! and the brand's endless supply of little figures have dominated the lives of you and your children for years, trust, you're not alone — and boy, do I have a cute addition that your teen boy might, like, really need. The Blue & Beta Funko POP! goes in and out of stock frequently, so if you can't get it today, it's definitely important to check back soon. This one is a keeper.
Crunchyroll Naruto Shippuden Akatsuki Cloud Otaku Lamp
$34.95
from
Crunchyroll
This is embarrassing, because both my son and my boyfriend are extremely into anime, but I'm not entirely sure what an Akatsuki Cloud is … though I do know my teen boy, like so many boys and girls and teenagers in general, would love this lamp. It shines in a whopping 16 colors, which in and of itself makes it the coolest gift.
Crunchyroll 'Attack on Titan' Season 1 Soundtrack Deluxe Edition Vinyl
$99.97
from
Crunchyroll
Video games … but make it music! When I saw the Attack on Titan soundtrack on VINYL I actually cried out with joy, because this is quite possibly one of the most perfect gifts for my video-game-loving child. He's a big fan of music as well, and loves listening to vinyl — this kind of gift is the perfect blend of all things nerdy and retro and exactly perfect for this generation.
Jurassic World: The Legacy of Nublar board game
$120
from
Funko Games
I know, I know: $120 is a lot for a board game. Or it would be, if we were talking about your average board game. Jurassic World: The Legacy of Nublar is much, much more than a game. It's an immersive experience that offers players the opportunity to work through 12 different scenarios that can be completely customized every time you play. If you have visions of the entire family spending Christmas night huddled around a board game together with nary a phone in sight, this is the game to get.
Skillmatics Buildables Dinosaur X Robot
If you want to add an educational option for your teen boys, check out the Skillmatics Buildables Dinosaur x Robot. While every teen might not be into it, there are definitely plenty who will enjoy sitting down for an hour or two and working through putting together the design.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
