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45 Best Gifts for 13-Year-Old Boys That Speak to All Their Interests

For 2024, you're going to want to go with something funny or a cool tech gift.

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Yes, of course, he is still a child, technically speaking, but at 13, he's also a teenager with hungry eyes on adulthood. He’s also, probably, always hungry. Your baby boy is a big guy now and his wooden blocks and toy trucks are all boxed up and have been replaced with high-tech gear, ironic games and rad decor for his room. Shopping for the best gifts for 13-year-old boys is actually kind of easy when you think about it: His interests are clearly in focused, his passions are undeniable and his thirst for more and more is insatiable. Maybe he’s really into STEM or LEGO, art, books, outdoor sports or some other pursuit.

With all that in mind, to come up with the best gifts for kids this age, we have consulted our own teen kids, a great independent toy store, scoured the bestsellers lists at Amazon and included some toys that have been through testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute (including current and former Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners).

Our Top Picks for the Best Gifts for 13-Year-Old Boys

Whether you are looking for a just-a-little-something to give to a teen boy, like the coolest fidget toys, or splurge-worthy luxury gifts for 13-year-old boys he'll want to show off to all his friends, you'll find exactly the best gift for every 13-year-old boy on your list. And if you're looking for more great gifts, check out the best gifts for teen boys and the best gifts for 13-year-old girls.

Gift for Gamers

Game Over 8-Bit Pixel Light

Game Over 8-Bit Pixel Light
$20 at Amazon
Credit: Paladone

Your 13-year-old gamer will love the retro 8-bit vibes of this pixel light that changes color based on mood and can react to music too. It's the perfect room decor for a new teen boy.

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Gamers

Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner

Sky Viper Vector Stunt Plane

Vector Stunt Plane
Credit: Sky Viper

This plane flies up to 35 mph, but with automatic flight stabilization, it's still not too hard to control. Plus, it does tricks like loops at the touch of a button. Good Housekeeping Institute testers were amazed by how high and how fast this one went. Ages 12+

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards

Funny Gift for 13-Year-Old Boys

Tortilla Blanket

Tortilla Blanket
Credit: CASOFU

It's always Taco Tuesday when your kid has this hilarious, realistic, 6-foot tortilla blanket! (Don't worry, it's actually made of fleece.)

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Useful Gift

Galaxy Projector

On Sale
Galaxy Projector
Now 17% Off
Credit: Rossetta

Whether he thinks he's the brightest star in the universe already or has pie-in-the-sky dreams, your 13-year-old will love to project the entire galaxy onto his bedroom. Plus, this ingenious device triples as a white noise machine to help him sleep at night and a Bluetooth speaker to help him rock out during the day. No wonder it has more than 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Outdoor Game

Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Flag Ignited Kit

On Sale
Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Flag Ignited Kit
Now 25% Off
Credit: Getmovin Sports

When you're our age, you just want to flop on the couch with a beer or glass of wine and watch TV at the end of the day, but for 13-year-olds, nighttime is ripe with potential for mystery and fun! This awesome glow-in-the-dark version of the popular party game will get him and his friends moving outside after the sun (and you) settle in for the evening.

Practical Gift for Teenagers

Bombas Calf Socks

Calf Socks
Credit: Bombas

Can we be honest about socks for a second? Most socks are in the trash after a month or two of repeated wear. The exception to this rule is Bombas who make soft, sturdy socks that will stand up to his Spikeball playing, bike riding, nighttime capture the flag games and daily teenage boy life spent in Crocs or sandals with calf socks.

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For the Teen Who Has Everything

Hoptimist Classic Bumble

Classic Bumble
Credit: Hoptimist

The world at large can often be daunting, uncertain, and scary. That's what makes this Danish designed bit of room decor so essential! The bouncing hoptimist bumble is a simple, colorful source of positivity, joy, and happiness, which makes it a great gift for a teen boy in the 21st century.

For Athletes

SPRI Exercise Dice

Exercise Dice
Credit: SPRI

Lots of young boys start to get into physical fitness in their teenage years, and these exercise dice make working out fun and different every day. He'll roll and get 00 seconds of jumping jacks, 20 push-up reps or one of many other combinations, keeping his routine fresh and fun.

For DIYers

Money Bank Robot Kit

Money Bank Robot Kit
Credit: 4M

You're never too old or young to stash coins away in the hope of accumulating some real cash to spend on new sneakers, movies or burgers with friends. This bank is a robot he'll build (sneaky STEM!) and one that eats his loose change. Fun, educational, and affordable, FTW! Ages 8+

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For Sneaker Collectors

Sneakerhead Poster 4-Pack

Sneakerhead Poster 4-Pack
Credit: Nilem Design

It may not always seem like it, because they're usually scattered haphazardly around your home, but your boy loves his sneakers, loves the newest sneakers on the market and loves retro kicks too. So he's going to flip for this cool set of four modern sneaker art posters.

For Collectors

Pokémon Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box

Pokémon Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box
Credit: The Pokémon Company

My 19-year-old daughter works in an independent neighborhood toy store and she tells me that Pokémon cards make great gifts for most 13-year-old boys because these freshly-minted teens love collecting, trading and playing Pokémon — and, she adds, talking about it nonstop! This box comes with booster packs, card sleeves, energy cards and game accessories to keep them going. Ages 6+

RELATED: The Best Pokémon Gifts for Fans

Best Accessory

Ubuntu Life Beaded Leather Bracelet

Beaded Leather Bracelet
Credit: Ubuntu Life

These unisex leather bracelets come in lots of different colors, so he can wear a different one every day, or even stack a few. Each one is made with real leather and glass beads, created by artisans in Kenya.

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Affordable Tech Gift

6 Outlet USB Wall Charger

On Sale
6 Outlet USB Wall Charger
Now 33% Off
Credit: POWRUI

How many devices does your kid have that need charging? Phone, tablet, laptop, gaming headset, Bluetooth headphones, Airpods, smartwatch? And don't forget his cool desktop charging station, which needs power too! This practical gift for teen boys may not light up the room when he opens it but it'll keep the power lights on all his tech glowing.

Fun Family Game

Gutter Games Beat That! Party Game

Beat That! Party Game
Now 25% Off
Credit: Gutter Games

The isolation of the pandemic reinforced how important community and human connection truly are for adults, but especially for kids. This hilarious game of wacky challenges is a sheer delight to play together with family or a group of teen friends, sharing moments in person and making lasting memories. Ages 9+

Guinness World Records 2024

Guinness World Records 2024
Credit: Guinness World Records

He may fancy himself a young adult, but chances are he's still a curious and goofy kid who finds stuff like, the 'world record longest hula-hooping on one foot' totally awesome. The newest edition of the big hardback Guinness book makes a great gift for a 13-year-old boy.

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Two Gifts in One

Relaxcation Inc Money Soap Bar

Money Soap Bar
Credit: Relaxcation Inc

There are two things we can be relatively sure of when it comes to 13-year-old boys, they need a shower and they always say they need more money. This bar of soap has real money inside, anything from a $1 bill to a Benjamin Franklin. (That's a $100 bill, in case they’re not sure.) The motivation to get clean and get cash will never be stronger!

Active Gift

Hover Soccer Ball 2-Pack

On Sale
Hover Soccer Ball 2-Pack
Now 11% Off
Credit: Atlasonix

Nothing beats kicking a ball around on the green grass but when winter weather makes playing soccer outside impossible, your 13-year-old boy(s) will love turning your hallway or family room into their soccer stadium with a clever hover ball that stays down and slides along the floor. The set comes with two balls and two goals. Ages 8+

Sophisticated Keychain

Kingsley Leather Key Fob

Key Fob
Credit: Kingsley Leather

If he's always losing track of his keys, maybe this very adult-looking key fob will give him the motivation he needs to keep track of it. (You can always put a Tile Bluetooth tracker on it for extra peace of mind.) You can get it with silver, gold or brass hardware.

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Upgrade His Lunch

Umami Bento Lunch Box

Bento Lunch Box
Credit: Umami

Make his lunch cooler and more organized with a leakproof bamboo bento lunch box complete with wooden utensils and sauce jars so he, like my teen, can enjoy grapes and cheese, a tossed salad, hummus and pita platter or the timeless classic PB&J sandwich in style.

Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner

Kanoodle Pyramid

On Sale
Kanoodle Pyramid
Now 20% Off
Credit: Educational Insights

This game gives their minds a workout and lets them engage in a solo activity all at once. Cards tell players to arrange the pieces in a certain way, and then players have to use their smarts to fit the rest of the pieces in to make a pyramid shape. Help them work on their focus and concentration! Ages 7+

Headshot of Jeff Bogle
Jeff Bogle
Freelance Writer

Jeff is a dad of two daughters, an avid traveler, a photographer, an author and a freelance writer who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and their cats. In addition to Good Housekeeping, he's written for Parents, Fodor's, Food and Wine, Real Simple and Reader’s Digest, among other print and online publications. Jeff is the publisher of the quarterly literary magazine, Stanchion, and his book, Streets Cats and Where to Find Them, will be published by Running Press in the Summer of 2025.

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